Western Discoverer

Day 1 (Door to Door)

Arrive Los Angeles

Enjoy your private car door to door transfer to your departure airport before your flight to Los Angeles where a transfer is provided to your first hotel. Your Tour Director will be on hand to greet you and answer any questions you may have about the exciting days ahead. At 6pm, gather at the hotel with your Tour Director and fellow travelling companions for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Hilton Long Beach (SFC)

Day 2

Los Angeles - San Diego

We travel south along the Pacific to San Diego. Get acquainted on a guided tour of this sparkling city that takes us from the Victorian Gaslamp Quarter and Old Town to the gardens and Spanish colonial-style museums of Balboa Park, the nation's largest urban cultural park. Enjoy some leisure time before joining your companions for a Highlight Dinner in Seaport Village. (FB, HD)
Hotel: Westin San Diego (MD)

Day 3

San Diego - Scottsdale

We head east today, as the great Sonoran Desert opens up before us. Keep an eye out for giant saguaro cacti. This afternoon, we arrive in the desert playground of Scottsdale where the evening is at leisure. (FB)
Hotel: Embassy Suites Phoenix - Scottsdale (FC)

Day 4

Scottsdale - Sedona - Grand Canyon National Park

Today we travel north through the fragrant pine groves of Tonto National Forest on our way to the artists' enclave of Sedona. Get out your cameras as we near Oak Creek Canyon with its towering red cliffs and crystal pools. This afternoon, we arrive at the Grand Canyon. Enjoy astounding views from the South Rim and meet with a local specialist who will enlighten us about the amazing geology of this wonder of the world. (FB)
Hotel: National Park Lodges (NP)

Day 5

Grand Canyon - Lake Powell - Bryce Canyon National Park

Say a leisurely goodbye to the Grand Canyon as we wind our way around its South Rim. See Utah's Lake Powell's glittering waters and striking rock formations before arriving at Bryce Canyon National Park and its rainbow of limestone spires rising majestically from the desert floor - the largest concentration of hoodoos in the world. (FB, D)
Hotel: Ruby's Inn (FC)

Day 6

Bryce - Zion National Park - Las Vegas (2)

We depart Bryce Canyon for the gorgeous wonderland that is Zion National Park. Marvel at the graceful slot canyons, towering cliffs and awe-inspiringmonoliths, eroded fromthe orange sandstone. After basking in the natural beauty of Zion, get ready for the neon lights and glitter of Sin City. (FB)
Hotel: Paris Las Vegas (SFC)

Day 7

Las Vegas at leisure

The choices are endless: Hit the casinos, do some shopping and enjoy lunch at one of the city's elegant restaurants. If you're feeling adventurous, take an optional tour to Hoover Dam, the engineering marvel that spans the Colorado River. Or just lounge a while by the hotel pool, browse the exclusive shops and visit a spa for a rejuvenating massage. (FB)
Hotel: Paris Las Vegas (SFC)

Day 8

Las Vegas - Mammoth Lakes

This morning we leave the glittering lights of Vegas behind and travel through the wide-open expanses of the Mojave Desert, arriving in Mammoth Lakes on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada to enjoy the evening at leisure.(Weather conditionsmay cause the Tioga Pass to be closed to traffic, typically from mid-October to the end of the May. In this case, overnight in Fresno at the Four Points By Sheraton.) (FB)
Hotel: High Sierra Hotel (MFC)

Day 9

Mammoth Lakes - Yosemite National Park

We descend from the Sierra Nevada through stunning Tioga Pass (weather permitting) into the Yosemite Valley, passing the misty of Bridal Veil and Yosemite Falls. Gaze in wonder at the granite walls of El Capitan and Half Dome. (FB, D)
Hotel: Yosemite View Lodge (MFC)

Day 10

Yosemite - Napa/Sonoma - San Francisco (2)

