Whoever said “Life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows” never visited the enchanting state of New Mexico or attended the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Artists, writers, and poets have long been inspired by the hues of hot pinks, deep purples, and flaming oranges that dance daily across the mystical southwestern sky. But for one week in October, chasing rainbows becomes even easier as hundreds of hot air balloons take flight and turn the already stunning atmosphere into a kaleidoscope of dizzying color. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta may be the largest balloon event in the world, yet its Mass Ascension, fiery Balloon Glow, evening fireworks, and other beloved rituals aren’t the only highlights on this vibrant New Mexico vacation. Visits to artsy Santa Fe, and the pilgrimage Miracle Stairway are equally uplifting. Want more tamales? More turquoise? More peppers? More pottery? Who doesn’t?! Extend your New Mexico vacation with two extra days in sunbaked Santa Fe and linger a little longer in the cafés, galleries, missions, and museums this is adobe haven is known for.

Where do the nation’s VIPs go when they need some quiet R&R? Everyone from politicians to performers to pro athletes have long traded their suits and cleats for sandals and clam diggers to enjoy the breezy shores of Cape Cod and its neighboring islands. With the seaside town of Hyannis as home base, you’ll ferry to see the gingerbread cottages of Martha’s Vineyard and the imposing mansions of Nantucket. Plus, an excursion to colorful Provincetown, a favorite summer hub for artists and writers. Boston’s grand history and Newport’s colossal “cottages” – including Cornelius Vanderbilt’s The Breakers – offer giant glimpses into New England’s rich past. This Cape Cod and the islands tour also includes a visit to Plymouth to see where the pilgrims landed, and give thanks for the freshest seafood you’ve ever tasted!

This grand historic tour features a two-night stay at The Greenbrier, a classic American resort in the mountains of West Virginia. Relax and unwind on the iconic property while enjoying fabulous dining and traditional pastimes and exploring the storied past of this luxury escape. Be ushered through America’s eras: Enjoy a tavern meal along roads well-traveled, visit Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, step back in time at Colonial Williamsburg, explore a Smithsonian, and more. Experience the grandeur of The Greenbrier amid the West Virginia mountains and explore American history throughout Washington, D.C. and Virginia on a fascinating journey.

Peaks. Glaciers. Whales. Wildlife. You couldn’t see more of the great state of Alaska in one week if you were an Iditarod sled dog. Your route on this tour of Alaska takes you by coach to see the highest peak in North America at the 6-million-acre Denali National Park; by train to see the untamed wilderness en route to the unique town of Talkeetna; and by ship to cruise through the stunning scenery of Kenai Fjords National Park to hear the thunderous roar of glaciers calving into the sea. You’ll also see a mushing demonstration at the home of an Iditarod champion and stop at the famous Talkeetna Roadhouse for an Alaskan treat. A sternwheeler river cruise in Fairbanks, a breathtaking drive along the shore of Turnagain Arm, and a wilderness expedition to sniff out bears, caribou, and moose in Denali National Park will also get your tails wagging.

Just because the Canadian Rockies is home to some of the most rugged terrain in North America doesn’t mean you have to rough it! Under brilliantly lit skies, you’ll relish three of the region’s most coveted five-star resorts on this pampering tour of the Canadian Rockies. With overnight stays at the renowned Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, also known as the “Castle of the Rockies,” you can expect nothing less than the royal treatment. Majestic views await as you enjoy a guided walk along the turquoise waters of Lake Louise, a peaceful cruise on the gleaming Maligne Lake, and a thrilling Ice Explorer ride through the vast Columbia Icefield – while exceptional creature comforts welcome you back from the wilderness. Balancing the great outdoors with the grand indoors, this Canadian Rockies vacation is the perfect marriage of peaks and pools, conifers and concierge, and sparkling lakes and spas.

