Whatever
your plans, there’s one thing you can be sure of when visiting the
USA – it’s big! This is a country that will keep you on
your toes with all there is to see and do on holiday. Don’t be too ambitious.
Allow plenty of time to enjoy the spontaneous and unexpected. They’re all part
of the fun!
WHAT TO SEE
The East Coast
New
York
The landmarks and legends of New York are inexhaustible. Some are iconic,
others everyday and familiar. The Manhattan skyline, the glitter of Broadway,
the glamour of Fifth Avenue, the Empire State Building, Radio City Music Hall,
Rockefeller Center, the Lincoln Center, Central Park, Yellow Cabs . . . the
names just keep coming.
Boston
However long you allow here, it will never be enough! New England’s
Boston is no
less vibrant, cosmopolitan and compulsive – and mixes contemporary flair with a
garnish of colonial history. Busy modern boulevards, the quaint old cobbled
streets of the Beacon Hill district, the wide open spaces of Boston Common and
the Charles River waterfront – Boston is a metropolitan tour de force. It’s also the gateway to
New England, perhaps the most historic corner of the USA and
certainly one of the most beautiful.
Florida
Miami
Beach,
Palm Beach & Key Biscayne
‘The Sunshine State’ can offer you any setting and style
to suit. From the Atlantic beaches of legendary Miami
Beach with its trendy Art Deco district to the sophisticated luxury
surroundings of Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Key
Biscayne.
Florida
Keys,
Gulf of Mexico & Orlando
From the islands and watersports-orientated world of the Florida Keys
to the gentler shores of the Gulf of Mexico
whose sunlit white beaches defy excess activity. And then, by contrast, there’s
Orlando, ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’, where the activity never
stops!
The West Coast
San
Francisco
This is the USA California-style, long a magnet
for fortune-seekers and a world where the American Dream comes into its own.
Effervescent San Francisco more than lives up to its name, with hills and
waterfront framed by the epic Golden Gate Bridge - and those cable cars,
Alcatraz Island, Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown and Nob Hill just as you’ve seen
them on the silver screen.
Los
Angeles
Big, brash and bemusing, part-city and part-legend, ‘LA’ has a mood
and a setting for every taste – be it shopping in Beverly
Hills, star-spotting in Hollywood,
admiring the art exhibits at the Getty Centre or just people-watching beside the
beach at Santa
Monica.
San
Diego
Down South, towards the Mexico border, sun-drenched San Diego is the perfect family destination, whose beaches,
watersports, parks, galleries, open-air markets, fascinating Old Town and renowned Zoo and Sea World will
all prove too much to fit into just one visit!
The Desert
Scottsdale & Palm Springs
When it comes to harnessing the strong sun, blue skies, fresh air and
oasis springs of the desert to create swish garden resort settings then the
USA takes some beating. Exclusive
Scottsdale in Arizona’s ‘Valley of the Sun’ and California’s prestigious Palm
Springs both provide sophisticated living in the most relaxing of environments,
with a suntan virtually guaranteed.
Las
Vegas
Nevada’s larger-than-life Las Vegas, desert resort and gambling
capital of the world, is a place where virtual reality can sometimes seem to
take charge – and whose spectacular stage shows, theme parks and 24/7 activity
ensure this is ‘the City that Never Sleeps’.
WHAT TO DO
The East Coast
New
York
You’ll want to take in those unique ‘Big Apple’ items like a trip on
the Staten Island Ferry with its grand harbour views – and up to the
89th floor observatory of the Empire State
Building. As well as the
countless classic sights, though, be sure to include some quintessentially NY
experiences like an evening on the town with a Broadway theatre visit. Or
shopping in ‘downtown’ Manhattan; Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Sak’s
Fifth
Avenue and other famed city department stores.
Perhaps the most spectacular way to view the ‘Big Apple’ is aboard one of
Liberty Helicopters fabulous sightseeing flights. And dining in some of the
17,000 restaurants!
