Historic Route 66 - America's Main Street

Chicago • Springfield • St Louis • Oklahoma City • Amarillo • Albuquerque • Petrified Forest National Park • Flagstaff • Grand Canyon • Laughlin • Santa Monica

Share in the dream conjured by Bobby Troup in his 1940’s American classic “Get your kicks on Route 66”, a lyrical map of this famous highway. Now firmly set in American history this route truly personifies the ideals of “freedom on the open road”. Winding from the cosmopolitan city of Chicago on the shores of Lake Michigan we experience the life of President Lincoln and the once Western frontier of St Louis. Our journey takes us on through the open plains of Oklahoma and the oil rich Texas Panhandle to New Mexico and the historic city of Albuquerque. The final parts of our famous trip take us to the breathtaking Grand Canyon and on to a conclusion at Los Angeles and the beach of Santa Monica. Our journey of “more than 2,000 miles all the way” truly has something for everyone.DAY 1 LONDON • CHICAGO
We begin with Titan HiTours Home Departure Service to London Heathrow Airport and your direct scheduled American Airlines flight to Chicago. On arrival we transfer to the Essex Inn, our base for the next two nights.

DAY 2 CHICAGO
A morning city tour introduces us to this magnificent city constructed along the shores of Lake Michigan. The afternoon is free to explore the “Windy City”, perhaps at the splendid Navy Pier, or take a trip to the top of the Sears Tower for a spectacular view over 1,000ft above the city. An optional boat ride on Lake Michigan really brings alive the architecture of this city.

DAY 3 CHICAGO • SPRINGFIELD
This morning we take our first steps along the “Mother Road”. Although the roads have been changed and modernised through the years, our route over the following days still encompasses the Route 66 spirit that has enthralled so many since its inception in 1926. We continue south to the Springfield area, which President Lincoln called his home for so many years. Our first stop is at his tomb, the final resting place of the president after he was assassinated in 1865. This afternoon we visit Lincoln’s home, a National Historic site and the remainder of the day is free to explore downtown Springfield. We stay this evening at the Hilton.

DAY 4 SPRINGFIELD • ST LOUIS
This morning we visit New Salem, where Lincoln lived and worked for six years in the 1830’s. This reconstructed village includes houses, shops and a general store, with information imparted by period costumed interpreters. We now head for St Louis stopping at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, the original Route 66 span over the mighty Mississippi River, now open only for the pedestrian, this affords excellent views of downtown St Louis. This afternoon we take you to the excellent Museum of Westward Expansion and the 630ft Gateway Arch, opened in 1965 to honour President Jefferson’s vision of the continental United States. This evening you are again free to explore. We stay for the next two nights at the Millennium Hotel.

DAY 5 ST LOUIS
A free day to discover all that St Louis has to offer. Why not take a riverboat cruise along the Mississippi, tour the huge Anheuser-Busch Brewery or experience the beautiful Botanical Garden.

DAY 6 ST LOUIS • SPRINGFIELD
Our first stop today is at the Museum of Transportation. Over 20 classic locomotives are housed here, together with many classic motor vehicles, many of which would have taken the old Route 66 in years past. Later, we take a tram tour of the aptly named Fantastic Caverns to view the spectacular cave formations. Tonight we stay in Springfield Missouri at the University Plaza Hotel.

DAY 7 SPRINGFIELD • OKLAHOMA CITY
Departing Springfield, we make a coffee stop in Joplin before crossing into Kansas and on to the state of Oklahoma and our lunch stop in Tulsa. This afternoon we continue to Oklahoma City, where on 22nd April 1889 tens of thousands of settlers surged forward in the Great Land Run to grab their piece of glory and stake their claim on part of the two million areas of unassigned land then opened for settlement. Not surprisingly, Oklahoma City became known as “the city born in a single day”. On arrival we take an orientation tour, before checking into the Courtyard Marriott or Renaissance Hotel.

