☼  Highlights for The Great American Southwest

★ Behold the glitz and glamour of the Las Vegas Strip
★ Visit the iconic Santa Monica Pier at sunset
★ Find the stars of your favorite celebrities along the Hollywood Walk of Fame
★ Enjoy extended excursions to the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon and Zion national parks
★ Take an optional tour of the serpentine Upper Antelope slot canyon near Page, Arizona
★ Take in the colorful landscape surrounding Sedona, one of Arizona’s most beautiful small towns
★ Have a special guided walking tour of Old Town Scottsdale
★ Witness rows of stunning palm trees which tower over Palm Springs’ stylish downtown promenades

  What’s Included for The Great American Southwest 

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   ACCOMMODATION       10 nights of accommodation at highly rated, centrally located 3 & 4 star hotels

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   TRANSPORTATION       Your group’s own dedicated air-conditioned coach between listed destinations; private or semi-private airport transfers for arrival and departure

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   MEALS      11 meals:  8 breakfasts, 1 brunch, & 2 dinners

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   EXCURSIONS AND ENTRANCE FEES       Extended visits to Zion and Grand Canyon national parks, all fees included.  Excursions to Los Angeles sights, Horseshoe Bend, Sedona, Flagstaff.  Walking tour of Victorian-era California estate and Old Town Scottsdale.  Optional excursions to Upper Antelope Canyon, Valley of Fire, Hollywood Sign.

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   TOUR LEADER       A Blue Onyx Tour Leader to handle all logistical aspects of the group, offer valuable information, and guide your group from start to finish

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   Itinerary for The Great American Southwest

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DAY 1:  ARRIVAL IN LOS ANGELES
Arrive at Los Angeles International Airport where a Blue Onyx Travel representative will direct you to your private air-conditioned transportation en route to your centrally located Los Angeles hotel.  At 7 p.m. your group will meet in the hotel lobby for a brief orientation and proceed to your welcome dinner.

  MEAL:  Dinner           ACCOMMODATION:   Hotel Constance (2 nights)

DAY 2:   CHINATOWN, OLVERA STREET, PASADENA TOUR, HOLLYWOOD, SANTA MONICA PIER
The first portion of the day is devoted to Old Town Pasadena as we enjoy an in-depth walking tour, culminating in a stop at the Pasadena City Hall, a sprawling Italian Renaissance revival complex.  The next segment of your day is steeped in L.A. history as your group surveys historic Chinatown and Olvera Street – the birthplace of Los Angeles.  Later, you’ll have time to saunter down the Walk of Fame in Hollywood, spotting the stars of your favorite celebrities.  Finally, you’ll arrive at the iconic Santa Monica pier to watch the sunset.  

  MEAL:  Breakfast       

DAY 3:   GRIFFITH PARK, ARRIVAL IN LAS VEGAS, FREE TIME
In the early morning, there will be an optional trip to the Griffith Park Observatory, which offers sweeping views of Los Angeles and its famous Hollywood Sign.  After hotel checkout we’ll hit the road for the glitz and glamour of the Las Vegas strip, where the day will be yours to do as you please.  Gawk at the incredible and unique designs of each hotel/casino along the Strip.  Take in a famous Vegas show.  Do a little gambling.  Or just relax by the pool.

OPTIONAL EXCURSION:  Morning visit to Griffith Park and Hollywood Sign (FREE)

  MEAL:  Breakfast         ACCOMMODATION:  Excalibur Hotel and Casino (2 night)

DAY 4:   FREE TIME IN VEGAS, OPTIONAL EXCURSION

Continue to experience the sights and sounds of Las Vegas at your leisure.  At mid-day, you’ll have the option to do some sightseeing in the Valley of Fire, a vibrant state park filled with unique rock formations and beautiful canyons.

OPTIONAL EXCURSION:  Visit to the Valley of Fire ($20)

DAY 5:  ZION NATIONAL PARK, ARRIVAL IN PAGE
After morning checkout, the coach will take your group through the mesmerizing Virgin River Gorge en route to one of the most beautiful places in America:  Zion National Park.  As an added bonus, your tour group will be exploring Zion either during fall foliage season – when the aspen trees which are native to this area burst with color – or in the springtime, when the hillsides erupt with wildflower blooms.

After a couple hours of sightseeing and walking over multi-layered colorful rock formations amid brilliant forests, your group will journey to a special Mystery Destination to watch the sunset.