We descend from the mountains and head north to Sonoma, where we visit a family-owned winery for an exclusive tour. Sample estate-produced wines and olive oils before enjoying the sweeping vineyard views as we dine alfresco with our hosts at a Be My Guest Lunch. We then travel through Napa's scenic wine country before crossing the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco. This evening, enjoy a Highlight Dinner with your travelling companions at lively Fisherman's Wharf. (FB, HD)
Hotel: Hyatt at Fisherman's Wharf (SFC)

Day 11

San Francisco sightseeing and at leisure

As the mist rises over the bay, San Francisco stands before you. We embark on a morning exploration that takes us from Fisherman's Wharf to the magnificent Golden Gate. There's a story around every corner and this afternoon you have some time to follow your own path. (FB)
Hotel: Hyatt at Fisherman's Wharf (SFC)

Day 12

San Francisco - Carmel - Monterey

We head south to the Old Mission in San Juan Bautista where we can step back in time to the Mission era. In the quaint village of Carmel-by-the-Sea, browse the shops, wander down to the water's edge or savour a cappuccino at a cafe. After cruising stunning 17-Mile Drive past the famed Lone Cypress tree and Pebble Beach Golf Links we arrive in Monterey for the night. (FB)
Hotel: The Portola Hotel & Spa (SFC)

Day 13

Monterey - San Simeon - Santa Barbara

Today we travel south down the coast on the way to Hearst Castle, once the home of one of America's most powerful men. After a guided tour of his fabulous residence, we continue to sun-kissed Santa Barbara. This evening, toast your holiday and newfound friends with a California wine pairing at a fun Farewell Dinner. (FB, FD)
Hotel: Hyatt Santa Barbara (FC)

Day 14

Santa Barbara - Los Angeles

Wake to Santa Barbara's golden beaches and elegant Spanish Revival buildings. We next continue south to Hollywood and see its landmark sign, Grauman's Chinese Theater and the Walk of Fame before checking into our hotel and an evening at leisure. (FB)

Day 15

Depart Los Angeles

After breakfast a complimentary transfer is provided to take you to Los Angeles International Airport for your return flight back to the UK. (FB)

Day 16 (Door to Door)

Arrive UK

On arrival at your UK airport, your driver will greet you and escort you to your waiting private car for your door to door transfer to your home.

Dates and prices

Destination Info

Overall customer rating 4.5 () 10 Reviews

• • Product :
    Very informative but rather too much fitted in. Tour director had an irritating habit of answering questions from passengers at front by microphone without telling us the original question!. She tried hard but past her sell-by date.
    Driver was fantastic - hard working and helpful.

  • Service Rating :
    British Airways & LA Airport were disasters - Our driver reached Heathrow 4 hrs before take-off and we had to hang around for 1 hour before we could drop bags. After a dreadful BA meal (tasted like microwaved wet cardboard) and an 11 hour flight we took 3 hrs to pass US Border controls. Things then improved.
    

  • Response :
    Milestones would like to thank you for leaving your feedback on Feefo.
    
    Your comments in regards to the transfers have been forwarded to our transfer department. To clarify we always leave an extra hour on top of the journey time along with allowing the correct time for check in (3hours). This way it allows us room in case there is traffic or perhaps a motor accident. Your Personal Travel consultant will be happy to amend the pickup times for you in the future if you are not happy with what is arranged.
    
    We regret to read of your time spent in US border control. Unfortunately a delay at the US Border Control is standard practice as their security and systems can take time.
    
    Thank you for your comments on the tour director being very informative, we are very proud of our tour directors. One can only assume she thought everyone would also want to hear the answer to what she thought was a good question, and she felt the question repeated was not necessary. What you have noted will be reviewed.
    
    Your feedback is valued and will be shared with the appropriate departments; all comments are used to help us improve on quality and service on every aspect of the Milestones experience
    
    We hope that you will be travelling with Milestones again soon.
    
    Kind Regards
    Shasheen Norton-Laver
    Customer Relations

  • Left 91 days ago

• • Product :
    A great tour covering a variety of places. It was also extremely interesting to be with travellers from other parts of the world instead of all English.

