Eastern US Cities, Niagara Falls & Gettysburg - 8 Days

Welcome to New York City. Make your own way to the hotel and settle in. You'll meet your tour director before the sightseeing begins tomorrow.

This morning we enjoy a guided tour of New York, taking in some of Manhattan’s most famous sights. As we travel through the city, we catch views of its iconic skyline and experience the energy that defines the Big Apple.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Your tour director will be on hand to help with plans and recommendations. You may wish to take a stroll through Central Park, see the city from above on an optional Manhattan helicopter tour, or visit Times Square - one of New York’s most recognisable landmarks. Don’t forget your camera.

New York City - Niagara Falls. We leave the city that never sleeps behind and travel north through upstate New York, passing through the scenic Finger Lakes region. Our route follows the shores of Lake Seneca, named after the Seneca Nation, one of the original members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

We stop in Watkins Glen, a charming village known for its vineyards, where we enjoy a local wine tasting. We then continue west to Niagara Falls, where we stay overnight close to one of North America’s most iconic natural wonders (on the US side).

Niagara Falls - Niagara Falls (Canada) - Williamsport (USA). This morning we have time to experience Niagara Falls from the Canadian side, where the views offer a full perspective of this powerful natural wonder. Please note that today’s journey involves crossing the U.S.-Canada border, so valid travel documents and any required visas must be arranged in advance.

You may choose to join an optional Hornblower Cruise, taking us to the base of the falls for a close-up view of the cascading water, or enjoy lunch overlooking the falls. Alternatively, you can take a walk along Table Rock, where we stand just steps from the edge of the Horseshoe Falls and feel the full force of the rushing water.

We then depart Niagara and continue our journey into Pennsylvania Dutch Country, where we stay in the city of Williamsport.

Williamsport - Washington. This morning we travel through the Appalachian Mountains, following the scenic Susquehanna River - the longest river on the American East Coast. Along the way, we take in the rolling landscapes that define this historic region.

We visit Gettysburg National Military Park, the site of the largest battle ever fought on American soil during the American Civil War. It was here in 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, one of the most significant speeches in American history.

From here, we continue to Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital, where we begin our exploration of this important political and cultural centre.

Today we enjoy a guided tour of the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., taking in some of its most recognisable landmarks. Highlights include the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and a view of the White House. We also visit Arlington National Cemetery, the final resting place of many notable Americans, including the memorial to President John F. Kennedy.

The remainder of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. You may wish to visit some of the world-class museums of the Smithsonian Institution, most of which are free to enter, or take a relaxed walk along the banks of the Potomac River.

Washington DC - Philadelphia. This morning we continue to Philadelphia, known as the “City of Brotherly Love” and widely regarded as the birthplace of the United States. It was here that the Declaration of Independence was adopted on 4 July 1776.

On arrival, we enjoy a comprehensive city tour, including a visit to Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and signed. We also see the Liberty Bell, one of the most enduring symbols of American freedom.

Your tour comes to an end today. You can leave the tour in Philadelphia or return to New York. Drop off is available at Newark Airport at approximately 10:30am, JFK Airport at approximately 12:00pm or central Manhattan at approximately 16:00. Please let us know at time of booking where you would like to end your tour.