America Gap Year Tours

Cross Country BLT (Budget Lodging Tour) – 21 Days

This coast-to-coast lodging tour offers a balance between large, bustling cities and serene national parks.

We begin our tour in the “Big Apple” New York City. We travel due south to the nations capital, Washington DC. In this great city you will have a chance to take in the Romanesque city complete with museums and many political symbols such as the White House and the Capitol building. In the evening we will take in an Illuminated tour of the monuments.

Our journey continues into Virginia and through the Appalachian Mountains to the heart of American country music, Nashville Tennessee. Learn to country-dance, shop downtown or take a leisurely walk along the river. We next stop at Graceland, Elvis’ home, in nearby Memphis Tennessee. Take in an optional tour of the big house or stroll down Beale Street to see the influences that Jazz and Blues music has had on the USA.

Leaving Tennessee we head to the coast and New Orleans! Here you can visit the French Quarter complete with lovely architecture, Cajun hospitality and fiery food and evenings of fun.

From New Orleans our journey takes us west through the great state of Texas. We stop in Austin first to take in hiking, biking and lots of shopping. We also stop on the border between Texas and Mexico before heading on to New Mexico.

Our first stop is Carlsbad Caverns National Park, one of the largest cave systems in the world! We then head to Santa Fe, America’s oldest capital city. Walk through the town square to see the Native America influence that is so prevalent in the South West.

Monument Valley offers us spectacular scenery and an optional Navajo guided jeep tour. On this tour you can learn about the culture and customs of the Native Americans of this area. The scenery will just get better as our next stop is the Grand Canyon! Take in the fantastic views of this natural sight from the rim or on one of the legendary hikes. Alternatively opt for a scenic flight over the canyon or spend your day traversing to its depths.

After such scenery we head back to the big city and glitz. Las Vegas is the next stop. Try your luck in one of the many casinos or visit one of the many clubs or shows on offer. From Las Vegas we journey on into California. You can visit the city of San Diego for a visit to the San Diego Zoo or get wet at Sea World. Rent bikes, rollerblades or surfboards at the beach or just relax in the sun before we head to our last stop, Los Angeles.

Meals
On lodging tours there is no food kitty, as meals are taken in local restaurants where passengers pay individually for all meals en route.

Included

Transportation
Services of a tour leader
All 20 hotel/cabin/hostel nights
Admission to Monument Valley
Admission to Carlsbad Caverns
Illumination Tour of Monuments in Washington DC
Admission to all National Parks and Monuments as stated on itinerary

Not Included

International Flights
Travel Insurance
Spending Money

Stops
Departs our New York hotel at 0730 hrs.

1.Washington DC (HP)
2.Washington DC (HP)
3.Virginia (HP)
4.Nashville (HP)
5.Memphis (HP)
6.Memphis (HP)
7.New Orleans (HP)
8.New Orleans (HP)
9.Texas (HP)
10.Texas (HP)
11.Carlsbad Caverns (HP)
12.Sante Fe (HP)
13.Sante Fe (HP)
14.Monument Valley (HP)
15.Grand Canyon Region (HP)
16.Grand Canyon Region (HP)
17.Las Vegas (HP)
18.Las Vegas (HP)
19.San Diego (HP)
20.San Diego (HP)
21.Los Angeles

Optional Activities
Horseback riding
Swamp Tour
I-MAX Theatre
Surfing
San Diego Zoo
Sea World
Limos in Las Vegas
New Orleans jazz clubs
Tour of Graceland
Mississippi Steamboat ride
Smithsonian National Museums
Grand Canyon scenic flight
Southern Mansion tour
Monument Valley Jeep tour
National park hikes

Dates & Prices
The Cross Country Crusin tour price varies according to the time of year. Please contact us for exact dates and prices.