I can see how it would be a lot of fun. I don't normally travel with groups, but I went on a week long guided hike in New Zealand with my wife, and it was really fun. The group was filled with like-minded individuals. We all got along. There were more singles in the group than couples, but everyone felt part of the group. That was 12 years ago, and I still remember the names of most of the people in the group even though we never kept in touch with any of them.

This tour will probably be full of people like you. After all, they wanted to take this tour, just like you. You'll at least have that in common.

I think you could have a really good time doing this. I personally would be most excited by the western leg of the trip, because I think it's prettier scenery, and you will be spending a lot of time looking out the window, so scenery is important. The East Coast will be grey and dreary in the winter, and not much to look at. I don't know how New Orleans is doing these days. I think the tourist French Quarter was mostly spared by the flood, so I bet it will be fun too.

It would be very helpful if they had a map of the route the tour will take. That would tell us a lot about what you might expect. But I'm sure they take you to all the good places along the way. That's their job.

I think you should do it, as long as you understand it's a lot of sitting in a van/bus.

As a Brit in the US, I say do it if you can afford it. I wouldn't because I hate buses -I'm a crap passenger. But we have done road trips across the US and what some Americans fail to appreciate is that in Britain you cannot sit on a bus anywhere ever and see things like: No hillls in any direction, sand in every direction, big red barns everywhere, straight road dead ahead and into the horizon..... whilst it may be dull to you lot, it's pretty exotic to us. In the same way you like windy streets, black and white timber houses with straw roofs and guards in silly uniforms outside Buckinghame Palace (who are not called Beefeaters).

So go for it, if it's what you fancy.

Hey Sundae, I'm taking the family to Vegas in September and it appears I'm scheduled for more business trips to LA. While these usually involve almost no free time, let me know when you expect to be there.

If you hit Vegas at the right time, you and Lookout can join us for a BBQ at the new timeshare at the Flamingo.http://www.cellar.org/images/smilies/beerchug.gif

Thanks to all for your advice.

Glatt - I asked if I would get a more detailed itinerary after I booked, but apparently it is flexible, depending on the guide and the wishes of the group. Only the overnight stops are organised in advance and even these may vary from hotel to hotel and campground to campground depending on the guide's previous experiences. Glad to hear you enjoyed your tour anyway.

As Monster says, the sheer foreigness of America will make the scenery interesting to me even if it does look dreary to people who are used to it. Hell, I'm even excited about the fact shopping is a rota's activity - I'd love to be let loose in an American supermarket!

Richlevy - I'm looking at leaving Washington on 6 Feb 2007, so will be in Vegas 22nd February. I'm not sure whether you'll be in the region around this time, but I'll let you know much nearer the date!

I'll shush about this now, but if I book I'll let you know, and of course I'll be bubbling over with plans & requests for more advice about this time next year....

Everything after San Antonio (which is a great town -- the riverwalk rules, IMHO) is in the desert. If you've never seen it, it's a great experience. You will either discover your inner desert rat and wish you could spend the rest of your life there, or you'll take a Dramamine and cover your face after the first 100 miles of endless cacti, roadkill, and blinding vistas of rock.

In February, you should get decent weather, too. Freezing at night, but maybe 70 in the afternoon.