Highlights of America's East Coast

We fly from London Heathrow to Washington D.C., the capital of the United States, for a three-night stay.

We begin our explorations on Day 2, taking in highlights such as Capitol Hill, the largest historical residential district in Washington and home to the distinctive Capitol Building. We also see the Pentagon, the Washington Memorial and its reflecting pool, containing a tribute to President Abraham Lincoln in the form of a marble statue that stands 19-feet tall. Lastly, we stop at the grandiose White House, home of the President of the United States.

Day 3 is free for you to continue sightseeing. The centrepiece of this fascinating city is the National Mall, stretching over 1.9 miles, a national park that's home to a number of different museums based on American history, as well as several iconic monuments and memorials. Alternatively, you could visit Arlington National Cemetery, the final resting place of JFK

We board our Amtrak train to New York for two nights. Arguably the most famous American city, New York is an eruption of sounds, sights, and smells, rooted in all the diverse cultures that call this megalopolis home. On arrival, we take a guided sightseeing tour, visiting 'Big Apple' icons such as dazzling Fifth Avenue, famous for its wealth of high-end shops and regal buildings, and Central Park, which offers a tranquil haven to recuperate from the hustle and speed of the 'city that never sleeps'. Afterwards, we relax with a traditional cup of coffee and a bagel before returning to our hotel. Your evening is free; perhaps catch a Broadway show in the nearby Theatre District for a slice of typical New York entertainment.

Day 5 is also free, and you could enrich your mind at one of the many museums, such as the Guggenheim, American Museum of Natural History, or the Museum of Modern Art, or simply take a break in a pizza parlour or coffee shop. There's plenty of iconic landmarks left to visit, such as the Empire State Building, reaching an enormous height of 1,250 feet, and the Chrysler Building, an Art Deco-style skyscraper first opened in 1930.

We leave the buzz of New York behind today, boarding Amtrak's Empire service to Buffalo. From here, we transfer by coach to Niagara, crossing the border into Canada before checking into our hotel for the night. Straddling the US-Canadian border, between the state of New York and the province of Ontario, Niagara Falls is split into three separate sections: the American Falls, the small Bridal Veil Falls and the Canadian/Horseshoe Falls. Dating back around 12,000 years, when melting glaciers allowed a passage of water from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, the Horseshoe Falls are the second largest in the world, after Victoria Falls in southern Africa. Each makes for a magnificent sight, as the water crashes into the river below, their constant rush produces a thundering cacophony of sound.

We explore the falls themselves today, taking a Hornblower cruise for a close encounter with the cascading waters. We begin our journey to Toronto for a two-night stay, pausing at quaint Niagara-on-the-Lake along the way.

On Day 8, enjoy free time to explore Toronto at your own pace. The city is a multicultural melting pot and has an inviting, laid-back atmosphere. You could visit the historic distillery district, home to a plethora of art galleries, restaurants, bars and live music venues. It's such an iconic destination that the brick-paved streets have even been designated as a National Heritage Site. For something a bit different, you could take a 10-minute ferry journey from the harbour to Toronto's quiet, interconnected collection of tiny islands. The journey offers great views of the city skyline, while Ward's Island is an ideal spot for taking a stroll among the leafy streets and quaint cottage-like houses.

After a leisurely morning, we transfer to the airport for our flight back to London Heathrow, where we land on Day 10.