California Dreamin’: Canyons, casinos and coastal vibes!

Can you feel that tingling in your stomach? That's the feeling of dreams finally coming true! Today's the day: your very own American Dream is coming true. So, you hop on the plane that'll have you in Los Angeles before you know it, and thanks to the time difference, it's still the same day when you arrive. Crazy, isn't it? As you step onto the tarmac, the warm Californian sun shines on your face, and you're beaming right back at it! Time for a road trip! Your hire car is waiting for you at the airport, and just a few minutes later, you're on the highway, stepping on the accelerator while Los Angeles gets smaller and smaller in your rear-view. Your destination? Palm Springs or Palm Desert in the Sonora Desert! With 350 days of sunshine a year, it's not without reason that Palm Springs is popular with so many Hollywood stars. Soak in the glam vibes by the pool, or explore the funky modernism. The retro architecture here bears the signature of renowned architects and is the hallmark of the desert city!

Even late risers like to get up early for the famous Joshua Tree National Park. The bizarre Joshua trees – a type of yucca tree – are just a stone's throw from Palm Springs (entrance fee payable on site). In the middle of the Mojave Desert, bright green cacti and giant palm trees tower into the bright blue sky. And that's not all there is to see. With a bit of luck, you might even spot some iguanas, coyotes and unusual bird species in this surreal landscape that bears the hallmarks of wind, rain and climatic extremes. So, it's high time to take a closer look at the park! And the best way to do it is on a hike along the Nature Valley Trail, where you're accompanied by massive boulders, oaks, pines, cacti and, of course, the famous Joshua trees!
As soon as you get back behind the wheel of your hire car, the next highlight awaits: Route 66! It doesn't get more American than this! Crank up the music, let the wind blow through your hair and revel in the pure road trip vibes.

One of the greatest natural wonders on Earth awaits you today: the Grand Canyon! Once there, you're left absolutely breathless (entrance fee payable on site). You've seen so many pictures of this seemingly endless canyon with its shimmering red rock layers, but no photo can even come close to what you see with your own eyes – pure goosebumps! Follow the hiking trails, such as the Bright Angels Trail, to breathtaking viewpoints on the canyon's South Rim. Or, if you'd rather take it easy, go by car or hop on one of the free shuttle buses! Want more action? Then hike along more of the trails! The view at Hopi Point is particularly good in the afternoon, when the sun bathes the canyon in beautiful shades of red, creating a fascinating play of colours that you definitely shouldn't miss!

A bucket list moment rarely comes alone, which is why your first stop is the famous Monument Valley (entrance fee payable on site)! In total awe, you whizz through an empty desert with not a soul in sight until suddenly, huge buttes rise up out of the ground. It feels like you're in a film. And no wonder, because films like 'Once Upon a Time in the West' and 'Easy Rider' were shot right here – Wild West vibes, and you're right in the middle of it. All that's missing is a cowboy popping up between the rocks! You find the coolest spots in the valley along the Scenic Drive, and just when you think there couldn't be more, you've got to think again! Bucket list item number two awaits you at sunset: a look into the depths at the aptly named Horseshoe Bend in Geln Canyon, where the Colorado River makes a 270° horseshoe-shaped bend (entrance payable on site). As the sun hangs low, it transforms the rocks around the river into a true spectacle of colour and bathes them in ever-changing shades of red!