Get Social: USA East to West

Hitting the road bright and early, we’re heading to the hub of American politics. But first: Philly. The home of Rocky and the Declaration of Independence, we'll tick off the top sights on a driving tour. Then: we’ll arrive in DC just in time to see the Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall, the Whitehouse and Capitol Hill lit up like Christmas on an illumination tour. Plan of action tonight? Round up the squad and swing by Ben’s Chili Bowl for traditional DC hot dogs and chili cheese fries *drools uncontrollably*.

You’ve got 24 hours. Your undercover mission, should you choose to accept it... ok, you get the gist. Our suggestion? Nab yourself a set of wheels on a bike tour. Then, hit up the array of FREE museums. From the National Museum of American History to the National Air and Space Museum, and the International Spy Museum – there’s something for literally everyone. Now’s the time to find out which trip mates are into the same stuff as you. Declare yourselves!

Wave goodbye to ol’ Lincoln – North Carolina is calling. A city with a tagline like “Charlotte’s Got A Lot” means expectations are HIGH. But with urban forests, specialty museums, the NoDa art scene and two brewery districts – we’d have to agree, this place has a lot going on. So get exploring! Afterwards, meet up with your travel fam to salivate over the city’s speciality food: sizzling Southern BBQ.

Sling on a cowboy hat and tune up that fiddle. This morning we’re making a beeline for America’s country music capital. Ngl – it’s a bit of a drive there. Meaning? Your chance to impress the fam with a rendition of Dolly Parton’s back catalogue (lucky them!). When we pull into Nashville, it’s time for a tour of the city highlights. Then: dinner’s on you, but your Trip Leader knows the hot spots.

It’s your day, your way. What’s up first? Hit up the Country Music Hall of Fame for an education in all the folk and blues greats. Go star spotting on a stroll around the free Music City Walk of Fame. Check out the Grand Ole Opry for an old-school country music experience. Or head to a legit Tennessee whiskey distillery for a glug of the smoky stuff. It’d be rude not to, right? Then, why not practice your scoots and brushes with a free line dancing class at the Wildhorse Saloon? Yeehaw!

Time to dust off your best Elvis impression cos we’re heading to Memphis. Another hotspot for music lovers, it’s the home of both rock n’ roll AND the blues. Check out Beale Street (one of the USA’s ‘most iconic streets’) on a walking tour. After, do your own thing or hit up Graceland on an optional tour. Elvis Presley’s former-mansion-turned-museum is one of the most ICONIC musical heritage sites in the Deep South. Dinner’s on you, but your Trip Leader knows the hot spots. And this eve? Treat your ears to some live music. There are venues EVERYWHERE.

Full disclosure: this is a drive day. But it’ll be totally worth it when we roll into New Orleans. Trust us. We’ll start with a walking tour of the French Quarter (aka New Orleans’ Crown Jewel). Wanna know what’s on the menu for dinner? Between gumbo and po-boys, jambalaya and muffulettas, beignets and bananas foster – it’s safer to try them all. Your pants are elasticated, right? Later, the legendary party vibes of Bourbon Street await – arm yourself with a Hand Grenade cocktail for the real experience.

A city exploding with culture, history and seriously good food – this is a GREAT place to wake up. Today: the choice is yours. Check out the open-air gallery in Jackson Square. Hit up the French Market for shopping. Uncover your love for jazz along Frenchman Street. You could even fill your belly with more local bites during an optional cooking class. Wanna get a little bit outta your comfort zone? Board an optional swamp tour for more ‘gator spotting. Or, if you’ve booked a winter trip, get a behind-the-scenes look at the city’s most ICONIC event at Mardi Gras World. Whatever you choose, you can't go wrong.

Truth bomb: the USA is B-I-G and we’ve got a bit of a travel day today. Stock up on snacks, hop on board and dig out the AUX cord – Texas is calling! After arriving in Fort Worth, tonight is totally up to you. Our pick? Fully commit to Tex-Mex and get stuck into all the tacos and chimichangas you can handle. RIP white T-shirt.

