Now that people's hols are in full swing I'd like to find out who's coming over, where they're going and why.
I know many of you will be heading to Orlando, or points in Florida. I can't blame you especially if you have kids.Many of us in the US and Canada prefer Florida in the spring and fall because of the summer heat and humidity. That makes reasonably priced space for Europeans to enjoy the summer.
Others will be headed for California, also hot but much drier.
Of course NYC draws in the tourists any time of the year. Not a place for kids much, but for sheer fun nothing anywhere touches it.
Americans, expats, all have their own ideas of what are the most beautiful places in the country, and I'll probably create a bit of a controversy. Scenically, the Rocky mountain states have the grandeur. But to me Connecticut, which lacks grandeur, is the best and most English looking state of them all. We have the stone walls of Derbyshire. Our forests are what Sherwood must have been like centuries ago. We have the winding leafy lanes and even some of the architecture is similar, though the houses are timber framed in the New England fashion
I can remember when Castle Combe was voted the most beautiful village in England. In America I would vote for the town of Essex right here in my state.
I am not a travel agent or anything like it, so it doesn't matter if you visit us, but its worth a look. Not much for kids to do, but we do have two of the world's biggest casinos, both run by indian tribes and free of any mafia interference.

Conneticut sounds wonderful for me and I'd love to visit if I'd got the cash to come over.. I just love the USA and everything about it, even though I've never been but it is one of the things to do before I bite the dust.

I dont know what it is about the US but it fascinates me.

Buck - I would love to visit america. I have read all the bill bryson books. I would like to go to some of the places a bit off the beaten track - not las vegas or new york but some of the lesser known cities and smaller towns.

However I have been told that it wouldn't be safe for me to go travelling round on the greyhound buses on my own - do you agree with this? Obviously it depends heavily on what area you plan to go to, but generally what would you say? Better to hire a car?

Don't forget Chicago... a great city in every way. Often overlooked by holliday makers, but really it shouldn't be.

Travel methods in the US can be generally divided into income level:

Private Jet - Celeb/CEO
Limosine - Celeb/CEO
First Class Air - Wealthy/Exec/FF Miles
Car Service - Wealthy/Exec
Coach Air - Middle Class/Business Travelers
Rented Car - Middle Class/Business Traveler
Taxi - Middle Class/Business Traveler/Urban
Train - Middle Class/Business Traveler
Bus - Lower Class/Middle Class/Student
Hitchhike - Don't do it!

If you are travelling by bus then you are bound to rub up against lower income folks which normally brings I higher percentage chance of crime. I would definitely recommend the bus if you are traveling long distances and need to do so on a budget... but whatever you do avoid hitchhiking. Nothing puts you at greater risk than being out on the road, alone at the mercy of random strangers.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Peace,

Locker

Limosine - Celeb/CEO

Not where i come from. In Chicago many locals use them to come back from the airports. If you play it right it can be cheaper than a taxi... and more comfortable.

Originally posted by buck
Now that people's hols are in full swing I'd like to find out who's coming over, where they're going and why.
I know many of you will be heading to Orlando, or points in Florida. I can't blame you especially if you have kids.Many of us in the US and Canada prefer Florida in the spring and fall because of the summer heat and humidity. That makes reasonably priced space for Europeans to enjoy the summer.
Others will be headed for California, also hot but much drier.
Of course NYC draws in the tourists any time of the year. Not a place for kids much, but for sheer fun nothing anywhere touches it.
Americans, expats, all have their own ideas of what are the most beautiful places in the country, and I'll probably create a bit of a controversy. Scenically, the Rocky mountain states have the grandeur. But to me Connecticut, which lacks grandeur, is the best and most English looking state of them all. We have the stone walls of Derbyshire. Our forests are what Sherwood must have been like centuries ago. We have the winding leafy lanes and even some of the architecture is similar, though the houses are timber framed in the New England fashion
I can remember when Castle Combe was voted the most beautiful village in England. In America I would vote for the town of Essex right here in my state.
I am not a travel agent or anything like it, so it doesn't matter if you visit us, but its worth a look. Not much for kids to do, but we do have two of the world's biggest casinos, both run by indian tribes and free of any mafia interference.

my daughter is in california as we speak working for camp america......and loving it (after a shaky start, home sick bless, but not anymore)

I would strongly agree with Locker.DO NOT THUMB!!!
Bus travel is the cheapest, and on the few occasions that I've used them they've been OK. Painfully slow and not very comfortable if you're headed a long way.
Trains are better for anything up to about 300 miles or so.
Renting a car puts you on the other side of the road, which can be a problem if you've never done it before, especailly in the very heavy traffic that plagues much of the US. Most scary would be the gigantic tractor trailers moving along at well over 70 mph right up your backside. Flying anywhere today is a chore
and, believe it or not you can often fly between the US and europe for less than crossing the US.
Once you're here you'll find a people who make you welcome. Good food with excellent and friendly service, and some incredible places to visit.

