Travel America for a super-sized adventure you’ll never forget! There’s no destination quite as famous and naturally diverse as this one, with 50 entire states that await exploration. Maybe you’re a New Yorker at heart and feel like the shining city that never sleeps is your true home. You could be a movie buff chasing the Hollywood sign and glistening golden coast, a hiker hoping to discover America’s finest national parks or a music lover hoping to rock out in Memphis, learn how to line dance in Nashville or sway to the sound of Jazz in New Orleans. Whatever kind of traveller you are, there’s bound to be a USA experience that suits you. No matter if you’re planning a gap year, epic USA road trip or a short but sweet getaway: Chase your own American dream today!
Read more in our USA Travel Guide.
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Take an all-American road trip on the wild west coast USA!
Discover the wonderful West Coast of America in your very own campervan. Pick up and drop off points in LA, Las Vegas and San Francisco with unlimited mileage!
The bar is set sky-high for New York – and it still delivers. It’s the concrete jungle where dreams are made of, whether it’s a performer hoping to make it to the Broadway stage, an art lover browsing the MET gallery or a sports fan looking to tour the Yankee stadium. Once you’ve had a taste of the city that never sleeps, you’re left craving more.
If you’re taking a trip to the Wild West, then don’t skip out on the Grand Canyon. Named as one of the world’s seven natural wonders, its red and rocky landscape is exhilarating to explore. From the rugged trails and the breezy sky-walk to the turquoise waterfalls tucked inside gorges, the Grand Canyon is made for adventure.
As the largest waterfall in North America, Niagara Falls is a show-stopper! This astonishing attraction is straddled across the US and Canadian border, and this side of the water is where you’ll get to experience the scenery up close in all its splashing, misty glory. Plus, the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are unique to the New York State.
Featuring golden stretches of sand and rolling red carpets, LA is off the charts. It’s an essential destination for movie lovers, and you could easily fill your days touring Universal Studios and pacing the star-studded Walk of Fame. For off-screen action, check out the vibrant rides at Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach’s bustling boardwalk.
Between the lantern-lit Chinatown Alleyways, the revival-style homes of Haight Street, the charming cable cars that glide across the steep hills and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge… San Francisco is a top city destination. After exploring its cultural icons (many of which are free!), get acquainted with San Francisco’s diverse culinary palate!
Some call it “Sin City”, others call it “Disneyland for Adults” - but regardless, Las Vegas needs no introduction. What happens here stays here, but the city’s roaring nightlife, jackpot-hitting casinos and eclectic world tour architecture is an open secret. Las Vegas is a whole load of fun, no matter how you play your cards!
Yosemite stands out from the crowd for good reason. Its waterfalls reach record heights, and when the sun sets in February, look just like lava. Then there are the forests featuring groves that touch the sky! Add in the staggering rock formations like El Capitan which daredevil climbers aim to climb (even without ropes) and it’s an active paradise.
Drive one of the greatest routes in America as part of an epic USA road trip. Route 66 whisks you from the east to the west coast, starting in Chicago until you reach Santa Monica in Los Angeles. Explore the enchanting scenery of New Mexico, the spray-painted Cadillac Ranch of Texas and the neon lights of Las Vegas on this 3-week adventure.
Tennessee has a lyrical legacy like no other USA state, as it’s where legendary sounds like Country and Rock & Roll were born. When you’re not dancing downtown in Memphis and Nashville in Cowboy boots, or touring the spots where music legends like Elvis made it big, fill up on hot chicken and fiery BBQ, and learn more about history Down South.
New Orleans is an extraordinary cultural melting pot featuring Creole staple dishes like Gumbo and Jambalaya, French architecture and world-famous Jazz. Whether you take it slow in the blues bars or have come for Carnival, New Orleans promises adventure to the sound of sweet music. Start at Bourbon Street and see where your travels take you!
There’s magic in Miami. From the moment you step foot onto the sensational beaches lightly shaded by palm trees, your life is changed. Discover Art Deco wonders, Cuban cuisine and all the flavours of Latin America at the tip of Florida. You’ll feel like a VIP partying as the sun sets over this vibrant city blessed with incredible nightlife!
