USA travel guide




The USA is...
The USA isn't...
Our USA Holidays
Zion, Bryce and the Grand Canyon holiday
See the Grand Canyon & Monument Valley
Denali National Park holiday in Alaska
Experience untouched wilderness off the beaten path
National Parks holidays in America
Explore the historic lodges of America's National Parks
Alaska holiday, classic camping tour
Camp and discover the delights of Alaska
Alaska adventure holiday, salmon run
Active small group adventures in a retrofitted school bus
New England and Canadian east coast tours
Rugged, unspoiled and off the tourist trail
New York State holiday, USA
Discover the best of New York State on this tailor made tour
California, Nevada and Arizona holiday
Journey into the remote wilds of Western America
Alaska Wilderness and wildlife tour
The ultimate Alaskan adventure
Wolf watching holiday in Yellowstone, USA
Expert guided trips to track & watch wolves in Yellowstone
Canadian Rockies and National Parks of America
Explore the natural wonder of the Canadian Rockies
National Parks holiday in America, Western explorer
A medley of man-made and natural wonders
Yellowstone and Grand Teton tour, USA
National parks of Wyoming small group tour
Walking holiday in America, National parks of the West
San Francisco, Las Vegas, Yosemite & Grand Canyon
Family camping holiday in America
Camp under the stars in America
West Coast tours in America
Spectacular journey along the USA's West Coast
USA & Canada wildlife tour of the Pacific coast
National parks of the Pacific North west tour
Appalachian Trail walking holiday in America, camping
Discover jewels of New England's state and national forests
Colorado holiday, self drive tour, USA
Explore the varied National Parks of the United States.
Small group camping holiday in America
Explore the delights of the National Park system
Small group tour of Yosemite and Lake Tahoe, USA
Yosemite, Tahoe and Monterey in-depth tour
American National Parks walking holiday
Granite domes and waterfalls of Yosemite National Park to the multi-coloured stone spires
Alaska Northern Lights holiday, activities & Iditarod
Meet the mushers at Alaska's greatest dog sled endurance run
Hawaii small group holiday, whales & beaches
experience whales & dolphins and nature & culture of Hawai´i
Snake River rafting holiday in Hells Canyon, North America
Raft the deepest canyon in North America
Alaska adventure holiday
Go deep into the wild on this active Alaskan adventure.
Hawaii small group tour
Explore tropical Hawaii travelling from Honolulu to Maui
Wildlife holiday in America, incl Yellowstone
Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Glacier National Parks
Family rafting holiday on the Salmon River, Idaho, USA
Fun rapids, huge white sand beaches and great scenery
Western USA National Parks holiday
Explore some of the highlights of America's southwest.
What we rate & what we don't
Deep South blues
Indigenous culture
The Big Green Apple
Food
Alaska
Panoply of parks
Wildlife watching
You're welcome
Captive killer whales
Orlando & Miami
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Food, shopping & people
Eating & drinking in the USA
Cajun and Creole just add to the tasty cultural mix of the Deep South.
Carnivores will go bonkers for bison and elk in the ranchland states.
Alaskan seafood is the best. And if you are game, try caribou, moose or elk.


Our top USA Holiday
Zion, Bryce and the Grand Canyon holiday
See the Grand Canyon & Monument Valley
2019: 10 Mar, 14 Apr, 5 May, 6 Jun, 7 Jul, 6 Aug, 8 Sep, 22 Sep, 13 Oct, 15 Dec
2020: 23 Jan, 10 Feb, 10 Mar, 12 Apr, 3 May, 6 Jun, 3 Jul, 1 Aug, 15 Sep, 28 Sep, 26 Nov
Screen & scribe
There are so many books and films on the USA, but here are a few gems to seek out before you go:Wild by Cheryl Strayed (2012), a hiking memoir set on the Pacific Crest Trail which was turned into a film in 2015
The Longest Road: Overland in Search of America by Philip Caputo
The Wilderness World of John Muir by John Muir (2001)
American Indians and National Parks by Robert H. Keller and Michael F. Turek (1999)
True Tales of American Life by Paul Auster (2002)
The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, a six-part documentary series from acclaimed filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, available on iTunes
12 years a slave: Oscar winning film, screenplay John Ridley, Director Steve McQueen
Gifts & shopping
Cowboy hat. Can’t have a holiday in the Wild West without one. A few suppliers make them bespoke but this is rare. Saddler shops are your best bet.Seek out American Indian reservations to buy their crafts in situ not at ‘the mall’.
There are a lot of farm shops in the USA with nonperishable goods such as woollens or handmade toiletries.
The USA does great gear for outdoor lovers. Lots of small towns have boutique stores for hikers, bikers and kayakers.
The locally crafted indigenous Ulu knife from Alaska is a great gift.


How much does it cost?
Coast to coast Amtrak train NY – San Francisco: From £135
Standard tip in restaurants: 15-20% of the pre-tax bill