Oh, say can you see the nation’s birthplace, capital, and significant battlefields from your easy chair? Of course not! Pack up your patriotism and head east for Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and the notable settlements, landmarks, and presidential estates of the historic East. America’s greatest chapters in history come to life as you stroll down the quaint streets of Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown, march in the steps of American Revolution and Civil War soldiers, and stand inside the remarkable Palladian walls of George Washington’s Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Prepare to be moved as this East Coast vacation leads you to the marbled memorials of D.C., the sacred site of Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, and the symbolic Liberty Bell in the City of Brotherly Love. Combining national treasures with small town gems – plus a visit to see the wonder and expansive views of Shenandoah National Park – this vacation through America’s historic East promises discovery and wonder for all. Let freedom ring a little longer by adding two more nights in the nation’s capital to your historic East Coast vacation. Hop on the included Big Bus for easy access to the monuments and museums, the galleries and gardens, and the bistros and bars where you can find every type of cuisine and a heaping, helping of topical discussion.

Mother Nature meets our Founding Fathers on this electrifying fall foliage tour through historic and bucolic New England. As you witness the blazing reds, oranges, and yellows of autumn’s turning leaves, you’ll also be introduced to the country’s early trailblazers and most curious of characters. Trace the steps of Paul Revere, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin through the storied streets of Boston. Walk the halls of Cornelius Vanderbilt’s opulent Newport mansion. Feast your eyes on the world’s largest collection of Rockwell originals at the Norman Rockwell Studio & Museum in Stockbridge. Yet no palette is as bright as the fiery leaves of the oaks, poplars, and maples that line the striking Maine coastline, adorn the rocky headlands of Acadia National Park, and shelter the quaint, covered-bridge countryside of Vermont and New Hampshire. This is leaf peeping and sightseeing at its absolute finest.

Sugar, cream, or clouds in your coffee? On this majestic tour of the Canadian Rockies, you can relish all three. A sunny gondola ride to breakfast atop Banff’s Sulphur Mountain, a private breakfast at Whistler’s Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, and a special dinner inside the original greenhouse at Victoria’s lush Butchart Gardens are just some of the ways to devour the elevating scenery on this vacation through Alberta and British Columbia. Bold and breathtaking views are served from Vancouver to Calgary as you savor cooling breezes of Sun Peaks, the glacial wonder of the Columbia Icefield, the alluring blue hue of Lake Louise, and the magnificent canyons and gorges of Jasper National Park. A panoramic cruise along the crystal waters of Maligne Lake to remote Spirit Island – one of Canada’s most cherished and photographed places – is everyone’s favorite course on this journey through Western Canada.

Traverse the Pacific coast by land and sea aboard one of Holland America Cruise Lines’ lovely ships on a breathtaking journey that takes you from Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia. Cruise the Sternwheeler Discovery and encounter Alaska’s diverse culture and rich history. Enjoy local dishes and a lively musical performance at the Denali Dinner Theater about the first brave men to summit Denali. Ride a luxury domed railcar from Denali to Talkeetna, soak in views of the incredible landscapes from glass-ceiling railcars and open-air observation platforms as guides provide expert commentary. Travel deep into Denali National Park for the best opportunities to view the region’s wildlife. Cruise through Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage, taking in rugged natural wonders. Explore Alaska’s gorgeous capital, Juneau. Visit Ketchikan, the “Salmon Capital of the World.” This is Alaska as you always imagined.

Be charmed by the colors of New England from the heart of historic Boston to the farms, mountains, and coast of the North. Begin your journey in historic Boston. Explore Woodstock, Vermont, a quintessential New England village. Watch apples transform into cider before your eyes at Cold Hollow Cider Mill. Learn about the maple sugaring industry of New England on a farm tour of the Rocks Estate. Relax as you cruise along Lake Winnipesaukee and admire the splendid views. Dig in at a traditional New England lobster dinner. Travel up the winding Auto Road to see the stunning views from the summit of Mount Washington. Marvel at Maine’s dramatic coast and discover the seaside communities of Portland and Kennebunkport. This is New England at its finest.

