Itinerary

Arrive in the sunny southern metropolis of San Diego and get settled into your hotel. You’ll be situated right in the centre of town with fabulous views of the city, so make the most of whatever hours are left in the day to explore if you have the energy. San Diego is incredibly beautiful and has so many museums and points of interest, chances are you are going to want to fit a few in.

Take this day to explore the epicentre of San Diego’s cultural institutions, the beautiful, colonial-style, Balboa Park with its 1,200 acres of world-class museums, gardens and attractions, or take a guided food tour of the city. San Diego has an impressive Cali-Mex culinary scene that has gained national recognition, so get a taste of it while you can.

Come evening, you’ll take a sunset sail around San Diego’s stunning harbour to round off your stay in the city. You’ll get some of the best views of the city’s skyline while enjoying the warm ocean breezes aboard a historic yacht. Afterwards, head into the city’s Gaslamp Quarter to experience some of the best nightlife in Southern California. You won’t have any trouble finding a great place to toast to your trip and dance the night away.

Drive two hours to the mid-century modern desert oasis of Palm Springs. A dream-like destination for sun, sand and relaxation, Palm Springs offers outdoor recreation in lush desert nature, stunning golf courses, delightful dining, boutique shopping and some of the finest examples of mid-century modern architecture. Check in to your hotel and take it easy – you’ll find there’s plenty to do at the pace you want.

Palm Springs is renowned for its beautifully lush desert nature, so make sure you get to spend some time in it while you’re here. Just minutes outside of downtown Palm Springs lies the Indian Canyons, home to the world’s largest palm oasis in Palm Canyon. You can easily head over for some self-guided exploration, or you can take a guided tour and be taken through the area’s stunning trails while also hearing about the local Native American culture that still thrives there.

If geology is more of interest, don’t miss out on taking a private guided hike to the world-famous San Andreas Fault. It’s just a short drive outside of Palm Springs, and for serious hikers and nature enthusiasts, it will prove an adventure like no other as you’ll be taken onto land that can only be privately accessed.

Spend the rest of the day relaxing at your hotel and enjoying all that Palm Springs has to offer – you’ll be up early the next morning to drive to the Grand Canyon.

Leave Palm Springs at dawn for the 5-6 hour drive to the Grand Canyon. By leaving early you’ll get to spend the majority of the day discovering this magnificent natural wonder. You’ll be staying on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon at what is widely considered the crown jewel of Historic National Park Lodges, El Tovar. Sit back and take in the spectacular views, or hike or take a shuttle bus down into the canyon to spend some time exploring. Come evening, reserve a table in the main restaurant of El Tovar to watch the spectacular sunset while you eat.

Take the 2-hour drive down to Sedona after breakfast for a day and night of spectacular scenery and outdoor recreation like you won’t find anywhere else in the Southwest. Long considered a place of spiritual healing by the local Navajo tribes, Sedona offer many things: hiking, fine dining, art galleries and luxury spas – not to mention breathtaking environs with ample opportunities for getting outdoors. Choose from your accommodation’s offerings – there’s an outdoor saltwater pool and tennis courts – or sign up for a Jeep tour to see Sedona’s stunning backcountry, Coyote Canyons or visit ancient ruins from the Singua people who inhabited the area from 600 AD to the 1400s before they mysteriously vanished. You can also take a hike of your choosing, getting lost in the town’s red-rock beauty at your leisure, or stroll Sedona’s refined downtown district.

Take the 2-hour drive down to Scottsdale at your leisure – this affluent part of the greater Phoenix area is the place to rest and relax. Boasting majestic mountains, towering saguaros, and Old Town energy, Scottsdale is an essential stop on any trip through the Southwest, offering a unique blend of luxury, relaxation and adventure. Get checked in to your hotel and stretch out by the pool – this time is for you. If you need a bit of adventure, you are also ideally located for a stroll over to Scottsdale’s vibrant Old Town, a visit to the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and a hike up beautiful Camelback Mountain – though we’d recommend doing the later at sunrise.

Scottsdale is located within the Sonoran Desert, and you can easily explore this incredible setting with a walk through the lush McDowell Sonoran Preserve before or after breakfast.

