Historic Route 66

Day 1: Chicago - Springfield

Our tour starts at 7:30 am at the Red Roof Inn Chicago Downtown. As this is an early start we recommend that you book a night's pre-tour accommodation at this hotel, which can be booked at the same time you book this tour. After leaving Chicago, we drive for about four hours to Springfield - the capital of the state of Illinois. Springfield’s favourite son was of course Abraham Lincoln and we pay a visit to the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, which is the home that he lived in with his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, from 1844 until 1861 when he because US president. It was the only house that ‘Ol’ Abe’ ever owned. Springfield is also the birthplace of the corndog and drive-thru restaurants!

Day 2: St Louis

From Springfield, Missouri, it’s only a couple of hours driving (155 km or 96 miles) to St Louis, Missouri. St Louis is one of the largest cities in USA with a metropolitan population of over 2.8 million. Founded in 1764 it became a major port on Mississippi River and even hosted the Olympic Games in 1904. We pay homage to the iconic Gateway Arch which commemorates the settlement of America's West. It was from here that countless pioneers set out to explore and conquer the wild frontier. St Louis is also associated with the music scene, particularly blues music. Perhaps you can spend the evening checking out the city’s vibrant nightlife?

Day 3: Branson

Today we embark on a drive of about four-and-a-half hours (405 km or 252 miles) to the town of Branson. Home to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede and their version of 'The Strip', Branson has become to country music what Las Vegas is to gambling. With over 50 dinner theatres, shows and other entertainment oddities, Branson is certainly where it's at in Missouri!

Day 4 & 5: Oklahoma City

We drive on to and arrive in Oklahoma City for a two-night stop. Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. We spend a couple of nights here and enjoy a full day to discover some of the city’s many cultural attractions. It is also ‘Welcome to Cowboy Country’ and what could be a better introduction to the ‘Wild West’ than an optional visit to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Originally established in 1955 as the Cowboy hall of Fame and Museum, it has broadened its scope to encompass both Western and Native American artwork and artefacts as well as historic photographs.

Day 6: Amarillo

It’s a four-hour drive to Amarillo in the state of Texas. On the ‘Way to Amarillo’ and before we leave Oklahoma, we stop to visit the 'official' Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, where we learn about the legends surrounding the road we are travelling on. Then it’s on to Amarillo where we make our way to the Big Texan Steak Ranch for a steak meal (optional). If you can eat a 2.04 kg (72 oz) steak in less than one hour, you get it for free!

Day 7 & 8: Santa Fe

Our road journey continues out to Cadillac Ranch - a Texan version of Stonehenge with 10 classic cars buried nose-down in the dirt. Then it’s on to New Mexico and the city of Santa Fe. Although it is the state capital it is only the state’s fourth largest city and is known for its adobe architecture and new world spiritualism. The earliest settlements in the area were Pueblo Native villages that date back 1000 years, but the Spanish took over in 1598 and laid down the city’s foundations. It wasn’t 1912 that the state of New Mexico became part of United States. The historic downtown area called the Plaza still retains reminders of the Hispanic era whilst the Palace of the Governors and the San Miguel Mission both date back to 1610 and are said to be the oldest European-era buildings in United States.

Day 9: Gallup

We move from modern cultures to ancient civilisations and make a stop at Acoma Pueblo, also known as the 'Sky City' ruins, on the Native American Reservation. This is a fortified community of indigenous people living in a sandstone mesa that dates back to the 12th century AD. They are believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited community in USA. We spend the night in Gallup, New Mexico, home to a diverse population with a third of its residents being of Native American decent.

Day 10 & 11: Grand Canyon National Park

Although it's not on the original Route 66, but it's so close it would be a shame to pass it by! The Grand Canyon is an iconic symbol of the Desert Southwest and a spectacle not to be missed. This incredible spectacle is difficult to comprehend, even as you stand at the rim or hike down into the canyon. Carved over several millennia, this massive wonder of nature is 445 kilometres (277 miles) long, up to 29 kilometres (18 miles) wide and over 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) deep. Snaking through the canyon floor is the mighty Colorado River, which runs 2330 kilometres (1450 miles) through seven US states and two Mexican states. In your free time, we highly recommend a scenic flight over the canyon, which offer perspectives that you cannot see by visiting on foot. Also recommended is the film show at the IMAX Theater, which will give you a good overview of the area and how it developed. There are many walks that you can enjoy ranging from easy to moderate ones. There is also time to shop around for local souvenirs.

Day 12 & 13: Las Vegas

We leave nature behind and head into Las Vegas and all of its neon splendour. En route we make an optional lunch stop at the quirky Snow Cap Diner en route to a stop at Hoover Dam. Las Vegas is renowned as the ‘tacky capital of the world’ - home to pirates and pyramids, weddings and waterfalls. If it is gambling you want, you have come to the right place as nowhere else in the world will you find so many casinos. But if you really want to look at something different, stop by one of its countless wedding chapels. In Las Vegas we enjoy a city tour that takes us to some of the quirky things that epitomises this city, as well as learn about some of its colourful history. We also have time for some last-minute bargain shopping and relax by a pool before nights out on the town amidst the bright lights, casinos and world-class shows. You may also like to enjoy a buffet dinner at one of Las Vegas’ famous all-you-can-eat dining places.

Day 14: Los Angeles (Santa Monica)

On our final day we return to California and drive across the great Mojave Desert to the city of Los Angeles. Our tour concludes upon arrival at approximately 5 pm at Santa Monica Pier, where we toast farewell to the ‘Mother Road’. Optional post-tour accommodation is available at our Los Angeles hotel - please inquire when booking your tour. If you are planning to fly out of Los Angeles tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 9 pm (21:00 hrs).