Create a lifetime of incredible memories traveling through the unforgettable Canadian Rockies! Take an Ice Explorer ride on the Columbia Icefield in Alberta, travel across British Columbia on the Rocky Mountaineer train, and enjoy scenic ferry crossings to/from Victoria—these are just a few of the many highlights on this memorable Western Canada by Rail tour. You’ll overnight in Calgary, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Kamloops, Vancouver, and Victoria. Along the way, witness spectacular scenery and explore western Canada’s most famous cities. Two nights in both Banff National Park, one of Canada’s favorite resorts, and Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, give you time to be amazed at the majestic scenery, hike, explore on your own, or take optional outings, such as a helicopter ride over the Canadian Rockies. Between Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, stop in Lake Louise and marvel at this world-famous location with its glacial waters reflecting the surrounding mountains and glaciers. You’ll also stop for a highlight of this western Canada tour—a thrilling ride aboard an Ice Explorer to the Athabasca Glacier, part of the Columbia Icefield, the largest expanse of ice in the Canadian Rockies. Another highlight of this western Canada tour is a 2-day, all-daylight journey from Jasper National Park to Vancouver on the Rocky Mountaineer. This train ride through breathtaking scenery takes you back to a time when getting to your destination was part of the fun. Along the way, pass Mount Robson, the Canadian Rockies’ highest mountain; wild rivers; majestic mountain ranges; and turbulent Hell’s Gate. More scenery awaits on your ferry crossing from Vancouver through the spectacular Gulf Islands to Victoria. In Victoria, enjoy world-famous Butchart Gardens with its 55 acres of floral displays. This is an unforgettable, value-minded vacation with an amazing itinerary full of beautiful scenery and once-in-a-lifetime activities.

Mornin’ sunshine! Not only are the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador the first to see the sunrise in North America, they’re also lucky enough to see floating icebergs, spouting whales, and plunging puffins on a regular basis. Pack your shades for the quaint lighthouses, rainbow- colored houses, and other bright sights this tour of Newfoundland and Labrador has to offer, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Witness the exceptional beauty and unique geological features of Gros Morne National Park, walk in the footsteps of Vikings at L’Anse Aux Meadows National Historic Site Red Bay, and immerse yourself in the life of a 16th-century whaler at the Red Bay Basque Whaling Station. A ferry crossing between Newfoundland and Labrador – plus a scenic cruise around the wondrous Witless Bay Islands – offer additional vantage points of this windswept, wondrous land. Don’t forget to toast the stunning sunset with a local iceberg beer or a shot of Screech. In most parts of North America, budding daffodils are the first sign that spring has sprung. In Newfoundland and Labrador, floating icebergs are the cue to break out the pastels. This special Newfoundland and Labrador departure includes time at the annual Iceberg Festival in St. Anthony to celebrate the season and the arrival of the icebergs. Enjoy a scenic cruise in search for wildlife and icebergs, a delicious Viking feast, and many other tasty cultural events the festival has to offer.

Are you a little bit country? A little bit rock ‘n’ roll? Then you’ll love this musical heritage vacation that follows the influential sounds of chart-topping history from Nashville to Memphis with a crescendo in New Orleans for all that jazz. Strut your way down Nashville’s Honky Tonk Row and to reserved seats at the Grand Ole Opry. Swivel your hips through Elvis Presley’s Graceland estate and the famous studios and streets of Memphis. Jump, jive, and wail through the New Orleans French Quarter in search of the blues and beignets. You’ll also face the music as you follow the path of the Mississippi River to the famed Delta Blues Museum, the B.B. King Museum, and Morgan Freeman’s Ground Zero Blues Club. Both a musical and southern heritage tour, this vacation through the Deep South leads you to elegant antebellum mansions, historic cotton plantations, and the not-so-soft sounds of country, rock, and rhythm and blues. Eat, drink, and be merry in the city that does it best! When you extend your stay in the “Crescent City” on this Southern U.S. tour, there’s plenty to be over the moon about, including two more days of jambalaya, jazz, and resounding joy. A relaxing lunch cruise down the Mississippi is also included in your extended stay in “The Big Easy.”

Take a snowy peek into Alaska. Visit the friendly local towns of the last frontier and bond with energetic sled dogs. Experience a winter glacier cruise among drifting icebergs and playful otters. Spend one night at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, taking in unparalleled views of Denali and the Alaskan Range. Glimpse into the past at Musk Ox Farm. Search for the northern lights in Fairbanks’ star-filled sky. Step into another time at the Antique Auto Museum, where vintage cars sit between timely artifacts and fashionable designer dresses. Travel via Alaska Railroad, take in a landscape of natural beauty, and connect with a deeply rooted heritage.

