The Wild, Wild West

Welcome to Los Angeles, a sprawling metropolis of seemingly endless sunshine and a leading center of entertainment, fashion and sports. Upon arrival, transfer independently to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

This morning, pick up your rental car and make your way south to Anaheim, Orange County's headquarters for fun. Spend the day surrounded by icons and classic characters at the original Disneyland Park or at its companion park, Disney California Adventure Park (optional, fees apply). Visit the nation's oldest theme park, Knott's Berry Farm, filled with Old West history and thrill rides (optional, fees apply). Or choose from one of Anaheim's many other fun-filled attractions before continuing further south to San Diego whose cool breezes, tranquil waters, and miles of world-renowned beaches welcome visitors from all over the world.

Take time to enjoy more of San Diego's beautiful surroundings before heading east through California's Imperial Valley and across one of the largest deserts in North America to Tucson, Arizona. Built upon a profound Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and Old West foundation, Tucson offers visitors an authentic Southwestern experience. This evening, observe astronomical wonders and discover your place in the universe by spending a few hours, or the entire night, stargazing.

This morning, depart Tucson for Tombstone, and an encounter with history that you can only find in "the Town too Tough to Die". Discover original buildings dating as far back as the late 1870s and catch a live gunfight. Walk the same streets that Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp and a host of other legendary men and women of the American West walked throughout the years; or visit Boothill Graveyard, the most famous cemetery in the West. Afterward, continue to Las Cruces, New Mexico. With the majestic Organ Mountains to the east and the mighty Rio Grande to the west, Las Cruces, meaning "the crosses", has a mysterious presence. Its rich history haunts it still with reminders of Billy the Kid, who was sentenced to death in the area, and Pancho Villa, who spent time here.

Today, you'll head north to Santa Fe via Albuquerque. Albuquerque's historic Old Town offers a taste of New Mexico's Spanish colonial past while the Indian Pueblo Cultural Centre, owned by the state's 19 different Pueblo communities, offers a glimpse into the history of the region's Native American cultures. Santa Fe, founded on the ruins of an abandoned Indian village, is the oldest capital in the US and remains one of the most picturesque cities in the state. Be sure to visit one of Santa Fe's famous art galleries, art markets or museums full of traditional and contemporary art, including works by their own Georgia O'Keeffe. Or you can shop for authentic creations you just won't find anywhere else.

Depart Santa Fe for Taos whose landscape is a dramatic reminder that you are now surrounded by some of the most ancient land forms on Earth. Visit Taos Pueblo, the only living Native American community designated both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark. The multi-storied adobe buildings of this village have been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years. Continue to Durango, Colorado's year-round playground whose historic sites and landmarks are waiting to be discovered. Step back in time at the Diamond Belle Saloon, where the bar still has a bullet hole in it from a gun fight.

Today, you may wish to board the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for an unforgettable journey back in time. Originally constructed in 1882, and in continuous operation for 131 years, the railroad's vintage steam locomotives let you relive the sights and sounds of yesteryear as you travel alongside the Animas River, one of the last free-flowing rivers in the entire western US. This route boasts some of Colorado's most striking canyon scenery and spectacular views. You'll pass fertile farmlands, old stagecoach roads and old mining camps, and be in the shadow of peaks reaching more than 14,000 feet. It won't take you long to figure out this is much more than a train ride (optional, fees apply).

This morning, head west to Mesa Verde National Park, home to some of the most notable and best-preserved cliff dwellings in the US. Mesa Verde, Spanish for green table, offers a spectacular look into the lives of the ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years. Continuing west just past Cortez, you'll drive through the "four corners", the only place in the US where four states intersect at one point: Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado. Further west is Kayenta, Arizona, gateway to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. This great valley is framed by scenic clouds that cast shadows on the desert floor and boasts sandstone masterpieces that tower to heights of between 400 and 1,000 feet.

Depart early today for Grand Canyon National Park, a natural wonder that you simply have to see to believe. Spend the day discovering the distinct South Rim of the canyon. Stop at one of the numerous outlooks, walk part of the Rim Trail or along the historic Hermit Road, visit a photo hotspot or climb to the top of a stone Watchtower for panoramic views that extend over 100 miles on clear days. When you've had your fill, continue to the quaint mountain town of Williams where you will experience the personality of an authentic Western village.

This morning, head west to Seligman, a small town located along Historic Route 66. Evidence of the old road can be seen all along Seligman's main street, where motels, cafes and numerous Route 66 gift shops beg to be explored. From here you'll join Route 66 and travel along the longest remaining stretch of this historic route to one of Arizona's hidden treasures, Kingman. At the Arizona-Nevada border, Hoover Dam makes for an awe-inspiring stop. Considered the largest single public works project in the history of the US and an Arizona landmark, Hoover Dam is filled with history and offers a colossal view of the Colorado River and Lake Mead. Continue to Las Vegas, a desert oasis of neon lights and a city that needs no introduction.

Enjoy a full day Las Vegas-style. Walk the famous Strip lined with mega-resorts, place a bet at one of the many casinos, dine at world-class restaurants, catch the latest must-see show, shop designer boutiques, ride a rollercoaster, lay by the pool ... the list goes on. With so much to do, 24 hours in a day hardly seems like enough.

This morning, take the opportunity to photograph the iconic Welcome to Las Vegas sign before making your way back to Los Angeles. Spectacular scenery surrounds you as you travel through the Mojave Desert, while a visit to Calico Ghost Town, an authentic Old West silver mining town, offers visitors the opportunity to share in its rich history and enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding desert environment.

Return your rental car in time for your return flight home.