Palm Springs Holiday Retreat

Day 1 – Hollywood Hideaways & Holiday Cheer

From our departure points we’ll travel aboard a deluxe motorcoach this morning into the Coachella Valley. First stop: Hadley Fruit Orchards, the California landmark founded in 1931. This is the perfect place to shop for premium Medjool dates, dried fruit, nuts, hand-mixed trail mixes, honey, preserves, freshly-ground peanut butter and other gourmet gifts. At the snack bar is where you’ll find their world-famous date shakes! We’ll continue to downtown Palm Springs and enjoy time at leisure for lunch on your own along vibrant Palm Canyon Drive. The redesigned downtown plaza is a pedestrian-friendly district where charming “mom and pop” shops and vintage boutiques sit alongside modern brands and an array of enticing eateries. This afternoon we’ll be joined by a local guide for an insider’s driving tour of the “The Playground of the Stars.” Palm Springs and surrounding desert havens like Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage have long been celebrated for their sun-drenched resorts, breathtaking mountain vistas, and legendary allure of attracting celebrities to its stunning scenery and relaxed atmosphere. As we cruise through historic enclaves like Las Palmas and the Movie Colony, we’ll admire world-renowned Desert Modernism architecture – characterized by clean lines, floor-to-ceiling glass, and sleek, post-and-beam construction. We’ll cruise past the legendary estates of icons like Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Howard Hughes, Kathrine Hepburn, and Liberace while hearing fascinating tales of the Rat Pack era and the “rich and famous” lifestyle. Late this afternoon we’ll arrive at The Rowan Palm Springs, Kimpton’s highly acclaimed AAA Four Diamond boutique hotel located right in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. This “desert dreamland” that was rated the #5 hotel in Southern California by Condé Nast Traveler is known for its stylish, modern aesthetic and is particularly popular for afternoon wine at its rooftop pool and lounge, which offers impressive mountain views. Enjoy an included hosted evening social hour at the hotel followed by time at leisure for dinner on your own in downtown Palm Springs, before we meet at the historic Plaza Theatre, an iconic 1936 Spanish Colonial Revival landmark located less than a block from our hotel. After a 12-year closure, this Palm Springs icon and piece of living history returned to the spotlight late last year! Since 1936, the Plaza Theatre has been more than just a building and former home of the Palm Springs Follies; it has been the heartbeat of Palm Springs! Here, where the glimmer of Hollywood’s golden era blends seamlessly with the magic of the desert, legends have not only graced the stage but have also left their mark on history. This evening we’ll take our orchestra level seats for The John Denver Tribute Christmas Concert starring Chris Collins & Boulder Canyon. This one-night-only special holiday tribute concert celebrates the warmth and nostalgia of John Denver’s beloved seasonal classics and signature hits like “Rocky Mountain High” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” for an intimate, music-filled celebration that captures the true spirit of the holidays. Chris Collins is known for possessing a natural vocal tone and phrasing that closely mirror John Denver’s voice, allowing him to capture the warmth, clarity, and emotional range of Denver’s classic catalog. Collins is backed by a group of accomplished multi-instrumentalists who recreate Denver’s signature folk-rock arrangements, complete with rich vocal harmonies, fiddle, mandolin, and acoustic guitars. Members of Boulder Canyon have shared stages and events with former members of John Denver’s own touring band.

Day 2 – Date Farm & Cahuilla Culture

After an included breakfast at the hotel, we’ll travel to a date farm for a fascinating guided tour offering an immersive experience. As we walk through the lush groves, we’ll learn how date palms thrive in the harsh desert climate. We’ll learn about the intricate hand-pollination process, the long lifespan of the trees, and how new date varieties are cultivated. Our visit includes date tasting where you can sample rich, caramel-like varieties fresh from the tree, including proprietary varieties. After time at leisure for lunch on your own in downtown Palm Springs, we’ll spend time at the new Agua Caliente Cultural Museum. Located at the sacred Agua Caliente Hot Springs downtown, this state-of-the-art, 48,000-square-foot museum celebrates the history, culture, and enduring spirit of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Our visit begins in the theater gallery with the Creation & Migration Story, a stunning visual orientation that sets the foundation for the exhibits. As you move through the galleries on a self-guided tour, you’ll view ancient artifacts, exquisite basketry, historical photography, and interactive media detailing thousands of years of Native American life, land stewardship, and modern sovereignty in the Coachella Valley. Enjoy the balance of the evening at leisure taking advantage of our hotel’s hosted evening social hour, as well as its ideal location in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. Surrounded by towering fan palms and majestic views of the San Jacinto Mountains, downtown offers a walkable collection of mid-century architecture, art galleries, independent boutiques, and sidewalk cafes. (Breakfast)

Day 3 – Windmills, Pioneertown & Journey Home

Following an included breakfast at the hotel, we’ll get a fascinating look into renewable wind energy during a Palm Springs Windmill Tour. An expert guide will board our motorcoach for a driving tour with stops through the wind resource area in the windy San Gorgonio Pass. Not only will we be able to get up close to real operating modern wind turbines as tall as the Statue of Liberty, but we’ll learn intriguing insights as our expert guide describes the inner workings of wind turbines and how this renewable energy is fast becoming part of our energy solution. We’ll continue north to Pioneertown, a living, breathing slice of Hollywood history tucked into the high desert just outside Joshua Tree National Park. Part historic movie set and part quirky artistic hub, Pioneertown offers a fascinating mix of vintage charm and modern high-desert culture. We’ll enjoy a memorable included lunch at the legendary Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace. Originally built in the 1940s as an 1880s-style frontier movie set for Hollywood Westerns, this historic venue evolved into an iconic honky-tonk, Santa Maria-style barbecue joint, and world-class live music hideaway. Soak in the rustic desert atmosphere while enjoying a delicious meal in a legendary landmark. We’ll return to our drop-off points this evening filled with fond memories of a festive desert getaway filled with mid-century charm, Hollywood glamour, iconic desert landmarks, and seasonal cheer. (Breakfast, Lunch)

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.