East Coast Splendours

Canada & America Luxury Escorted Tour - 12 days

Enjoy an escorted tour that allows history and culture spring vividly to life and encounters some of the key moments and developments that define the United States of America, from Gettysburg to Luther King to Jazz to Broadway.

Special Offer - Premium economy upgrade now from £225pp one way (£350 return)

You can now make fantastic savings on a Virgin Atlantic upgrade to Premium Economy. This offer is only available on our USA Tour: East Coast Spelndours departing 9th June 2012 and allows you to upgrade on your flights either one way (outbound to Washington or inbound from New York) from £225pp or book premium economy both ways from £350pp. All bookings must be made before the 27th March 2012 and are subject to seat availability. After this time the upgrade price will be from £370pp one way and from £715pp return.

Tour Highlights
• Seeing the magnificence of Washington DC’s sights and the imposing seats of power
• Lingering in Georgetown and dining along the historic waterfront
• Feeling the significance of the Gettysburg battlefields and learning about Lincoln’s powerful address
• Travelling through picturesque scenery and encountering the force of nature at Niagara Falls
• Dining in the impressive Skylon Tower, with spectacular views over the falls
• Being captivated by the vitality of New York and seeing Little Italy, Chinatown, Soho, Tribeca,

Times Square, Broadway, Ground Zero, Wall Street and the Statue of Liberty
• Singing along with a gospel choir in Harlem
• Cruising around Manhattan over dinner, past the Statue of Liberty and the lights of the Manhattan skyline

Extend Your Holiday
From the bustle of New York, you might like to take the pace down a notch or two before your flight home, with an interesting trip to Boston, the USA’s most historic city. You’ll make the journey by train, then you’ll have two days to explore this atmospheric and attractive city at your own pace. There are lots of museums, galleries, sightseeing trails and shops to explore, and we recommend you spend a bit of time soaking up the ambience at the picturesque harbour.

Any questions? Chat to your Personal Travel Advisor on 0161 491 7616

Tour itinerary

Day 1 Depart Heathrow
At the airport, your Tour Manager will welcome you into the executive lounge where you can meet your fellow travellers and relax before your flight to Washington DC. In the afternoon, you’ll have time to settle in or have a quick wander round the city before you meet up with your group for welcome drinks in your hotel.
Meals: In-flight.
Hotel: Willard Intercontinental.

Day 2 Washington
This morning, the sightseeing begins in earnest, with a tour of Washington DC. You’ll see the White House, stop outside the Capitol, the meeting place of the United States Congress, which sits atop Capitol Hill, and visit the Pentagon, the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. A trip to Arlington National Cemetery is a sobering reminder of the thousands of American soldiers who lost their lives serving their country at war. The cemetery also includes the much-visited graves of the Kennedy family. This afternoon is free to relax or head back into the city. Just a short stroll from your hotel you’ll find Macy’s, to indulge in the ultimate shopping experience. This evening, join back up with your travelling companions and head into Georgetown for a welcome dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel: Willard Intercontinental.

Day 3 Washington
Now that you’ve got your bearings in Washington, you have a free day to explore at your own pace. Your Tour Manager is on hand to offer suggestions, and you might like to visit the Museum Mile; situated between Constitution and Independence Avenues the Smithsonian museums here include the American history, Air and Space, Natural History and the American Art Museum. Alternatively, you may prefer to revisit Georgetown and take a walk along the Capital’s historic waterfront, where you’ll find many shops, bars and restaurants as well as interesting historic sites.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Willard Intercontinental.

Day 4 Washington to Harrisburg
This morning, you’ll travel out of the city and into the beautiful countryside around Washington. Your journey will take you past the state forest parks and through the scenic valleys of Maryland and Pennsylvania, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. On the way, you’ll stop at Gettysburg for a guided tour of the famous Civil War battlefield, including the spot where President Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address. This is possibly the USA’s most important historic site and the battlefields are dotted with monuments and memorials, set against a picturesque backdrop of rolling hills and green fields. Many travellers find it a very moving encounter. Back on the coach, you’ll continue to the Pennsylvanian city of Harrisburg for an overnight stop. This pleasant, riverside city, which is also the home of Hershey’s chocolate, is a lovely place to break the journey to Niagara.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: TBC.

