United States tours & travel

America has always had a strong immigrant identity. Irish, Russian, Greek, African and Latin migrants have all left their mark over the years, creating a diverse and surprising cultural mix. Kwanza, Hanukah and Chinese New Year are just as important as Easter and Christmas, but sports and entrepreneurship are celebrated by all cultures universally. Some areas (like the Bible Belt) are conservative; others (like Portland and Seattle) are more liberal and experimental. It’s the celebration of these differences that makes America distinctly ‘American’. 

One of America’s real advantages is its sheer variety of landscapes. If you’ve got a few weeks to explore, it’s easy to pass through everglade swamps, amber sandstone deserts, pine forests, geyser fields and sprawling prairie lands – often all on the one road trip. The country’s most iconic National Parks are Yellowstone, Zion, Yosemite, Bryce Canyon, Denali and the Great Smokey Mountains – little pockets of preserved wilderness in which you’ll find deer, bears, moose and bison and dozens of other native species. 

The USA is a shopper’s dream. Iconic department stores like Bloomingdales and Macy’s offer a wide range of high-end labels, but cities like New York and LA also feature a great mix of smaller, independent designers. Prices are often a lot cheaper than in other countries too. The only thing to remember is that often tax is not included in the purchase price – make sure to check your country’s customs policy before bringing goods back into the country. 

Independence Day / 4^th of July

The celebration of America’s independence from Great Britain is celebrated every ear on July 4^th, the sate of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Most citizens celebrate with barbecues and fireworks (the legal and not so legal) and city streets are given over to decorative floats and parades.

Burning Man

In traditional American style, Burning Man is an annual event dedicated to the theme of radical self expression. It takes place each year in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, where thousands of festival goers congregate to see art, live music, dance and the conflagration of the iconic Burning Man Statue – the signal that the festivities are over.

Mardi Gras – New Orleans

While Rio still holds the title of Carnival King, New Orleans gives it a good run for its money with the annual Mardi Gras. It’s a combination of Creole culture and good old-fashioned fun, with colourful costumes, spicy food and plenty of masquerade balls. 

The USA is famous for its big portions, and it’s best to be aware that (even when it comes to salads) the calorie count will probably be much higher than you’re used to at home. On the plus side there’s a huge variety of cuisines to choose from, including Creole in New Orleans, Jewish deli fare in New York and southern BBQ in Texas. Make sure to try fresh poppy seed bagels in Manhattan, a slice of apple pie at a roadside diner and a cubano sandwich in the Florida Keys. 

• Ticket to ride, by Sarah Darmody
• America Unchained, by Dave Gorman
• Bury my heart at wounded knee, by Dee Brown
• On the road, by Jack Kerouac
• Travel with Charlie: In search of America, by John Steinbeck
• Into the wild, by Jon Krakaeur
• The autobiography of Malcolm X, by Malcolm X and Alex Haley
• Gone with the wind, by Margaret Mitchell