Take a snowy peek into Alaska. Visit the friendly local towns of the last frontier and bond with energetic sled dogs. Experience a winter glacier cruise among drifting icebergs and playful otters. Spend one night at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, taking in unparalleled views of Denali and the Alaskan Range. Glimpse into the past at Musk Ox Farm. Search for the northern lights in Fairbanks’ star-filled sky. Step into another time at the Antique Auto Museum, where vintage cars sit between timely artifacts and fashionable designer dresses. Travel via Alaska Railroad, take in a landscape of natural beauty, and connect with a deeply rooted heritage.

This tour of the Canadian Maritimes and Cape Breton has cooked up plenty of unique experiences in this picturesque part of the world. Get your camera ready for Canada’s most photographed lighthouse in Peggy’s Cove, your windbreaker zipped for the highest and widest tides at Hopewell Rocks, and your taste buds ready for a traditional fish cake breakfast, sugar camp lunch, and fresh lobster dinner. Visit the world of a red-headed girl in a straw hat and braids to meet one of Canada’s most loved fictional characters, Anne of Green Gables. Throughout Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, tiny fishing villages, giant whales, and the grandest of scenery will be calling your name, as will Cape Breton’s historic Alexander Graham Bell Museum. Hello, coastal Canada! Say goodnight to coastal Canada and good morning to French Canada as you board the overnight Ocean train in Halifax for Montréal. Aboard the oldest continuously operated named passenger train in North America, you’ll sleep in comfort before awakening to the dream sights of Québec’s largest city. An included hop-on/hop-off trolley tour will put a spring in your step on this extension to your tour of Eastern Canada.

Embrace the spirit of “Aloha” on a leisurely 3-island tour of Hawaii featuring 3-night stays each in O’ahu, Big Island (Kona) and Maui. Remember Pearl Harbor and visit the USS Arizona Memorial. Take in the natural beauty of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. Admire the hula dance, an ancient Polynesian art form. Visit a coffee farm in Kona and learn about the coffee bean’s journey from tree to cup. Uncover the beauty, culture and traditions of all three islands.

Head west for a 9-day adventure with the pioneer spirit of Northern California. How will you strike gold in the Golden State? Traipsing through coastal canopies of Redwood trees or touring foodie fun in Frisco? Trekking the trails in Yosemite or treading lightly on the timeless lanes of an old west town? Gliding to new heights or sailing scenic sights? With complimentary YourChoice Excursions, you choose to climb to new heights or dig deeper to find your California dream. What a rush! (P) Why This Tour is El Capitan: •A journey to uncover Northern California’s historic sites and scenic sights from San Francisco to Yosemite. •The Wild West and the Pony Express ... lake time and gold mines ... granite cliffs and wine sniffs! •Included YourChoice Excursions in San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and Yosemite National Park. •Eureka!

Traverse the Pacific coast by land and sea aboard one of Holland America Cruise Lines’ lovely ships on a breathtaking journey that takes you from Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia. Cruise the Sternwheeler Discovery and encounter Alaska’s diverse culture and rich history. Enjoy local dishes and a lively musical performance at the Denali Dinner Theater about the first brave men to summit Denali. Ride a luxury domed railcar from Denali to Talkeetna, soak in views of the incredible landscapes from glass-ceiling railcars and open-air observation platforms as guides provide expert commentary. Travel deep into Denali National Park for the best opportunities to view the region’s wildlife. Cruise through Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage, taking in rugged natural wonders. Explore Alaska’s gorgeous capital, Juneau. Visit Ketchikan, the “Salmon Capital of the World.” This is Alaska as you always imagined.

Who says you can’t have it all? Certainly not Canadians! From international cities to national parks, snow-dusted summits to vineyard-dotted valleys, dramatic glaciers to soothing hot springs, and the calmest of lakes to the wildest of creatures, Western Canada presents the greatest range of sights and cities, not to mention mountains! Pack your bags for a variety of adventure as we’ve packed the best of British Columbia and Alberta into one encompassing vacation. On this grand tour of Western Canada, you’ll spend time in the multicultural metropolis of Vancouver and the British-infused city of Victoria before trading the pubs of the “garden city” for the peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Devour the majestic scenery of four national parks – Glacier, Yoho, Banff, and Jasper – get a taste of resort life in renowned Whistler, sip your way through the vineyards of charming lakeside Kelowna, and clink your glasses to mountains of fun.

