USA Holidays

There is nowhere quite like America. A kaleidoscopic patchwork of traditions, languages, distinct food cultures, fantastic music and striking ethereal landscapes, the USA is a remarkable, and often contradictory, land.

Where else can you mingle with celebrities in Los Angeles one day, then locals in a rural Louisiana jazz club the next? Enjoy a traditional Southern barbecue or fabulous seafood in a quaint New England fishing town? Experience the wilderness of a national park, stand in the heart of pulsating downtown Manhattan then gaze at Plymouth Rock or NASA’s futuristic space centre?

Hit the road and follow Route 66 through the heart of the Midwest, visit the Grand Canyon, the bright lights of Las Vegas and the astonishing national parks of Arizona and Utah, travel through the countryside of Upstate New York or witness the spectacular colours of fall in New England. Food and music lovers should make for Nashville and Memphis then explore the Deep South or why not drive California’s epic coastal roads and over the Golden Gate Bridge to San Francisco. Those looking for the ultimate adventure should head to wild and remote Alaska. At Pettitts Travel, we have been planning unique and tailor-made USA holidays for over 30 years.

Your Holiday in the USA

The USA is so big and diverse you can visit time and time again, gaining a different perspective and experience with every visit. Whether travelling to the US for the first or fifth time, Pettitts Travel can assist in creating the perfect holiday tailored to suit your exact requirements. We offer various styles of travel whilst in America including fly-drives and rail journeys, however our most popular style of travel in the US is self-drive holidays. Hiring a car in the US is a great way of seeing the country independently, covering long distances and exploring off-the-beaten track. Our USA self-drive holidays typically include all accommodation, international flights, car hire and some sightseeing. By booking with Pettitts Travel you will be provided with round the clock support and assistance.

Although all our arrangements are tailor-made, many clients find inspiration from the itineraries on our website and adapt them to fit their requirements. If you are looking for a self-drive holiday to the US, our Coastal California and Las Vegas trip is perfect for first-timers, or the Ultimate Deep South Road Trip is another great option. For self-drive trips on the East Coast, why not explore Georgia and the Carolinas, or sun kissed Florida in our Miami and the Keys Road Trip. Alternatively, for spectacular autumnal foliage take a look at Fall Colours of New England, or if you’d prefer to travel by train, East Coast Cities by Rail is a fantastic choice. We also have plenty of options on the West Coast including the Pacific Northwest and Yellowstone and the National Parks of Western USA. Pettitts Travel are also experienced in organising Route 66 self-drive trips.

Places to visit in USA

America is large, diverse and full of unique experiences and natural beauty. Eastern USA is brimming with iconic cities and historical landmarks with a highlight being New England where you will find quaint country inns, stunning autumnal foliage and the rugged Atlantic coastline. Midwest America sees the starting point of Route 66 in Chicago whilst the Deep South is a world of superb Southern cuisine, an unrivalled musical heritage and charming antebellum homes. California is fantastic for road trips with its fabulous cities and stunning coastal roads or Alaska, America’s last frontier, is home to diverse wildlife and striking mountainous scenery.

USA Cities

Big, bold and beautiful, the US is home to hundreds of cities – an eclectic mix of large, small, cosmopolitan and traditional. Perhaps one of America’s most recognisable cities is New York – this energetic and eclectic destination boast glistening skyscrapers, world-class art museums, an exciting food scene and iconic landmarks. Outside of NYC, there are several other must-visit cities that are situated in the north-eastern corner including historic Boston and Philadelphia, and of course the capital, Washington D.C. which is home to many cultural delights such as the White House and Capitol Building. Texas and the Deep South is defined by its cities with New Orleans, Memphis, Austin, Savannah, Nashville, Houston and Charleston all offering something different yet still sharing common cultural traits, especially with regards to music. To the west, California and the West Coast offer some of the country’s most forward thinking and diverse cities such as San Francisco, Portland, Seattle and LA.

NATIONAL PARKS OF THE USA

The US is home to an awe-inspiring 63 national parks, all of which have been designated for their natural beauty, diverse ecosystems, unique geological features and recreational activities. From the remote wilderness of Alaska's Denali National Park to the rainbow pools and geysers of Yellowstone in Wyoming, the USA National Park network showcases the very best America has to offer. Western USA boasts a large concentration of parks including Utah’s dramatic red rocks and canyons at parks such as Zion and Bryce Canyon as well as California’s Yosemite National Park which is home to glistening lakes and emerald forests. The East Coast also houses several impressive parks; the Everglades in Florida, Hot Springs in Arkansas and the spectacular Great Smoky Mountains that straddles North Carolina and Tennessee. The best way to explore the national parks of America is on a tailor-made self-drive tour in the USA – speak to our Travel Specialists who will be delighted to assist you.

COMMON USA TRAVEL QUESTIONS

Q1 - When is the best time to visit the USA?

A1 - Due to its sheer size, the US is a year-round destination where weather patterns can vary at both a national and state level. As a general rule however, spring and autumn are the best times of year to visit due to milder temperatures whilst the summer months can be hot, and sometimes, very humid. In many parts of the country, winter ushers in extremely cold conditions – especially in more mountainous regions.

Q2 - Do I need a visa to travel to the USA from the UK?

A2 - If you are travelling as a tourist, you will need to apply for a tourist visa. Most UK citizens can apply for the Visa Waiver Programme which allows British Citizen passport holders to visit the US for up to 90 days. You must ensure that your passport is less than 10 years old (even if it has 6 months or more left) and it also needs to have at least 6 months validity left.

Q3 - Do I need travel insurance when travelling to the USA?

A3 - We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are adequately insured when travelling to the USA to provide financial protection against unforeseen circumstances. Such insurance should ensure that you are fully covered against unexpected cancellation charges, medical expenses including pre-existing medical conditions, loss of luggage or money, and personal liability claims.

Q4 - How long is the flight to the USA from the UK?

A4 - Direct flights from the UK take between 8 and 12 hours depending on the destination. There are also many indirect flights with stops en-route that link the UK to regional US airports. As an example, the flight between London and New York takes eight hours, and London to Los Angeles takes eleven and a half hours.

Q5 - What is the best way to travel when in the USA?

A5 - There are a number of ways to travel when in the USA including train, bus and taxi, however, driving is probably the best way when travelling in the USA.

Q6 - How should I tip in the US?

A6 - America has a tipping culture and due to low wages in the service industry you will be expected to tip. To make it a little more complicated, the etiquette can vary across the country, however 15% is often the expected ‘standard’ tip and a good starting point. Hotel bellhops, doormen and bartenders usually expect a $1-$2 tip per bag/drink, whereas restaurant servers and taxi drivers expect around 15-20% of the total bill.

Q7 - What are the major national holidays in the US?

A7 - Aside from Christmas and New Year's Day, there are eight national holidays in the US. These are Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the third Monday in January; Presidents' Day on the third Monday in February; Memorial Day which is the last Monday in May, Independence Day on 4th July, Labor Day on the first Monday of September, Columbus Day on the second Monday in October, Veterens Day on 11th November and Thanksgiving which falls on the fourth Thursday in November.

Popular Tailor-Made Itineraries

Self-Drive: Best of Georgia and the Carolinas

Self-Drive: Coastal California in Depth

New York & Boston Twin Centre

Self-Drive: Best of Georgia and the Carolinas

Self-Drive: Coastal California in Depth

New York & Boston Twin Centre

Your Holiday in the USA

Places to visit in USA

When to Visit usa

Essential Information

Explore USA

USA Cities

NATIONAL PARKS OF THE USA

USA Holiday Review

Accommodation in USA

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