  ACCOMMODATION:  Country Inn & Suites by Radisson  – Page (1 night)

DAY 6:   HORSESHOE BEND, ANTELOPE CANYON, THE GRAND CANYON
For interested parties, there will be an early morning excursion to the awesome meander of the Colorado River known as Horseshoe Bend to watch the sunrise (free of charge).  At mid-morning, you have the option of taking a tour of Antelope Canyon from a Local Expert, who will explain the history and significance of this otherworldly place as it relates to Navajo culture. 

Later, your travels will take you to The Grand Canyon for an afternoon arrival, where another Local Expert will take great care to inform you not only of the physical details of this wondrous locale, but also the premium spots for sunset photography.  The Grand Canyon is truly one of those rare places to which words and pictures don’t do justice.  You just have to be there.

  MEAL:  Breakfast         ACCOMMODATION:  The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon (1 night)

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS:  Morning excursion to Horseshoe Bend (FREE). Guided tour of Upper Antelope Canyon ($59)

DAY 7:   GRAND CANYON, FLAGSTAFF, SEDONA, SCOTTSDALE
In the morning, you’ll have more time to explore the South Rim area of the Grand Canyon, including an opportunity to visit during sunrise.  Later, it’s off to lunch in Flagstaff, a quintessential southwestern American town.  In the afternoon, enjoy a stop in legendary Sedona to gaze at the steep rock towers amid the vibrant landscape and to take a stroll around Oak Creek Canyon.  Finally, you’ll bed down in Old Town Scottsdale for a well-earned rest.

  MEAL:  Breakfast        ACCOMMODATION:  Hyatt Place Old Town Scottsdale (2 nights)  

DAY 8:  WALKING TOUR OF OLD TOWN SCOTTSDALE, FREE TIME
In the early afternoon, you’ll meet with a Local Expert who will inform you of the scintillating details of this storied place.  The rest of the day is yours for free time and relaxation.  There are plenty of great restaurants, taverns, and shops to discover in the “West’s Most Western Town.”

  MEAL:  Breakfast

DAY 9:   MYSTERY DESTINATON, ARRIVAL IN PALM SPRINGS
After breakfast and hotel checkout, your journey will take you across the desert landscape of the American southwest to pastel-tinged Palm Springs.  But along the way, you’ll have a stop at your second of two Mystery Destinations.  In the evening, enjoy an elegant dinner on us.

  MEALS:  Breakfast, Dinner            ACCOMMODATION:    Courtyard by Marriott Palm Springs (2 nights)

DAY 10:   TOUR OF VICTORIAN HOME, FAREWELL BRUNCH
In mid-morning, your group will be privy to a private tour of a well-preserved Victorian era home in the area.  Later, enjoy a sumptuous farewell brunch at a splendid outdoor venue.  The rest of the day is all yours for sightseeing and relaxation.

  MEALS:  Breakfast, Late Brunch

DAY 11:   HOLLYWOOD SIGHTS, GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY, SANTA MONICA PIER, FAREWELL DINNER
The sights and sounds of downtown Hollywood are on the agenda for the early part of the day.  After ample time to saunter down the Walk of Fame, you’ll enjoy a visit to the impressive Griffith Observatory for sweeping views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.  Later, your group will travel to the Santa Monica Pier for some free time.  Finally, you’ll enjoy a filling meal at a classic L.A. haunt.  

  MEALS:  Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11:    DEPART FOR LAS VEGAS
Alas, you have reached the end of your epic southwestern adventure.  After hotel checkout, we’ll take you to LAX to catch your short flight back to Las Vegas.  Or, extend your stay in sunny southern California.  Many happy returns!

  MEAL:  Breakfast  

 
   Optional Excursions for The Great American Southwest

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DAY 3: 

Optional Excursion #1:  Hike in the Hollywood Hills
Avail yourself of this early-morning, moderately difficult hike to see the Griffith Observatory and Hollywood Sign (Price: FREE).

DAY 4: 

Optional Excursion #2:  The Valley of Fire, Nevada 

Day 4 is listed as a day of free time, but for those who are so inclined, your tour offers a mid-day excursion to the mesmerizing Valley of Fire northeast of Las Vegas (Price: $20). 

DAY 6: 

Optional Excursion #3:  Excursion to Horseshoe Bend

In the early morning, around sunrise, interested guests have the option of joining us for a visit to Horseshoe Bend (Price: FREE).

Optional Excursion # 4:  Excursion to Upper Antelope Canyon

In the late morning, you’ll have the option of joining a fully guided tour of the unforgettable Upper Antelope Canyon at a greatly reduced rate (price: $59).

