Best of USA (Start Los Angeles 2010)

Accomodations
* 12 nights in twin-share hotel accommodation * Breakfasts (B) and Dinners (D) - as per itinerary * Internal flights - as per itinerary

The Contiki Difference
* Experienced Tour Managers / Driver * Transfer to coordinate with suggested flights * Metro pass for the 5 days in New York * Inclusions and sightseeing as outlined below * Visit 3 States: California ; Nevada ; New York

Arrive Los Angeles (Dinner Days)
Meet up with your fellow travellers and Tour Manager before heading straight out into the city that mixes up glamour, grit and the American Dream: Los Angeles. It’s packed with legends, full of energy and there are loads of things to do. We head to mythical Hollywood and onto holy ground for the stars. Check out the Kodak Theatre, where the Oscars are held every year and the Chinese Theatre, where so many greats have pressed their hands into the famous cement stars. We’ll cruise down the hottest shopping street in LA, Melrose Avenue, and one of the best areas for nightlife, the Strip (Sunset Boulevard), with its billboards, clubs and eateries, before getting a glimpse at one of the world’s wealthiest suburbs in Beverly Hills, where your Tour Manager will give you the background on the who’s who of Hollywood A little further west and we arrive in Santa Monica, LA’s oldest beach resort. Known for its liberal vibes, art galleries and wide sand beaches, Santa Monica is all about the California coast lifestyle. Your Tour Manager will give you some history on the city and then show you the famous pier, which serves as a permanent amusement park, complete with a solar powered Ferris wheel. Later, we travel out to LA’s quirkiest suburb where anything goes: Venice Beach. A favourite hang out spot for locals, colourful Venice Beach attracts all sorts of people. Get a feel for street life when you hit the buzzing broadwalk, where performers, tattoo artists, hair braiders, musicians and roller bladders gather. Make sure you check out the markets and stalls, as well as the greased-up body builders pumping iron at the famous open air gym, Muscle Beach.

Los Angeles (Breakfast, Breakfast Days)
You’ll get an insider’s look at downtown LA on our morning walking tour. Your Local Guide will tell you all about the architecture and fill you in on American pop culture and show you some of the old theatres from Los Angeles’ heyday. In your free time, explore more of this colourful metropolis. LA has it all when it comes to shopping. Hit the boutiques of Melrose Ave or window-shop the designer stores of Rodeo Drive. Visit the Fashion Museum for inspiration and see famous outfits from movies on display , then hunt down some funky threads and interesting materials in the Garment District. This city has food as diverse as its residents – you can find anything from burgers or tacos at a pavement stand to sushi in Little Tokyo, so make sure you make the most of this cultural melting pot. For some all-American sports, check to see if any basketball, baseball, soccer or football games are on while you’re in town. Spend a fun day exploring the world-famous theme parks of LA. Get inside Walt Disney’s magical imagination at Disneyland, where you can experience different theme zones and rides like Indiana Jones or Pirates of the Caribbean. For a behind-the-scenes look at movie making, head to Universal Studios and enjoy the thrills of this park’s film-themed Otherwise, have a look at the Hollywood Bowl programme, pack a picnic and head to an outdoor summer concert or hang out with some of your new friends in the funky bars and live music clubs of Hollywood.

Los Angeles to San Francisco (Dinner Days)
This morning, we board our flight for San Francisco. Colorful, cosmopolitan and creative, San Francisco is packed with characters, free-thinkers, and artists. You’ll see the signs of its recent history where it served as the hub of the gold rush, as well as the center for Beatnik and Hippy cultures. Get familiar with this buzzing city as your Tour Manager shows you around San Francisco’s key sights. Walk across San Francisco’s landmark suspension bridge, the Golden Gate. We stop off at Fisherman’s Wharf for a slice of the historic waterfront lifestyle, where you can order some fresh fish or crab from sidewalk stands. You’ll also check out the city’s iconic row houses on Alamo Square. Thriving with activity, Chinatown is a fun, kitsch experience. Your Tour Manager will take you there to see its hidden spots tonight. Learn about the history of the gold rush as you walk through the bustling district, past traditional herb-sops, Buddhas, and flashing neon lights. Then eat together at one of its many authentic restaurants.

