Compare Northern Adventure USA Vacation Tours by Best Single Travel vs Best of California 2022 Small Group by Insight Vacations

Day 1: Chicago to Madison

University town, USA... Welcome to America's friendly heartland! First stop - Milwaukee, Wisconsin, home to the nation's largest beer brewers. We'll stop in Milwaukee with free time for those interested in a brewery tour; then it's on to Madison, a cosmopolitan university town.

Day 2: Madison to Sioux Falls

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Crossing the heartland, Catch the pulse of America's Midwest with a drive through Minnesota's beautiful farmlands before arriving in South Dakota, home to the nation's largest buffalo herds. We make our home tonight in Sioux Falls.

Day 3: Sioux Falls to Mt. Rushmore

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

You'll feel like you've landed on the moon when you journey through Badlands National Park. Take in this fascinating landscape with its colorful buttes, pinnacles, and spires carved out of the Great Plains. We make our home in Deadwood/Lead, once the stomping grounds for some of the "Wild West's" most notorious rough and shady characters.

Day 4: Mt. Rushmore

Meals: Breakfast

Sacred heroes of America... It took fourteen years to carve the faces of four American presidents into the cliffs of South Dakota's Black Hills. Our next stop is at the Crazy Horse Memorial, a shrine to the heroic Great Sioux warrior.

Day 5: Mt. Rushmore to Cody

Meals: Breakfast

Howdy, Cowboy! Put on your cowboy hats as we head to Cody, Wyoming, named after western legend, Buffalo Bill Cody. On the way, we'll check out Devil's Tower National Monument, made famous by the movie, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." Whoop it up tonight at the optional rodeo (seasonal).

Day 6: Cody to Yellowstone

Meals: Breakfast

Before entering Yellowstone, America's largest national park, step back into the Old West by visiting the Buffalo Bill Museum or take an optional white water rafting trip to explore the Shoshone River where pioneers and Plains Indians once traveled.

Day 7: Yellowstone National Park

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

There she blows! Watch America's most famous geyser, Old Faithful, blow its stack. We've got the entire day to explore Yellowstone's fantastic waterfalls, mud pots, hot springs, and abundant wildlife.

Day 8: Yellowstone to Salt Lake City

Meals: Breakfast

Only in America... The scenery is spectacular today as we head south by the Teton Range with its stunning mountain landscape. We stop in quaint Jackson Hole, Wyoming for lunch before we cross the border into Utah and arrive in its capital, Salt Lake City, home to the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Check out the impressive golden spires that tower over Temple Square.

Day 9: Salt Lake City to Kanab via Bryce Canyon National Park

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Oooh, aaah... Utah is gorgeous. Before leaving Salt Lake City you'll have an opportunity to fly over beautiful Park City in a hot air balloon. Then we travel to Bryce Canyon National Park, where the bizarre shaped canyons and spires called "hoodoos" explode with dazzling colors that will blow your mind. We make our home in the town of Kanab.

Day 10: Grand Canyon National Park

Meals: Breakfast

A world wonder... We'll take a day trip to one of the seven natural wonders of the world - Grand Canyon. The remote and breathtaking North Rim is less visited, which translates into peace and tranquility - a perfect way to experience this national treasure.

Day 11: Kanab to Las Vegas via Zion National Park

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

On to Sin City! Before hitting the bright lights of Las Vegas we'll experience the soaring cliffs, sculptured canyons, and dramatic landscapes of Zion National Park.You'll have the opportunity to do a horseback ride before heading to Las Vegas. Prepare for a sensory experience like no other as we drive the famous Vegas "Strip." You won't believe your eyes at this electric wonderland! After the light show at Fremont Street, party on at an optional Las Vegas show.

Day 12 – 13: Las Vegas

Meals: Breakfast

With a free day, you’ve got time to get a real feel for this outrageous town, so keep an eye out for Elvis impersonators and fast-paced chapel weddings! Explore more of the Strip and check out over-the-top versions of international icons, like the Eiffel Tower, Venetian canals and gondolas, a Roman temple or the pyramid, whose nightlight can be seen from the moon. Try your luck at one of the casinos, sit yourself down at a blackjack table and watch the high-rollers or go for a ride at one of the casino’s theme-parks. If you work up an appetite, tuck into an all you can eat buffet, and lunch American style. For something different, discover Las Vegas’ trademark art at the Neon Museum and for a look into this town’s atomic heyday in the 50s, visit the Atomic Testing Museum. If you just want to relax, position yourself poolside back at the hotel and soak up the Las Vegas sun. Tonight, get some pointers on Las Vegas’ hot spots from your Tour Manager and make the most of this towns’ 24/7 action with some of your new friends.

Day 14: Las Vegas to Los Angeles

Leaving behind Las Vegas, we journey through the vast Mojave Desert, with its iconic Joshua trees, into Southern California. Our tour ends once we arrive in Los Angeles, where it’s time to say goodbye to your new friends.

Day 1: Welcome to San Diego

After your arrival at San Diego Airport, you are transferred to your hotel on the downtown waterfront. Perhaps take a walk along the bay before joining your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Dinner.

Day 2: San Diego Sightseeing

Discover America’s finest city as you embark on a sightseeing tour with your Travel Director. Journey through the Gaslamp Quarter, the historic heart of San Diego and Balboa Park, one of North America’s most iconic urban parks. Admire its lush and landscaped gardens in bloom thanks to the year-round pleasant weather. Finally, stroll among the atmospheric old and historic adobe ranch homes of the Old Town State Historical Park. Glimpse into the 19th-century colonial life and perhaps try some authentic Mexican flavours at one of the popular eateries.This afternoon, board the Pacific Surfliner and enjoy far-reaching ocean views as the train hugs the coast. Travel through Orange County to the Mission Modern-style Union Station in Los Angeles.

Day 3: Los Angeles Sightseeing

An exciting day awaits as you set out to explore lively Los Angeles. Ride on the landmark Angel’s Flight funicular for a taste of early 20th-century nostalgia. Continue to the Los Angeles Theatre, inspired by French Baroque architecture, for a private guided tour. It has been closed to the public since 1994 but was once one of the grand movie palaces of the Broadway District. In legendary Hollywood, take your photos of the famous hillside Hollywood sign and stroll along the Walk of Fame. Look for the hand- and footprints of cinema’s greatest celebrities at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre, Hollywood’s most sought-after theatre for movie premieres. In the afternoon, explore Los Angeles with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the innovative Petersen Automotive Museum, a captivating experience about the history and artistry of motorized transportation. Alternatively, head to the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and take a deep dive into the history of filmmaking. Another option is to visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, a fantastic collection of artworks from ancient times to modern day. To top off your perfect day, dine at Nick and Stef’s, an outstanding steak house in Downtown LA.

Day 4: Train Journey to the American Riviera

Return to the Union Station and board your Pacific Surfliner train. Travel through the valleys around Los Angeles before arriving at the coast where the shoreline wraps around to Santa Barbara. Spend time on State Street, a palm tree-lined avenue of shops and eateries before you further explore Santa Barbara with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the 18th-century Old Mission, one of the original 21 California Missions founded by Spanish Franciscans. Alternatively, take a relaxing stroll through the Botanical Gardens and learn about California’s diverse native plants.

Day 5: Paso Robles Wine Country Relaxed Start

Join your Amtrak rail journey one more time and soak up sweeping ocean views as you ride along the coast to San Luis Obispo. Later, arrive to Paso Robles in the heart of wine country and spend time at the City Park and explore its boutiques, cafes and art galleries. In the afternoon visit the Eberle Winery for a tour of the vineyard and the unique underground caves. Born out of necessity to store more wine barrels, the caves provide the perfect backdrop for a tasting of a selection of excellent local wines.Tonight, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a Farm-to-Table dinner at Thomas Hill Organics—a 10 acre collaborative supporting local agriculture with a focus on fresh, organic and straight-from-the-earth ingredients.

Day 6: Giant Sequoias

Journey to the majestic Yosemite National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stop at the Mariposa Grove, home to over 500 mature sequoias and admire these gigantic trees. The oldest tree in the Grove is the Grizzly Giant, which dates back around 3000 years and stands 209 feet (64 metres) tall.

Day 7: Exploring Yosemite National Park Relaxed Start

Join a park ranger and embark on a guided tram tour of the Yosemite Valley floor. You are surrounded by unspoilt nature as you take in the most iconic sights of the park. Get up close to the magnificent Yosemite Falls that cascade from a height of 2,425 feet (739 metres). See the Half Dome, a rock formation with a distinct shape, and El Capitan, a granite rock monolith rising 3000 feet (914 metres) above the valley floor. Take in the spectacular scenery from Tunnel View, encompassing towering mountains, dense forests and the Bridalveil Falls. Spend the rest of your day at leisure. Perhaps join an activity and explore further by renting a bike, going on a hike or visiting the Ansel Adams Gallery.

Day 8: On to San Francisco

Travel towards the coast, cross the Bay Bridge and arrive in buzzing San Francisco. Head to the Fisherman’s Wharf, once home to the city’s colourful fishing fleet and today a popular district full of restaurants, cafes and shops. This afternoon, join your Travel Director for a stroll across the legendary Golden Gate Bridge, a symbol of California, then continue on a short drive to the quaint town of Sausalito. Enjoy some leisure time before taking the ferry back to San Francisco, passing the infamous Alcatraz Island.

Day 9: San Francisco Sightseeing Relaxed Start

This morning, venture across the road and to the Ferry Building and shop around at one of America’s most famous farmers markets. Browse the stalls offering organic produce, flowers and regional artisan specialties such as breads, cheeses, and jams. On your city sightseeing tour, journey past lively Union Square and vast Golden Gate Park. Travel through the SoMa District and Mission Bay to see the incredible growth and urbanization the city has experienced in recent years. Join your Travel Director for a culinary exploration of the Mission District. Sample local flavors in the area best known for creative ice cream parlours, craft doughnut shops, independent cafes and the best Mexican bites. Visit Balmy Alley and see the most concentrated collection of urban murals in the city.Tonight, toast to your travels at a local restaurant at your Celebration Dinner.

Day 10: Farewell California

After breakfast, you are transferred to San Francisco Airport where your journey comes to an end.