ADVERTORIAL
Rail tours operator Great Rail Journeys boasts a host of holidays that will allow you to explore this amazing country, all departing in 2013. Try one of these fiveUS rail trips:
1) USA Coast to Coast Tour
This epic 21-day trip will take you, as the name suggests, from one coast of the US to the other, seeing the sights and experiencing many of the cultures in between.
After flying out from the UK (London or Manchester), you’ll begin your trek in New York – the city that never sleeps. You’ll then move to many other big cities including the capital Washington DC, Chicago, Illinois and Denver, Colorado.
As well as the cities, you’ll see some fantastic natural sites, such as the Rocky Mountain National Park, as well as the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon. Nearer the end of the journey, you’ll spend time in glamorous Los Angeles and Hollywood. You’ll finish in San Francisco before making your way back to the UK.
2) Tracks of the Deep South
A journey through some of the USA’s historic, musical states is a real treat for those who want to experience the heart of this vibrant country.
After flying out to Atlanta from London, you’ll move into Tennessee. Here you’ll take a ride on the Valley Railway, go to the famous Jack Daniels Distillery and pay a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Moving to Memphis, the birthplace of Elvis Presley, you’ll go to Sun Studios, which claims to be the birthplace of Rock’n’Roll itself.
Then you’ll pass through Louisiana to Mississippi and on to New Orleans – home to the Blues and Jazz respectively, before finishing the 14-day trip in Atlanta, Georgia.
3) Las Vegas & The Golden West Tour
For those interested in spending time exploring the USA’s west coast in more detail then this is the ideal trip for you.
After flying out to San Francisco, you’ll have the opportunity to spend a few days seeing sites like the Golden Gate Bridge and eating in the popular Fisherman’s Wharf area. You’ll then move onto one of the most fascinating cities in the world – Las Vegas, where you can take in one of the many shows or visit one of the famous casinos.
Other highlights on this trip include a visit to the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam and the Hollywood district in Los Angeles, before taking a trip on the iconic Coast Starlight. This train runs along the Pacific coastline, allowing you to experience the largest ocean on Earth at close proximity.
4) The Trans-American Rail Tour
Similarly epic as the Coast-to-Coast trip, this 21-day trip from west to east coast will take you through many of the same places, but also offers some different experiences for you to try.
After landing in San Francisco, you’ll get the chance to see the sights here before moving to Las Vegas where you’ll spend two nights on the City’s famous strip.
Overall this trip takes in some more of the stunning natural sites that the USA has to offer, including the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, the Rocky Mountain National Park, as well as the incredible Niagara Falls, which are based on the US/Canadian border.
The trip ends in New York where you’ll spend three nights in the heart of the city, close to the famous Central Park before flying back to the UK.
5) New England in the Fall
This ten day trip allows you to explore the east coast of the USA in more detail, taking in some breath-taking scenery along the way.
Starting in Boston, you are transferred to Falmouth on Cape Cod where you’ll spend a few nights a close stroll from the beautiful beach. You’ll then take the Amtrak's Downeaster service to the White Mountains – widely considered as one of the most beautiful landscapes the country has to offer.
This tour is very much centred on the natural beauty of the US, and this continues with trips up Mount Washington – the highest peak in the eastern States, and on the North Conway's Scenic Railroad ‘Notch Train’. Exploring the city of Boston will be the final part of the holiday before returning home.
About the author
Great Rail Journeys has a number of US Rail Holidays available on their website, including these five and many more. You can even tailor some trips to suit your requirements.