San Francisco (Breakfast Days)
With 2 full days here, get a real feel for San Francisco and its hilly streets. Chalk up a local experience by jumping on a cable car and exploring the city. If you’ve booked ahead of time, catch a ferry out to Alcatraz, the former island jail that once held A-list criminals like Al “Scarface” Capone, Soviet spies and crime bosses. Walk around the old cells and get the background on these bad boys. You could turn back the clock to the “Summer of Love” with a visit to cool Haight-Ashbury, the center point of 1960s alternative culture. Once packed with 75000 hippies, it now has chilled-out cafes, record stores, second hand clothes shops and bookstores to rummage through. With over 3000 places to eat and drink, San Francisco has more choice per capita than anywhere else. Head to the city’s gritty Latin American quarter, Mission District, for Mexican tacos or El Salvadorian pupusas (corn flat breads stuffed with cheese, pork or beans) or hit North Beach for some Italian. Tonight there’s an optional sunset sailing out on San Francisco’s famous bay.

San Francisco to Las Vegas (Dinner Days)
Get ready to arrive in larger-than-life Las Vegas – a man-made entertainment oasis smack in the middle of the desert. Often dubbed Sin City, it’s all about glitz, neon lights, and excess. See the bright lights of this city and its world-famous casinos in a first taste of Vegas kitsch as the group heads down the main drag, the “Strip”, and your Tour Manager fills you in on the story behind Vegas. Then cruise downtown to Freemont Street and experience a slice of the spectacular at a light and laser show in a massive pedestrian mall.

Las Vegas (Breakfast, Breakfast Days)
With two free days, you’ve got time to get a real feel for this outrageous town, so keep an eye out for Elvis impersonators and fast-paced chapel weddings! Explore more of the Strip and check out over-the-top versions of international icons, like the Eiffel Tower, Venetian canals and gondolas, a Roman temple or the pyramid, whose nightlight can be seen from the moon. Try your luck at one of the casinos, sit yourself down at a blackjack table and watch the high-rollers or go for a ride at one of the casino’s theme-parks. If you work up an appetite, tuck into an all you can eat buffet, and lunch American style. For something different, discover Las Vegas’ trademark art at the Neon Museum and for a look into this town’s atomic heyday in the 50s, visit the Atomic Testing Museum. If you just want to relax, position yourself poolside back at the hotel and soak up the Las Vegas’ sun. There’s a chance to discover the mind-blowing landscape of the Grand Canyon, one of the world’s most recognizable natural wonders, in a fantastic optional helicopter flight. Tonight, get some pointers on Las Vegas’ hot spots from your Tour Manager and make the most of this towns’ 24/7 action with some of your new friends.

Las Vegas to New York ( Days)
Leaving Las Vegas behind, we catch a flight and hit New York next. Cool, chic and pumping with urban soul, this is one knock-out town. From yellow cabs to delis, from hit shows to cutting-edge galleries, from iconic monuments to street culture, this city has it all.

Hello Big Apple! (Dinner Days)
Get familiar with the Big Apple as your Tour Manager shows you round New York’s core spots today. You’ll kick start the day as your Tour Manager opens up Manhattan. See the USA’s economic heart on Wall Street and the famous stock exchange NYSE, before checking out the cultural hub of Harlem and the famous Apollo theater, where jazz, blues and soul greats like James Brown performed. You’ll see Museum Row, which includes some of the world’s most prestigious museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum. Check out the towering Rockefeller center, which took 70 000 workers to build, the Gothic St Patrick’s Cathedral and the exclusive jewelry store, Tiffany’s before making a sobering stop at the World Trade Center Site, where the Twin Towers once stood. Get up close to one of the world’s most recognizable icons, the Statue of Liberty. After dinner tonight, we’ll all head down to Times Square. Take in the bright night lights of this popular meeting point, right in the thick of the theater district. With free time, maybe you could catch a late show, New York style. Or else, with so much variety and so many places to go, head out with some friends and explore the city’s incredible nightlife.

