Travel Documents

• Travel documents: All Belgian nationals* (children and babies included) must be in possession of an international e-passport (biometric) containing min. 2 blank pages, valid at day of entry and during the entire stay. Connections recommends to let common sense prevail and to build in some slack in terms of validity. Often unforeseen circumstances (weather factors, volcanoes, and threats all kinds) are the cause of a mandatory postponed return date. A credit card is required upon check-in at the hotels and also when renting a car.Please keep this in mind. We strongly recommend you to print out the Esta- or Eta permit and to have it on you while you travel to avoid problems.

• All passengers who travel to and /or via the U.S. must apply for an electronic travel authorization at least 72 hours prior to departure. The ESTA ($ 40) procedure must be requested via the official website link https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov and paid by a personal credit card only.

• Travellers who have visited Cuba since 12 January 2021 or who wish to travel to Cuba prior to a visit to the United States are not eligible for ESTA and must apply for a US visa at a US Consulate before travelling to the US.

• Travellers with a non-Belgian nationality and / or travellers travelling on a foreign passport are invited to spontaneously report this matter to the Connections travel consultant and shall contact their respective embassy (s) or Consulate (ate) to obtain the latest updates concerning all current travel requirements and documents. They must apply for an electronic travel authorization at least 72 hours prior to departure via the official website link https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov and pay by a personal credit card only.

Insurances

Have a safe and carefree trip: travel fully insured with our Protections travel insurance! Our Protections insurance policies offer various formulas in order to offer you the widest possible cover (with even a fly-on-time, natural catastrophes and epidemics) for both single journeys or for the entire year. We guarantee you the best protection at the best price.

Tailored travel

The tours in our brochures are just a few examples of travel itineraries possible. Our trips can be tailored to suit your specific needs. If you want to book a specific destination or combine it with a mini-tour then we will gladly make you a tailor-made offer. For a personalised day-by-day program please contact our destination experts.

Would you like to travel in a group; with your entire family, friends or colleagues? (min. 10 people required). Put our know-how to the test and send us your details and wishes. We will gladly turn the blueprints of your trip into a detailed quote and a lasting memory for you to cherish. Contact our Connections’ Group Service by e-mail at groups@connections.be or by telephone on +32 (0)2/550 01 65. We would love to hear from you.

Health

No mandatory vaccinations. To verify the latest updates on health requirements, please surf to https://www.itg.be.
Medical interventions and costs can soon become outrageous in the U.S.A. Reflect before leaving and subscribe a decent travel insurance. Our protections All-in Premier insurance was especially designed specifically for travel to the U.S.A. and provides ample cover for all major calamities (fly-on-time and natural disasters included)!

Time zones

The United States span 4 time zones:

• Eastern (- 6 h)

• Central (- 7 h)

• Mountain (- 8 h)

• Pacific (- 9 h)

Payments methods

A personal credit card is required upon check-in at the hotels and also when renting a car. The most convenient method of payment is by credit card but cash euros and dollars in small amount come in handy. Inform yourself timely, as from January 15, 2015 your Visa and/or MasterCard credit card (and possibly other types of credit cards) has automatically been set to "not for use in the US, for US car rental agencies and during cruises under the American flag".

You must then apply for a release of your credit card. This may be done prior to your arrival in the U.S. (in your bank branch or via the telephone number listed on the back of your credit card or by means of a special form available for PC banking) as well as after arrival in the US (through a withdrawal at an ATM. Please note, in this case there will be a transaction fee charged to your account). The same applies to the Maestro function in your bank card.

Please request a price quote for a personalized quotation.
The mentioned as from price is per person sharing based on double occupancy.

Travel dates

2025
- May 1st, 2025
- July 19th, 2025
- August 2nd, 2025
- September 6th, 2025
- September 20th, 2025

What's included?

• Dutch-speaking guidance from day 2 to day 13

• 13 nights accommodation based on bed and breakfast (this can be continental, American or grab & go, depending on the hotel)

• Modern 4* luxury bus with air conditioning and toilet

Not included

• International flight

• Round-trip transfers between hotel and airport

• Meals and excursions not mentioned

• Personal expenses

• Tips

• Insurance

• Optional excursions

Good to know

This tour is not recommended for children under 8. Excludes Dutch-speaking guides in international company.

Optional excursions

• San Francisco Lombard’s, Sausalito & Ferry Tour, +/- $58

• San Francisco Bay Cruise +/- $42

• Monterey Bay Whale Watching Cruise, +/- $82

• Las Vegas Illumination Tour, +/- $48

• Jeep Tour Shafer Trail in Canyonlands $195

• Monument Valley Tour, +/- $66

• Antelope Canyon Tour, +/- $105

• Helicopter or Airplane Flight over the Grand Canyon, +/- $260

Why choose a group trip to the American West

A group tour along the West Coast of the United States offers countless advantages that will make your journey unforgettable. With a Dutch-speaking tour leader, you can effortlessly discover the highlights such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Yosemite National Park, and the Grand Canyon, without worrying about the practical arrangements. The combination of local expertise and the convenience of pre-booked accommodations ensures that you can fully enjoy the experience. Moreover, you’ll build a special bond with your fellow travelers as you explore these breathtaking destinations together. The Western Experiences USA tour is perfectly balanced, including both vibrant city visits and impressive national parks.

National Parks in the American West

The national parks of the American West are the true gems of this 14-day tour. In Yosemite National Park, admire majestic waterfalls and iconic rock formations such as El Capitan and Half Dome, surrounded by centuries-old sequoias. Bryce Canyon amazes with its unique orange-red hoodoos, rising like natural sculptures from the landscape. In Death Valley, you will experience one of the most extreme landscapes on earth, with salt flats, sand dunes, and colorful rock formations. And of course, the Grand Canyon is the highlight, where you can stand on the rim of a kilometers-deep gorge and take in breathtaking panoramas in every direction. Every day brings new wonders.

Practical Information for Your West Coast Tour

Before starting your Western Experiences USA trip, it’s useful to arrange a few practical matters. To travel to the United States, you need an approved ESTA travel authorization, which must be requested at least 72 hours before departure. The weather along the West Coast varies greatly: San Francisco can be surprisingly cool, while Death Valley experiences extreme heat in summer. Therefore, pack layered clothing and don’t forget sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable walking shoes for the national parks. The time zone in California is 9 hours behind Belgium, so keep this in mind to manage jet lag upon arrival in San Francisco.

Best Time to Travel to the American West Coast

The ideal period to explore the American West Coast is between May and October. During these months, you’ll enjoy pleasant temperatures in San Francisco, optimal conditions in Yosemite National Park, and manageable heat in desert areas such as Death Valley. In spring (May–June), national parks are decorated with wildflowers, and Yosemite’s waterfalls are at their most spectacular due to melting snow. Summer (July–August) offers long sunny days, perfect for outdoor activities, though it can be extremely hot in Las Vegas and Death Valley. Late summer and early autumn (September–October) are often considered the perfect travel time, with fewer tourists and mild weather.