Grand Southern
Overview
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Destinations
Activities
Itinerary
Welcome to LA, home to celeb-swamped suburbs, blistering beaches, open-air gyms and of course, all things Hollywood. We’ll start our West Coast adventure with a visit to Beverly Hills, plus Venice Beach and a wander around Santa Monica. Does it get more star-studded than this? We think not.
Kawada Hotel (or similar)
Dinner
Today is yours to explore. You can opt to visit Disneyland, see what’s popping at the LA Live entertainment venue, or do some shopping at the garment district. And let's not forget epic Grammy Museum that showcases some of the best musical artists in the world. No wonder LA is the entertainment centre of the world.
Kawada Hotel (or similar)
We'll kick things off today in the famed City of Angels, where we'll set off through the Mojave Desert, marveling at the majestic Joshua Trees, before reaching the one and only Las Vegas. On arrival we'll cruise the iconic strip & check out the Vegas sign. Tonight...
You're in Vegas, baby! And the city's weird & wonderful charm isn't going to uncover itself. This morning, you can choose to head out in the Mojave Desert on an ATV or maybe even try indoor skydiving! And in the evening, experience the grandeur of the city's opule...
Today we'll leave the glittering lights of Vegas behind for something even more jaw-dropping. Cruising the historic route 66, we'll stop for some photo ops before reaching the Grand Canyon National Park (entrance included, naturally). We've arrived at another one of o...
Today we’ll have a free day to spend in the Grand Canyon National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). We’ll hike (and bike) through the exposed rock, feel our spines tingle on a unique helicopter ride(!), and then gather in the evening to watch one of the world’s most mesmerising sunsets.
Red Feather Lodge (or similar)
Breakfast
With the beauty of the Grand Canyon imprinted on our brains forever, we'll journey past some Wild Western landscapes towards... This monumental place has an iconic cluster of sandstone buttes, and we'll get a chance to visit the Monument Valley Tribal park as we wind ...
The great outdoors is a way of life in Durango with adrenaline pumping river rafting on offer to you and your fellow thrill seekers. This afternoon it’s a total change of scenery when we enter New Mexico, where sun-baked earthen brick buildings stand out against the b...
Rise and shine! Does anyone know the way to Amarillo? We're headed to this larger than life city this morning. In true Americana Style, we'll visit Cadillac Ranch – a unique art exhibit celebrating the golden age of Cadillacs. Tonight, you can try the ‘Big Texan Steak...
We'll say farewell to Amarillo and sweet Marie today as we head towards a Texan icon. Here in the land of leather boots & Cadillacs, you'll soon learn that ‘bigger is better' is a way of life. An overnight stay in the cowboy town of Fort Worth will give you the full Texan experience.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fort Worth Downtown (or Similar)
Breakfast, Dinner
Today we'll dive deep into the Texan way of life. We'll see a cattle drive, visit the Dealey Plaza and have the option to see the 6th floor museum.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fort Worth Downtown (or Similar)
Swinging past Little Rock High School, a historic site of the Civil Rights movement, we'll head to a place with a big rock 'n roll heritage. We'll get a city orientation of musical Memphis this afternoon, with a whole day of sightseeing awaiting us tomorrow.
Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown (or similar)
Breakfast
Today's the day to get into the history of music your way. We'll start with a visit to Sun Studios where Elvis recorded his very first song. Want more? Why not check out Graceland, the home of the King, or the Rock and Soul Museum.
Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown (or similar)
Breakfast, Dinner
We'll say farewell to Memphis today as we head to somewhere with a meaty musical heritage of its own. After some free time to explore this hearteningly soulful city, we’ll turn up the volume and hit Bourbon Street to sample the live music and lively bar culture. This ...
Now that you know New Orleans like one of the locals, it's your day to do your own thing. Stroll down Frenchmen street for the sounds of jazz and funk, head to the vast grassy oasis of the city park or check out the New Orleans museum of art for an extensive collectio...
Leaving New Orleans won't be easy, but knowing we're bound for one of the “world's most beautiful beaches” helps. There's only one way to test the rumours, so we'll take a dip in the crystal clear waters and kick back on the pure white sands of Panama City Beach.
Baymont by Wyndham Panama City Beach (or similar)
Breakfast
Tear yourself away from the beach, there are exciting times ahead! We arrive in Orlando today with a trip to Universal Studios on the cards. We hope you budgeted for butterbeer.
Baymont by Wyndham Universal Blvd (or similar)
Breakfast
Today is your opportunity to visit the epic Universal Studios, where you can visit Diagon Alley, splash around in the vast water park or visit the islands of adventure. There's something for everyone in this dizzying spectacle of rides, film and entertainment.
Baymont by Wyndham Universal Blvd (or similar)
Breakfast
We'll venture south to glamorous Miami today. A little mouthwatering Cuban cuisine will get us in the mood with a delicious regional group deal setting the scene for two full days of art deco & celeb-spotting in this tropical paradise. For anyone looking for an a...
It's time for some magical Miami sightseeing today. We'll head downtown and of course the South Beach. Foodies have the chance to jump on a food walking tour of Little Havana. Other options up for grabs are a bike down the beach, a clearwater kayaking float, or a party in the city where the heat is on.
Catalina Hotel (or similar)
Breakfast
Time to say goodbye to your crew. It's been a blast, but all good things must come to an end. With our sun-kissed skin and eyes on the next horizon, it's time to plan our next Contiki. Peru, anyone?
Breakfast
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Dates & Availability
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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.
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Tour Operator
We’re firm believers that life’s greatest experiences are made better by the people you share them with. That’s why Contiki invented group travel for young people in 1962 and we’ve spent the past 53 years perfecting it. You’ll explore amazing destinations with a group of 18-35 year olds from around the world who share your passion for adventure, good times and creating memories that define what it is to be young, wild and free.
No two travellers are the same and we know that, which is why we offer eight unique ways to explore the world. We have a number of options to choose from to create a vacation that’s perfect for you, from budget to accommodation style.
We're all about exploring the world with like-minded people, which is why we only run trips for 18-35 year olds, to celebrate being young, spirited and curious. You can expect to join a group of 18-53 awesome people from around the world on our Europe, Australia, North America and New Zealand trips, and in Asia and Latin America it's all about small group adventures with up to 25 travellers. Don't worry if you're not traveling as a couple or with a friend from home – though there are plenty of pairs, 50% of our travellers set off solo, meaning you'll have a ton of opportunities to make new friends.
With over 270 trips around the world and plenty of departure dates to work into your schedule, you'll never be short of options on where to go for your next great adventure.
About the company:
Contiki are the world leaders in social youth travel. We’ve been providing amazing travel experiences for young travellers, from 18-35 years old, since 1962. Imagine how good you would be at something if you had been doing it for more than 60 years?
Everything about Contiki is deeply rooted in our core values ‘Make Every Moment Count’ and ‘We’re about people’. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk and live by our brand philosophy of ‘Travel.Together.’ which means to travel with one another, the destinations we visit, the cultures we enjoy and the environment, too.
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