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California & the Golden West Price from £1395 pp

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Americans have always seen their country as the land of opportunity - with California symbolising all that is best in the American way of life. Here people have come to discover gold, fame, fortune and the secret of good living. And you don’t have to be a celebrity to enjoy what is, quite simply, one of the best climates in the world. Add to it the rugged and stunning landscapes of Arizona and Nevada and you have the locations for the perfect touring holiday. Exciting cities, lush parklands, mountains and cavernous scenery and a dazzling coastline combine to make an unforgettable experience.

Itinerary:

DAY 1 LONDON • SAN DIEGO
We begin with Titan HiTours VIP Home Departure Service® to London Heathrow Airport and your direct scheduled British Airways, American Airlines or Virgin Atlantic flight to Los Angeles. Our coach will take us south to San Diego and the Crowne Plaza, Handlery Hotel, Holiday Inn Mission Valley or Holiday Inn Downtown.

DAY 2 SAN DIEGO
This morning we take a tour of this attractive harbour city including the 16-block National Historic District of the Gas Lamp Quarter and Balboa Park, encompassing 1,400 acres of landscaped grounds in the centre of the city with its many museums dedicated to interests from art, music and theatre to sports and science. Our tour concludes at the picturesquely reconstructed Mexican-style old town with free time to explore the many shops and restaurants. The afternoon is free and offers the opportunity to further explore San Diego, or perhaps visit California’s premier marine attraction, SeaWorld, or the world-famous San Diego Zoo with many species in spacious and natural surroundings. This evening you may care to dine locally or venture out to the attractive Old Town with its wide choice of eating places.

DAY 3 SAN DIEGO • PHOENIX
We travel towards Phoenix, driving through southern California and entering Arizona by way of Yuma. The desert landscape is typically Wild West and reminiscent of many cowboy films with its varieties of cacti. Our hotel is the Hilton Garden Inn or the Lexington Hotel Central Phoenix. This evening there is a selection of free drinks available, compliments of Titan HiTours.

DAY 4 GRAND CANYON • FLAGSTAFF
This morning we travel through Navajo Indian country for our brief visit to the artist colony of Sedona. This charming town is surrounded by towering spires of red sandstone and as we climb into Oak Creek Canyon we enjoy the stunning views of the vast mountain ranges. Rising ever higher we approach the Grand Canyon to the rim for one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the world. At 277 miles long, 18 miles wide and nearly 1 mile deep this is a geological wonder - a huge expanse of exposed rock that far below plays host to the mighty Colorado River. You may wish to take an optional helicopter or fixed wing flight over the Canyon and experience the stunning views where level upon level of rock form intricate shapes and beautiful sculptures. These tours can be pre-booked before you travel or simply speak to your tour manager who will assist with arranging them during your stay. Time to lunch and take photographs before descending into Flagstaff and the Radisson or the Courtyard by Marriott.

DAY 5 FLAGSTAFF • WILLIAMS • LAS VEGAS
This morning we make a brief visit to the 1908 Williams depot before departing for Las Vegas. Arriving in Las Vegas at the ideally situated Flamingo or Excalibur hotels you are immediately plunged into the glitter and excitement of this city which, like New York, never sleeps. Our hotels are located directly on the strip, allowing you to enjoy a stroll to and from your hotel soaking up the fabulous atmosphere without the need to take expensive and time consuming taxis.

DAY 6 LAS VEGAS
Free to enjoy all that Vegas has to offer. Discover the colourful and amazing spectacles of the many resorts and vast array of entertainment with something for everyone including numerous top class shows. The local transport system of buses cruise the strip at regular intervals throughout the day and night. Experience the many speciality shops and boutiques and in between the high living, you can relax at the poolside of your hotel. Alternatively, for those who wish, we have arranged a short morning excursion to the Hoover Dam, a spectacular engineering achievement. With its aim to end the constant flooding of land by the destructive Colorado River, the dam was completed in 1936 and harnesses the force of the powerful river supplying water and electricity to many of the surrounding states.

DAY 7 LAS VEGAS • VISALIA
Crossing the Mojave Desert we come to the ghost town of Calico, once a thriving centre of silver mining, now enjoying a new lease of life as a tourist attraction, complete with ‘old style’ cowboy characters. Then on to the Holiday Inn at Visalia.

