American Rail Adventure

Your American adventure begins with a flight to New York. Arriving in the evening, transfer to your hotel. On Day 2 you take a tour of the 'City that Never Sleeps', taking in iconic sights including leafy Central Park and bustling Fifth Avenue.

Following the tour, the rest of your day is then free for you to discover the attractions of the Big Apple under your own steam. You could head to one of the many museums or art galleries, or indulge in some retail therapy in one of the numerous high-end shops and boutiques.

Perhaps hop on the subway and venture down to Chelsea - here you will find the incredible Chelsea Market, as well as a gorgeous park on a disused subway line, called the High Line.

We leave New York behind on today, travelling by rail to Washington District Capital. On arrival, we take a guided coach tour of this capital city, absorbing the famous sights that D.C. is known for the world over, including the White House, the Pentagon and Capitol Hill. We spend this evening across the Potomac River from the District Capital in nearby Arlington.

Day 4 begins with a free morning; perhaps take the opportunity to visit Arlington National Cemetery, where more than 400,000 military veterans are interred, as well as famous figures such as John F Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Alternatively, you could visit the fantastic Smithsonian Institution - the world's largest museum complex, with 19 museums and even a National Zoo.

This afternoon, we board the Capitol Limited, for the sleeper service to Chicago. The journey takes us on the route of the historic Baltimore & Ohio Line, through the Potomac Valley and past the Allegheny Mountains, before crossing into Ohio. Dinner is served on board the train this evening.

After breakfast on board this morning, we pull into the 'Windy City.' We take a tour of the city, revisiting the 'dry and lawless years' of the 1920s and 30s that established Chicago's historic reputation as a city of bootleggers. Modern Chicago is glorious, its architecture a key highlight for many visitors. This afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace; perhaps take this opportunity to discover some of the unique buildings that the city is known for, or delve further in to Chicago's history.

Your morning is free to continue your discovery of Chicago; perhaps take this chance to stroll along the Magnificent Mile. This afternoon we board the California Zephyr, travelling overnight through the Great Plains of Nebraska to Denver.

Arrive in Denver this morning, where you enjoy a coach tour of the 'Mile High City'. Colorado is famed for its natural beauty, and during your tour you'll see a generous slice of it, including the spectacular Red Rocks Park, and of course, the stunning Rocky Mountains that line the Continental Divide.

Soak up the natural beauty that surrounds the city, including Echo Lake. Later, drive to Golden, an authentic mountain mining town, where you are at leisure ahead of a visit to Lookout Mountain. Early on Day 8, depart Denver and travel through the Rockies by rail to Grand Junction.

This morning we visit Colorado National Monument, a stunning canyon park that is home to Grand Mesa - the largest flat-topped mountain in the world. Late this afternoon we reboard the California Zephyr, travelling to Salt Lake City.

Day 10 begins with a free morning, ahead of a tour of Temple Square and Brigham Young's Beehive House. One of the official residences of Brigham Young, an early leader of the Mormon movement (also known as the Church of Latter-Day Saints), the Beehive House was built in 1854, and was designed as a grand structure with enough room to accommodate his large, polygamous family. Although it served a number of purposes following Young's death in 1877, today it is used as a historic house museum, its carefullyrestored interiors and period furnishings demonstrating the standards in which Young and his family lived in the early 19th century.

Day 11 is free to explore Salt Lake City. This evening, catch the overnight train to San Francisco.

We arrive into San Francisco this afternoon, and you are free to settle in. On Day 13 we take a sightseeing tour of the city, including the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf, home to a famous population of sea lions. After the tour, you are free; you may wish to visit the infamous island of Alcatraz, most famous for its time as a prison. Known also as 'The Rock', from where there are no known escape survivors, the island's notable former residents include Al Capone and the 'Birdman of Alcatraz'.

After a free morning on Day 14, transfer to the airport for your flight back to London, arriving on Day 15