|
GREAT
TRANSCONTINENTAL RAIL JOURNEY
11 days, 10 nights
Overnight
at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel – Welcome
cocktail reception and private dinner – 10
dinners with complimentary wine – 9 lunches – 10
full American breakfasts and optional continental
breakfasts – Non-alcoholic beverages – Professionally
guided tours of Charleston, Savannah, New Orleans,
San Antonio, Santa Fe and Grand Canyon National Park – Comprehensive
lecture series – Live piano music nightly – Deluxe
rail accommodations for 9 nights – Personal
service by rail car attendant – Farewell cocktail
reception
OPTIONAL
TOURS – Bandelier
National Monument Walking Tour
DAY
1 – Arrive
In Washington D.C.
After independent arrivals at the hotel, we meet for our private welcome
reception and dinner. We take this opportunity to introduce the train
staff and other guests who will be joining us on our journey. This
evening we overnight at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel. (D)
DAY
2 – Washington
D.C./Board The American Orient Express
After breakfast in the hotel, we board motorcoaches for a morning tour
of the nation’s capital. Our guide will highlight the Mall
and the Lincoln and Washington Monuments before we board the train. This
evening, dinner is served in the dining cars as we overnight en route
to Charleston. (B,L,D)
return to top
DAY
3 – Charleston,
South Carolina
After breakfast on board, we explore Charleston’s diverse historic
district by horse and buggy as our guide explains the history of the
area. Passing by the “Battery” that overlooks Charleston
Harbor, we drive to Magnolia Plantation and its lovely gardens. In
addition to the extensive gardens, the early home to the Drayton family
offers an outstanding collection of antiques, a wildlife sanctuary
and a history that dates back 13 generations to the pre-colonial period. We
return to the train for dinner and overnight en route to Savannah. (B,L,D)
DAY
4 – Savannah,
Georgia
Breakfast is served this morning on the train before we depart for
the cobblestone streets of Savannah. We tour this gracious city’s
historic district located on River Street and absorb its southern charm
before a progressive lunch is served in private historic mansions.
In the afternoon, we enjoy free-time exploring the historic district
on River Street or optionally choose to tour Fort Pulaski, which played
an important role in the Civil War. Dinner is served this evening
on board the train, where we overnight en route to our next destination. (B,L,D)
DAY
5 – En
Route to New Orleans, Louisiana
Enjoy a leisurely morning on board traveling through the rural back-country
of the South. Sit back, relax and partake in a lecture and afternoon
tea. This evening, we enjoy dinner and overnight en route to
New Orleans. (B,L,D)
return to top
DAY
6 – New
Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a city consumed with cool jazz, steamy nightlife and
Cajun and Creole cooking. After breakfast on the train, we board
motorcoaches for a city tour with visits to the Louis Armstrong Park
and St. Louis Cemetery. This afternoon, we enjoy lunch at a local
restaurant located in the French Quarter. After lunch, choose
free-time to explore this unique city or enjoy a guided walking tour
of the French Quarter. This evening, we return to the train to
relax before dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
DAY
7 – San
Antonio, Texas
The day begins with a leisurely morning and breakfast on board the
train before arriving in San Antonio. Upon arrival this afternoon,
we depart the train and board motorcoaches for a guided tour of the
Alamo and San Jose Mission. Founded in 1720, the San Jose Mission
was built on the banks of the San Antonio River. It became known
as the “Queen of Missions.” This evening, we transfer
to the Riverwalk where we board the river barge for a private dinner
before returning to the train for overnight. (B,L,D)
DAY
8 – En
Route to Santa Fe, Mexico
Riding the rails through stretches of western Texas, we enjoy the amenities
of the train today. We discover the history of the Rio Grande
while following its river bed north – the route the Spanish took
between old Mexico and Santa Fe in the 1600s. We enjoy dinner
and overnight on board this evening before arriving in Albuquerque. (B,L,D)
DAY
9 – Santa
Fe, New Mexico
After breakfast on board, we take a guided walking tour of the Old
Plaza, the heart of the original 1609 Spanish settlement, and the Loretto
Chapel. With passes to the Georgia O’Keefe Museum and other
attractions, we freely explore local galleries and shops, with lunch
at a local restaurant in old Santa Fe. Back on the train, we
head into the sunset, silhouetting unusual rock formations in the desert,
as we enjoy dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
DAY
10 – Grand
Canyon National Park, Arizona
After breakfast, we board motorcoaches and tour the Grand Canton’s
South Rim with a special stop at Yavapai Observatory, Mather Point
Interpretive Center and an optional hike along the South Rim. This
afternoon, lunch is at El Tovar before stopping at Desert View to see
the Colorado River and the spectacular views of the Canyon. Back
on board the train, we enjoy a farewell cocktail reception, dinner
and overnight en route to our final destination. (B,L,D)
DAY
11 – Los
Angeles, California
Our American Orient Express adventure ends in Los Angeles, where
we are free to sightsee or transfer to the airport for individual flights
home. (B)
|
