California

Flight to San Francisco. On arrival, board your coach and transfer to your San Francisco or suburban accommodation. If your flight schedule allows it, you can experience San Francisco for the first time with your guide.

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for San Francisco Pier 33. Board the boat that will take you to America’s most famous penitentiary, Alcatraz. Built in the second half of the 19th century on the island of the same name, the famous prison first housed military personnel before accommodating unruly and dangerous inmates such as Al Capone. The “prison from which you cannot escape” is today a major tourist attraction in San Francisco. After lunch, walk freely along Pier 39. You can observe sea lions near the chic Neptune’s Palace restaurant or visit the American National Historic Site; Ghiraldelli Square. A former chocolate factory of the same name which now houses shops, restaurants and even a hotel! You will also have time to get to the Coit Tower, a small tower built to honor the city’s firefighters, from the top of which you will have a magnificent view of the city. Return to the hotel after dinner at the restaurant. Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

This morning, it’s a departure for a guided walking tour of San Francisco. A local guide will show you the main attractions and share a lot of interesting information about the “City by the Bay” as the locals call it. In the afternoon, transfer by coach to Muir Woods, a redwood forest north of San Francisco declared a national monument in 1908 by Roosevelt, to protect the real natural treasure it represents. The beauty of its huge trees has attracted the shooting of films such as Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi and Planet of the Apes: The Origins. Afterward, return to San Francisco and stop at Golden Gate Park to enjoy views of the bay and the famous Golden Gate Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in the world. Dine in the restaurant before returning to the hotel. Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Today, explore the Pacific coast all the way to Monterey Bay. Have lunch on arrival before heading to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Located by the sea, this aquarium’s mission is to help conserve the ocean and educate people about the needs of the ocean. Browse exhibits, observe aquatic animals and plants to learn about the marine life of the US West Coast. Next, head to Cannery Row, a historic waterfront district on the bay. There you will find many places to explore: hotels, attractions, restaurants, shops, etc. Dine at an on-site restaurant and settle into your accommodation in the early evening. Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Have breakfast at the hotel and depart by coach for the “City of Angels” When you arrive in Los Angeles, take a walk down Hollywood Boulevard, one of the most famous avenues in the world. Stroll the Walk of Fame and let students take selfies alongside the stars of their favorite ones. Enter the Hollywood & Highland Mall to observe the legendary letters of the “HOLLYWOOD” sign on the side of Lee Hill, overlooking the iconic American cinema district. Did you know that these famous letters were placed here in 1923 to promote a new housing development: HOLLYWOODLAND. Some of these letters were later funded by celebrities such as Alice Cooper, Steven Spielberg, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Afterwards, dine at the restaurant and settle into your Los Angeles hotel. Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Enjoy a day of fun today at Universal Studios Hollywood, Universals’ first theme park. This park features one of the oldest Hollywood film studios still in use, but also offers a host of different attractions: live shows, movies, rides, exhibits, and more. Students will also discover the famous world of Harry Potter, immerse themself in the reality of The Walking Dead, go on an adventure in the Jurassic World or meet the Simpson family: the possibilities are endless and will certainly inspire their imagination. Return to your hotel in the evening. Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

This morning, start with a visit to the Getty Center, also known as the J. Paul Getty Museum. Paul Getty, an American industrialist and art collector, was the world’s first billionaire and bequeathed more than $ 660 million to his foundation and museum. Here you will find European paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, drawings, photographs and decorative art, in addition to exhibits that explore architectural art. Have lunch on site before transferring to Griffith Observatory. Towering over the city from atop Mount Hollywood, Griffith Observatory is an L.A. icon and a popular cultural spot. A world leader in public astronomy, the Observatory invites you to explore the astronomical world through its various exhibitions and activities. After your visit, take a stroll through Griffith Park, the city park in which the observatory is located. From the top of Mount Hollywood, you will have a breathtaking view of downtown Los Angeles and Mount Lee and its “HOLLYWOOD” sign. Have dinner at the restaurant and return to your hotel in the evening.

Return flight from Los Angeles.