Route 66

14 night tour - starting in Chicago, Illinois - ending in Los Angeles, California

Escorted Tour with Trafalgar.

Trafalgar has been creating exceptional Escorted journeys for nearly 70 years, enjoy VIP return private UK airport transfers, first class hotels, complimentary WiFi on-board comfortable motorcoaches with restrooms and panoramic windows.

It's all about the journey as we hit this famous highway from Chicago to L.A. Known as the Main Street of America, the stops on this ‘bucket list’ experience reveal classic Americana.

2016 Guaranteed departure dates:
May 22nd
July 17th
September 11th
September 25th - Special departure including the Alburquergue Ballon Fiesta - Please click here for more information.
 
TO BOOK THIS TOUR: CALL US ON FREEPHONE 0800 0336 335 OR EMAIL US RESERVATIONS@PURELYTRAVELGROUP.CO.UK
View Itinerary Details

Day 1: ARRIVE CHICAGO

Enjoy your complimentary private V.I.P. door-to-door transfer to your UK departure airport. 

Welcome to the starting point of Route 66! Get settled in at your hotel. At 6 p.m., gather at the hotel with your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception.

Meal(s) Welcome Reception

Hotel The Palmer House Hilton (Authentic Accommodation) 

Day 2: CHICAGO – SPRINGFIELD – ST. LOUIS (2 NIGHTS) 

After an introduction to the Windy City, including elegant Lakeshore Drive and the Magnificent Mile, hit the road for a good, old­fashioned American road trip. Just outside Chicago, see several of Route 66's original gas stations. Explore the history and cultural impact of America's Mother Road at the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum. Roll on southwest to Springfield, on the way to St. Louis, the Gateway to the West.

Meal(s) Full Breakfast

Hotel Omni Majestic Hotel

Day 3: ST. LOUIS SIGHTSEEING

Get ready for a real taste of America's Midwest today, starting with the view from atop the famed St. Louis Gateway Arch. Head to "The Hill" and learn about St. Ambrose Church, the history of the Italian Immigrants and why they came and stayed in St. Louis. This Unique Insight introduces you to wonderful Italian markets and the ancient game of Bocce. Afterward, experience another American favourite with a guided tour of the Anheuser­Busch Brewery—from the stables of the Clydesdales to the tasting room—and enjoy a taste of this Local Speciality as well. And what goes better with beer than barbecue? Learn to mix up your own sweet and spicy sauce with a team of master BBQ chefs and enjoy a rib­sticking Be My Guest dinner, hot off the grill.

Meal(s) Full Breakfast, Be My Guest Dining

Hotel Omni Majestic Hotel

Day 4:  ST. LOUIS – MERAMEC CAVERNS – BRANSON

Begin your day by crossing the Mississippi River via the Chain of Rocks Bridge. Go underground in Meramec Caverns, a former hideout of Jesse James, for a glimpse of some outstanding subterranean formations. Then it's onward to the Ozarks and the lively American musical mecca of Branson. Explore on your own.

Meal(s) Full Breakfast

Hotel Radisson Branson

Day 5: BRANSON – WILL ROGERS MEMORIAL – OKLAHOMA CITY (2 NIGHTS)

Roll into eastern Oklahoma via an especially scenic stretch of highway known as the Will Rogers Highway. Stop to visit the Will Rogers Museum dedicated to the famous American humourist. Tonight, enjoy a Regional Meal in the vibrant warehouse district of Bricktown at Mickey Mantle's Steakhouse.

Meal(s) Full Breakfast,Regional Meal

Hotel Courtyard Oklahoma City Downtown

Day 6: OKLAHOMA CITY SIGHTSEEING & FREE TIME

Get a taste of the Old West at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum with its collection of Native American art and outstanding display of antique firearms. Later, visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, honouring the 1995 bombing victims. Get a Cultural Insight into the events of that infamous day through the eyes of someone who experienced it as they recount stories from the tragic event. The rest of the day is yours to explore.

