USA Wine, Desert & Coast
Overview
Highlights
- Stroll down Pier 39 in San Francisco
- Feel the heat of the desert in Death Valley
- Stare into the abyss of the Grand Canyon
- Go celebrity-spotting in Los Angeles
- Kayak along the waters of Monterey
- Walk along the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
- Hit the rapids of the Deschutes River in Bend
- Checkout Portland, the greenest city in America
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Details
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Trip includes
- Included activities are listed in the day-to-day itinerary
- all other activities are optional and at your own expense
- If you choose not to participate in the included activities on this itinerary
- the cost will not be refunded
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Itinerary
This chilled out waterfront city greets you briefly, but it is as swift a kiss as the breeze off Pier 39. If you'd like extra time to explore the wonders of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge and SoMa, journey to this gorgeous city a few days early.
Welcome to wine country. Explore the vast stretches of rolling vineyards, quaint farms and acres of parkland around this scenic valley. Perhaps visit the home and final resting place of author Jack London and, of course, sample some the region’s best wine and cheese.
Be dwarfed by the world’s largest living tree, the giant sequoia tree, spot bucks prancing in the wild and gaze in wonder at the 3,081 sq km that is America’s most popular national park. Yosemite is an historic emblem of California and offers visitors incredible hikin...
Welcome to the land of giants, where every huge mountain has a twin plunging canyon. The major drawcard of this region is visiting the Giant Forest, where breathtakingly tall trees stretch up to 80 metres. Perhaps climb the impressive Moro Rock, which will elevate tre...
It may sound grim, yet Death Valley is anything but. Explore huge sand dunes, sculptured rocks and volcanic craters before taking a stroll on the stunning salt flats. It is bizarre, unearthly and hot – but worth every moment.
There is no greater contrast than the serene surroundings of the great outdoors and the mouth of ‘Sin City’. Play responsibly, chomp away at an all-you-can-eat buffet, see a volcano at the Mirage, meet a gladiator at Caesars and spot the Eiffel Tower and pyramids on the strip. That’s Vegas, baby.
Discover some of Utah’s most captivating sights in Zion National Park. Stare up in awe at the enormous sandstone cliffs, be mesmerised by cascading waterfalls, rock-hop across gently flowing streams on the path out to the Emerald Pools and discover the unique flora and fauna that call this park home.
Leave behind the ‘city on lights’ and enter the desert of Arizona. Enjoy the wide open spaces and sleep overnight in a ranch hand’s bunkhouse at Lake Powell. Relax in a sandstone cave, walk around the area or get active on the lake, whether in flippers or on a kayak or boat.
Learn about the Navajo Indians, the largest Native American tribe in the US, at Monument Valley, where more than 200,000 native people live. Go for a walk past giant sandstone pillars and rock pinnacles in this truly unique and breathtaking landscape.
Taking between three and six million years to form, the incredible Grand Canyon is the US's most famous national landmark and stretches 28 km wide, 365 km long and more than 1.6 km deep. Explore this site on foot while walking the South Rim Trail or hiking to Plateau Point. Alternatively, opt to take to the skies on a scenic helicopter ride over the spectacular valley.
Once the capital of Arizona, Prescott is now a small town with a whole lot of charm. Stroll though Prescott’s historic downtown and head to Whiskey Row, a place where America’s most famous cowboys and notorious outlaws once came to drink. Perhaps head to Prescott National Forest, see the stunning Willow and Watson lakes or hang about in town and watch a true blue rodeo show.
Journey to the ‘City of Angels’ to see the Hollywood sign, shop on Rodeo Drive or laze on Venice Beach. Explore the impressive collection at the Getty Center, including the art works of Van Gogh and Monet, or chase down the city’s best food trucks.
Catch a train to Santa Barbara and be welcomed by white beaches and warm weather. Walk down Stearns Wharf for a breath of fresh air, visit the Museum of Art or sit down with a beer and view of the bay.
It claims to be the happiest place in America, so why not decide for yourself if this charming town’s proclamation lives up to its name. Visit Bubblegum Alley (yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like), hike to the top of Bishop Peak for an impressive view or be blinded by the gaudy design of the glitzy restaurants at the world famous Madonna Inn.
Relax by the beach in Monterey, where the hikes are long and breezy, the seafood is fresh and the marine life is active. Visit the aquarium, explore the waters by kayak or journey down the coast to Big Sur to see pristine beaches, magnificent redwoods and some truly beautiful coastal landscapes.
The ‘City by the Bay’ offers a barrel of impressive sights. See the Golden Gate Bridge, walk along Fisherman’s Wharf, explore Alcatraz or peruse some zany art in SoMa. Head to China Town for a delightful plate of chop suey, find your fortune in a cookie or indulge in ...
Head to Bend for a few days of outdoor adventure. Depending on the time of year, either hit the rapids of Deschutes River or the slopes of the nearby snowy mountains. The rolling landscape is a great place for a bike ride or get vertical rock climbing the rugged count...
In the Pacific Northwest, visit the intriguing up-and-coming city of Portland. As the greenest city in America, begin with a walk through Forest Park, the biggest inner-city park in the country or take in the tranquil air of the Classical Chinese Gardens. With the most breweries in the world found in Portland, be sure to relax with a beer and watch the bubbly characters of the city go by.
It may be cloudy and a little drizzly, but Seattle is anything but an indoor city. Head to the bohemian Pike Place Market, chill out with a latte in Hing Hay Park or take shelter from the rain at the Pacific Science Centre or Science-Fiction Museum. Seattle is all tha...
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.
Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.
Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.
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Meals introduction
While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There's no obligation to do this though.
Meals
1 Breakfast, 2 Dinners
Style descriptions
Original trips are classic Intrepid adventures. With a mix of included activities and free time, they offer plenty of opportunities to explore at your own pace and take part in activities that really get beneath the skin of a destination. While the occasional meal may be included, you'll have the freedom to seek out your own culinary adventures. Accommodation is generally budget or tourist class (2-3 star), but you're as likely to find yourself as a guest of a local family as staying in a hotel or camping. Transport will vary as well. Depending on the destination and the itinerary you could find yourself travelling on anything from a camel to a train or a private safari vehicle. It's all part of the adventure! Original travellers have a desire to make the most of their travel time and really get to know a place, its people and cultures.
Finish point
- The Moore Hotel
- 1926 2nd Ave.
- Seattle
- WA
- 98101
- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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