The A-Z of touring the USA
New York and Florida’s Walt Disney World top the charts for US trips and they also make excellent starting points for some fantastic tours. Time it right and you can do a ‘leaf-peeping’ tour from New York into the surrounding states of Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, ending up in Boston or nearby Salem, home of the witches, to experience Hallowe’en. Florida isn’t just about theme parks, although it is home to some of the best in the world. With the Florida Keys and the Gulf Coast you have some incredible scenery and beaches to enjoy, as well as seeing more unusual wildlife, from the alligators of the Everglades to the manatees of Crystal River.
One of the great things about the US is how easy so much of it is to access by car or motorhome, allowing you to travel independently. Of course, using a travel agent can enhance your trip as they can make suggestions based on their knowledge and personal experience. For example, you might want to visit Yosemite and the Grand Canyon but have you heard of Bryce Canyon or Zion National Park? Do you know what a slot canyon is and where you might find one? Do you know that driving through Yosemite before June might require snow tyres? You know someone who has and does. Me.
There are some iconic drives throughout the US, from Route 66 to the Pacific Coast Highway. But if you don’t fancy doing the driving yourself, you still have options. There are various companies offering a wide range of tours, usually from major cities, featuring all sorts of experiences focussing on music, food, local culture, walking, cycling, photography, wildlife, history - you name it, there’s a tour for it. They cater for everyone, young or old, small to larger groups and range in length from one day to a month. You can even have your own exclusive guide, whatever your preference is (and budget!).
There’s also a fantastic public transport system throughout the US, with Greyhound buses and Amtrak trains connecting cities nationwide. Amtrak also has some superb multi-day journeys including the California Zephyr. Travelling between San Francisco and Chicago, this epic trip takes 51 hours, crosses the Rockies and goes through seven states. The Rocky Mountaineer, famous for its scenic voyages to and from Vancouver, has recently launched its first US journey, giving those on board a truly luxurious way of travelling through the heart of incredible scenery from Denver to Moab.
I hope I’ve inspired you to think about some of the incredible experiences that just one (admittedly very large!) country has to offer. If you need some help planning your US itinerary, just get in touch with me.
US Travel Tips
• Tipping is the first tip! In the US waiters earn most of their income from tips and at least 15% is the going rate. This also applies for taxi drivers, whilst bar staff and porters expect a buck or two per round/bag.
• Retail prices might not always include sales tax which varies from state to state – currently anything up to 7.25%.
• There is not really a ‘bad’ time to go to the US. However, as many Americans holiday within their own country, avoid public holidays which can result in a lack of accommodation and higher prices.
• Travel insurance with emergency healthcare cover is essential for the US as medical treatment can be extremely expensive.
• Also, be aware that many drugs that can be typically bought over-the-counter in the UK such as codeine-based painkillers are only available on prescription. So, if there’s a chance you might need some, it’s best to take them with you.