Travel Guide to USA

Location
 
The United States is directly across the Atlantic from the UK with New York just 5 hours flying time away.
 
Shopping
 
Virtually everywhere you go the shopping is great in modern malls and out of town factory outlets. A rental car is a must in most places as America has a real driving culture and enormous space of the country shows when you want to get from one shop to the next. This is not the case in bustling cities like New York where hiring a car is not advised as it is so easy to walk or flag a famous yellow cab.

Geography
 
The USA has virtually everything there is to offer from the deserts and national parks of the south west states and breathtaking Grand Canyon to the snowing mountains in the Rockies to the sunny beaches of Florida.

History
 
America had a relatively peaceful beginning with the early settlers believed to have walked from Asia and settled throughout the south west and eventually up as far as the north east coast.

The history of politic and conflicts is so vast it is difficult to give just a short historical overview.

1492 Columbus discovers – by accident.

1565 saw Spanish create the first permanent European settlement in St Augustine, Florida. This was followed by the French in Main in 1602 and then the British in 1607 in Virginia.

In 1620 the famous Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock with the Pilgrims who declared self governance. This was later to shape the whole of the American constitution.

Over the next century, there was much unrest between the Europeans and also between the Europeans and the native population.

In 1781 the British surrendered to George Washington.

In 1835 the Texan revolution concluded in the Battle of Alamo when the Texans finally gained independence from Mexico.

1849 saw the great Californian gold rush.

1861-5 the Civil War tore the country in two.
 
Climate
 
The country is so vast and its climates so varied, it would be misleading to publish any weather charts for the country as a whole.
 
Basic Information
 
Language
English is the official language, but Spanish is also widely spoken in many areas.

Currency
US Dollar (US$) is the local currency. Credit cards are widely used.

Electricity
110 volts AC 60 Hz.

Banks
Opening hours Mon-Fri 8am-3pm

Driving
Driving is on the right. Roads are excellent and well signed. Driving in some of the bigger cities can be difficult and there are many differences in laws from the UK such as flashing amber lights at intersections, 4 way stops and turning right on a red signal that you must make yourself aware of before driving.

Time difference
GMT -5 hours Eastern and -8 hours Pacific.

Tipping and local customs
15% is expected in restaurants and by taxi drivers.

Water
The quality of water is good, but as in the UK drinking bottled water is also very popular.

Tourist Board information
http://www.unitedstates.com/

Visas
Visas are required, but British and Irish passport holders can obtain a visa waiver form for completion on entry for certain lengths of stay. This should be re-checked on booking for any changes. Six months valid passport is required.

What makes it so special?
 
The diverse nature of the country. The ease of getting there with a wealth of flying options. The great value for money with a great exchange rate.