DAY 8 OKLAHOMA CITY • AMARILLO
We continue west, leaving the plains of Oklahoma for the oil rich Texas Panhandle. We take time to view Palo Duro Canyon State Park, second largest in America and where spectacular vistas greet the eye. We continue to Amarillo for our overnight stay. Since it was founded in the 1880’s Amarillo has experienced many things, from civil war battles to the creation of many millionaires from the “black gold” of the area and the place Tony Christie needed to find in his song ‘Is this the way to Amarillo’. Our hotel is the Ambassador.

DAY 9 AMARILLO • ALBUQUERQUE
Just outside Amarillo we catch a glimpse of a strange sight - ten half buried Cadillacs, tail up in a field, which is said to represent the golden era of the car. Onward to New Mexico, known as “The Land of Enchantment” and Albuquerque, a historic city dating back nearly 300 years. We take a brief orientation tour before checking into the Best Western Rio Grande Hotel.

DAY 10 ALBUQUERQUE
Today is free to explore at your leisure. The Historic Old Town is worthy of exploration with its many museums and galleries and a trip on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway provides stunning views of the Rio Grande. Alternatively why not take an optional excursion to Santa Fé, the compact capital of this state and the oldest in America.

DAY 11 ALBUQUERQUE • FLAGSTAFF
Arizona greets us today as we make a visit to the Petrified Forest National Park, where quite literally the remnants of an ancient forest have been fossilised. Incorporated in the park is the Painted Desert, a vast arid badland scattered with buttes and mesas. We continue west to Flagstaff. We stay at the Courtyard by Marriott or Radisson Hotel for the next two nights.

DAY 12 GRAND CANYON
Our journey today takes us to a true world wonder, the Grand Canyon. One cannot tire of gazing at something so spectacular and awe-inspiring. The colossal size is difficult to comprehend, especially as its creator, the mighty Colorado River is so small in comparison. After an enchanting day with an opportunity to take a superb flight over the canyon, we return to our hotel at Flagstaff.

DAY 13 WILLIAMS • KINGMAN • LAUGHLIN
Our scenic journey today takes us onwards for a brief stop at Williams, a town steeped in Route 66 history. Time to explore the rail depot before travelling through Hualapai Indian country to Kingman and later the gold mining town of Oatman. Tonight we stay at the Aquarius Casino Resort, with its many gaming opportunities.

DAY 14 LAUGHLIN • SANTA MONICA • LONGBEACH
West to Barstow and a visit to Calico Ghost town, an old Silver Mining town which has become a popular tourist attraction. We continue our travels through the San Bernardino Mountains and down to Los Angeles. Taking Santa Monica Boulevard to the coast itself and the actual end of the road at the Pacific Ocean our journey is now complete. A short time for reflection or exploration in Santa Monica before our transfer to Long Beach and the Renaissance Hotel, our base for the next two nights.

DAY 15 LONGBEACH
Today you are at leisure in the waterfront city of Long Beach. There are many attractions a short distance from your hotel including the fabulous Queen Mary, where you can take a fascinating self-guided walking tour, the Aquarium of the Pacific with its huge viewing tanks and Shoreline village with it laid-back marina.

DAY 16 LOS ANGELES • LONDON
Today we transfer to Los Angeles Airport for our direct scheduled British Airways flight to London Heathrow. OR EXTEND YOUR STAY - CALL FOR DETAILS

DAY 17 LONDON
Arrival at London Heathrow Airport where our staff will greet you and transfer you to Titan Transport for your journey home to your own front door.Duration 17 days, 15 nights in hotels – 2 Chicago, 1 Springfield Illinois, 2 St Louis, 1 Springfield Missouri, 1 Oklahoma City, 1 Amarillo, 2 Albuquerque, 2 Flagstaff, 1 Laughlin, 2 Longbeach & 1 in flight.

Titan HiTours VIP Home Departure Service™

Check-in service by Titan staff.

Scheduled British Airways direct flights

Services of an experinced Titan HiTours tour manager

First class air-conditioned coaching with experienced drivers

Accommodation as specified in brochure or of a similar standard.

Excursions, tours and entrances as detailed in the itinerary

Hotel porterage (1 bag per person).

All airport taxes, security charges and the UK Air Passenger Duty and applicable fuel surcharges.

Celebration offer - Free bottle of wine (Valid for 2010 departures only)