The Best of the American West: San Francisco and the Great Parks

Head north along thespectacular California coast, first stop atSanta Barbara. Visit aSpanish Mission to understand how these religious places were key to the development of the entire region. Continue north toSolvang, a Danish village with typical Northern European architecture; take advantage of a stroll along the main street full of inviting little shops.

Continue along the famous17 Mile Drive (part of Route #1) that runs along the spectacular California coast. Arrive at the picturesque town ofCarmel, home of actor Clint Eastwood. Some free time for a stroll before heading to the hotel where you’ll stay overnight.

Today you’ll understand whySan Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The tour begins with amini-cruise that departs fromFisherman's Wharf and sails through the famous bay, under theGolden Gate Bridge and near the famousAlcatraz Island.

Return to Pier 39 for lunch and continue with a scenic tour of the city, which includes theGolden Gate Bridge,Union Square,Chinatown, andNob Hill. The tour ends with a splendid evening view of the city from theBay Bridge.

We head toward the farmlands of theJoaquin Valley towardsYosemite National Park. Two thousand wonderful square kilometers of forests, lakes, and waterfalls are found in theSierra Nevada.

Stops are made atEl Capitan,Bridal Veil Falls (Velo da sposa), andHalf Dome before continuing on foot from Yosemite Park Visitor Center to reach the highest waterfalls in North America:Yosemite Falls.

Departing eastward through the desert and the famousDeath Valley to reach the gambling capital:Las Vegas. Lunch stop at theBarstow Outlet, full of stores like Levi's, Nike, Reebok, Timberland, and many more, at competitive prices.

In the evening, there is a panoramic tour of the famousLas Vegas Strip to see from the outside some of the most incredibly imaginative hotels and buildings built right in the middle of the desert:

• Caesar's Palace
• Mirage
• Luxor
• Paris
• Mandalay Bay
• New York New York
• Treasure Island

The free evening can be spent at one of the many shows or trying your luck in one of the many casinos—the goddess of fortune smiles upon many every day!

We leave in the morning heading southeast through the desert and theNavajo Indian reservation before arriving at the south rim of"One of the seven wonders of the world", theGrand Canyon.

Passing right along the south rim, you understand how over millennia theColorado River carved its way to the sea, creating this unique geological wonder. After lunch, the journey continues along the east side of the Canyon, stopping at some of the manyIndian markets to discover their crafts.

We start the day where"water runs through rocks" as the Navajo Indian folklore says. We visit the upper part ofAntelope Canyon and the spectacular dunes created by wind, water, and sand; there are no words to describe these creations of Mother Nature.

Upon returning from the canyon, we head towardsBryce Canyon, home to some of the most incredible natural sculptures in the world. Our tour will take you to see these fascinating stone and sand formations, perfectly carved by millennia of sun, wind, and rain.

Not to be missed is the fantastic change of colors at sunset from one of the park’s scenic viewpoints (may vary depending on sunset time changes).

On some departures the tour will continue to Cedar City for the night at Comfort Inn, Cedar City.

After breakfast, we head toZion Park. The name was chosen by Mormons who settled in the area, since for them visiting this park is like having areligious experience: the majesty of the mountains and the silence of Nature make you feel as if you’ve been transported to another world.

The park is visited and you walk a bit along theVirgin River that runs through the park, before leaving this incredible place and returning toLas Vegas or arriving late in the evening inLos Angeles (optional return).