Classic Route 66 Escorted Tour
Chicago • Springfield • Amarillo • Albuquerque • Grand Canyon • Las Vegas • Los Angeles
Buckle up for an American escorted tour you’ll never forget, tracing the famed Route 66 from Chicago to the City of Angels. From the world’s tallest arch to high living in a desert oasis, tune in to the wild and welcoming spirit of The Main Street of America.
Join your escorted tour in Chicago, the starting point of Route 66 and hit the road for a good old fashioned American road trip. Roll into Springfield, on the way to St. Louis, where you learn to mix up your own dry rub and enjoy a rib-sticking barbecue dinner. Carry on to Oklahoma via a scenic stretch of Will Rogers Highway. While in Oklahoma get a taste of the Old West at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.
Get back on the road for a scenic drive to Amarillo and see the famed Cadillac Ranch pop art installation. Travel on to Albuquerque for a dinner at the 66 Diner with its jukebox and blue-plate specials.
Wind along scenic Desert View Drive before arriving at the Grand Canyon and spend the night inside the park. Then it’s on to Las Vegas for some free time in Sin City.
From £3973pp
What's Included
- Flights from Dublin to Chicago and return from Los Angeles
- 14 NIGHTS in selected tour hotels
- 14 full breakfasts and 5 dinners
- Transport in luxury air-conditioned coach with on-board Wi-Fi and personal audio headsets
- Escorted by a professional Tour Director
- 2018 departure dates: May 6, 13, 27 / June 10 / July 01 / September 29 / October 06
- Quote Ref: 1531604
The Exciting Parts
- Scenic drive along Will Rogers Highway, Desert View Drive
- Orientation of Chicago
- View the outdoor installations at Cadillac Ranch, the Petrified Forest National Park
- Visit the Route 66 Associations Hall of Fame & Museum, St Louis, Meramec Caverns, Branson, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Clinton, Albuquerque, Grand Canyon National Park, Las Vegas. Los Angeles
Your Adventure...
Arrive in Chicago
Chicago - Pontiac - Springfield - St. Louis (2 nights)
St. Louis Sightseeing
St. Louis - Meramec Caverns - Branson
Branson - Claremore - Oklahoma City (2 nights)
Oklahoma City Sightseeing
Oklahoma City - Route 66 Museum - Amarillo
Amarillo - Albuquerque (2 nights)
Albuquerque
Albuquerque - Flagstaff
Flagstaff - Cameron Trading Post - Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park - Seligman - Las Vegas ( 2 nights)
Las Vegas
Las Vegas - Los Angeles
Depart Los Angeles
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Day 1 Arrive in Chicago
Welcome to the starting point of Route 66. At 6 p.m., gather with your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception.
Hotel: The Palmer House Hilton -
Day 2 Chicago - Pontiac - Springfield - St. Louis (2 nights)
After an introduction to the Windy City, hit the road for a good, old-fashioned American road trip. Explore the history and cultural impact of America's Mother Road at the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame and Museum. Roll on to Springfield, on the way to St. Louis, where you learn to mix up your own dry rub and enjoy a rib-sticking Be My Guest barbecue dinner.
Hotel: Holiday Inn St. Louis Downtown -
Day 3 St. Louis Sightseeing
Start the day with the view from atop the famed St. Louis Gateway Arch. Afterward, experience a Cultural Insight with a guided tour of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery-from the stables of the Clydesdales to the tasting room. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy.
Hotel: Holiday Inn St. Louis Downtown -
Day 4 St. Louis - Meramec Caverns - Branson
Begin your day by going underground in Meramec Caverns, a former hideout of Jesse James. Then it's onward to the Ozarks and the lively American musical mecca of Branson to explore on your own.
Hotel: Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing -
Day 5 Branson - Claremore - Oklahoma City (2 nights)
Roll into eastern Oklahoma via a scenic stretch of Will Rogers Highway. Stop to visit the Will Rogers Memorial Museum dedicated to the famous American humourist. Tonight, enjoy a Regional Meal.
Hotel: Courtyard Oklahoma City Downtown -
Day 6 Oklahoma City Sightseeing
Visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, honouring the 1995 bombing victims. Then, get a taste of the Old West at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. The rest of the day is yours to explore.
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. Return to Old Route 66 for a scenic drive before stopping in Amarillo.
Hotel: Embassy Suites Downtown -
Day 8 Amarillo - Albuquerque (2 nights)
See the famed Cadillac Ranch pop art installation just outside of Amarillo. Stop in Tucumcari, where a large number of the vintage motels and restaurants are still in existence. Travel on to Albuquerque for a dinner at the 66 Diner with its jukebox and blue-plate specials.
Hotel: Albuquerque at Old Town -
Day 9 Albuquerque
While Albuquerque didn't boom until the creation of Route 66, the city has existed for more than 300 years. Enjoy the day exploring on your own.
Hotel: Albuquerque at Old Town -
Day 10 Albuquerque - Flagstaff
Cruise through Gallup this morning and see the historic El Rancho Hotel. Crossing into Arizona, watch the changing colours of the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park. See the Wigwam Motel and the Man Standing on the Corner before arriving in Flagstaff.
Hotel: National Park Lodges -
Day 11 Flagstaff - Cameron Trading Post - Grand Canyon National Park
Stop at Cameron Trading Post and browse through the shop for Navajo crafts. This afternoon, wind along scenic Desert View Drive before arriving at the Grand Canyon and spend the night inside the park.
Hotel: National Park Lodges -
Day 12 Grand Canyon National Park - Seligman - Las Vegas ( 2 nights)
Hit the road again, passing through Seligman. Drive through a Route 66 ghost town along the original route to see the well-preserved motels, diners and gas stations of a simpler era. Then on to Las Vegas to enjoy some free time.
Hotel: Tropicana Las Vegas -
Day 13 Las Vegas
A full free day to take in all that Las Vegas has to offer.
Hotel: Tropicana Las Vegas -
Day 14 Las Vegas - Los Angeles
Travel from the desert of Las Vegas into Los Angeles. This evening, celebrate with a festive Farewell Dinner.
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Day 15 Depart Los Angeles
Say goodbye to Route 66 with a trip to Santa Monica. Then take a transfer to Los Angeles International Airport or extend your stay in L.A.