Best tours in the USA

1. West Coast Wanderer

This 12-night tour takes in western America’s must-see sights. After a day of travelling and a night of relaxing in Los Angeles, California, you’ll start your trip by exploring this TV-famous city. You’ll take in a handful of Hollywood’s best sights, such as Sunset Boulevard and the Walk of Fame, before heading to a farmers’ market in Beverly Hills. Here, you can pick up fresh produce like Cali oranges for a tasty midday snack. You’ll finish off your day in dusty Calico Ghost Town – a deserted mining town that looks like it’s been plucked straight from a Western.

On day three, it’s time to tick off Arizona’s great gem – the Grand Canyon National Park. Sit back during a scenic drive here and snap photos of the giant gorges and craggy rock faces. Then, on day four, you’ll visit Monument Valley’s red-sand desert, which is near the border with Utah. Hike past the Rain God Mesa, before sipping Prosecco while watching the sun go down over Bryce Canyon. Our guide knows the best spots for the best possible views – so, cameras at the ready…

Days five and six are all about Las Vegas, AKA Sin City. This neon-lit hotspot is buzzing with sights. Take a stroll down the main strip with its huge casinos and hotels, before heading to Fremont Street, where you can watch a mesmerising indoor light show. After a night here, it’s on to Death Valley – this desert valley is one of the hottest places in the world.

Day eight is just as action packed as the rest. Gawp at Yosemite National Park with its tree-lined forests and thundering waterfalls and stand in the shadows of Yosemite Falls’ trees – they’re over 700-metres tall. You’ll travel to San Francisco, where top activities include wine tasting and a guided city tour, before ticking off all of San Fran’s favourites, including the Golden Gate Bridge and Twin Peaks. We’ll then round up your tour with a trip to coastal Monterey for beachside strolls and souvenir shopping. Making our way south, you’ll also stop in Solvang city with its charming Danish architecture and at Santa Monica’s Venice Beach, where you can reminisce about your trip on the powder-soft sands.

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2. Sands & Sights of Florida

The Sunshine State flaunts everything from sandy beaches to alligator-teeming swamps – and you’ll see it all on this adventure-ready, seven-day tour. After touching down in Orlando and having an evening to relax, you’ll start the next day feeling refreshed and ready to discover Florida’s east-coast favourites – St Augustine with its old town and historic Castillo San Marcos fortress as well as bar-backed Daytona Beach. At the latter, you can kick back on the white sands, browse the artisan food shops or check out the iconic Daytona International Speedway. After a night in Orlando, you’ll make tracks for the world-famous Kennedy Space Center. Get clued up on NASA here, before having a go on a shuttle simulator and eating lunch with an astronaut – yes, you heard us right. The next day, you’ll get to know Miami on a city tour. We’re talking tropical gardens, white-sand beaches and a cutting-edge art scene.

On your fifth day, you’ll visit Florida Keys. Wander through a rainforest-style garden here, pick up Key Lime and coconut smoothies from a local fruit stand and check out the Everglades National Park. Keep your eyes peeled for turtles, herons and alligators. Then, you’ll sample fresh seafood before cruising down Seven Mile Bridge to the town of Marathon. It’s one of the USA’s most spectacular driving routes – so, say hello to wow-worthy views. Day six brings with it a more in-depth tour of the Everglades. Jet across the swamps on a fan-powered airboat. Then, learn about the local wildlife and Native American history at the Miccosukee Indian Village.

On your second-to-last day, you’ll finish your trip in style with a walk across one of the longest bridges in Florida – Sunshine Skyway Bridge. You’ll visit one of the state’s best nature spots, too, where you can spot manatees, bobcats and black bears.

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3. Rhythms of the Deep South

From Elvis Presley’s home town to the country’s music capital, you’ll discover all the Deep South has to offer on this state-hopping tour. You’ll kick off your trip in Atlanta with visits to the city’s most iconic sights, including the CNN Center and the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame. Then, finish your day in Chattanooga – AKA The River City – which is known for its pretty waterfront trails. It’s set in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, so you can expect far-reaching views.

Your third day is all about what Tennessee does best – whiskey production. Sample five of Jack Daniel’s finest in the distillery, before checking out Nashville. Then on day four, it’s time to get lyrical and cultural. Lean how to line dance, listen to country music and check out the famous RCA Studio B, where Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton both recorded hits. You can have a go at recording your own track here, too. On day five, you’ll continue the music trail with a trip to Tupelo – Elvis Presley’s home town, before making your way to Memphis – the birthplace of blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll. On day six, you’ll tour the city’s best sites, such as the Memphis Pyramid and Elvis’ Graceland mansion – cue the huge collection of classic cars and planes.

Make for Mississippi and delve deeper into the country’s history with a visit to Vicksburg National Military Park – the site of an American Civil war battle – on day seven. You’ll then finish the day in Natchez, sitting pretty along the Mississippi River. After a night sleeping to the soothing sounds of the river, you’ll travel to New Orleans and tour a cotton plantation. On the ninth day of your tour, we’ll show you around New Orleans itself. You’ve then got the afternoon and the next day to explore the city under your own steam. We recommend you see Jackson Square, where artists come to paint, and Bourbon Street with its buzzing nightlife and live Jazz music.

On day eleven, you’ll travel to Alabama and tour the towns of Monroeville and Selma, which were key spots in the Civil Rights Movement. Immerse yourself in the local history here and tick off landmark locations, like Edmund Pettus Bridge and Brown Chapel AME Church.

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Ready to explore?

Check out our full range of tours. Plus, discover the best tours in Europe and Africa.

Want an insider look at one of our tours?
We took five ‘energised adventurers’ to test out our brand-new tour of South Africa. From wildlife spotting on safari to hiking up mountains, watch their video diaries to find out exactly what they got up to. Look out for the moment that they found out that TV presenter Julia Bradbury would be coming with them to help guide the way…

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Author: Jessica Houtby