  • Service Rating :
    Very efficient, but would have appreciated the fact that it was not Milestones when we arrived in the States but a Trafalgar Tour.
    

  • Response :
    We would like to thank you for leaving us your feedback.
    
    Our sincerest apologies that you were unaware that you would be travelling with our sister company Trafalgar. Please let me explain that we endeavour to highlight our sister companies like Trafalgar throughout our brochure starting from Page 7, which includes a write up on each of the sister companies we feature. The Trafalgar Logo is also on the appropriate holiday pages within the brochure to indicate who the tour is hosted by as well as your travel documents.
    
    A diverse mix of cultures and interest can only enhance your experience making some new friends on your tour, this is one of the many things that make Milestones stand out from other touring companies.
    We do hope you will be travelling with us again soon.
    
    Kind Regards
    Shasheen Norton-Laver
    Customer Relations

  • Left 93 days ago

• • Product :
    needed more time in some of the locations

  • Service Rating :
    good tour agent
    

  • Response :
    Thank you for your positive comments regarding our services.
    
    In our new worldwide brochure you will now find more 'At Leisure' touring styles giving you more free time at each location, later morning starts and a minimum of two nights in each location.
    
    We hope that you will be travelling with Milestones again soon.
    
    Kind Regards
    Shasheen Norton-Laver
    Customer Relations

  • Left 95 days ago

• • Product :
    From beginning (including booking process to carriage home) to end the tour was brilliant made so much more enjoyable by our attentive, educating and entertaining Tour Manager, Janie!! Mention must be made also of our top! top! driver, Yolani who's driving ability, understated efficiency and thoroughly pleasant manner was exemplary. Nothing was too much trouble for either!! Gave well more than expected duties!! Important for us was the number of included meals, quality of hotels, arrival and departure airports and transportation to and from Heathrow. Excellent!

  • Service Rating :
    Having only been part of Western Discoverer, I cannot comment about others other than when choosing a Tour I did 'scour' everything out there. For me and my wife's needs, the Milestones Tour stood out by Miles!!!
    

  • Response :
    It is really wonderful to hear that you had such a fantastic holiday, the Western Discoverer is the most comprehensive tour that we offer of America's Golden West and covers some fantastic cities.
    
    At Milestones we really want you to have a first class experience from start to finish and we are very happy that you have rated us an excellent, for both service and product. Our inside knowledge enables us to create perfectly planned itineraries, with included excursions, sightseeing and surprising hidden treasures. Along with fine dining, carefully selected hotels and our truly unrivalled private car door to door service.
    
    Our Tour Directors, Guides and Drivers are all highly experienced and often are a great source of knowledge, helping to further enhance your tour. They all play an important part in making your trip a memorable one.
    
    Thank you for taking the time to write on Feefo and give us your positive comments and praise, both are valued greatly.
    We hope that you choose to travel with us again in the future.
    
    Kind regards,
    
    Debbie Pullum
    Customer Relations

  • Left 111 days ago

• • Product :
    We went last year it was exellent we may go a again soon the guide was Jordon he was Exellent

  • Service Rating :
    We thought the Best of Germay was exellent the guide Craig really was first class we will recommend miles they are a first class company this is our 2nd trip we have friends going to china in october recommend by us here to the next one
    

  • Response :
    I am pleased you found the Best of Germany tour excellent. Please let me know about the Western Discoverer tour and how we can improve for the future.
    
    Chris Fundell
    Marketing Manager

  • Left 122 days ago

• • Product :
    Enjoyed the tour but felt we missed out on some of the locations by not arriving till late in the day and leaving early next morning all we saw was the hotels and restaurants nothing of the actual towns - this was particularly so in Monteray and Santa Barbara. Tour guide and driver were excellent.

  • Service Rating :
    Tour was good but expensive.
    

  • Response :
    First off we would like to thank you for your comments to say that you enjoyed the tour.
    