I wouldn't mind going to Boston, New Hampshire, New Orleaons, Alaska or Seattle but its never going to happen.

I thought that the US was advising UK Citizens not to leave the confines of the M25? :suspect: ;)

imagine being trapped in there:(

Me and my fiance will be coming to America next year on our honeymoon. There were so many places we would like to visit over there, we just had to choose the ones we would most like to visit first.

We ended up choosing;
4 days in Vegas
5 days in New Orleans (over Mardi Gras)
4 days in NYC

I think this means we get a nice spread of atmosphere and we will make sure that we do take time to explore other places that aren't on the tourist map!

I'm going to be a dissenting voice here. I've never been to the US, and no way would I go these days, what with visas, fingerprinting, iris scans and all the rest. I don't like being treated as a criminal, and I don't want my personal characteristics filed away over there, thank you. We don't inflict the same sort of things on US citizens when they come here.

When they treat us the same as we treat them I might consider it again. Till then, you can keep your country.

I hope to visit Phoenix, San Francisco, LA and Hawaii later this year, if the saving-up gets back on track.

Originally posted by metalman
I'm going to be a dissenting voice here. I've never been to the US, and no way would I go these days, what with visas, fingerprinting, iris scans and all the rest. I don't like being treated as a criminal, and I don't want my personal characteristics filed away over there, thank you. We don't inflict the same sort of things on US citizens when they come here.

When they treat us the same as we treat them I might consider it again. Till then, you can keep your country.

Actually, we kill and eat every tenth British tourist. It's why McDonald's and KFC are EVERYWHERE. It's all a plot to fatten you up. :suspect:

:) Sierra

Originally posted by kirky
my daughter is in california as we speak working for camp america......and loving it (after a shaky start, home sick bless, but not anymore)
Oh I forgot about that mate.
I'm certain she's having an amazing time... I did uring the 2 summers I went to work on a summer camp.

*insert jealous smilie here* ;)

Thank you Metalman for allowing us to keep our country. Seems to me we kind of took it for ourselves back in 1776. We are sure our tourist trade can survive your absence, and you can go back to Watney's Red Barrel and bingo on the Costa Brava. Don't forget your sunscreen.

Buck,

Not that I want to get into the whole who's and what's of independance day history of America. It would be kind to note that the modern day Americans would do well to remember and pay full respect to the French.
Lets face it, without there re-inforcements to back up your civil uprising, you'd probably have the queens face on your currency today ;)

Just something to think about!

I am a huge fan of America and have been to a few places - Boston a few times, which is stunning and wonderful, San Fran, equally gorgeous, Las Veags - bizarre place, Orlando and Indianapolis.

I have to say out of those places I enjoyed Orlando the least.

Also been to Death Valley, Yosemite and Grand Canyon.

I would move to the US tomorrow, I love it and everyone I have ever met over there has been fantastic and has made me feel very welcome.

Hopefully going to New York / Boston for some xmas shopping this yr aswell.

We went to New York and really had a fab time. We stuck to the obvious places and didn't feel at all threatened or unsafe. Central Park was lovely, and the shops just amazing. We booked for a show before we went but I wondered since if we might have got a better deal when we got there.

Years ago in previous employment (seems like previous life!) I spent a bit of time in Norfolk Virginia. Great beaches and people, drinking beer and eating buckets of broiled shrimps on the dunes.........

I've just come back from another road trip around California. It's the second time I've toured around the west coast.

LA, Palm Springs, down to Tijuana, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Yosemite, Death Valley, Mohajve Desert.

On the east coast I've been to New York and Philadelphia a couple of times and down to Maryland and Washington DC. Total tourist on all occasions.

I'd like to get inland and see what life's like away from the coast.

I also want to travel to South America next year.

I prefer not to argue about what debt we owe to Francw. I think it was paid back in full in 2 world wars. Their help was minimal at best.
I'd like to thank everyone who responded, both pro and con.
There are places here I have never visited either, even after 38 years. It is a vast place.
So of the places I have visited or worked, here are a few interesting ones.
Seattle, Washington. Beautiful area with Puget sound . Close enough to Vancouver BC to enjoy another great place.
Ticonderoga NY. Steeped in revolutionary history with its magnificent restored fort overlooking Lake Champlain
Savannah, Georgia. Founded by British General Oglethorpe, full of magnificent squares.
Gettysburg PA. Anyone interestd in the Civil war has to go to Gettysburg. Just walking the mile across from Seminary ridge to Cemetary ridge where thousands died on the third day battle is an eerie experience
San Francisco, California's best city.
Nashville TN . Country music paradise.