DAY 8 YOSEMITE • SONORA
This morning we travel to one of the greatest natural sanctuaries - Yosemite National Park, in the heart of the Sierra Nevada. The park offers a gorgeous array of dogwoods, sugar pines, white firs and, of course, a chance to see the giant Redwoods of California. After a memorable day we exit the park and travel to the Best Western Hotel at Sonora or Courtyard by Marriott Hotel at Modesto.

DAY 9 SONORA • SAN FRANCISCO
We travel west to fabulous San Francisco, where Tony Bennett left his heart, as many have before and since. We have arranged a sightseeing tour to orientate you to the remarkably compact city, with its myriad attractions including the Golden Gate Bridge, fashionable Nob Hill, Chinatown and the Italian Quarter. Our hotel is the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway.

DAY 10 SAN FRANCISCO
A leisurely day to enjoy San Francisco. You may wish to take a boat trip from Fisherman’s Wharf which will take you to the Golden Gate Bridge and the notorious prison Alcatraz. The Alcatraz Island offers a fascinating and close up look at the historic and infamous federal prison where visitors can not only explore the remnants of the prison but also learn about the Native American occupation and early military fortifications. On Union Square you can sample some of America’s finest shops and department stores such as Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.

DAY 11 SAN FRANCISCO • CAMBRIA
We travel south to Monterey, the old Spanish and Mexican capital of upper California, whose old town architecture charmingly rubs shoulders with the Spanish. After a coffee stop we take the famous 17 Mile Drive, one of the loveliest coastal routes in the world. Time for lunch in the delightful town of Carmel with its windy tree-lined streets, outdoor cafés, shops and boutiques. We continue south to join the curving Big Sur Coastline with the dramatic breakers of the Pacific crashing against its sinuously rocky shoreline. We arrive at Cambria and the Cambria Pines Lodge.

DAY 12 CAMBRIA • ANAHEIM
To Santa Barbara, a town favoured by artists with its palm-fringed streets, charming promenade along the harbour and pier. Here we make our lunch-time stop. We depart for Anaheim and the Clarion Hotel.

DAY 13 ANAHEIM
A day to relax or to take a fabulous optional excursion to Universal Studios Hollywood, the world’s largest movie studio and theme park. Take the Backlot Tour and view behind the scenes of the still vibrant movie industry including backdrops of many famous motion pictures. With the park’s array of attractions, elaborate rides and spectacular live shows, a truly memorable day awaits.

DAY 14 DISNEYLAND®
Another great high-spot among many on this holiday is a visit to Disneyland® or Disney’s new California Adventure™ Park (included in the price). You can depart as early as you wish by the Anaheim Resort shuttle service which runs to and fro at regular intervals (nominal charge applies). You may have visited a theme park before but certainly not one like Disneyland®. You can enjoy everything from exhilarating rides, relax on a Mississippi paddleboat to meeting and talking with your favourite Disney characters. Alternatively Disney’s California Adventure™ Park offers a unique experience with many varied attractions, all themed on the diverse “Golden State” of California.

DAY 15 LOS ANGELES • LONDON
We board our coach for a brief tour of Hollywood, Sunset Boulevard and the fashionable Wilshire district with a stop at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre where the handprints of the stars are immortalised. We travel on to Los Angeles Airport for our return direct scheduled flight to Heathrow with British Airways, American Airlines or Virgin Atlantic. Extend your stay - call for details.

DAY 16 LONDON
Arrival at London Heathrow Airport where our staff will greet you and transfer you to Titan HiTours transport for your journey home to your own front door.

Whats included:

• Duration 16 days, 14 nights in hotels – 2 San Diego, 1 Phoenix, 1 Flagstaff, 2 Las Vegas, 1 Visalia, 1 Sonora, 2 San Francisco, 1 Cambria, 3 Anaheim & 1 in flight.
• Titan's VIP Home Departure Service® from your front door to London Heathrow Airport and from London Heathrow Airport to your front door.
• Check-in service by Titan staff.
• Scheduled British Airways, American Airlines, or Virgin Atlantic direct flights to and from Heathrow and Los Angeles with in-flight meals, soft drinks and entertainment.
• Transfers to and from American airports.
• First class air-conditioned coaching with experienced drivers and the services of a Titan tour manager throughout.
• Accommodation as specified in brochure or of a similar standard.
• Excursions including entrances to Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, 17 Mile Drive, Calico Ghost Town, San Diego and San Francisco city tours and one day pass to Disneyland®.
• Hotel porterage (1 bag per person).
• All airport taxes, security charges and the UK Air Passenger Duty of £45 per person.
• Airline imposed fuel surcharge.

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