Play & Pause: 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. Need tips for tonight’s feed? Your expert Trip Leader knows where it’s at.

You’ve got 24 hours. Your undercover mission, should you choose to accept it... ok, you get the gist. Our suggestion? Get yourself a set of wheels on a Segway or 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. Washington FTW! Tonight, find a local haunt for dinner.

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. Not to mention the revved-up optional tour of Charlotte Motor Speedway that’s on the cards this afternoon. Ready for a crash course (hopefully not) in America’s Home of Racing?

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 catch some zzzzs or write a chart-topping country hit about working 9 to 5. Oh, turns out that’s already been done. 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.

Ya'll ordered: free time to do your thing. So here's another sweet slice! What’s up first? Hit up the Country Music Hall of Fame for an education in all the folk and blues greats. 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? This eve, get those toes-a-tappin’ at an authentic honky-tonk bar. Ready to swing your partner round and round? Responsibly, obvs.

Full disclosure: this is a drive day. But it’ll be totally worth it when we roll into New Orleans. Trust us. Breakfast AND lunch are included today = sweeeet. Then: when we arrive in the ‘Big Easy’, dinner is up to you. 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. We’ll kick things off with a walking tour around the buzzing French Quarter. Then: 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. And get amongst the mayhem on Bourbon Street. Want more? Board an optional swamp tour for more ‘gator spotting or learn to cook like a local at an optional cooking demonstration. That’ll impress the Tinder dates back home. Whatever you choose, you can't go wrong.

Truth bomb: the USA is B-I-G and we’ve got a bit of travel day today. Stock up on snacks, hop on board and bring out the AUX cord – Dallas is calling! When we hop off, it's time for a whip around town with our Trip Leader. And then? It’s totally up to you. Our suggestion: get the crew together and head to Billy Bob’s Texas – the World’s Largest Honky Tonk. 30 bars. Live music. Bull riding. It’s like real-life Footloose.

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’. And when we return to Dallas? There’s more free time to do your thing. Need recommendations? *Grabs foam finger and points at Trip Leader* – they’ve got them. Jump on the vintage (and free = win) McKinney Avenue Trolley and jump off to sample the local bars. Then jump back on again. You get the idea. Perfect your pano skills at Reunion Tower. Or grab some chill time back in the privacy of your accom. There’s still eight days of adventuring left!

Is this the way to Amarillo? Hope so, or we’re totally lost. Don’t be fooled, our next stop is a ‘go big or go home’ kinda place. Tonight, shine up your sheriff badge – we’re heading to The Big Texan for our included dinner. Think supersized steaks and allllll the saloon vibes.

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. You do you.

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 historic heart of the city. Then: glue your face to the window as we weave through the rugged Colorado mountains en route to Durango. When we pull in, we’ll dine ranch-style at tonight’s included meal.

Today, you’ve got options. Head out on horseback with an optional riding experience. Or take in allll the views from the Durango Silverton steam train. You can even go zip-lining if that’s more your style. Here in winter? Jump on a snowmobile and explore the white stuff in style. And if road trip life has got you craving a bit of me-time – there are plenty of wide-open spaces to explore solo. Tonight’s dinner is up to you, but we hear the burgers here are bloody good.

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. Keen to explore it the real way? Opt for a jeep tour with a local Navajo guide and get totally lost (not literally) amongst the buttes and mesas of this magical place. And then? Grab some R&R back at the hotel and charge up for some BIG adventuring tomorrow.

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. After you’ve filled your SD card, it’s time to turn our attention to the strip. The Vegas Strip. This place is 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. Or catch a ride on the High Roller Observation Wheel. You can even check out a shooting range, if that’s your thing. There’s plenty of time to 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!

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!