Boston
It’s not called ‘America’s Walking City’ for nothing. Obvious sightseeing
‘musts’ are to follow the historic ‘Freedom Trail’ that unfolds the story of
American independence. Browse the boutiques of Faneuil Hall, Newbury Street and
Copley
Place. Take a harbour cruise on the Charles River;
visit the Boston
Tea Party & Ship Museum. And much more! – How long did you
say you were staying? The city also makes a great first or last stopover if
you’re planning a New England self-drive tour.
New England is beautiful year-round; however,
late September to mid-October is usually the best time to view the autumn
foliage in its splendid glory.
Florida
Miami
Beach.
Palm Beach & Key Biscayne
Visitors to Miami Beach come for its
beaches, clubs, bars and the lively mood of trendy Art Deco rich South Beach,
the restaurants and shops of elegant Coral Gables - and classy Coconut Grove with
its bars and cafés. At exclusive Palm
Beach long sandy beaches and world-class golf and
watersports compete with the designer stores and refined art galleries of
glamorous venues like Worth
Avenue, as well as malls and speciality boutiques.
Florida
Keys,
Gulf of Mexico & Orlando
In the Florida Keys the most popular
leisure pursuits capitalise on the natural setting - with snorkelling, diving,
fishing and boating the main activities. Nature reserves offer hiking, cycling
and wildlife-spotting. The sophisticated resorts of the Gulf of Mexico feature an array of shops, boutiques and
exceptional recreation (golf especially) and entertainments. There’s easy access
to secluded islands and the Everglades.
Orlando, of
course, means spectacular Universal Orlando® Resort and Walt Disney World®
Resort – but the vast Sea World and International Drive with its 5-mile strip
packed with shops, malls, restaurants, bars and theme events will also keep you
busy!
The West Coast
San
Francisco
The landmark sights of ‘Everybody’s Favourite City’, demand exploration by cable-car and
on foot – go easy on the hills! Then take a boat trip from Fisherman’s Wharf to
admire the Golden Gate Bridge and the beautiful San Francisco skyline. Be
tempted in the designer shops on Union Street and department stores on
Union
Square. Indulge yourself in restaurants serving
cuisines from every corner of the world. And visit the glorious wine country of
the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.
Los
Angeles
The city’s sightseeing highlights will easily fill several days.
Allow time to visit at least one of the film studios and Disneyland. Be sure to take in beach-style ‘LA’ at
Santa Monica or Malibu. Check-out the designer boutiques and
galleries on Beverly
Hills’ ultra-chic Rodeo Drive. Stop at Mann’s (Grauman’s)
Chinese Theater to see the hand and footprints of such stars as the Marx
Brothers, Douglas Fairbanks and Marilyn Monroe. See the dramatic entrance of the
Kodak Theatre, site of the Academy Awards. And plunge into the legendary
nightlife scene on the Sunset Strip and in Mid-Wilshire.
San
Diego
A distinctly beach and sea-orientated city and resort, with an
impressive choice of watersports, as well as a year-round festival and concert
programme. Enjoy its many galleries and museums, open-air markets, smart shops
and restaurants. Take an evening cruise to see the lights of the city coming on
and enjoy some whale-watching by day (Dec - Mar).
The Desert
Scottsdale & Palm Springs
Scottsdale
lies in an oasis setting of stylish homes, parks, lakes and some 200 golf
courses. The Sonora Desert offers hot-air ballooning and
desert jeep-drives – while stylish downtown shopping, restaurants and
entertainments meet most other holiday needs! Exclusive Palm Springs, too, is
famed for its 80 golf courses, superb entertainments and nightlife. Explore the
Living Desert Wildlife Park and the vast Joshua Tree National Park, enjoy jeep
adventure tours, riding in the Indian Canyons, hot-air ballooning and the cable
car 8,000 ft up to the San Jacinto State Park.
Las
Vegas
Everything on the famous ‘Strip’ is larger than life - awesome in its
grandeur even by the extravagant standards of Las Vegas. Its plethora of casino hotels, theme
parks, lavish star-studded stage shows, vast hotel shopping arcades, over 40
world-class golf courses and other attractions all see to that. Don’t forget to
book a jet helicopter after-dark flight giving spectacular views over this
amazing City of Lights.