Fill up at breakfast and practise your best yeee haaaa! – we’re heading to the wild, wild west with a visit to the Fort Worth Historic Stockyards. Lasso your way around the original brick walkways and wooden corrals of ‘Cowtown’. Next up: Dallas. See the city’s highlights on an orientation tour before enjoying some free time. Perfect your pano skills at Reunion Tower. Or jump on the vintage (and free = win) McKinney Avenue Trolley and jump off to sample the local bars. Afterwards, we’ll head back to Fort Worth for an evening at Billy Bob’s Texas – the World’s Largest Honky Tonk. 30 bars. Live music. Bull riding. Ready to swing your partner round and round? Responsibly, obvs.

Is this the way to Amarillo? Hope so, or we’re totally lost. Fire up the coach games. Blast out the trip song. And don’t be fooled, our next stop is a ‘go big or go home’ kinda place. Speaking of going big, how does an optional hot air balloon ride over the Texas desert sound? Tonight, there’s another included group feed on the cards at the Big Texan Ranch & Brewery *stuffs napkin into shirt*.

Ready for something a bit... different? On Route 66 we’ll check out the quirky art installation at the Cadillac Ranch. Fan of Breaking Bad? We’re rolling into Heisenberg’s old stomping ground later today. Prepare to spice up your life when you hunt down dinner this eve: this place is also famed for its love of chilis. Pro tip: ask for ‘Christmas’ to get maximum hotness. Or don’t. No one wants a bawling travel bud.

Tongue still on fire? Pass on the hot sauce at this morning’s included brekkie. First up today: the arty markets of Santa Fe – stop for lunch and a wander around the city’s historic heart. Then: crack out the playing cards or glue your face to the window as we weave through the rugged Colorado mountains en route to Durango. When we arrive, you’ve got options. Head out on horseback with an optional riding experience or go zip-lining. Here in winter? Jump on a snowmobile and explore the white stuff in style.

Arizona – this state is made for road trips. Stretches of endless sky. Expanses of red desert. Centuries-old history. And some pretty famous rock formations. Today’s first stop = Mars. Actually –it’s Monument Valley, but it may as well be another planet. This INCREDible red-sand desert is out of this world. See for yourself during a guided orientation tour. Seriously, epic doesn’t cut it. We’ll then make tracks to Flagstaff: the gateway to the Grand Canyon National Park.

One word: iconic. The only way to see one of the world’s most incredible natural wonders in its entirety, is from the sky. Lucky for you we’ve organised an optional heli-tour. Prepare to be wowed by AWESOME vistas of the canyon’s iconic landscape. Group pics nailed and bellies grumbling, quiz your in-the-know Trip Leader on where to head for tonight’s feed in Flagstaff.

After an included brekkie, it’s time to turn our attention to the strip. The Vegas Strip. En-route, we'll pass Sedona’s Red Rock State Park where you’ll have a chance to admire its fiery-red canyons during an optional jeep tour. Then it’s onwards to Sin City, a place so OTT it hurts to look at. But we’ll do just that on a driving tour – before donning our sequin bowties and stilettos for a night on the town. Welcome to Vegas, baby!

Anything goes in Vegas and you’ve got a full day to make the most of it. Our suggestions? Take an optional heli-tour over The Strip. Flash some plastic at the mall. Or hit up a Vegas-style pool party. Just save some energy for later ‘cos we’ve got one last group dinner together – and one big-crazy-ride to toast to! How does an Italian feast at Buca di Beppo sound? The portions are HUGE. Then, the night is yours. Just don’t end up at The Little Vegas Chapel (iykyk).

Wipe away the last traces of glitter and confetti – we’ll make tracks for LA this morning. You’ve got the whole coach ride to plan next year’s reunion trip. Get cracking!