*Please note that optional excursions are reserved and paid for on the first day of the tour.

 
   Dates & Prices for The Great American Southwest

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Nov. 4 – 14, 2021 (Thu-Sun)                       $1,995                         Book Now

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Mar. 24 – Apr. 3, 2022 (Thu-Sun)             $1,995                         Book Now

 
   What to Expect for The Great American Southwest

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  The Weather

In the autumn and spring, when this tour takes place, it tends to be sunny a lot of the time, with some cloud cover and occasional rain.  Highs vary from the 50’s in the mountainous areas to the 60’s and 70’s in the lower elevations.  Lows vary from the low 40’s in the mountainous areas to the upper 50’s in the lower elevations. 

We advise our guests to bring sunscreen with them on this tour.

  Bugs and Pests

Mosquitoes aren’t nearly as prevalent in the American Southwest as they are in other places.  Regarding other bugs and pests, we’ve never had any significant problems on any of our tours in the American Southwest, but you are free to bring insect repellent if you like.

  Physical Activity of Tour

On a scale of 1 to 10, the level of physical activity of this tour is 8, which is high.   If you plan to undertake all of the optional excursions, the level of physical activity is 9.

  Potential Issues

We urge our guests to use common sense on our tours.  Be wary of strangers offering you something or trying to sell you something.  Keep guard of your important belongings, such as purse, wallet, keys, and cell phone.  Pickpocketing, while less prevalent in the United States than in other places, does exist.  

We also urge our guests to use extra caution while crossing the street.  Walk defensively and look in every direction before crossing.  Don’t walk distracted.

  What to Bring

We urge our guests to pack light.  As previously stated under our Terms and Conditions, all of our guests are allowed one carry-on measuring 45 linear inches (22 x 14 x 9) and a personal item, such as a laptop bag or purse.  We strongly recommend bringing travel size toiletries.

  Journeys Between Destinations

Some of the bus journeys on this particular tour will be medium-distance.  About four hours is the most we will drive on any given day on the way to the next stop.  We will have basic refreshments and snacks available on the bus for purchase. 

  Your Hotels

We always book hotels that are centrally located, highly rated, and close to major attractions.   The service level of this tour is Standard, which means that the hotels are upscale, in the 3 and 4 star range, and usually include a full breakfast.   

  Your Restaurants

We strive to treat our guests to lunches and dinners at restaurants with interesting settings and this tour is no exception to that concept.  The Palm Springs brunch, in particular, will take place at a venue with a beautiful view.

  
  
  Currency Exchange and Credit Card Usage

For our guests from overseas who are booking this tour, your Tour Leader will be able to tell you where to exchange currency and there will usually be a place to do so within walking distance of your hotel.  Most major banks will be able to exchange any currency that you have brought with you, for a small fee.

Simply using an ATM machine to withdraw cash can be the most cost effective option to get U.S. currency as the exchange rate is generally more favorable.  However, many U.S. ATM machines charge a small fee for this service. Moreover, your home bank might charge fees as well, so we advise you to find out exactly how much it will cost you to use an American ATM machine to withdraw currency.  Sometimes, if your home bank is affiliated with an American-based bank via an ATM network, then you might not have to pay any fees at all. Bank of America, for instance, is part of the Global ATM Alliance. If your home bank is part of the same alliance, then you should be able to use a Bank of America anywhere in the United States to withdraw cash, without having to pay a fee.

A common mistake that foreigners make when withdrawing U.S. currency from our ATM machines is by performing the transaction in their home currency when prompted by the ATM machine.  This is a surefire money-losing proposition; don’t do it.

Of course, the best option for any foreign traveler coming to the United States is to exchange currency before arriving in the United States.  Your home bank should be able to get you the best possible exchange rate in comparison to American banks, thus saving you quite a bit of money.  The only drawback to this plan is that this could result in you having to carry around a moderate to high amount of cash while traveling, not to mention that you may have a bunch of unused cash at the end of the trip.

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of exchanging cash, you can always try using a credit card.  Most American businesses accept foreign credit cards, but be advised that – you guessed it – there is usually a small fee that accompanies such transactions.  You will also want to find out – you guessed it – if your home bank charges a fee as well.

  The Tour Leader

All of our Tour Leaders must undergo a rigorous training course designed to help them handle not only the ups and downs of a tour group situation, but also the disparate personalities that they might encounter.  All of our Tour Leaders are thoroughly background checked and must adhere to a strict code of conduct at all times.  You can rest assured that we are placing you with a Tour Leader who has your best interests at heart.

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