Company :Contiki Duration: 2 weeks to 2 weeks Approx Costs: 1500 to 1750 £ Pound (UK)
Our Eastern America tour will give you action and adventure, as well as time to chill out and unwind.
From the relaxed beauty of the Southern States to the fast-paced lifestyle of the Northern hotspots, get a good taste of America! While you're up north, why not get consumed by the city that never sleeps, New York. And down South, get charmed by some traditional southern hospitality. Still craving more northern action? The Big Apple Explorer offers you the complete sights of the exciting city of New York.
What's Included
An experienced & professional Trip Manager & Driver team
17 meals: 11 breakfasts & 6 dinners
Itinerary
1 ARRIVE NEW ORLEANS
Meet up with your fellow travelers and Tour Manager in swinging New Orleans. A meeting point of European style and Caribbean flavors, this town is busy with soul, flamboyance, festivities and a whole lot of jazz! Experience the stunning French Quarter, made up of hidden courtyards, soul-kitchens and jazz clubs. Hang out in Jackson square and watch musicians, fortune tellers and artists. Then turn the energy levels up with a visit to Bourbon Street. Humming night and day, it is all about music and bars. So make your first night on tour one to remember by living the New Orleans’ motto “Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler” - let the good times roll!
2 NEW ORLEANS TO PANAMA CITY BEACH
With time to relax on the coach, enjoy a siesta or get some tips for the up-coming destinations from your Trip Manager. Travel through Southern Mississippi. Afterwards, we head to Southern Alabama to soak up some sun with an overnight stop at "The World's Most Beautiful Beaches" - Panama City Beach.
3 PANAMA CITY BEACH TO ORLANDO
Get ready to arrive in the former farming town of Orlando. This ordinary town was transformed into the most-visited place in the state by Walt Disney’s imagination, when he created Disney World. Now Orlando is all about wild rides, fantasy and amusement parks, so get some pointers from your Trip Manager and take your pick!
4 ORLANDO
Free time means a day out in one of the many fun parks located here with some friends. There are loads of options; Disney World with its 4 parks, Universal Studios and several water parks. The parks also serve up theme-bars and clubs, so if you’re keen, keep it moving tonight at one of them.
5 ORLANDO TO MIAMI
Flamboyant, flashy and fabulous, Miami is hot and loud. Packed with diverse neighborhoods, each with their own character, Miami is great place to hang out. First up it's a look around the downtown. You’ll see the Miami Heat (basketball team) arena, the high rises of the financial district and the outdoor shopping area of the Bayside Marketplace. Then, discover stylish South Beach with its iconic art deco buildings, swaying palm trees and neon lights. Sizzling any night of the week, South Beach is where all the action is, so explore it in a night out with your friends.
6 MIAMI
Tropical Miami oozes energy and a free day here means time to get into this happening hub. Head down to Ocean Avenue and people-watch. If you’re looking to relax, kick back among the toned, bronzed bodies on South Beach and take a swim in the warm waters of the southern Atlantic. Have a go on 2 wheels in a fun biking excursion with the group and get familiar with the waterfront neighborhoods. Tonight, live a slice of the high life and party it up Miami style out on the water in our optional harbor party cruise.
7 MIAMI TO DAYTONA BEACH
We head north today, to the incredible Daytona Beach. Take in the sand, sea and sun on one of the most famous beaches in the world.
