North America
USA
Majestic mountains, rugged deserts, sweeping plains, sun-kissed beaches, and countless other natural wonders, added to dynamic metropolises, iconic landmarks, and diverse communities… the USA is a land of superlatives and extremes, shaped by waves of immigration, with a new discovery around every corner.
Each city and region has its own charm. California is a classic choice for its legendary cities including Los Angeles and San Francisco and spectacular landscapes such as Pacific beaches, wildlife-rich mountains, and the Mojave Desert. And that’s not even to list the theme parks, entertainment, and fabulous food and wine.
World-class theme parks also draw the crowds to 'the Sunshine State’, but there’s so much more to Florida, from the retro chic of Miami and historic richness of St Augustine to the Atlantic surfing beaches, pearl-white sands of the Gulf, and gorgeous seaside chain of the Florida Keys.
Hawaii is a world apart, with an intoxicating blend of history, surf beaches, and natural sights: highlights range from Hawaii Volcano National Park to the Pearl Harbor Memorial in Honolulu.
A neighbour to California, Nevada is a must for lovers of the Wild West as well as such varied and monumental sights as the Hoover Dam and the neon-spangled Las Vegas Strip with its extravagant hotels, restaurants, casinos, and entertainment venues.
And New York hardly needs an introduction: it’s a place to visit again and again for its dazzling landmarks, its world-leading museums, art galleries, and theatres, and its overall vivacious feel across five fascinating boroughs.
Iconic Road Trips
Road trips are the quintessential way to explore the USA with its wide-open spaces inviting you to discover things at your own pace, and time to note all the little details and quirks that make this country what it is. Many routes take you through one or more of the USA’s famous 63 National Parks with their astounding ecology and geology – in California alone, there are nine to tour.
Other famous stretches in the Golden State include 17-Mile Drive which winds around the stunning Monterey peninsula from Pacific Grove to Carmel, and the Silverado Trail, which runs parallel to the Napa Valley’s Route 29 and takes in some of California’s most beloved wineries.
When to visit
From summer beach days to leaf-spotting during the fall foliage displays, and on to the festive finery and snow-capped peaks of winter, the USA is obviously a great place to discover all year round. If you're road-tripping, avoid Labor Day weekend; wine lovers will want to consider August (peak season for the wineries).
So-called 'shoulder seasons' are also worth considering if you aren't tied to school holiday dates; the weather will invariably be pleasant rather than baking hot, and the crowds will have started to thin. Depending on what you'd like to experience on your holiday, your Travel Counsellor can advise on the best times to visit.
California
Enjoy a wine-tasting weekend in the lush vineyards of the Napa Valley; go hiking, cycling, horse-riding or rafting in Yosemite National Park with its near-vertical mile-high cliff; and try paddle-boarding, canoeing, and fishing on glorious Lake Tahoe. Round things off with a delicious foodie tour of San Francisco’s colourful Chinatown.
Florida
Spend a few days in Miami, checking out the Art Deco hotels, the food of Little Havana,and the cutting-edge street art, then head out into the Everglades National Park for hiking, canoeing, bird-watching, and airboat rides through the Everglades Alligator Farm. Or take a road trip down to Key West with its party spirit, conch-style houses, and Hemingway Museum.
Hawaii
Whale-watching in winter (November–February), exploring underwater caverns, snorkelling over coral reefs, surfing, and relaxing on the beaches of Maui are all among the fantastic things to do in the 50th state. But there are also historic sights and formidable landscapes including the Hawaii Volcano National Park and the Manawaiopuna Falls in Kauai – where Jurassic Park was filmed.
Nevada
Walk Vegas’ Strip after nightfall, to see its hotels and casinos bathed in all their neon-lit glory and its fountains choreographed to Sinatra and Gene Kelly tunes. Then head just west to the Red Rock National Conservation Area in the Mojave, for hiking, horse-riding, mountain-biking, and the unique geology, and admire the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River.
New York
Lots of new alfresco dining spaces are part of NYC’s modern open-air culture, as are whale-watching trips direct from Manhattan, and a new island park, Little Island on the Hudson River in the Meatpacking District. Other great things to do outdoors are rowing on the Lake at 72nd Street in Central Park and ambling around the New York Botanical Garden with its open-air art installations.
California – The French Laundry, Yountville
Opened by visionary and culinary pioneer Sally Schmitt in 1978, this three-Michelin-starred French–Californian restaurant occupies a listed historic building that started life as a saloon before serving as a steam laundry. It offers two daily nine-course tasting menus and a vegetarian Tasting of Vegetables.
Florida – Ulele, Tampa
Situated on the Gulf city’s Riverwalk, this restaurant occupies land that was home to many Native Americans, including the legendary young princess Ulele. It offers native-inspired food and drink, much of it based on ingredients from Floridian waters. It’s also endowed with its own micro-brewery.
Hawaii – La Mer, Honolulu
This famous restaurant blends romantic views over Waikiki Beach with award-winning French haute cuisine given a tropical twist. Much of it is based on locally sourced seafood. There’s also the adjoining L’Aperitif at La Mer, overseen by a former Ritz Paris head bartender.
Nevada - Joël Robuchon, Las Vegas
The city’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurant serves high-end French cuisine, including tasting menus, in an opulent setting in the MGM Grand Hotel. Designed to resemble an Art Deco townhouse, it has a lush garden terrace.
New York City – Café China, Midtown West
This revered and chic restaurant with decor evoking 1940s Shanghai serves unique dishes from Sichuan and other regions of China, plus an exceptional range of dim sum, while the house cocktails are sublime.
The Garland, Los Angeles
In Hollywood in the heart of LA, this iconic boutique hotel was opened by actress Beverly Garland in 1970. A true hideaway within seven acres, yet on hand for Universal Studios Hollywood (to which it offers free trolley rides) and other popular attractions, this is an oasis of retro chic, with vintage furnishings and colour schemes evoking classic US motels. All of its rooms have their own balcony; they include Wellness Suites each with a Peloton bike, weights, a Mirror fitness system, and a white noise machine to help you unwind.
Universal Loews Resort Royal Pacific, Florida
A stay at this lively resort not only gives you exclusive benefits at one of the best theme parks on the planet (it’s actually located on the grounds of Universal Orlando) – it also gives you the feeling of being whisked away to the South Seas, with palm trees and even a vast lagoon pool with a white-sand beach.
Waldorf Astoria, NYC
In a plum location on Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, this splendid landmark frequented by royalty and other celebs since its opening in 1931 is surrounded by many of New York City’s mightiest cultural venues. And as of spring 2025, it’s even better than ever, after a huge restoration to meticulously restore its Art Deco features and pair them with modern updates and state-of-the-art technology. Among the historic spaces and artefacts that have been restored are Peacock Alley (a famous lounge and bar), the Grand Ballroom, the Spirit of Achievement statue, the 1893 World’s Fair Clock, and Cole Porter’s piano.
The Bellagio, Las Vegas
One of the most legendary of Vegas’ luxury hotels – one home to a casino as well as the city’s most famous fountains – the Italian-inspired Bellagio combines elegance with fun. Its facilities include indoor botanical gardens, an outdoor pool lined by private cabanas complete with fully stocked fridges and pool rafts, and even an art gallery with works by Andy Warhol.
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Halekulani, Hawaii
One of the longest-established and best hotels in all Hawaii, this oasis of beachfront relaxation and indulgence an easy, breezy 35 minutes from Honolulu Airport is known for its outstanding service and also for its award-winning cuisine in several venues – all inspired by these islands and the bounty of their lands and seas.
