An Introduction to the USA
The USA definitely deserves the title of ‘The Big Country’, for it is the world’s third largest country by population and size. With a vast array of scenery from the towering mountains of the Rockies to the equally towering skyscrapers of Manhattan, the desolate desert surrounding Death Valley to the fun of Disney, it’s no wonder it’s one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.
Getting to the USA
Getting to the US is easy from all over the world with regular flights from the UK and Europe to all parts of America; flights from the Pacific Rim to LA, San Francisco and Seattle as well as from New Zealand and Australia. Flights are generally very reasonable with the large range of operators and routes vying with each other for trade.
Travelling Around the USA
Within the US, travel is also easy and cheap. For long distance travel, several low cost airlines operate, including Southwest, and for short to medium distance travel, hiring a car is a cheap and pleasurable way to see the country. Despite hikes in the price of oil, petrol prices are still among the cheapest in the world whilst hire cars are also great value for money with many deals available at Car Hire USA. Outside of the main cities, roads are rarely busy and the freedom of a hire car means you can stop where you like for photographs, a picnic or just to enjoy the view.
Must Do's When in the USA
Highlights of the US include New York; otherwise known as the Big Apple or the city that never sleeps. Catch a show on Broadway, shop on Fifth Avenue, sail out to see the Statue of Liberty or stroll through Central Park. Visit between Thanksgiving and Christmas and the picture is even more magical.
Washington is the capital and contains many memorials of note including the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the Vietnam War Memorial. These are all found along the strip called the National Mall where you’ll also find famous museums like the Smithsonian and the National Gallery of Art.
Then there are the west coast cities, laid back San Francisco, LA and damp Seattle. Further out you have the Hawaiian Islands, America’s own piece of tropical paradise, whilst further north you have the wild and rugged state of Alaska.
Inland you’ll find the Rocky Mountains and cities such as Denver with the nearby ski resorts of Aspen, Breckenridge and Telluride.
The Deep South is another part of America that must be experienced; great southern hospitality, superb food like nowhere else in the States and a hint of France from colonial days. Further west is brash Texas, with its cowboys, steers and Tex-Mex cuisine along with easy access to Mexico itself.
Plan to spend a long time in America, fly between the regions but then hire a car to experience what Americans would assure you is the finest country in the world.