8 DAYTONA BEACH TO ST. AUGUSTINE VIA KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
Hit the Space Coast, home to NASA, and visit the fascinating Kennedy Space Center, the only rocket launch point for space missions in the Western Hemisphere. You’ve got time to explore the massive series of buildings, as you learn about space exploration and get up close to pieces of the moon, mission capsules, astronaut’s gear and space shuttles. You’ll also see the launch and landing pad first hand. Back on the coach, we cruise through a wildlife reserve and journey on to pretty St. Augustine, America’s oldest inhabited city, complete with cobblestones, a laid-back harbor and small beaches. Head to the timeworn streets of the Spanish quarter with the group, soak up the Mediterranean feel with its colorful buildings and courtyards, and visit the 17th Century Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
9 ST. AUGUSTINE TO SAVANNAH
Free-wheeling Savannah is up next and its all about southern charm. Fall under its spell as you check out the old cotton warehouses, historic city squares and mansions. Spared from the destruction of the Civil War, you’ll see original historic buildings here. Visit stunning Forsyth Park and see gorgeous moss covered oak trees, surrounding historic homes and inns. Take in the sub-tropical plants, flowers and lush greenery that spill onto the town’s 24 public squares. Perhaps enjoy dinner along the waterfront tonight and experience southern hospitality at its best.
10 SAVANNAH TO RALEIGH VIA CHARLESTON
En route to Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina, we swing by pretty Charleston, the town that inspired a dance craze. Former Civil War hot spot, this town is all about southern charm with its wide porches, shuttered buildings and Victorian architecture. With carriage rides into the historic district, old mansions on the waterfront and palm trees dotted about, this place is stunning. If you’re hungry, try some delicious shrimp and grits (corn based polenta) before we continue on to Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina.
11 RALEIGH TO WASHINGTON D.C.
This morning, cross over the border into Richmond for a slice of history. After a look around the old center we head to Carytown, a young and funky district, for lunch. Next up: the nation’s capital, Washington D.C. It’s the USA’s political core, buzzing with decision makers and busy with museums, monuments and politics. Get inspired on our Illuminations Tour around D.C’s famous structures and see the city brilliantly lit up against the night sky. Your local guide will fill you in D.C’s signature sites and monuments, like the Capitol Building, Washington Monument and the White House. We’ll drive along the National Mall, a traditional place of protest and of key events in the USA’s past. Enjoy an overview of presidential history with a look at the Lincoln Memorial, where Martin Luther King gave his “I have a dream” speech, the Jefferson memorial with its famous columns and the Roosevelt Memorial. Remember those who died in Vietnam and Korea as you check out the memorials to those conflicts.
12-13 WASHINGTON D.C.
With two full days to explore the capital, you can visit some fascinating museums and monuments, or hang out in the city’s vibrant neighborhoods for a different feel. We’ll visit Arlington National Cemetery, where JFK is buried and thousands of US soldiers lie. Find out about infamous FBI cases and what it means to be a secret agent, while you listen to bugs and play around with gadgets and interactive displays. Later, hit Georgetown, D.C.’s oldest district and see how it has injected itself with new energy. 200 year-old buildings hold hip galleries and boutiques – it’s a great place to pick up something funky. It’s also a global kitchen - try something from the 50 different types of ethnic food on offer. With a university crowd, Georgetown is vibrant and young, so spend some time exploring the laid-back lounges and upscale bars. For something more upbeat, get down and funky in Adams-Morgan, another trendy district.
14 WASHINGTON D.C. TO NEW YORK
Leaving the capital behind, we continue on to New York. First up is Philadelphia. Check out Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and the historic Liberty Bell – Philadelphia’s landmark that weighs in at 2080lb (944kg). Don’t forget to try a Philly cheese steak, a local speciality. We top off your travels with New York, where it’s time to say farewell to your new friends, as the trip ends here late this afternoon.
I've been on 5 Contiki tours and this was my first in the USA. I absolutely loved this tour! You get to travel with people your age, go sightseeing and/or party as much as you want, you meet the BEST friends you'll ever make, experience life in a group while doing your own thing, it's the perfect way to travel the States! Contiki gets you everywhere and tells you about the fun and interesting stuff to see and do, all while staying in really nice hotels, so it's actually great value for your money, if you think it looks expensive just think about everything that's included! I'm a vegetarian myself and even that has never been a problem, they always take amazing care of me! So what are you waiting for, go book this trip!!!
By: Astrid
Nationality: Belgian
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