The big five American adventures for 2012
As the land of opportunity continues to hold its appeal over Brits with more than 3.5 million travellers jetting off to the USA last year, Grand American Adventures expects 2012 to have an even bigger draw on holidaymakers.
Americans are renowned for their flamboyant celebrations as multi-coloured ticker-tape fills the streets and the flags are out in full for annual events such as New Year's Eve, the New Orleans' Mardi Gras (21st February) and Independence Day (4th July). For travellers who want to tie in their trip with an historic occasion, the small-group travel specialist has listed its top five for 2012.
Yosemite's 140th anniversary
As the first national park in the world, 1 March 1872 saw the US federal government set an international precedent and preserve the walker's paradise nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range of northern California.
Stretching over 3,400 square miles, travellers can take in the geysers, hot springs, rugged beauty and wildlife of Yosemite National Park during the 18-day Best of the West tour. Taking in 'jewels in the crown' of America's national parks, the tour includes Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Salt Lake City, Yellowstone National Park, Nevada and San Francisco.
Price: From £1,489pp (tour only) including accommodation, private transport, some meals, selected sightseeing and an experienced local leader.
Resurgence of the American road trip
With the eagerly awaited release of the On The Road film scheduled to hit the UK screens this autumn, road trips are back on the holiday hit list as the film brings this iconic holiday style to life for holidaymakers of all ages.
Grand American Adventure's 14-day Historic Route 66 tour from Chicago to Los Angeles offers many advantages over a DIY self-drive style as time-pressed holidaymakers enjoy all the benefits of a classic American adventure without any of the hassles of driving, finding their own accommodation and worrying about how to fit everything in.
Price: From £1,629pp (tour only) including accommodation, private transport, selected sightseeing and an experienced local leader.
75 golden years in San Francisco
Spanning around 1.7 miles, the Golden Gate suspension bridge has been an internationally recognised symbol of the city since it was first opened on 27 May 1937. It may have lost its title of the longest suspension bridge in the world but it still carries approximately 300,000 cars every day.
Travellers keen to see the bridge in all its glory can head on the new 13-day Western Explorer which explores the highlights from the City by the Bay to the City of Angels taking in San Francisco, Yosemite, Nevada Desert, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Lake Powell, Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
Price: From £1,599pp (tour only) including accommodation, private transport, selected sightseeing and an experienced local leader.
Spielberg's cinematic tribute to Lincoln
Starring Daniel Day-Lewis and directed by Steven Spielberg, the biographical film Lincoln is set to be released towards the end of 2012. Focusing on the political collision of the President and his cabinet at the end of the Civil War, the film's release also coincides with the 90 year anniversary of the Lincoln memorial dedication.
Historic Route 66 takes in the home of Abraham Lincoln himself in Springfield, Illinois, or alternatively, Grand American Adventure's sister company TrekAmerica runs a 7-day Freedom Trail tour taking in national monuments in Washington DC plus Niagara Falls, Boston and Pennsylvania.
Price: The Freedom Trail tour starts from £469pp (tour only) including accommodation, private transport, selected sightseeing and an experienced local leader.
Re-enact Marilyn's famous birthday song
Exactly 40 years ago on 19 May, the actress Marilyn Monroe famously sang happy birthday to President John F. Kennedy in Madison Square Gardens cementing the performance in the history-books along with her iconic white dress. Just one month later, Marilyn spent two weeks at Canada's famous falls filming the movie Niagara.
Holidaymakers can experience the excitement of New York's premier venue before setting off to the thundering waters of the 52-metre-high Horseshoe Falls on a three-day Mini Adventure New York City to Niagara Falls. The tour also makes its way through the wine country of Finger Lakes for a refreshing swim.
Price: From £255pp including accommodation, most meals, private transport, selected sightseeing and an experienced local leader.
To find out more, visit grandamericanadventures.com.
