SANTA MONICA TO CHICAGO

Stories of Route 66

The Mother Road

September 17 – October 2, 2027

16 Days • 15 Hotel Nights

Hosted by Joe & Margaret Gomes

From the End to the Beginning

Join Joe and Margaret Gomes on a custom Route 66 journey with Cosmos, part of the Globus family of brands. Begin in California’s Central Valley with motorcoach transportation to Santa Monica, then follow the Mother Road east to Chicago.

Discover the Grand Canyon, classic roadside attractions, small-town stories, Native American cultures, and the cities that helped shape America. Our first official group photo is at the End of the Trail in Santa Monica; our final Route 66 photo is at the Begin sign in Chicago.

Your Hosted Journey Includes

• Motorcoach transportation from the Central Valley to Santa Monica.
• Return airfare from Chicago and transportation back to the Central Valley.
• 15 hotel nights; accommodations or similar.
• 12 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 6 dinners.
• Touring motorcoach, professional Tour Director, and driver.
• Sightseeing and entrance fees as described in the itinerary.
• Tour Director and driver gratuities.
• Hosted travel with Joe and Margaret Gomes.

Our Journey Along the Mother Road

Day 1 • September 17 • Santa Monica
Meet your Tour Director and begin with Santa Monica Pier and our official End of the Trail group photo. Gather for a welcome dinner.

Day 2 • September 18 • Los Angeles to Barstow
Explore the Hollywood Walk of Fame, enjoy a Hollywood Sign photo stop, and see TCL Chinese Theatre. Visit the original McDonald’s site and museum and the California Route 66 Museum in Victorville.

Day 3 • September 19 • Barstow to the Grand Canyon
Stop for photos at Roy’s Motel & Café in Amboy, visit the Arizona Route 66 Museum in Kingman, and enjoy photo time in Seligman before continuing to the Grand Canyon.

Day 4 • September 20 • Grand Canyon
Experience South Rim sightseeing, interpretive storytelling, and an official group photo. Enjoy time to explore independently and gather for sunset viewing.

Day 5 • September 21 • Grand Canyon to Gallup
Travel through Flagstaff to Winslow for our official “Standin’ on a Corner” group photo. Discover the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest, then stop for photos at the El Rancho Hotel.

Day 6 • September 22 • Gallup to Albuquerque
Arrive in Albuquerque for an Old Town orientation and free time to explore.

Day 7 • September 23 • Albuquerque
Visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and enjoy an included Pueblo-inspired lunch. Discover historic Central Avenue along Route 66 and gather for a New Mexican dinner.

Day 8 • September 24 • Albuquerque to Amarillo
See Tucumcari’s Tee Pee Curios and Blue Swallow Motel, pause for an Adrian midpoint photo, and visit Cadillac Ranch. Enjoy a barbecue/Tex-Mex dinner.

Day 9 • September 25 • Amarillo to Oklahoma City
Enjoy a photo stop at Shamrock’s U-Drop Inn and visit the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City. Continue with an Oklahoma City orientation and the National Memorial.

Day 10 • September 26 • Oklahoma City to Tulsa
See Cyrus Avery’s “East Meets West” sculpture and visit the Cherokee Nation Anna Mitchell Welcome & Cultural Center. Enjoy an evening at leisure.

Day 11 • September 27 • Tulsa to Springfield, Missouri
Take our official Blue Whale of Catoosa group photo, travel the short Kansas stretch of Route 66, and see Cars on the Route and Baxter Springs. Discover Joplin’s Bonnie and Clyde connection before continuing to Springfield.

Day 12 • September 28 • Springfield to St. Louis
Enjoy a guided Meramec Caverns visit with the Jesse James story and a Gateway Arch ride. There is also an opportunity to purchase Ted Drewes frozen custard.

Day 13 • September 29 • St. Louis to Springfield, Illinois
Visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and the Illinois State Fairgrounds Route 66 Experience.

Day 14 • September 30 • Springfield to Chicago
Explore the Pontiac Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum and Joliet Area Historical Museum. Enjoy a Berwyn drive-through before arriving in Chicago.

Day 15 • October 1 • Chicago
Celebrate with our official Begin Route 66 group photo and Chicago sightseeing. Enjoy an architecture cruise on the Chicago River, through the locks, and onto Lake Michigan, followed by a farewell jazz-club dinner.

Day 16 • October 2 • Chicago and Return Home
One included group transfer takes us to Chicago O’Hare within the designated flight departure window. Return airfare from Chicago and transportation back to the Central Valley are included.