New York, New York (Breakfast Days)
With a free day, you can take off at your own pace and discover more of the ultimate big city. Get on 2 wheels in a fun optional guided tour and peddle your way through Central Park, New York’s heart and “lungs”. Our Local Guide knows this popular haunt’s hidden spots and will tell you all about this iconic green space. Otherwise, get familiar with New York’s various flavors and step into its global kitchen. Try some hand made pasta in atmospheric Little Italy, or authentic noodles from a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in bustling Chinatown. Pick up a bagel and some salami from a deli or buy an authentic American hot dog from a street stand. Use your free time to explore New York’s vibrant and diverse neighborhoods up close. Soak up the bohemian feel of the former center point of the folk movement, Greenwich village. This hub of alternative culture still has a buzzing street life and cute, sidewalk cafes. Take a walk through stylish Soho and check out its hip, funky boutiques, the warehouse district and its trademark iron architecture. Shopping-wise, New York is one of the world’s hottest cities and a leading trend-setter, so get some tips from your Tour Manager on where to go for the latest fashions. If you’re into the hit show “Sex and the City”, don’t miss your chance to find out more with our fun optional locally guided tour around the girls’ favorite city hot spots in New York this afternoon. Use your free night to head back to your favorite city spot for a cocktail or ask your Tour Manager for some fresh ideas and head out with your friends.

More of Manhattan (Breakfast, Dinner Days)
Start the day of with an adrenaline-pumping optional ride on the famous Hudson River. Hit speeds of up to 72km/hr(45mph) and check out Manhattan’s incredible skyline from the water. Otherwise, use your free time to get out of the city for a change of scene. Head out to beautiful Brooklyn by walking over the historic Brooklyn Bridge or visit the colourful suburb, the Bronx, known for its zoo and botanical gardens. For something different, hit the Lower East Side and learn about New York’s mixed history and immigrants at the Tenement Museum. If you’re feeling hungry, visit the Chelsea Market – it’s packed with gourmet foods from brownies to lobster. Tonight is the last night on tour, and we’re going to make it unforgettable. After a farewell dinner, we’ll head straight to the top of New York’s most famous landmark, the Empire State Building. Take in the gorgeous night lights of Manhattan and sweeping views over the city from 102 floors up.

Depart New York City ( Days)
Your tour ends this morning so it’s time to say goodbye to your new friends and Tour Manager.

Don't miss our current specials: CONTIKI MILITARY DISCOUNT 5% Off for Military Members and Spouses... Valid for any Contiki trip 8 days or longer. Active or non-active members are eligible, as long as a valid military ID is provided for each person applying the discount. Mention promo code MILITARY0910 to redeem. Applies to new bookings only. Verification is required. Good for travel through 12/31/2010 Spouses must be traveling at the same time as the military member to apply the discount. Other restrictions may apply. 5% off for Contiki Alumni So you've experienced your Contiki and are ready to go again?  You lived it up with travelers from around the world and want more Contiki.  Now book another trip 8 days or longer and get 5% off! Offer valid through August 31, 2010. Valid for trips 8 days or longer. Please call uoo-942-3301 for more details. Verification of previous trip required. Travel With Friends and Save Big! Save 5% Get 4 or more people to book at the same time and each save 5% off the land. Save 7.5% Book 7 or more on the same vacation at the same time and score a 7.5% discount per person. Round up 10 friends or more, booking the same trip at the same time, and each person saves 10% OR the 11th person travels for FREE. Book 3 in a room and save 5% on most superior tours. Early Payment and Other Amazing Contiki Discounts Early Payment Discount Offer #1: Save up to US$399 Must book and pay in full at least 12 months prior to trip departure date. Valid for select trips only.   Offer #2: Save up to US$319 Must book and pay in full at least 6 months prior to departure date. Valid for select trips only.   Multiple Trip Discounts - Save $100 Book any 2 Contiki trips 10 days or longer, at the same time & get up to US$100 off the cost of the second tour. Europe Europe – Save US$100 Europe America – Save US$100 Europe + Great Britain – Save US$100 Tours may be in different countries or regions. Australia & New Zealand - Save $100 Book an Australia and New Zealand vacation at the same time and save US$100 off the total cost. Tours must be a minimum of 10 days.   Refer a Friend and You Both Save $100 Share the love! Now that you’ve traveled Contiki and had a great time, it’s time to spread the word and earn some cash! Tell your friends about Contiki and earn up to $100* for each person you refer that books. Your friends score from the deal too – each one that books a trip eight days or longer will receive $100 in excursion vouchers (good for activities like bungee jumping, gondola cruises and wine tasting). You can refer up to 10 friends (which equals $1,000 for you!) Simply complete this form and you're on your way. Remember, no cheating ("me, myself and I" do not qualify.) Terms and Conditions: 1.The referral program is valid for new trips booked as of May 1, 2009. 2.You can refer as many passengers as you’d like! You must provide valid names and e-mail addresses (e.g. you may not enter your own e-mail address or repeat the same address more than once). We will issue up to 10 $100 gift cards per Referrer per calendar year. Referees must be new passengers. Not combinable with Past Passenger discount. 3.Referee must between 18-35 years old at the time of travel. 4.Referee must have been referred online and must mention "Refer a Friend" and Referrer's name when booking their trip. 5.Upon booking their trip, the Referee will receive in their travel documentation $100 in Optional Excursion vouchers. The original Optional Excursion vouchers can be redeemed while on their trip and cannot be exchanged for cash reimbursement. 6.The Referred passenger(s) are responsible for reviewing their travel documentation and making sure they received the Optional Excursion Vouchers prior to their departure from the United States. Contiki will not issue a cash refund to passenger(s) for any Optional Excursion because the Referred passenger(s) paid the tour manager directly, forgot to pack or bring the vouchers on the tour, did not use the entire value of the vouchers, looses the vouchers, or advises us after their travel that they did not receive the vouchers. 7.If booking is made within 14 days of the departure, we cannot guarantee receipt of physical vouchers unless traveler expedites their documents at an additional cost. Scanned copies are not available 8.Contiki is not responsible if a Referrer fails to properly identify a Referee. Contiki will not retroactively record a friend who was not identified at the time of sign-up. 9.Contiki will not allow a Referee to be claimed by more than one Referrer. Once a Referee’s e-mail address has been given, it may not be changed. 10.Cash will be given out in the form of a gift card from a major credit card company with a value of $100. Gift card will be issued to Referrer only after Referee completes travel on their trip of 8 days or longer. If a Referee cancels for any reason, the referral reward is forfeited. 11.Offer is not valid for tour purchases made outside the U.S. 12.Contiki reserves the right to resolve any disputes at its sole discretion. $100 Referral cash will be received as a $100 American Express cash gift card.
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
9/11/2010 - 9/23/2010	$2,639
10/30/2010 - 11/11/2010	$2,639
11/27/2010 - 12/9/2010	$2,739
1/8/2011 - 1/20/2011	$2,739
2/12/2011 - 2/24/2011	$2,739
3/5/2011 - 3/17/2011	$2,739
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Los Angeles
Visit Hollywood & Mann's Chinese Theater

