11 day Southwest Discovery tour with Insight Vacations

Inclusions

• 10 nights in first class hotels
• 10 full breakfasts,1 three-course table d'hote dinner or buffet, 3 highlight dinners of local cuisine in Beverley Hills, at the Grand Canyon and San Diego's Old Town
• Travel in luxury 40-seat coach with more leg room
• Escorted by a professional tour director
• Enjoy a Grand Canyon sunset rim walk
• Visit Montezuma Castle National Monument, one of America's best preserved cliff dwellings.
• Explore Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Scottsdale, San Diego and more

Itinerary

Day 1    Arrive Los Angeles
Welcome to the City of Angels! Hotel: InterContinental Los Angeles Century City.

Day 2    Los Angeles sightseeing
Start your discovery tour following in the footsteps of the stars at the Hollywood Walk of Fame and see the iconic Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Sign. Enjoy the red carpet treatment as you are taken on a private guided tour of the Kodak Theatre, home of the Academy Awards. This afternoon, follow the ocean breeze to laid-back Santa Monica. Stroll along Palisades Park and visit the historic pier or the Third Street Promenade shopping and dining pedestrian area.

Day 3    Los Angeles - Palm Springs
Leave dazzling Los Angeles for Palm Springs, the desert oasis and popular getaway of old-time stars. Stop at the Desert Springs Premium Outlets for top value designer shopping. Arriving in Palm Springs, feel the air cool as you ascend 5,873 feet (1,791 meters) on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway into the pines of Mount San Jacinto. Descending back into the desert, drive past homes of rich and famous celebrities while learning about Palms Springs history and Native American heritage. Hotel: Hilton Palm Springs.

Day 4    Palm Springs - Las Vegas
On the way out to Las Vegas, stop at historic Hadley Fruit Orchards for a chance to buy the finest dried fruit and nuts and indulge in its celebrated date shake. Arrive in Las Vegas late afternoon, just in time for some fun in Sin City! Hotel: Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.

Day 5    Las Vegas at leisure
Today is yours to enjoy as you please. Relax by the swimming pool, go shopping or try your luck at the casinos and have fun exploring the Strip. 

Day 6    Las Vegas - Grand Canyon
Travel a portion of Historic Route 66, stopping at the iconic outposts of Kingman and Seligman. This afternoon, you'll be awed by the immense landscape as you enter Grand Canyon National Park. Carved by the Colorado River over millennia, the colossal canyon is ranked as a top natural wonder of the world. Hotel: National Park Lodges.

Day 7    Grand Canyon sightseeing
Rise early for one of Mother Nature's grandest shows - sunrise at the Grand Canyon. Join a local expert for an exclusive presentation on the history and geology of this 1.7 billion- year-old wonder. The afternoon is yours to do as you please. Maybe explore Canyon Village, attend a free Ranger Program, take a short hike into the canyon or take an optional flightseeing tour by helicopter or airplane.

Day 8    Grand Canyon - Scottsdale
Leave the Grand Canyon behind and wind down stunning Oak Creek Canyon as you enter Red Rock Country. Visit Montezuma Castle National Monument, one of North America's best preserved cliff dwellings. Arrive in Scottsdale and your stunning resort. Hotel: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.

Day 9    Scottsdale - Sand Diego
Head toward the Pacific coast, driving past the giant saguaro cacti of the Sonoran Desert and the Imperial Sand Dunes of California. Arrive in San Diego, California's second largest city, boasting a dazzling cityscape and one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world. Hotel: San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter.

Day 10    San Diego sightseeing
Explore San Diego starting with the historic Gaslamp Quarter, quaint Seaport Village, the Embarcadero and Balboa Park, the nation's largest urban cultural park. The afternoon is at leisure; perhaps visit the San Diego Zoo or take a harbour cruise. This evening, head for Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. 

Day 11    San Diego - depart Los Angeles
Stop in sparkling La Jolla, "the jewel" by the sea, before continuing on to Mission San Juan Capistrano to learn about the legendary returning swallows and California mission history. Your tour ends in Los Angeles.  

Departure Dates and Prices*

Great savings and discounts with Insight Vacations:

• Book two Insight vacations tours and you will receive a 5% reduction off the lower priced tour, take three tours and save on two^
• Save 5% when you book and pay in full 6 months in advance prior to your tour departure
• Insight also recognises loyal guests with a 5% discount off the land price of your next Insight holiday, or, if you are a frequent traveller, please ask an RACQ travel consultant about further discounts that may apply

• Insight offers you the opportunity of sharing your happy holiday memories with your children or grandchildren and offer a young traveller savings of up to 10% if aged
  between 5-17 years old on selected tours#

• Single travellers can save if they are travelling alone. Insight can match you with someone of the same gender, so you don't have to pay the single room supplement. If they fail to match you they will provide a single room at no extra cost on selected tours

*Terms and Conditions

• Prices current as at 22 May 2012
• Prices are per person in AUD$ based on twin share
• ^Insight's Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Eastern Mediterranean tours and 'Select' range of tours do not qualify for the 5% second tour discount
• #Young travellers must be under the age of 18 years old on the tour departure and accompanied by an adult, sharing a twin room (limit of one Young traveller discount per room). Children under 5 years old are not accepted on any escorted tour
• Prices are subject to change (eg due to currency fluctuations)
• Offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time
• Further conditions apply please see Insight Vacations USA & Canada 2012 brochure