Historic Route 66Escorted tour, USA

The spirit of Route 66 is ingrained in the American psyche. Nicknamed the ‘Mother Road’ by John Steinbeck, this iconic highway represents America’s ideals of freedom. Our 17-day sweep from Chicago to LA is both an epic road trip and a journey of discovery through America’s heartland. We’ll take in Oklahoma, St Louis, Amarillo and Albuquerque, plus the Grand Canyon and Petrified Forest national parks. Covering ‘more than two thousand miles all the way’, it’s perfect for fans of retro Americana.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

15 nights in hotels and 1 in flight (accommodation as specified or similar)

International flights. Prices are based on return flights with Norwegian from London Heathrow or Gatwick. Supplements may apply from other airports

4 meals: 4 breakfasts (days 5-7 and 9)

VIP door-to-door travel service

Tour manager

Travel in destination by coach (with Wi-Fi)

Porterage

13 excursions and visits

Tours of Chicago, Oklahoma City and Albuquerque

Visits to the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame & Museum; and Historic Lincoln’s Tomb and Home

Entry to New Salem; Fantastic Caverns; Palo Duro Canyon State Park; Petrified Forest National Park; Grand Canyon National Park; Calico ghost town

Gateway Arch experience

Guided tour of the Museum of Transportation

ITINERARY

Day 1 UK - Chicago

VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Chicago. On arrival you’ll transfer to your hotel for the next two nights.

Day 2 Chicago

A morning city tour introduces you to this magnificent city constructed along the shores of Lake Michigan. The afternoon is free to explore the ‘Windy City’.

Day 3 Springfield

This morning you’ll take your first steps along the ‘Mother Road’. Although the roads have been changed and modernised through the years, your route over the following days still encompasses the Route 66 spirit that has enthralled so many since its inception in 1926. You’ll stop to visit the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame & Museum, housing thousands of artefacts and memorabilia on this world-famous road. You’ll continue south to the Springfield area, which President Lincoln called his home for so many years.

Day 4 Springfield - St Louis

Spend today learning about the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. Your first stop is President Lincoln’s tomb, the final resting place of the president after he was assassinated in 1865. You’ll then visit Lincoln’s home, a National Historic site, and travel to New Salem, where Lincoln lived and worked for six years in the 1830s. This reconstructed village includes houses, shops and a general store, with information imparted by period costumed interpreters. You’ll now head for St Louis, where you’ll spend the next two nights.

Day 5 St Louis

Today you’ll take a trip to the top of the 630ft Gateway Arch, opened in 1965 to honour President Jefferson’s vision of the continental United States. The rest of the day is free to discover all that St Louis has to offer. Why not take a riverboat cruise along the Mississippi, tour the huge Anheuser-Busch Brewery or experience the beautiful Botanical Garden.

Day 6 St Louis - Springfield

Your first stop today is at the Museum of Transportation. Over 20 classic locomotives are housed here, together with many classic motor vehicles, many of which would have taken the old Route 66 in years past. Later, you’ll take a tour of the aptly named Fantastic Caverns to view the spectacular cave formations. Tonight, you’ll stay in Springfield, Missouri.

Day 7 Oklahoma City

Departing Springfield, you’ll cross into Kansas and on to the state of Oklahoma and your lunch stop in Tulsa. This afternoon you’ll continue to Oklahoma City, where on 22 April 1889 tens of thousands of settlers surged forward in the Great Land Run to grab their piece of glory and stake their claim on part of the two million areas of unassigned land then opened for settlement. Not surprisingly, Oklahoma City became known as ‘the city born in a single day’. On arrival you’ll take an orientation tour, before checking into your hotel.

Day 8 Amarillo

You’ll continue west, leaving the plains of Oklahoma for the oil-rich Texas Panhandle. You’ll take time to view Palo Duro Canyon State Park, second largest in America and where spectacular vistas greet the eye. You’ll continue to Amarillo for your overnight stay. Since it was founded in the 1880s, Amarillo has experienced many things, from civil war battles to the creation of many millionaires from the ‘black gold’ of the area.

Day 9 Amarillo - Albuquerque

Just outside Amarillo you’ll catch a glimpse of a strange sight - ten half-buried Cadillacs, tail up in a field, which is said to represent the golden era of the car. Onward to New Mexico, known as ‘the Land of Enchantment’ and Albuquerque, a historic city dating back nearly 300 years. You’ll take a brief orientation tour before checking into your hotel.

Day 10 Albuquerque

Today is free to explore at your leisure. The Historic Old Town is worthy of exploration with its many museums and galleries.

Day 11 Flagstaff

Arizona greets you today as you make a visit to the Petrified Forest National Park, where quite literally the remnants of an ancient forest have been fossilised. Incorporated in the park is the Painted Desert, a vast arid badland scattered with buttes and mesas. You’ll continue west to Flagstaff and stay for the next two nights.

Day 12 Grand Canyon

Your journey today takes you to a true world wonder - the Grand Canyon. The colossal size is difficult to comprehend, especially as its creator, the mighty Colorado River, is so small in comparison. After an enchanting day with an opportunity to take a superb helicopter flight over the canyon, you’ll return to your hotel at Flagstaff.

Day 13 Williams - Kingman - Las Vegas

Your scenic journey today takes you onwards for a brief stop at Williams, a town steeped in Route 66 history. Time to explore before travelling through Hualapai Indian country to Kingman. You’ll continue to Las Vegas.

Day 14 Las Vegas

Enjoy a whole day at leisure to explore the dizzying delights of Las Vegas. Perhaps wander down the famed Strip and watch the Bellagio Fountains, or try your luck in one of the casinos.

Day 15 Las Vegas - Santa Monica/Redondo Beach

Today you'll continue your journey west to Barstow and a visit to Calico Ghost town, an old silver mining town which has become a popular tourist attraction. You'll continue your travels through the San Bernardino Mountains and down to Los Angeles. Taking Santa Monica Boulevard to the coast itself and the actual end of the road at the Pacific Ocean your journey is now complete. For the last night of your adventure, you’ll stay in Santa Monica (2020) or Redondo Beach (2021).

Day 16 Los Angeles - In flight

Today you’ll transfer to Los Angeles Airport for a return flight to the UK.

Day 17 UK

Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.

Historic Route 66 is located in Escorted tour, USA. Accommodation rating is the operators own rating and may not be the official rating. Hotel details correct at 25/03/2020