Day 5 Harrisburg to Niagara
Sit back and enjoy the scenery as your journey takes you north to the Canadian border, and through the rich and fertile Niagara Peninsula where vineyards and wineries are plentiful, on your way to the magnificent Niagara Falls. Your hotel is located on the Canada side of the falls, and you’ll have chance to stretch your legs, relax and prepare for your encounter with the impressive falls the following day.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Hilton Niagara Falls.

Day 6 Niagara
This morning, you won’t just see Niagara, you’ll take a memorable journey right into the crashing heart of the falls on the river beneath, on board the intrepid Maid of the Mist. This really is a magical experience, and you’ll feel the full force of these mighty falls, so be prepared; you will get wet. After the excitement of your visit to Horseshoe Falls, American Falls and the smaller Bridal Veil falls, you’ll head to the pretty town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, where there’s time to wander around the picturesque streets, do a little shopping and have lunch. This evening, you’ll be whisked to the top of Skylon Tower for dinner in the revolving restaurant, which gives the ultimate view of the Falls.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel: Hilton Niagara Falls.

Day 7 Niagara to New York
Today you’ll head back to the coast, travelling through New York State. En route, you’ll stop at Lake Seneca, which is surrounded by boutique wineries. You’ll have the opportunity to sample some of the region’s finest produce on a short tasting tour, and you’ll also be able to taste a selection of locally produced cheeses too. You have chance to stock up on your favourite wines, before climbing back on board and continuing your journey through the beautiful countryside to New York City. You’ll arrive in the late afternoon and check into the prestigious Waldorf Astoria, where you’ll be staying for the next four nights. This evening, you’re free to discover ‘the city that never sleeps’ for yourself.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Waldorf Astoria.

Day 8 New York
On this morning’s tour of New York, you’ll be introduced to the city’s different districts, including Little Italy, Chinatown, Soho, Tribeca and also Times Square and Broadway. You’ll also get to see

Wall Street and the financial district from the comfort of your air-conditioned vehicle before heading out to Manhattan for your first glimpse of the majestic Statue of Liberty. In the afternoon, you’re free to see The Big Apple your way. Your Tour Manager will be happy to recommend things to do, such as a visit to Central Park or head over Brooklyn Bridge and stroll around the neighbourhood streets with the famous brownstone buildings. If you have a head for heights, you might like to take a trip up the Empire State Building for the most wonderful views of the city, or the nearby ‘Top of the Rock’.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Waldorf Astoria.

Day 9 New York
Today holds a genuine New York experience like no other, as a morning tour takes you into Upper Manhattan and Harlem to explore this vibrant and famous district of the city and take part in a lively and invigorating Gospel Service at the First Corinthian Baptist Church. You’ll also see the other notable African-American landmarks of New York, including the Apollo Theatre, Morningside Heights, the Cotton Club and St John Divine, which is the largest church in the whole of the United States of America. This excursion gives you a very different perspective on New York, away from the typical sights, and allows you to really get under the skin of this historic part of the city, where the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington made jazz an integral part of the culture. For the rest of the day, you’re free to explore New York further and you might like to take the opportunity to see a Broadway show.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Waldorf Astoria.

Day 10 New York
Today you have a full free day in New York. You might like to revisit your favourite areas, explore new parts of the city or shop ‘til you drop in any of the famous stores or smaller boutiques. Your Tour Manager will be able to tell you about other optional excursions, if you’d like to spend your day on another interesting tour. This evening, you’ll meet back up with your Tour Manager and fellow travelling companions for a wonderful dinner cruise around Manhattan, past the Statue of Liberty. This is a memorable way to say goodbye to this fast-paced, vibrant city, as you gaze over the bright lights of the Manhattan skyline.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel: Waldorf Astoria

Day 11 Depart New York
There’s more time this morning to venture back into the city for some last minute sightseeing and souvenirs, before you transfer to the airport for your flight to London Heathrow.

Meals: Breakfast, In-flight.

Day 12 Arrive Heathrow
You’ll arrive into Heathrow in the early morning; your head buzzing with all the wonderful things you’ve seen and done.

Any questions? Chat to your Personal Travel Advisor on 0161 491 7616