Christmastime at The Broadmoor

Day 1 – Welcome to Colorado Springs!

Optional transfers from our departure points will have us at LAX this morning for a scheduled nonstop flight arriving in Denver, Colorado this afternoon. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule to coordinate a flight arrival time that would allow them to be included on the complimentary transfer to the hotel. Upon arrival, we’ll board a deluxe motorcoach and travel south to Colorado Springs, the beautiful and vibrant city situated at the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains (elevation 6,035’). Unlike many other Colorado destinations at higher elevations, Colorado Springs features mild temperatures and ample sunshine year-round. We’ll enjoy a four-night stay at The Broadmoor, the AAA Five Diamond ‘Historic Hotels of America’ resort that features Italian and Mediterranean-style architecture and sits on 5,000 scenic acres with its own lake and gardens. Since it first opened its doors in 1918, the “Grand Dame of the Rockies” has continued to offer its guests an incredible way to experience the unique beauty of the American West while enjoying unparalleled elegance, service, and cuisine. There are few experiences more enchanting than Christmastime at The Broadmoor! From the incredible exterior décor that consists of hundreds of thousands of lights, gigantic wreaths, and plenty of festive holiday cheer, to the interior that is decked out from top to bottom with holly, garland, sparkling lights, and colorful trees, they really know how to deck the halls here! This iconic hotel is home to 20 restaurants, cafés and lounges, 20 distinctive retail outlets, a world-renowned spa, a movie theater, a bowling alley and so much more. Modern comfort meets timeless European luxury in The Broadmoor’s guest rooms which feature armoires, warm color schemes, and luxurious touches. This evening we’ll visit Flying W Ranch, the 1400-acre working cattle ranch nestled in stunning red rocks. Our ‘Christmas at the Ranch’ experience begins with an authentic and hearty chuckwagon meal followed by a “Cowboy Christmas Jubilee” performed by the world-renowned Flying W Wranglers. (Dinner)

Day 2 – Pikes Peak, Manitou Springs

Following an included breakfast at the resort, we’ll travel to historic Manitou Springs and board Pikes Peak Cog Railway for a memorable journey to the summit of Pikes Peak – known as “America’s Mountain.” Sit back, relax and enjoy this breathtaking 3-hour journey aboard the highest and longest cog railway in the world as it travels 9 miles and climbs 7,539 vertical feet through seven biomes and past diverse wildlife to the summit of Pikes Peak (elevation 14,115’). At the summit, enjoy time at leisure to absorb the same views that inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write “America the Beautiful” from the same location in 1893. This afternoon we’ll enjoy time at leisure for browsing and lunch on your own in Manitou Springs, the funky, small art town that features time-honored art galleries, creek-side restaurants and boutique stores. We return to the resort with the evening at leisure and dinner on your own at one of the resort’s restaurants. (Breakfast)

Day 3 – Royal Gorge

This morning we’ll travel south to Pueblo and visit the Rosemount Museum, where the grandeur of a bygone era awaits. Built in 1893, this 37-room Victorian mansion has been called “Colorado’s Crown Jewel,” and was featured on A&E’s America’s Castles series as well as the HGTV series Christmas Castles. This time of year is known as ‘Christmas at Rosemount’ and the mansion will be magically decorated for the holidays with luxurious Christmas trees, lavish wreaths, thousands of lights, Santas, snowmen and more. We’ll continue west to Cañon City and step aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad for an unforgettable 24-mile, roundtrip journey through the iconic Royal Gorge, known as the “Grand Canyon of the Arkansas.” As we follow the Arkansas River through this narrow and dramatic canyon, granite cliffs soar more than 1,000 feet overhead. Enjoy comfortable, cushioned, high-back seating onboard the train with expansive windows providing spectacular views of the Royal Gorge, along with direct access to one of the open-air cars. We’ll enjoy an included lunch onboard, with a fully stocked cash bar available. This afternoon we’ll visit Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, home to the world-famous Royal Gorge Bridge, known as “America’s Bridge.” Eyes will pop and jaws will drop when we ride 2,200 feet across the Royal Gorge aboard the Aerial Gondola, one of the longest-single span gondolas in America. Return via the gondola or walk across America’s highest suspension bridge featuring 1,257 wooden planks supported by 4,100 steel cables and suspended 956 feet over the Arkansas River! We return to the resort with the evening at leisure. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 4 – Colorado Springs

This morning we’ll visit the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center to see the flagship center for athletic training in the U.S. and where Olympic and Paralympic dreams begin. On a guided tour of this world-class facility, we’ll see where up to 512 Olympic hopefuls live, practice and train. We’ll continue to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum which showcases the entire journey of the Olympic Games from its birth in ancient Olympia to today and features artifacts, interactive exhibits and immersive technology. This afternoon we’ll arrive at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center, featuring 30 state-of-the-art interactive exhibits and an expansive viewing terrace. We’ll be joined by a step-on guide for a driving tour of Garden of the Gods, the 1,323-acre registered National Natural Landmark that features towering sandstone rock formations that tell a unique geological story that’s 300 million years old. We return to the resort with the evening at leisure. (Breakfast)

Day 5 – U.S. Air Force Academy, Journey Home

This morning we’ll travel to the United States Air Force Academy, the exclusive university situated on 18,500 breathtaking acres just north of Colorado Springs. We’ll visit the 31,600 square foot Barry Goldwater Visitor Center featuring exhibits on cadet life, a film about the Academy experience, a short nature walk to the cadet area and a gift shop with Air Force Academy souvenirs and memorabilia. We’ll continue north towards Denver, making a stop enroute for lunch on your own. Our scheduled non-stop flight from Denver will return us to Los Angeles this evening. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule to coordinate a flight departure time that would allow them to return to the airport with the group. Back in Los Angeles, those guests with pre-arranged transfers will be returned to their respective drop-offs. (Breakfast)

While we make every effort to operate our tours as outlined in the itinerary, we ask for your patience, understanding and flexibility and to retain a sense of adventure while traveling with us. Situations may arise that necessitate changes to the itinerary. Should we need to adjust the itinerary either prior to or while on tour, these changes will be communicated to you and only done when absolutely necessary.