Ultimate California Southbound Itinerary

It's all here in the city of San Francisco, a laidback place with a liberal attitude and thriving cosmopolitan culture. Experience its many faces with free time to visit Alcatraz, Chinatown and Golden Gate Park.

The ultimate California adventure ventures out into a photographer's dreamscape at Yosemite National Park. The combination of hulking granite cliffs, roaring waterfalls and green meadows set against a dazzling blue sky make Yosemite an unforgettable place to visit.

Travel into the Eastern Sierra Nevada and spend the night camping out under a canopy of stars.

The name says it all - Death Valley is a desolate, barren area and also one of the hottest places on earth. Take time to explore this surreal landscape then continue on to delve into America's jingling hip pocket, Las Vegas. Nevada's neon-hued entertainment centre is as thrilling as it is obnoxious.

One of the world's greatest natural wonders, the Grand Canyon is a remarkable 450 km long, 1.6 km deep and up to 30 km wide. Take an afternoon hike along the rim or into the canyon itself. Nothing beats ending the day with a multi-hued sunset over the Grand Canyon.

See wild creatures scamper across the sand dunes and experience the extremities of the Californian climate. Discover exotic cacti, moody mountains and curious rock formations, then press on further following the western sun over the Colorado River to camp beside Lake Havasu.

Wind through the Joshua Tree National Park in southern California and end the journey among the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles.