Cross the Midwest and see the pretty as a picture Minnesota farmlands before hitting the wild yet wonderful state of South Dakota.

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Nancy Wheeler
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1 Day 1 Chicago After a day of food, sports, museums and shopping in Chicago, we continue on into the USA's heartland and across the sprawling plains of Wisconsin. Milwaukee Next stop: Milwaukee. It s home to the nation's largest beer brewers and also Harley Davidson. Learn about the city's famous brew in a behind the scenes look at the Miller Brewery. What more could you want than an ice cold amber ale while listening to the sweet pun of motorbikes? Madison Later on we pull into the town of Madison, know for its friendly college vibes. If you're up for a night out, grab a few buddies and hang out as the students do on the popular State Street, where the taverns, local specialty breweries, comedy clubs and bars will have you spoilt for choice. Day 2 Madison Cross the Midwest and see the pretty as a picture Minnesota farmlands before hitting the wild yet wonderful state of South Dakota. Sioux Falls We travel across the county's biggest prairies and enter a region once dominated by the Sioux Tribes - the only Native American Nation to defeat the US army. You'll learn the background of the city's name (and maybe even learn how to pronounce it properly) and also visit the SPAM Museum, yes travellers you read that right. Think weird, wacky and most definitely spammy. Day 3 Sioux Falls After learning about Sioux Falls (Sioux is the name of a native American tribe we'll have you know) and seeing the beautiful landscapes, it is time to move on to Mt. Rushmore, but not without a stop off at Badlands National Park on the way. Badlands National Park An interesting name, and an even more interesting place. You will notice the amazing natural sites of South Dakota go by as we journey through Badlands National Park, past a surreal, lunar landscape of

2 rugged-edged cliffs, sharp spires and crevices. We'll stop off here for a leisurely walk along the Fossil Trail. Mt. Rushmore It is here we stay for the night, where the excitement really builds in the group, because tomorrow we see the incredible carvings of four past Presidents faces etched into the mountainside. With one week left to go on the trip, it's time to really sta1t making every single moment count with the crew who by now will be feeling like family. Day 4 Mt. Rushmore It's a crazy concept but yes, there are 18m (60ft) faces of Jefferson, Lincoln, Washington and Roosevelt carved into the side of a stony mountain. It is quite surreal to see it in such natural surrounds, especially knowing that it took 14 long years to create this work of art. You'll be blown away by the massive 563 feet tall monument of the famous Sioux warrior, Crazy Horse, currently a work in progress being gradually carved from stone. What else is in store today? Custer State Park, where you can get some good old MN (mumma nature) time, or get on 4 wheels for a jeep safari through the park. Day 5 Mt. Rushmore After living in the real Wild West complete with saloons, gambling parlors and shop fronts from the gold rush era in the town of Deadwood, we cut across Wyoming. It is here we learn about the Pony Express and how the real cowboys used to live. Cody The real yeehaa times are about to happen when we settle into Cody's saddle. It's all pick up trucks, dusty streets and lots of cattle in the 'rodeo capital of the world'. Use your free time here to learn the ways of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid or even catch a true show of professional cow-boying at a raucous nighttime rodeo. Day 6 Yellowstone National Park Nature works in very mysterious ways sometimes. Yellowstone National Park is the incredible result of a massive volcanic eruption, and what a sight it is. The scenery is like something out of a film, and if you are lucky (and super quiet) you might even get to experience the wildlife too - this area known for

3 grizzly bears, buffalos and wolves. We'll stop to visit the glorious Old Faithful geyser, the most famous in the world, and with eruptions on the regular it's a must to have the camera at the ready. Day 7 Cody After a chilled night in the peaceful surrounds of Cody, we hop back on the coach and head onto Jackson Hole, but not before stopping off at two National Parks. Grand Teton National Park We'll make a quick stop to see Colter Bay and the glasslike Jinny Lake, breathing in more of that soul cleansing fresh air. Yellowstone National Park Thought you'd seen it all? Yellowstone, we're not finished with you yet. It's back to the park for a last minute nature hit at West Thumb geyser basin, a brilliantly blue basin of steaming lakes, and a sight that will give you goosebumps at just how incredible our planet really is. Jackson Hole Yet another wonder that will have you praising Mother Nature, the famous ski resort of Jackson Hole is full of wildlife and postcard like vistas, backed by the Teton Mountain range. This cute western town turns on the charm, with the option to spend your evening on horseback followed by a smokey and delicious cookout. Day 8 Jackson Hole Salt Lake City Day 9 Salt Lake City SLC, you've been grand, but nature calls and we're ready to take it on with all we've got. Bryce Canyon National Park You've probably seen it on Pinterest, and today Bryce Canyon is yours for the taking. OMG's and 'ohhhs and ahhhs' will be the words of the day today, as you throw on your comfy walking shoes and ake on the

4 Navajo Loop Trailto see what's in store. With the landscape scattered as far as the eye can see with the areas famous 'hoodoos', or tall, thin spires of rock, this is like something out of a movie. Ranging from 1.5 to 45 massive metres these are jaw-dropping, and as you breathe in the clean pine filled air, you'll be left pondering just how good life is. With plenty of photo stops, this is truly a no regrets moment Kanab With Bryce Canyon imprinted in our minds forever, we pull up at Kanab, our home for the night. Grab a bite and a few drinks with the crew, and toast the day, and what's to come tomorrow, the magnificent rim of the North Grand Canyon! Day 10 Grand Canyon Escape to the mind-blowing Grand Canyon once more as we see this wonder from a different angle, the North Rim, a little more off the beaten track from what we saw a few weeks back. Hike along the rim of the canyon at your own pace to really get a feel for the size and drama of it all. There are trails for all levels of ability so no matter your fitness level you will definitely be able to have the full experience. Drink it all in, these are the travel moments you'll be re-telling for years to come. Day 11 Kanab Say goodbye Kanab and hello to the finale of the breathtaking outdoors of America for your last wilderness experience of the trip - Zion National Park. Zion National Park Las Vegas Feeling some Deja vu? That's right. We are back in Sin City for one more round of debauchery. If you feel like you only scaped the surface before, here's your chance to finish what you started. This gigantic man made oasis in the desert is larger than life in oh so many ways. Days Las Vegas You have today all to yourself but you'll need to run to a tight schedule to fit in all of Vegas ' weird and wonderful charms. Travel the world in a day, taking in the Eiffel Tower, a Venetian gondola and even an Egyptian pyramid, all whilst staying firmly within the city's realm. Feeling romantic? Stop by and see

5 one of the many Elvis impersonators for a shotgun wedding ceremony, and maybe even get hitched yourself... joking). Tonight, live like a baller with a limo ride and champagne while you cruise along the 'Strip', and don't stress, the bills on us. Later, you'll witness the 24-hour party scene first hand when you head out for a night with the crew. Day 14 Las Vegas We are on the home stretch peeps. We're leaving Las Vegas on a journey through the vast and dusty Mojave Desert and back into unmistakable scenery of Southern California. Los Angeles Can it be true - is it really over? We'll finish off this truly life-changing trip by book ending it back in Los Angeles where it's time to say goodbye to your new best friends (who won't be feeling so new by this point). Many a teary hug will be had with the people you have made unforgettable memories with. What a truly once in a lifetime opportunity for adventure, and we hope you leave with a brand-new perspective on travel.

CLASSIC LODGES AND PARKS OF THE WEST SEPTEMBER 13 23, Escorted by Ms. Christine Friedt

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