Los Angeles
Walking Tour of Hollywood Boulevard

Los Angeles
Walk Hollywood's "Walk of Fame"

Los Angeles
Drive along famous Sunset Strip

Los Angeles
See the Viper Room bar

Los Angeles
See Rodeo Drive and Melrose Avenue

Los Angeles
Visit Venice Beach

Los Angeles
Visit Santa Monica and it's famous Pier

Los Angeles
Transfers and flight to San Francisco

Los Angeles
Keep your eyes peeled for a celeb or two on a guided walking tour of downtown L.A.

San Francisco
See North Beach, Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, Haight Ashbury & the city's iconic cable cars

San Francisco
See the famous row houses on Alamo Square

San Francisco
Cross the Golden Gate Bridge

San Francisco
See Alcatraz

San Francisco
Visit Fisherman's Wharf

San Francisco
Transfers and flight to Las Vegas

Las Vegas
Evening tour of the famous Vegas 'Strip'

Las Vegas
Visit Fremont Street

Las Vegas
Experience some of the world's largest hotels & casinos

Las Vegas
Transfers and flight to New York

New York City
City sightseeing tour of Manhattan

New York City
See Wall Street and the NYSE

New York City
Visit Ground Zero & Battery Park

New York City
Visit Liberty Island with free time at the Statue of Liberty

New York City
Enjoy a panoramic view of New York City Skyline

New York City
See Harlem's Apollo Theatre

New York City
See the lights of Times Square

New York City
Visit the Empire State Building & take an elevator to the Observation Tower (102 floors up)

New York City
Visit fashionable Fifth Avenue & see St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center & Tiffany's

New York City
Visit Central Park

New York City
See Museum Row including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Guggenheim Museum

New York City
See the famous neighbourhoods of New York such as Soho, Greenwich Village and TriBeCa.

CONTIKI MILITARY DISCOUNT

5% off for Contiki Alumni

Travel With Friends and Save Big!

Early Payment and Other Amazing Contiki Discounts

Refer a Friend and You Both Save $100

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