New York, Washington DC and Niagara Falls

New York, Washington DC & Niagara Falls

A journey abounding with the central highlights of three significant, enthralling American cities and one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Touch down in the ‘Big Apple’ and enjoy a full day amidst New York’s exhilarating atmosphere before continuing to Alexandria, just outside Washington DC. The glittering American capital provides further insight into the country’s past, and an optional guided excursion encompasses the iconic political monuments of the Capitol, the White House and Supreme Court. Gettysburg’s battlefield site and Niagara Falls are additional stops, with the chance to fly in a helicopter above the tumbling waters, before the tour concludes in cosmopolitan Toronto.

Highlights

Revel in the frenetic energy of New York, awash with attractions, at your own pace
Visit the iconic monuments of America’s compact capital, Washington DC, on an optional excursion
Enjoy Niagara Falls and its famous three waterfalls with an optional helicopter ride
Discover waterfront Toronto, a cosmopolitan and cultured metropolis
Join an optional city tour that ends with observing the soaring skyscrapers from atop Rockefeller Center
Discover the US capital of historic Philadelphia, the birthplace of American Independence
Learn about the history of Gettysburg National Military Park

Inclusions

Seven nights' room-only accommodation, with the addition of one breakfast, in four centrally located, good quality hotels in Manhattan (2 nights), Alexandria (2), Williamsport (1) and Niagara Falls (2), plus one night on the aircraft
Plenty of time to explore New York, Washington DC and Niagara Falls
Visits to Philadelphia and Gettysburg
A visit to Toronto
Return flights to New York and from Toronto
Coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Day 1

Fly from the UK to New York - You’ll arrive in New York, be met by your friendly tour manager and transferred to your hotel, positioned in the heart of Manhattan close to the Empire State Building. You can spend your first night soaking up the sights and sounds of the city that never sleeps!

Day 2

Day at leisure or optional New York tour - Set off on a day of exploration at your own pace or join an optional guided city tour of the ‘Big Apple’. During this excursion, you’ll discover its landmark skyscrapers, the green expanse of Central Park, the polished Fifth Avenue stores, the glittering lights of Broadway, and Times Square. You’ll be able to amble around some of the world-class museums and soak up the buzz that extends from Harlem to Wall Street’s Financial District overlooking the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Finally, there’ll be the opportunity to travel up to the top of the Rockefeller Centre for spectacular views over the Manhattan skyline.

Day 3

Included Philadelphia tour and travel to Washington DC - In the morning, you’ll check out of the hotel and travel to the original US capital, historic Philadelphia. Here, the Independence Hall National Park is home to the place where the Declaration of Independence was prepared and – after the tolling of the Liberty Bell – first read to the nation in July 1776. Learn about the colourful story of America’s birth and the characters of the men, like Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, who wrought it. Later in the day, the tour will continue to Arlington, on the opposite side of the Potomac River from Washington DC. Check into your hotel in the lively downtown area and then seek out one of the nearby restaurants for dinner.

Day 4

Day at leisure or an optional city tour of Washington DC - You’ll be driven into the centre of America’s compact capital of Washington DC today. You can then join an optional excursion or explore the city’s highlights at your leisure. On the tour, you’ll view the soaring, domed Capitol building on Capitol Hill, home to the US Senate and the House of Representatives, the vast Library of Congress and the Supreme Court. You’ll then cross the manicured lawns to the Washington Monument, and take in the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Veteran’ Memorial, and at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the White House itself. The rest of the day is then free, so perhaps head to the Smithsonian Institution, which contains ten museums, including the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the National Museum of Natural History. In the late afternoon, you can choose to return on the coach or stay out longer and take the Metro back to the hotel.

Day 5

Travel to Gettysburg and included tour - In the morning, you’ll be picked up in the coach and driven the short distance to the town of Gettysburg. You’ll then stop off at the Gettysburg National Military Park, which preserves the land upon which Unionist forces overcame the Confederates during one of the bloodiest battles of the American Civil War. In addition to the battlefield site itself, with its monuments and memorials, including that at Gettysburg National Cemetery dedicated to Abraham Lincoln’s famous address, the site has a museum houses a collection of over 40,000 Civil War artefacts. Towards the late afternoon, you’ll continue north to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and check into your hotel, set on the Susquehanna River, for the night.

Day 6

Travel to Niagara Falls - This morning, you’ll travel to Niagara Falls, a city set on the Niagara River and known for its famous waterfalls, which span the US-Canadian border. You’ll then check into your hotel, set right by the falls, and embrace some free time to walk around the area or take advantage of the hotel’s facilities, like the spa and swimming pool.

Day 7

Day at leisure in Niagara Falls - You’ll have a free day to explore Niagara Falls – one of nature’s greatest sights. The tremendous noise and permanent misty spray can be heard and seen for miles around. Why not enjoy lunch in a restaurant overlooking the falls, and stroll the green acres of the park that runs above the rushing waters? The evening is free to meander around the area and have dinner in one of the many restaurants.

Day 8

Optional helicopter ride over Niagara Falls and visit to Toronto - As your adventure comes to an end, you can treat yourself to an optional helicopter flight over the falls in the morning. You’ll then check out and board the coach for Toronto, North America’s most cosmopolitan and cultured metropolis. Upon arrival, your tour manager will introduce the major sights, from the waterfront developments and the sky-piercing CN Tower to the contrasting neighborhoods. Later, you’ll be dropped at the airport for your overnight flight home.

Day 9

Arrive back in the UK - Your flight will land back in the UK today.

Further Information

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.

Passports and Visas

When travelling to the USA, British citizens require passports with an integrated chip (shown on the front by a small rectangular symbol beneath the word PASSPORT), valid beyond the return date from the USA. Visas are not normally required for entry, but visitors must apply for an ESTA online with US Immigration at least 72 hours before departure at www.cbp.gov/esta. The current charge is $21 for British Citizens. British subjects and anyone who has a criminal record or has ever been arrested should consult the US Embassy as a visa may be required. Note too that if you have visited North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia or Yemen since March 2011, or Cuba since 12 January 2021, or have dual nationality with any of these countries, you do require a US visa and cannot travel on the Visa Waiver Program. British Citizens arriving into Canada by land from the USA require just their valid passport which must remain valid until your return back to the UK.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Tipping

Gratuities are a way of life in North America, and it is generally accepted that they form part of a person's earnings. The customary gratuity for a coach driver is about $5 per person per day, and for a Tour Manager is about $7 per person per day. It is normal to tip 15-20 per cent of the bill for a taxi or in a restaurant, and to leave a dollar or so per drink in a bar.

Luggage allowance

You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft, which should not exceed 23kg.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Changes to your hotel

Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.

Combining hotel transfers

We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.