Alaska
Australia, New Zealand & Tahiti
Canada
Central & South America
Eastern USA
Europe, Africa & the Middle East
Hawaii
Southern USA
West & Mid-West USA
View All Destinations
Hosted By: Terry Smith
Retired WTVA Anchor
WTVA TV
View Biography
Enjoy a dreamy West Coast vacation with iconic attractions and time at leisure for personal pursuits or relaxation. Begin with a city tour of San Francisco as we ride the famous cable cars, see Golden Gate Park, and spend time at Fisherman’s Wharf. Travel into the heart of Napa Valley, one of the most celebrated wine regions in the world, for an included tasting before continuing on to Sacramento for a farm-to-fork tour of locally sourced, gourmet dishes. Try your luck panning for gold at Kennedy Gold Mine and then view Yosemite National Park’s natural wonders, including the amazing sequoia trees in Mariposa Grove. Discover fascinating marine life during a privately chartered whale-watching cruise in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and a visit to Monterey Bay Aquarium, then climb aboard a 19th-century train for a wonderful ride through redwoods. Our journey concludes in the San Francisco area with a celebratory Farewell Dinner.
You can earn a $100 Travel Show Credit good for your next trip with Holiday Vacations by simply clicking the photo to watch the online travel show! The show is about 10 minutes long and at the end, you'll have the ability to submit your contact information and receive a travel credit which can be applied to this or any Holiday Vacations tour. Get started now!
September 13th, 2024 - September 21st, 2024
Occupancy
Price Per Person
Double
$5299
Single
$6199
Final Payment Date: 06/30/2024
Day 1 : Fly to California
We begin our adventure with a flight to “The City by the Bay” and transfer to our deluxe accommodations for two nights.
Day 2 : San Francisco
This morning, we board San Francisco’s iconic cable cars and ride along downtown’s fascinating streets. Afterward, a local expert joins us for a driving tour of the city where we see top highlights including Twin Peaks, Market Street, Golden Gate Park, and much more. We break for lunch and leisure time at Fisherman’s Wharf, the historic bayside district with restaurants, shops, and sea lions sunbathing. Later, we cross famous Golden Gate Bridge and get to know our new traveling companions during a Welcome Dinner in nearby Sausalito.
Day 3 : Napa Valley & Sacramento
Our morning starts with a journey into the heart of one of the most celebrated wine-growing regions in the world: Napa Valley. Enjoy a guided tour and tasting at Castello di Amorosa, a medieval Tuscan castle winery, followed by a wonderful included lunch. This evening, we partake in a local food tour in Sacramento with restaurant visits to meet chefs who teach us about the local farm-to-fork culture while enjoying a selection of delicious gourmet dishes. Our hotel for the evening is in Sacramento.
Day 4 : Railroad Museum & Kennedy Gold Mine
We begin the day with discovering the Golden State’s 150-year rail history at the California State Railroad Museum, including original engines dating back to the 1860s. This afternoon, we’re immersed in history with a tour of the Kennedy Gold Mine. An expert guide emphasizes California’s gold rush era of the mid-1800s as we learn about mining and receive a complimentary poke sack for collecting our own treasures while we try our hand at panning for gold! Later, we travel to Oakhurst and check in for our two-night stay.
Day 5 : Yosemite National Park
Today, we explore the scenic protected lands of Yosemite National Park. At Mariposa Grove, embark on a delightful hike through enormous sequoias. These remarkable trees can live for more than 2,000 years and grow up to 300 feet tall! A park guide then joins us as we view some of Yosemite’s most famous landmarks, including Yosemite Falls, the Half Dome, and El Capitan. Afterwards, enjoy time to explore Yosemite on your own. Browse the Ansel Adams Gallery’s collection of famous nature photography, take a leisurely stroll along a beautiful trail, visit the park store, or watch a short film at the onsite theater.
Day 6 : Castle Air Museum & Monterey
After an included breakfast, we begin our drive back toward the California Coast and stop at the Castle Air Museum in Atwater. This military aviation museum features exhibits that showcase technology from the past and give sneak peeks into the future of flight. We then visit Casa de Fruta, a family-owned orchard featuring nuts, wine, sweets, and other gifts before arriving at our Monterey hotel for a two-night stay.
Day 7 : Whale Watching
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before a fun day filled with California marine life. Start the day with an incredible, privately chartered whale watching cruise in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. While taking in the scenic views, gain insight from the onboard naturalist or marine biologist. After our cruise, we visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium, commonly rated as one of the top aquariums in the United States with regional marine life, including its groundbreaking living kelp forest. This evening is yours for individual exploration or relaxation.
Day 8 : Roaring Camp Railroads
After a leisurely morning, we arrive at the Roaring Camp Railroads station for a round-trip journey through towering groves of redwood trees. While similar in size, redwoods are taller than sequoias but have smaller cones and darker bark. We then return to the San Francisco area with time to unwind before celebrating our adventures with our new friends at a Farewell Dinner.
Day 9 : Fly Home
We return home with fond memories of our dreamy coastal California getaway.
WTVA TV Pickup Locations:
Columbus, MS - Quality Inn
Memphis, TN - Memphis International Airport
Tupelo, MS - Walmart Supercenter
After graduating from college at MTSU in 1978, Terry worked at the ABC affiliate in Chattanooga, WTVC-TV. He worked as a reporter/photographer, and anchor for about four years and then he opened a small business doing commercials. In 1983, he returned to work in television news at WTVA-TV in Tupelo, Mississippi as anchor, reporter, and later news director. After 30 years, Terry retired and now has a company called Voice56Studios that produces voice overs, and video.
Terry is a member of the Gloster Street Church of Christ in Tupelo, where he has also been given the privilege to teach a Sunday morning Bible Class. He helps with the production of the very well-known television Bible Program, Dayspring.
He is married to Beth Smith. They have two daughters and three grandchildren.
Join Terry and WTVA-TV viewers on this fabulous vacation!
Interested in more travel opportunities? Click here or visit www.holidayvacations.com and enter keyword TUPELO.
Tour days tend to be shorter in length, at a relaxed pace, and include lots of unscheduled time for leisure. Expect standing and walking for extended periods of time on flat surfaces, mostly low altitudes, and consistent temperatures.
Tour days usually move at a leisurely pace. Some days’ scheduled activities last longer than others. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on occasionally uneven terrain. You may experience changes in altitude or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a consistent pace, and may include long travel days. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on uneven surfaces. Some destinations may have changes in altitude and/or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a brisk pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on uneven surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a vigorous pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on rough surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.