    Our tour prices are reflective of the current market, and competitive to the quality of what we offer. When looking at prices and comparing them to other operators you need to look at things like number of meals included, quality of hotels, and amount of sightseeing. As we have many years of touring experience we also get the opportunity (where possible) to take our tours `off the beaten track´ and show our clients something different. We try to also offer additional things like the attention and expertise of your Personal Travel Consultant and our door to door transfers in the UK that are private and not group transfers. We do take all comments seriously so we have noted this and will forward to the appropriate individuals for their review.
    
    In terms of the tour pace and the arrival and start times in the cities; we do endeavor to show our clients as much as possible in our tours as we have lots of area to cover in a short period of time. This can make for some long days with an early start and in some cases getting into the cities in the early evening. We do offer in our new worldwide brochure "At Leisure" touring styles giving you more free time at each location, later morning starts and a minimum of two nights in each hotel. We try to be as flexible as possible. We have passed your comments on about Monteray and Santa Barbara.
    
    Thank you for taking the time to write on Feefo and again thank you for your positive comments regarding your Tour Director, driver and the overall holiday.
    
    Kind regards,
    
    Debbie Pullum
    Customer Relations

  • Left 123 days ago

• • Product :
    There were many Australian tourists who used Trafalgar Tours on the same tour. Their charges had already included tipping/service and some of us British would have been more comfortable if our costs were on the same basis.

  • Service Rating :
    The only problem was that it was not always possible to speak to the Milestones rep
    

  • Response :
    Thank you for taking your time to write your valued comments onto Feefo. I do apologise that at times you may have found it difficult to speak to your Personal Travel Consultant. We also offer, call back requests, message services and email contact for periods when Consultants are exceptionally busy. The Personal Travel consultants take pride in attention to detail and focusing on providing you with the best possible service.
    
    We do realise that many of our brands around the world have made the decision to include gratuities within the holiday cost, however this does increase the overall tour price and we at Milestones want that to be at our client´s discretion. It is customary in many parts of the world to tip for a service provided and that is why in our literature to assist our clients we advise of the `recommended´ amounts should you feel that you want to recognise good, quality service.
    
    Kind Regards
    Shasheen Norton-Laver
    Customer Relations

  • Left 123 days ago

• • Product :
    A full report of our trip was e-mailed to Maya upon our return.

  • Service Rating :
    The service we had from Maya Mazari was second to none! We will use Milestones again in the future
    

  • Response :
    We are delighted to hear that you would like to travel with Milestones again in the future.
    Our Personal Travel Consultants are there to give you all the advice and information you need to really enjoy your holiday to the full, so we are pleased you received a first class service.
    
    Please remember as you have travelled with us previously you will now qualify for a 5% discount off any future tour with us and we look forward to welcoming you on another tour very soon.
    
    Kind regards,
    
    Debbie Pullum
    Customer Relations

  • Left 123 days ago

• • Product :
    Good tour saw a lot and some days very long.

  • Service Rating :
    pick up from home was A1, tour was full on but comfortable bus and very good guide. Hotels all very good. Altogether a good holiday.
    

  • Response :
    Thank you for travelling with Milestones and sharing your experience about the Western Discoverer tour on Feefo, we are pleased that you had a good holiday. Your kind comments will be passed on to our Transfers team, who will relay your message to the driver.
    In our new worldwide brochure you will now find a lot more 'At Leisure' touring styles giving you more free time at each location, later morning starts and a minimum of two nights in each location which may be of interest to you.
    We look forward to welcoming you back on another one of our Tours in the near future.
    
    Kind regards,
    
    Debbie Pullum
    Customer Relations

  • Left 123 days ago

• • Product :
    Unbelievable sights and experiences, it couldn't be bettered.

  • Service Rating :
    First class service from the private pick up at home to the drop off 14 days later. Tour Director and coach driver's knowledge and expertise really made the holiday.
    

  • Response :
    Thank you for your comments. I am really pleased you enjoyed your holiday with us. I hope to see you travel with us again soon.
    
    Chris Fundell
    Marketing Manager

  • Left 123 days ago