Orlando offers over a dozen theme parks to travellers, so you could easily spend weeks hopping between all the adrenaline-rush activities and colourful attractions! At the top of the queue are Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios, because who doesn’t want to explore sparkling castles, ride movie-themed rollercoasters or feel like a wizard?
The USA’s climate variety is huge, with each of the five regions offering something different to travellers. From arctic wonderlands to tropical beaches and national parks, you can experience every end of the weather spectrum in just this one country. Escape to the Rockies for hiking trails and skiing, fall head over heels for New England’s autumn foliage and go for long walks on California’s golden beaches.
Because of how naturally diverse the country is, there’s always a good time to travel America and join USA tours! Some states have weather seasons, so it is always best to check before you travel for each region you plan to visit.
December and March is an ideal time of year for skiing and wintery city breaks. Meanwhile, June to August is perfect for beach days, Fourth of July parties and water activities. The shoulder seasons of April to May and September to October typically have milder weather and cheaper prices; so they’re a great time for exploring the national parks or planning a road trip.
America is one of the most multicultural countries in the world, and so cultural customs will vary based on where you travel. Small talk and a smile go a long way here, as does respecting people’s personal space and beliefs.
Tipping culture is the norm here, and it is customary to tip 20-25% for bars, cafes, restaurants and taxis. While this sounds like a lot, the USA is comparatively cheaper than the UK when it comes to public transport, petrol and car hire. The portion sizes at restaurants are also much bigger, so you’re getting more bang for your buck!
The majority of British passport holders will be eligible for the ESTA visa waiver, but we always recommend that travellers check the list of requirements first before booking any trip in case they need to complete a visa application.
Your passport must be in good condition and be valid for the duration of your stay while visiting the USA.
Medical treatment is expensive and some hospitals may ask you to pay a deposit upon admission. Before you travel abroad, always organise travel insurance to cover the length of your stay. At least 8 weeks before you travel, check that you have the necessary vaccinations.
The USA is a great destination for tourists and general precautions are encouraged. Laws can change slightly from state to state, so it is always best to read up on each destination you plan to visit. Extreme weather is uncommon but can occur in some parts of the USA; follow the advice of local authorities in an emergency.
America is an incredible location to do a gap year in. With 50 states to explore, you’ll never run out of activity options or destinations here! There’s something for everyone in the USA - whether you’re a city break person, a nature lover looking to explore a few national parks or wanting to run to the nearest beach. We offer multiple America tours that cover country highlights and regions in closer detail, or you could even apply to be an Au Pair!
Flight times will vary slightly depending on which region of the USA you plan to visit, but most flights are typically direct. London to New York is typically the fastest route at around 7-8 hours, while flights to Nashville and Miami take around 9 hours. If you’re visiting Los Angeles from London, your flight length will typically be 11 hours and 20 minutes. Finally, if you are flying to Alaska or Hawaii from London, there will be one stopover as flights take at least 13 hours and 17 hours each.
Because the minimum wage in America is quite low, workers rely on tipping to make up this difference. Travellers are encouraged to tip 20 to 25% for services like at a restaurant, bar, cafe, hotel, taxi or delivery food service. However, sometimes your tip will automatically added to your bill as a gratuity; if you see this, then it means you don’t have to tip any extra (although you’re welcome to!). If you join one of our America tours, then the trip leader will be happy to go over how tipping works in the USA.
Most car hire companies in the USA will only accept drivers who are aged 21 or over. It is sometimes customary for drivers who are under the age of 25 to pay a higher amount in insurance to cover their car hire. While a USA road trip is an incredible travel opportunity, it may be more budget-friendly for you to join one of our USA tours or look into renting a campervan where you can take your accommodation with you!
The legal drinking age in the USA is 21. While this can be frustrating for under 21 travellers, a gap year in America can still be a fantastic experience with epic national parks, exciting city breaks and exhilarating theme parks for you to explore!
Your passport must be valid for the length of your stay in the USA. Most British passport holders are eligible for the ESTA visa waiver, but we always encourage travellers to check the requirements before they book any America tours or trips. Your ESTA visa waiver will cover any trip to the USA for tourism purposes under 90 days.
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