Chicago to LA - Just us two!

[Guest]

Helloo

Have never done a pre trip or post trip report before. But as I have learnt so much from this site I a now confident enough to share and hopefully give something back

So here's the story...

Have been to Florida 4 times and loved every second. However 5 years ago once the kids had got to be adults we thought we would try a different holiday and booked a USA Coach Tour with Travelsphere. Two weeks from San Francisco to LA, taking in Napa, Yosemite, Death Valley, Grand Canyon etc. We were not sure what to expect but we absolutely loved it (even though we were the youngest couple on the coach!). Two years later we did another tour from LA to San Francisco but taking in Pheonix, Red rock etc.

We found the coach holidays are so relaxing and stress free as you do not have to organise anything or book anywhere... all you have to do is worry about what time you have to be on the bus!

So again we are doing an organised coach tour but this time with Jetsave, but we are adding a week on at the end for us two and of course to do California Disney

So we are...
Me aged 43 loves Disney, USA in general and Football!

Pete aged 50ish lol, loves USA and any holiday as he never plans it and just pays , also loves football as much as me!

Here is our itinery so please let me know if you have any tips for any of these places or if you have tried the hotels (have read all the mixed reviews on trip advisor about each hotel lol)..

Monday 10th September 2012
Check in at Manchester, Terminal 3
10:40 — Depart from Manchester airport on British Airways, flight BA1501 to O'Hare Intl
13:15 — Arrive at O'Hare Intl airport
Hotel: 2 nights at Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown

Tuesday 11th September 2012
We enjoy a full day in the 'Windy City', Chicago. Hit the top of Sears Tower, go shopping on the Magnificent Mile and check out the Cloud Gate sculpture in Millennium Park.

Wednesday 12th September 2012
Crossing Illinois and Iowa, today our route takes us through massive flat plains, giving a glimpse of small town America, and crossing the mighty Mississippi, before reaching 'muddy' Missouri, at the point where it meets the Big Sioux River
Hotel: 1 night at Holiday Inn Sioux City

Thursday 13th September 2012
Feeling like part of a Wild West movie, we cross the South Dakota grasslands and enter the Black Hills. As one of the 3 million visitors a year, we make it to Mt.Rushmore to gaze up at the incredible carved faces of four major presidents. Just three miles north is Keystone, our overnight destination.
Hotel: 1 night at President's View Resort

Friday 14th September 2012
Keystone to Bighorn Mountain to Cody, Journey through the wilds of Wyoming's Sioux territories to the high plateau town of Cody, named after William Cody, the original Buffalo Bill.
Hotel: 1 night at Buffalo Bill Village, Cody

Saturday 15th September 2012
Cody to Yellowstone National Park, Leave Buffalo Bill country behind as we follow the Shoshone River and take Sylvan Pass through the Absaroka Mountains. We'll then reach Yellowstone National Park, staying at a lodge surrounded by Yellowstone's amazing scenery and wildlife.
Lodge: 1 night at Yellowstone Nat. Park Lodges

Sunday 16th September 2012
Yellowstone to Salt Lake City, Start today with a visit to neighbouring Grand Teton National Park, followed by a stop at Jackson. We then track the Snake River to the triple-state boundary of Wyoming, Utah and Idaho, and make our way to the flatlands surrounding the Great Salt Lake and its city.
Hotel: 1 night at Howard Johnson Express Salt Lake City

Monday 17th September 2012
Salt Lake City to Bryce Canyon, Changing scenery today from green valleys to red rock, we head to incredible Bryce Canyon
Hotel: 1 night at Best Western Ruby's Inn

Tuesday 18th September 2012
Bryce to Lake Powell to Grand Canyon, Crossing the Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River, we head for the Grand Canyon, cutting through the 15-million acre Navajo Indian Reservation. We pass through the Painted Desert, and then stop at spectacular Lake Powell, before getting to the Grand Canyon in time to watch the sun set.
Lodge: 1 night at Grand Canyon Nat. Park Lodges

Wednesday 19th September 2012
Grand Canyon to Las Vegas, Journey from the Grand Canyon to one of the world's liveliest cities, Las Vegas. Enjoy this two night stay at leisure, taking in a show, strolling past the Strip's incredible themed hotels or even having a flutter in the casinos.
Hotel: 2 nights at Ballys

Friday 21st September 2012
Las Vegas to Los Angeles, Leave the oasis of lights to re-enter the desert today, as we head through Mojave Desert, en route to the San Bernadino Mountains. Once across the mountains, we head for the Pacific Coast and the bright lights of Los Angeles
Hotel: 1 night at Millennium Biltmore

Saturday 22nd September 2012
Hotel: 8 nights at Sheraton Park Hotel This is our add on and we have yet to decide what is planned, but we will have 5 day Disney Park tickets

Sunday 30th September 2012

21:20 — Depart from Los Angeles airport on British Airways, flight BA268 to London Heathrow

Monday 1st October 2012
15:25 — Arrive at London Heathrow airport
17:40 — Depart from London Heathrow airport on British Airways, flight BA1402 to Manchester
18:40 — Arrive at Manchester airport

Thanks for reading and hope some of you can share my excitement and my journey

[Glee Fan]

Sounds wonderful - you will see some great places. Not sure if a coach trip is my thing, but really looking forward to hearing more about it.

[Guest]

Sounds great! It's amazing how much you two are going to see and no doubt the office will be quiet without you
Vicki

[Guest]

thanks for report,we were looking on doing a coach trip from Chicago to LA,but have now just booked a flight to Chicago rent a car and see where it takes us.

[damaged]

Sound's awesome! We're doing something similar for our honeymoon, but focusing on the east coast

[sue.o]

Sounds wonderful. I'm not sure about the coach either but looking forward to reading all about it!

[Pussycat Doll]

We've done Bryce, Yellowstone (stayed in a cabin in the park) and Grand Teton, all stunning! Been to Jackson, great little place and followed the Sanke River across the states. Stayed at Rubys Inn at Bryce Canyon, nice hotel with an indoor pool (was when we were there), good carvery type restaurant on site but a tad expensive. You'll have an amazing time for sure! Pussycat