USA escorted trip

[lindylou53 18]

I know this is a big ask and personal preference comes into it but has anyone had experience of escorted trips across USA? Our problem is - and I realise it's a nice problem to have - is it more memorable to do a coast-to-coast trip across USA or to concentrate on one area - probably California? We love the idea of seeing the National Parks but would it be a case of overload if that's all we did? Would it be better to travel more and take in some big cities along the way? Any recommendations would be gratefully received!(We've waited a long time for this trip and it's our one and only chance to get it right!)

[cgksheff 44]

First question involves how long is your trip.

 

Coast to Coast takes time boring driving (5 to 6 days).

If you are there for a while, that's OK. If you're there for a month, forget it.

Edited October 21, 2017 by cgksheff

[lindylou53 18]

Thinking 3 weeks. Want to go on an escorted trip so they do the driving to let us concentrate on scenery etc etc. Hoping they will point out things that we wouldn't know about otherwise.

[charliewag 19]

Archers holidays do a variety of escorted USA tours. The missus and me did one that took in New York, Washington, Philadelphia and Niagara Falls. We enjoyed it and are planning another one, perhaps a tour of the deep south.

[phil752 10]

Thinking 3 weeks. Want to go on an escorted trip so they do the driving to let us concentrate on scenery etc etc. Hoping they will point out things that we wouldn't know about otherwise.

 

If you are not driving I guess you're just going to do a lot of snoozing, the memory in doing coast to coast is doing it, not being shown how to do it.

Edited October 21, 2017 by phil752

[cgksheff 44]

I'll be your driver.

[lindylou53 18]

If you are not driving I guess you're just going to do a lot of snoozing, the memory in doing coast to coast is doing it, not being shown how to do it.

Well part of the reason for escorted tour was to meet others to share our experiences!

[lectrolove 10]

With three weeks to play with I'd concentrate on one area. Northern California would do nicely, we once did a trip starting in San Francisco and moving on to Santa Cruz, Monterey and Lake Tahoe before returning to San Francisco, with day trips out from each of those locations. This was all unescorted, we hired a car and sorted out our own accommodation, and took us about 3.5 weeks. America is huge, don't try to see too much in too short a time.

[phil752 10]

Well part of the reason for escorted tour was to meet others to share our experiences!

 

well really I don't think you would, it is an adventure, you go where you want. It is cool, small town US is so cool to explore. Better to be an explorer than a passenger.

[Annie Bynnol 612]

A great way to start exploring the American continent is with an escorted tour. Learning the American way of doing things enables future planning of trips much easier and less stressful. The single biggest problem is the distances and time involved and although a car gives a more choice on what you can see it rarely gives more time to see- very unlike Europe. Having 'roughed it' across the continent over several months by car, bus and plane, motels, hostels, camps and hotels, I would suggest there is an age at which this should be done.

There are plenty of very different American experiences which should be done at different times of the year for scenic and comfort reasons. Unless you have several months available, coast to coast is just a badge of endurance and a target rather than an experience.

 

For shorter visits the plains and the Rockies make Denver is a good centre.

Make use of Las Vegas for the Grand Canyon- a must.

San Francisco is a fantastic base as is Boston.

Many escorted tours allow extension that allow extra nights and another city as a departure point ie arrive Boston do New England depart New York.

Appalachians provide easy walking and camping.

Boat holidays on the Hudson, Mississippi or Long Island.

 

Many tours are advertised by Americans for Americans so you might need to book travel and flight seperately.

[lindylou53 18]

A great way to start exploring the American continent is with an escorted tour. Learning the American way of doing things enables future planning of trips much easier and less stressful. The single biggest problem is the distances and time involved and although a car gives a more choice on what you can see it rarely gives more time to see- very unlike Europe. Having 'roughed it' across the continent over several months by car, bus and plane, motels, hostels, camps and hotels, I would suggest there is an age at which this should be done.

There are plenty of very different American experiences which should be done at different times of the year for scenic and comfort reasons. Unless you have several months available, coast to coast is just a badge of endurance and a target rather than an experience.

 

For shorter visits the plains and the Rockies make Denver is a good centre.

Make use of Las Vegas for the Grand Canyon- a must.

San Francisco is a fantastic base as is Boston.

Many escorted tours allow extension that allow extra nights and another city as a departure point ie arrive Boston do New England depart New York.

Appalachians provide easy walking and camping.

Boat holidays on the Hudson, Mississippi or Long Island.

 

Many tours are advertised by Americans for Americans so you might need to book travel and flight seperately.

 

 

Thank you for all that info - it was just what I needed. On reflection I think we'll give the coast-to-coast a miss and concentrate elsewhere - probably West Coast. Must say I don't fancy LV but looks like you have no choice if you want to go to the Grand Canyon:(

[watchcoll 10]

I did a TrekAmerica tour last year, it was the best holiday of my life & also the most intense & tiring! I did the West Coast - LA, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Yosemite & San Francisco. This was all in a minibus with accomodation in hotels & camping.

It was jam packed with activities, but some of the places we went to were very much hit&run. We spent hours & hours driving & this is mostly when we slept; & made the most of the time we spent in places dawn til well past dusk!

My group were all under 35 (trek age limits apply) & we were shattered by the end of the two weeks.

It was an amazing trip, but a whirlwind. If I go again, I'll likely pick one or two places & stay there. America really is too big to trek the whole country in one go.