The mining boom may have been more than a century ago, but it’s never too late to strike gold in America’s West. Filled with dazzling nuggets of wonder, this National Parks vacation takes you deep into the golden wilderness of untamed South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. Back-to-back visits to some of the country’s most renowned national parks bring you face-to-face with the monumental sculptures of Mount Rushmore, the explosive geysers of Yellowstone National Park, and the towering spires of Grand Teton National Park. Plus, visits to the Crazy Horse Memorial, the Little Bighorn Battlefield, and the gold rush towns of Cody, Jackson, and Deadwood shed light on some of the 19th century’s most famous battles and barroom brawls. After meeting herds of elk, bison, and other area locals, city slickers can get their fix with a visit to lively Salt Lake City. Kick off your national parks vacation by kicking around Colorado’s cosmopolitan capital. The list of things to do in the “Mile High City” is easily a mile long. Museums and music, breweries and boutiques, and performing arts and parks await.

Traverse the Pacific coast by land and sea aboard one of Holland America Cruise Lines’ lovely ships on a breathtaking journey that takes you from Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia. Cruise the Sternwheeler Discovery and encounter Alaska’s diverse culture and rich history. Enjoy local dishes and a lively musical performance at the Denali Dinner Theater about the first brave men to summit Denali. Ride a luxury domed railcar from Denali to Talkeetna, soak in views of the incredible landscapes from glass-ceiling railcars and open-air observation platforms as guides provide expert commentary. Travel deep into Denali National Park for the best opportunities to view the region’s wildlife. Cruise through Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage, taking in rugged natural wonders. Explore Alaska’s gorgeous capital, Juneau. Visit Ketchikan, the “Salmon Capital of the World.” This is Alaska as you always imagined.

From the Salem Witch Trials to the Headless Horseman, New England is home to some of the nation’s oldest settings and stories. Fact, fiction, and fantastic scenery abound on this vacation to New England and the Hudson Valley. Boston and Lexington’s most significant sights of the American Revolution are balanced with the peaceful vistas of coastal Maine, rural New Hampshire, and mountainous Vermont. Charming seaport villages, bucolic covered bridges, and rolling maple syrup farms sweeten the storylines across America’s historic East Coast. The plot thickens as you ferry across Lake Champlain to immerse yourself in the scene-stealers of New York and Massachusetts, including the lakeside resort of Lake Placid, the picturesque Berkshire Mountains, and the riverbanks dotted with orchards and vineyards of the Hudson Valley. Stand up straight as you visit the waterfront U.S. Military Academy at West Point. You wouldn’t want to miss the spectacular views.

So long, predictable. Aloha, paradise! It’s time to trade the humdrum for hammocks, the mundane for Mai Tais, and your day-to-day rut for rocking evening luaus. This 10-day Hawaiian getaway is just the break you need to stop and smell the roses. And the plumeria. And the pikake. The aromatic air of the 50th state will easily transport you to an elevated state of mind – as will the turquoise waters, black sand beaches, and the spectacular rainforests, canyons, memorials, and museums of three magnificent islands. Across the “Valley Island” of Maui, the “Big Island” of Hawaii, and “The Gathering Place” of Oahu, this island-hopping tour of Hawaii leads you to the valleys and peaks of this spectacular state, balancing uplifting visits to coffee plantations and scenic national parks with the right amount of downtime to taste the sweet life of the islands. On this Hawaiian getaway, life’s a beach!

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? In the peaceful quiet of winter, it’s also easier to hear the howl of the coyote, the scream of the bald eagle, and the distinct crunch of elk hooves trudging through the fallen snow. It’s a little known secret that one of the coolest times of year to see the wonders of Yellowstone is when its golden hues turn to glistening white. Fewer crowds of people are replaced with bigger herds of bison while the favorite modes of transportation become snowcoaches, skis, and snowshoes. Get ready to gush as you see the steaming spurts of Old Faithful, the thundering Lower Falls, and the wildlife-filled Lamar Valley in a totally different light. This Yellowstone vacation takes you to the winter wonderlands of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho where additional highlights include traveling through the peaks of the Grand Tetons and a sleigh ride through Jackson’s National Elk Refuge. Jingle all the way.