20 Day The Grand East

Arrive in New York City and transfer independently to your hotel. This first day is yours to enjoy at your leisure, before meeting your Tour Director at your hotel in the evening.

Overnight – 4* Hyatt Grand Central New York, or similar

Today you’ll depart New York City on your air-conditioned coach and make tracks for historic Boston, in Massachusetts. Enjoy a walking tour along the Freedom Trail, and walk the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill, which contains one of the city’s most beautiful neighbourhoods.

Overnight – 3* Courtyard by Marriott Boston Brookline or Holiday Inn Boston Bunker Hill Area, or similar

This morning, you’ll travel through the rural and quaint New England states of New Hampshire and Vermont on your way to Canada. Pass through small picturesque villages and the White Mountains, which are particularly beautiful during autumn, when the trees showcase their famous fall foliage. Cross the international border to enter the Canadian province of Quebec. If you wish, why not add an optional activity in the evening? You could visit an authentic maple farm, or take the opportunity to sample some celebrated French-Canadian cuisine.

Overnight – 3* Hotel Universal, or similar

Begin the day with a tour of Quebec City, the French capital of the province and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can admire the Quebec Provincial Parliament Building and the Citadelle, then enjoy a walking tour of the walled city, where you’ll see Chateau de Frontenac, as well as the Saint Lawrence River. Afterwards, you might wish to enjoy a delicious pastry or baguette. Or, if time allows, visit Rue du Tresor before you head to Montreal. Upon arrival, you’ll go on a tour of Old Montreal – known as “Vieux Port” – with stops at Place Jacques Cartier and Notre Dame Basilica.

Overnight – 3* Best Western Ville-Marie Montréal Hôtel & Suites, or similar

Today you’ll leave Montreal behind for the capital of Canada, Ottawa. A vibrant city made up of parks and flowers, Ottawa also boasts one of the most impressive parliament buildings in the world. In the afternoon, you’ll continue along the 1,000 Islands Parkway towards the largest English-speaking city in Canada, Toronto. It’s right on the shore of Lake Ontario. Why not join an optional excursion on St. Lawrence River, which you can admire the magnificent scenery on a relaxing cruise?

Overnight – 4* Chelsea Hotel, or similar

Begin the day with a drive through Toronto’s impressive collection of modern skyscrapers – most notably, the CN Tower, which is one of the world’s tallest free-standing structures. If you dare, you can book an optional excursion to stand on the tower’s glass floor, located more than 300 metres above Toronto.

Later, you’ll continue along Lake Ontario, crossing the Welland Canal, before arriving at Niagara Falls. You can stroll along Table Rock, see the unique Floral Clock, and view the thundering water of the Horseshoe Falls. Later, you can join an optional boat ride with the renowned Hornblower Cruises, which goes right up to the base of the Falls.

Overnight – 3* Best Western Cairn Croft Hotel, or similar

Today you’ll travel through the rolling farmland of upstate New York, known as the Finger Lakes Region, and enter the Keystone State of Pennsylvania. In the afternoon, visit the historic Gettysburg Civil War National Battleground, the site of the largest battle ever fought on American soil. This is also where President Lincoln gave his famous address in 1863. Afterwards, you’ll travel along the Susquehanna River to Amish Country.

Overnight – 3* Wyndham Garden York, or similar

Travel through rural countryside to Pennsylvania Dutch Country, where you can visit an Amish Museum and gain fascinating insight into their 300-year-old tradition of simple living. The Amish people live in a world that stopped in the mid-1850s, which means they don’t use electricity, mechanical devices or modern equipment. In the afternoon, continue to the USA’s capital city, Washington DC.

Overnight – 4* Washington Hilton or 4* Omni Shore Hotel, or similar

Tour the USA’s capital city, where there are all sorts of cultural and historical landmarks. Highlights include the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the White House and Arlington National Cemetery, which is the site of the JFK Memorial. Why not spend the remainder of the day exploring the many museums comprising the Smithsonian Institute? Or simply stroll along the banks of the Potomac River.

Overnight – 4* Washington Hilton or 4* Omni Shore Hotel, or similar

Depart this morning for Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. You can walk along the Duke of Gloucester Street to visit some of the impressive public buildings, colonial houses and the college of William and Mary.

Overnight – 3* Holiday Inn Tanglewood, or similar

Today, you’ll drive along portions of the Blue Ridge Mountains before entering the breathtaking scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In the afternoon, you’ll arrive in Gatlinburg, where you’ll have an evening to spend at your leisure. Why not explore some of the unique restaurants Downtown?  

Overnight – 3* Edgewater Hotel & Conference Centre, or similar

Continue today through Knoxville – the third-largest city in Tennessee – before you arrive in Nashville in the early afternoon. Get ready to immerse yourself in Music City.

Overnight – 3* The Inn at Opryland, A Gaylord Hotel

Travel across the countryside and arrive in Memphis. This city is best-known for blues music, cotton and Sun Records. Your tour of the city includes Beale Street, the heart of the blues music scene. And, in the afternoon, fans of “The King of Rock and Roll” can opt to visit Graceland, former home of Elvis Presley.

Overnight – 3* Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown, or similar

Today, you’ll travel on to Mississippi, the Magnolia State. You’ll pass through Jackson, the state capital, and continue to Louisiana and New Orleans, the home of the infamous Mardi Gras celebrations. In the evening, why not immerse yourself in Creole culture on board an authentic Mississippi Riverboat dinner cruise? You’ll be able to dance the night away to the rhythms of a Dixieland jazz band.

Overnight – 4* Hilton New Orleans Riverside, or similar

Today is yours to spend however you wish, as you take in the French flavour and grandeur of New Orleans. Explore the French Quarter with its trademark wrought iron balconies overlooking the narrow, cobblestone streets. And stand atop one of the infamous New Orleans levees and be amazed by how these unique feats of architecture guard the city.

Overnight – 4* Hilton New Orleans Riverside, or similar

Travel along the Mississippi Gulf Coast through Mobile in Alabama, towards the city of Pensacola in Florida. Here, you’ll visit one of the top 10 rose gardens in America at Bellingrath Home. Later, you can head to Pensacola Beach and dip your toes in the warm waters of the turquoise Gulf of Mexico.

Overnight – 3* Courtyard by Marriott Pensacola, or similar

Travel along the Florida Panhandle towards Ocala, which is known for its thoroughbred horse ranches. You’ll continue through central Florida – the heart of America’s citrus industry – and on to Orlando. If you choose to leave your Grand East tour today, you can expect the tour to end upon arrival in Orlando, around 6pm.

Overnight – 3* Holiday Inn & Suites Orlando SW - Celebration Area, or similar

Today is yours to spend however you wish. Enjoy a relaxing day by the pool, or grab tickets to visit one of Orlando’s world-famous theme parks, like Walt Disney World® Resort or Universal Orlando™ Resort. Just so you’re aware, theme park admissions aren’t included within the tour.

Overnight – 3* Holiday Inn & Suites Orlando SW - Celebration Area, or similar

If you wish, today you can visit Kennedy Space Center, home of America’s space programme. Then you’ll travel to the cultural melting pot of Miami Beach. When you reach your hotel in Miami – at around 7pm – this is where your Grand East tour comes to a close.

Alternatively, if you prefer, you can choose to leave the tour in Orlando in the morning.

Overnight – 3* Holiday Inn Miami Beach, or similar

Today you’ll transfer independently to the airport for your return flight.