Sunday, 5/15/2011 - Arrive in Mesquite
Embark on a leisurely journey to southern Utah, known as Color Country while enjoying a single hotel stay in the desert oasis of Mesquite. It is here that some of our nation’s most spectacular parks reside. From our departure points this morning we travel by motorcoach to Mesquite, Nevada making several rest stops along the way. This afternoon we check into our resort casino hotel which offers tons of gaming action, an outdoor pool, hot tub and a full-service spa –perfect for some relaxation and rejuvenation. Enjoy a poolside dinner at the hotel this evening with the remainder of the evening yours to explore the resort and casino at your leisure.

Monday, 5/16/2011 - Zion, St. George
Following an included breakfast at the hotel, we are joined by a local guide as we travel through the spectacular Virgin River Gorge and into Utah and Zion National Park. An included lunch before we travel into Zion’s lower canyon. Zion is an ancient Hebrew word meaning a place of refuge or sanctuary. Protected within the park’s 229 square miles is a dramatic landscape of sculptured canyons and soaring cliffs. It is here in the lower canyon where we’ll find massive canyon walls ascend towards a brilliant blue sky. These unique sandstone cliffs range in color from cream, to pink to red. We’ll make our way back to Mesquite but not before we enjoy a driving tour of St. George, Utah – a beautiful and charming community with a colorful past. St. George is a rich historic town that was once called “Little Dixie” due to the regions cotton-raising. See Brigham Young’s winter home and the impressive St. George Temple, dedicated in 1877 as the first Mormon Temple in the United States. Return to our Mesquite resort with the remainder of the evening at your leisure.

Tuesday, 5/17/2011 - Bryce, Zion
Enjoy an included breakfast prior to departing with our local guide for a full day of sightseeing in Bryce and Zion National Parks with an included lunch along the way. At Bryce Canyon National Park see what the slow erosion of the land over millions of years has created in fantastically sculptured rock formations called “hoodoos”, resembling castle towers and cathedral spires. Our local guide and several photo opportunities will provide the best opportunity for you to see and learn how the colorful spires and pinnacles were created. This afternoon we return to Mesquite via Zion’s upper canyon and the spectacular Zion Tunnel. Keep your camera handy as the narrow gorges, dramatic canyons and colorful mesas are simply spectacular! We return to our Mesquite hotel in the late evening.

Wednesday, 5/18/2011 - Las Vegas, Journey Home
Following an included breakfast at the hotel we depart Mesquite and start our journey home. We’ll make a stop in the heart of the Las Vegas “Strip” to enjoy lunch at leisure and time to browse the mega resorts – from the classics like the Bellagio, Caesar’s Palace and the Venetian, to the newest resorts like the Wynn, Encore, Palazzo, and City Center. Our afternoon departure from Las Vegas will have us returning to Southern California in the evening. We return to our departure points this evening with the colorful hues of Utah’s Color Country forever ingrained in our minds.