Meal(s) Full Breakfast

Hotel Courtyard Oklahoma City Downtown

Day 7: OKLAHOMA CITY – ROUTE 66 MUSEUM – AMARILLO

In Clinton, explore a classic collection of Route 66 history, memorabilia and culture. Crossing into the Texas Panhandle, return to Old Route 66 for a scenic drive before stopping at Amarillo, the "yellow rose of Texas.

Meal(s) Full Breakfast

Hotel Holiday Inn West

Day 8: AMARILLO – ALBUQUERQUE (2 NIGHTS)

Yes, those are 10 classic Cadillacs buried nose down in the dirt, the famed Cadillac Ranch pop art installation just outside Amarillo. Stop in Tucumcari, where a large number of the vintage motels and restaurants built in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s are still in existence. Travel on to Albuquerque where the spirit of Route 66 still thrives. Tonight, don your poodle skirt or leather jacket for a dinner at the 66 Diner with its 1950s jukebox and blue-plate specials.

Meal(s) Full Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown 

Day 9:  ALBUQUERQUE SIGHTSEEING & FREE TIME

While Albuquerque didn't boom until the creation of Route 66, the city existed for more than 300 years. Enjoy the day exploring on your own.

Meal(s) Full Breakfast

Hotel Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown 

Day 10: ALBUQUERQUE – FLAGSTAFF

Cruise through Gallup this morning and see the history of Route 66 on the main drag. See the historic El Rancho Hotel, which served as a home base to the movie stars who came to the desert for their films. Crossing into Arizona, watch the sun play over the changing colours of the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park. See the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook and the Man Standing on the Corner in Winslow before arriving in Flagstaff with its quaint downtown and pine-forested hills.

Meal(s) Full Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel Doubletree Woodlands

Day 11: FLAGSTAFF – CAMERON TRADING POST – GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK 

As the morning sun gilds the desert landscape, visit the traditional land of the Navajo people. Stop at Cameron Trading Post to browse through handicrafts and maybe enjoy some tasty fry bread. This afternoon, wind along scenic Desert View Drive before arriving at the Grand Canyon. Spend the night inside the park, allowing plenty of time to explore this natural world wonder.

Meal(s) Full Breakfast

Hotel National Park Lodges

Day 12: GRAND CANYON – SELIGMAN – KINGMAN – LAS VEGAS 

it the road again, passing through Seligman then Peach Springs, the town that was the inspiration for the Pixar movie Cars. Then drive through Hackberry, a Route 66 ghost town along the original route. Further ahead, stop in Kingman, a Route 66 hotspot that has kept the old culture alive. Driving the Mother Road in these desert oases is like time travelling to see the well-preserved motels, diners and gas stations of a simpler era. Then it's full speed ahead to glittering Las Vegas to enjoy some free time.

Meal(s) Full Breakfast

Hotel Paris Las Vegas 

Day 13: LAS VEGAS FREE TIME

A full free day to take in all that Las Vegas has to offer; hit the casinos, do some shopping, take in a show. Perhaps take an optional to the Hoover Dam.

Meal(s) Full Breakfast

Hotel Paris Las Vegas

Day 14: LAS VEGAS - HOLLYWOOD - LOS ANGELES

Upon arrival in Los Angeles today, see the sights, including Grauman's Chinese Theater, and the place where the road comes to an end, Santa Monica and the great Pacific. This evening, celebrate your journey at a festive Farewell Dinner.

Meal(s) Full Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Hotel Millennium Biltmore Authentic Accommodation

Day 15: DEPART LOS ANGELES OR EXTEND YOUR STAY

Say goodbye to the road and take flight after a transfer to Los Angeles International Airport. You may wish to extend your stay in L.A. at The Millennium Biltmore.

Meal(s) Full Breakfast

On arrival at your UK airport, your driver will greet you and escort you to your waiting car for your return private V.I.P. door-to-door transfer home.

Your Trafalgar Tour Highlights

Hidden Treasures Enjoy at least one surprise Hidden Treasure.

Be My Guest of traditional American barbecue.

Cultural Insights sample beer from the Anheuser-Busch brewery and hearing stories from the tragic Oklahoma City bombing.

Authentic Accommodation: Millennium Biltmore, Los Angeles, California, USA Stay at a historic Authentic Accommodation, which has been the filming location for numerous award-winning feature films, television shows, cable specials and commercials.