Hi .. I'm off to America in about 4 weeks and can't wait!! I have loads of family over there, in Maryland, Virginia and down the Eastern Sho' ... We are also going to visit the south this time and im looking forward to that the most!!

I'll hopefully be spend quite a few months there next year, taking in the whole east coast. Spending a while in NC, so I can spend a few hours at Ericsson Stadium, or Bank of America stadium, or whatever it's called now, to watch Delhomme and the boys!

I'll be spending a few weeks in Myrtle Beach too, to play a few rounds, do some shagging (it's the shag capital of the world apparently) and relax by the pool with a Corona.

Leave me a few beers, Snook, played a few rounds at Myrtle myself. While you're there take a run into Hilton Head. Also Savannah is only a few miles away. There's a pub there called the Winston Churchill. Its on Oglethorpe Blvd.
Couple of places in Virginia, Leddi, Chincotegue Island with its wild ponies who like to sea bathe.
Virginia Beach, miles of golden sands and a great boardwalk ( promenade ). Don't miss Washington DC, keep to the Federal District, the White House, Capitol, Smithsonian, Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam wal. but stay out of some of the residential areas, they're not too safe.

Originally posted by leddi
Hi .. I'm off to America in about 4 weeks and can't wait!! I have loads of family over there, in Maryland, Virginia and down the Eastern Sho' ... We are also going to visit the south this time and im looking forward to that the most!!

I'm jealous! My mother, my daughter and I spent time in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland in February. You must visit Alexandria, Virginia. Especially Old Town Alexandria. We had such a wonderful time, I'd love to go back there.
http://ci.alexandria.va.us/

This place had loads of atmosphere, and the best crab cakes we'd ever eaten!
http://www.gadsbystavernrestaurant.com/

We used the Metro in Washington DC almost exclusively to get around. http://www.wmata.com/default.cfm We found it safe, clean, fast, and inexpensive. But of course, use common sense when taking public transportation.

buck mentioned some good sights to see in Washington DC, and don't forget the Holocaust Museum and Georgetown. Have a great time!

:) Sierra

I will be landing in Las Vegas in 19 days and counting........

Originally posted by teebee
I will be landing in Las Vegas in 19 days and counting........

what are you in a glider?

Anyone in Britain can have a nice cheap holiday , with loads of American atmosphere.

Just pop down your local High Street. MacDonalds , Kentucky Fried Chicken ,Ice-cream parlours ..........etc......etc.....
You'll see loads of baseball caps to give you that authentic American atmosphere and you won't be allowed to smoke of course.
What more could you possibly wish for ? Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding ? Yuk !
Give me a nice fat triple -decker wham -burger any old time , pardner.
Have a nice day ,y'all !

You're right Sierra, I forgot Mount Vernon and Arlington National Cemetary with the eternal flame on JFKs grave.
The Washington subway, like NYC, Boston, or the Chicago El are generally safe enough during the day. Be careful at night.
Is that system I think they called BRAT or something still running in the Bay area? It was fairly new when I worked for a little while in the Silicon valley, but wasn't too successful.

Right Fareast, and all you have to do is go to Cleethorpes! Who needs to visit the Grand Canyon after that!

Metalman, dont be a berk all your life, have a day off.

Originally posted by buck
Right Fareast, and all you have to do is go to Cleethorpes! Who needs to visit the Grand Canyon after that!

The Grand Canyon, the only place I've had vertigo stood on the ground.

Originally posted by buck
You're right Sierra, I forgot Mount Vernon and Arlington National Cemetary with the eternal flame on JFKs grave.
The Washington subway, like NYC, Boston, or the Chicago El are generally safe enough during the day. Be careful at night.
Is that system I think they called BRAT or something still running in the Bay area? It was fairly new when I worked for a little while in the Silicon valley, but wasn't too successful.

It is, buck.

http://www.bart.gov/index.asp

They've added some new stations over the years, but in most cases, you have to drive to the station, then pay to park your car. Sort of defeats the purpose. Lots of people still use it, though. The traffic in the Bay Area is fierce.

My father also worked in Silicon Valley all the years we were growing up. The company manufactured and sold water treatment systems used to distill and deionize water for microchip production. I didn't know you lived in California. How come you didn't stay?

:) Sierra

I was watching "Cheers" at the time. Made me homesick for Boston. I liked Cupertino, with its Britannia Arms pub full of illegals laid off from the software companies. I got asked in there if I had my green card, and they said just like us. I hated to tell them I was a citizen.
I liked Fisherman's wharf, and the view of Alcatraz from the Presidio. Great City, I was told that SF is always known just as the city, and never Frisco.
We have a town we just call the city too, Somewhat bigger than San Francisco, with the politest taxi drivers in the world.
Yeah right.