That said, if you haven’t visited Scottsdale’s Old Town yet, today’s your chance to do it. Offering a unique collection of shops, restaurants, galleries and night clubs, as well as contemporary public art installations and historic sites from the 1880s, this walkable district blending urban chic and Western charm is well worth a visit. And while you’re exploring, don’t forget to stop by Scottsdale Fashion Square, which offers one of the finest shopping experiences in the West.

The second largest city in Arizona, Tucson has a casual Southwestern vibe, an excellent dining scene, and beautiful sun-filled landscapes of flowering deserts, rolling hills, winding riverbeds, rugged canyons and pine-topped peaks. Tucson is also the gateway to the cowboy culture that is still alive and well in Arizona to this day. You’ll be arriving just north of Tucson at the White Stallion Ranch. A working third generation dude ranch that has preserved its frontier-town atmosphere, White Stallion blends western style with exceptional attention to detail. Be greeted by the welcoming staff and get acquainted with your surroundings – the 43-room premise features Western furnishings, granite vanities, patios with adobe fireplaces for outdoor lounging and splendid desert landscaping with everything from towering cacti to a butterfly garden.

Historical and family-owned, a visit to one of Arizona’s ranches guarantees an authentic immersion into the heritage and culture of the Old West. Experience the day-to-day workings of ranch life against the backdrop of iconic Arizona scenery – from the Rincon Mountains to the Saguaro National Park – exceptional Southwestern hospitality, entertainment, comfortable accommodations and three square meals a day await.

Whether you want to ride a horse through the desert, take a guided hike through the scenic lands, shoot a target with a historical firearm, or hear tales around a campfire – you’ll get to do all this and more. Start the day with one of the fantastic hikes or trail rides around the ranch to get immersed in the scenery of what was once the Old West. Experience the day-to-day workings of ranch life, watch the weekly ranch rodeo or take part in one of many workshops such as a leatherwork class or horseshoe decorating. Those looking for something a little more classic can head to the swimming pool or play some tennis before sitting in the hot tub or booking a massage. For those travelling with kids, there’s a recreation room, a 27-seat cinema and a petting zoo to keep occupied.

Take today to take part in activities you have yet to tackle. Maybe you started with a hike and today you fancy a horse ride, or maybe you’ve always been curious how to fit a horseshoe, use a lasso or shoot with a bow and arrow – the staff at White Stallion will be more than happy to show you how.

The ranch has multiple options to help you relax, so feel free to take the day just for yourself. Book a world-class deep-tissue massage, learn about mindfulness from a trained therapist, spend an hour in the steam room, choose a spa treatment or simply decompress by the library or pool.

Say goodbye to the White Stallion Ranch and leave first thing in the morning for the iconic Western town of Yuma. Situated right next to the Colorado River by the border with Mexico, Yuma is home to a Wild West-era prison, the Territorial Prison State Historic Park, a 19th century military warehouse and telegraph station, and a 1907 steam locomotive on Pivot Point Plaza which commemorates the Southern Pacific Railroad which once ran through the city. After you get checked into your hotel you’ll find plenty of historic sites to uncover.

End your stay in the Southwest with two beautiful beachside nights in Oceanside, a refined coastal town with Michelin-starred dining, located at the mid-point between San Diego and Los Angeles. You’ll be staying at The Seabird, a stunning, design-minded hotel overlooking the sunny shores of the Pacific Ocean with a pool you won’t want to leave, and a golden beach that will offer the perfect restful end to your holiday.

Oceanside has a huge surf culture and offers ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. Take a surf lesson, swim in the Pacific or go paddleboarding. There are also nature trails to walk and bike trails to cycle along the coast. The town also has a vibrant modern arts scene with Artists Alley, a local murals and the Oceanside Museum of Art all worth a visit.

Oceanside is known for its palm-dotted harbour and picturesque marina and shopping area, but just off the coast you can find another splendour in the abundant marine life that inhabit the local waters. Meet them firsthand with a 2-hour whale and dolphin cruise aboard a luxury catamaran. Your captain and guide will introduce you to all the local species while informing you about their natural habitat.

Spend the rest of the day relaxing by the beach or the hotel’s pool – you deserve it. Make a reservation at one of the city’s incredible fine dining restaurants, like Valle for your last dinner. You’ll get to taste California’s sun-ripened local produce and toast your trip with fine wines from within the state and Northern Mexico.