Authentic Accommodation: The Palmer House Hilton, Chicago, Illinois, USA The nation’s oldest continuously operating hotel, an Authentic Accommodation, hosts you along with entertainers such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland, who were guests when the hotel was an entertainment epicentre in the mid 1900s.

Sightseeing Highlights

City tour of Chicago and Los Angeles
Visit the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame and Museum, St. Louis, Meramec Caverns, Branson, Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Tulsa, Clinton, Albuquerque, Grand Canyon National Park and Las Vegas
View the outdoor installations at Cadillac Ranch and the Petrified Forest National Park

Dining

14 full breakfasts, 5 dinners (including Be My Guest).

Travel Highlights

Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Hand-picked 4 star accommodation
Hand-picked Insider Experiences
Optional Experiences and free time
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
An expert Travel Director and separate Driver
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Airport transfers on the first and last day of your guided holiday
VIP entry to many sights
Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
14 nights First Class accommodation
 

VIP DOOR TO DOOR RETURN UK AIRPORT TRANSFERS

Your holiday begins in true style from the moment we collect you from your front door for a relaxed journey to your choice of departure airport. Your chauffer-driven car is reserved exclusively for your use, ensuring an uninterrupted, hassle-free journey to your departure airport.

Each and every Trafalgar tour begins and ends with our unique and truly unrivalled private car door to door transfer service. You will be met at your front door by your driver who will assist with your bags before whisking you to your choice of departure airport in a private car, all in plenty of time to make your way to your check-in desk. With Trafalgar you really will experience an exclusive service, enjoying your journey in a standard of car that you would expect to associate with Trafalgar standards. All of our cars are up-to-date models and maintained to the highest standards. We will arrange a convenient pick-up time from your home that suits you, not us or other passengers. Each car is equipped with the latest satellite navigation intelligence to ensure your continued peace of mind and a speedy journey.

At the end of your tour, on arrival at your chosen UK airport, you will be greeted by your waiting driver in the arrivals hall and escorted to your car for the smooth and comfortable journey directly back home.

Should you wish to make your own way to the airport, all you need do is advise us at the time of making your reservation and a discount will be offered.

Terms and conditions apply.

Tour Only Cost: All prices quoted below are per adult person, per tour in British Pounds (GBP)

Departure Dates

Single Twin/Double Triple Quad
All departures in 2016 £3740* £2781* £2524* Please call
 
* 2016 Early Payment Discount - Trafalgar's most popular tours fill very quickly. Don't be disappointed, book early and pay your balance in full as below and save up to 10% Off the prices shown above - Ask us at time of booking.
 
Pay for your 2016 tour in full by 29th January 2016 and SAVE 7.5%
Pay for your 2016 tour in full by 29th April 2016 and SAVE 5%
 
Repeat Client Discount - Have you travelled with Trafalgar Tours before, within the last 5 years ! - if so you qualify for a 5% discount - Ask us at time of booking.
 
Children aged 5-17 may qualify for a discount off up to 10% when sharing a room with 2 adults - Please call us for details. 
 
Not included in your tour cost:
Flights – we can package your tour with flights at very competitive airfares using our airline partners. Please call us to discuss the best airline for your itinerary.
Pre or post accommodation - If you want to extend your stay at the start or the end of your escorted tour or add another destination to your booking please call us and we will be happy to provide a quote.
Meals, other than those listed in the itinerary.
The customary gratuities for the Tour Director and local drivers are not included and are paid locally, if you prefer these can be pre-paid to us in advance for £111.00 per person.
 
FAQs:
There are many questions and considerations you might have when planning an escorted tour with Trafalgar Tours. For more information please click here.
 

TO BOOK YOUR TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS:

Please call us on FREEPHONE 0800 0336 335 or EMAIL us reservations@purelytravelgroup.co.uk we are open 7 days a week.

We will be happy to answer any questions, check the availability of your tour, offer a quote for flights and any pre or post nights you would like to add.

When you are ready to go ahead with the booking, a non-refundable deposit of 10% will be due at time of booking or the full balance if you are due to travel within 8 weeks.