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The United States of America

The United States of America is one of the largest countries in the world. There is a lot of interesting things for travel lovers, between the West Coast (Pacific Ocean) and the East Coast (Atlantic Ocean) of the United States. There is also Alaska in the northwest and the Hawaiian Islands (in the southwest), which would also be interesting to visit and see with your own eyes. The distance from San Francisco (West Coast) to New York (East Coast) is approximately 2,560 miles (4,120 kilometers). It is unlikely that any travellr can expect to see all the states. Therefore, if you are planning a trip to the USA, you need to decide what you would like to see and what you would like to do. You need a clear travel plan.

US | Map | New York | Miami | Los Angeles

Travel to the USA

The United States is a vast country with a huge diversity of landscapes, environments and ecosystems. Mountains, forests and deserts; oceans, seas, rivers and lakes; sandy beaches and rocky coastlines - such diversity of nature is not found in most countries of the world.

National parks provide an opportunity to see the diversity of nature and unique natural attractions, such as the Grand Canyon.

The USA has wonderful places for a beach holiday. We all know states such as Florida, California, Hawaii. In America you can find a place for a beach vacation in any season of the year.

The largest cities in the United States also have a lot to offer travelers. Among the most popular among tourists you can name, for example, New York, Los Angeles, Orlando, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami. But this is only a small part! Ask your American friends for advice, or look in guidebooks and this website.

There are many charming small towns in the United States that foreigners have probably never even heard of. Unfortunately, it is not at all easy for Europeans and residents of other countries to visit the United States because the country is far away and travel is expensive.

Tourists planning a trip to the United States need to know this.

Residents of most countries must first obtain a visa to visit the United States.
Citizens of many (mostly European) countries do not need a visa for a short-term stay in the United States. The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of these countries to visit the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa, but they must obtain an electronic authorization.
To travel without a visa under the VWP, you must obtain authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before boarding an air or ocean carrier bound for the United States.
Check the information and possible restrictions on the US Bureau of Consular Affairs website. (Last updated 2023.)

The USA is a huge country. Even many Americans have not visited all parts of their country. Don't try to see everything in one, even a long trip. Choose one priority area, state, city. What interests you most? Cities? Beaches? Theme parks? Nature? National parks? Interesting events?

Tips are expected. This is unusual for residents of many countries, but it is indeed customary to pay tips to the people who serve you: waiters, taxi drivers, housekeepers, and hotel maids. This could be 15 to 20% on top of the bill.

Tax is not included in prices. This is unusual for us, but in many places where goods or services are sold, the prices on the price tags are indicated without taxes. So be prepared to pay more than you might expect. Tax rates vary from state to state. It could be 7% or more.

Are you used to the metric measurement system? You may not be used to this, but in the US we use pounds, gallons and yards. It's possible that you've never even heard of this. Air temperature is also measured in Fahrenheit (°F). We use the Celsius scale °C. To help you understand the weather forecast:
At 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it's going to be a hot day. 100°F=38°C.
32°F = 0°C.
-5°F = -20°C - it is very cold.

Did you know that electrical outlets in the US (and Canada) are different from those used in Europe and much of Asia? It is better to buy an electrical adapter in advance. This is also true for tourists traveling from the US to Europe.

Be sure to purchase medical travel insurance if you don't have it. An accident or sudden illness can not only ruin your trip, but also create unplanned financial problems. Healthcare in the US is very expensive.

It is believed that cities such as New York, Chicago, San Francisco have well-functioning public transport. But in many US cities, getting around without a personal car can be a real challenge. Even in some cities, you will find it difficult to reach some places by bus. You will have to use a local taxi to get around the city. A good solution is to rent a car sometimes.

Try to see other little-known places. It's not surprising that you definitely want to see the Statue of Liberty, visit Disneyland and the Las Vegas Strip, and visit Miami Beach. But in such a huge and diverse country there are many equally interesting places. Try to discover something new and share information with us. (Ask your American friends for advice.)

USA map

For American travelers

Americans themselves love travelers. The ancestors of most Americans include great travelers - immigrants from Europe.

Probably most Europeans have very rarely met Americans. All Europeans saw Chinese, Egyptian, Russian tourists, but most likely they did not see Americans.

This may give the false impression that Americans don't travel. This is wrong. Americans travel a lot, but mostly within their own country.

America has almost everything that usually interests travel lovers. Because of this, many Americans don't feel the need to travel overseas.

If residents of the United States (and Canada) want to go on a beach vacation, they can fly to Hawaii, Florida, or California.

If US residents want to spend their winter vacation at a ski resort, they can go to Colorado or Montana.

Travel enthusiasts can find virtually any weather, natural environment, or activity in the United States.

The United States is inhabited by representatives of all nations of the world and such a diversity of cultures cannot be found in any other country in the world. Traveling around your own country can give US residents the opportunity to get acquainted with the cultural traditions of many peoples of the world.

If these opportunities are not enough for US residents, they can easily visit neighboring countries: Mexico, Canada, Dominican Republic.

Add to this that Americans consider traveling to Europe too expensive (and perhaps unsafe), and it's easy to understand why most Americans only travel within their own country.

Is there anything that America doesn't have that would require Americans to travel far?
Certainly! It is naive to think that America has everything. If you live in the US and love to travel, try to find opportunities to travel the world in person. You won't be able to experience this if you're in America.
Visit the wonderful cities of France - Paris, Marseille, Lyon.
Visit the UK, and don't limit yourself to just visiting London.
Meet the greatest works of art in Italy, in Rome, in Florence, in Venice.
See for yourself the most ancient monuments of Egypt, the temples of Luxor and the pyramids of Giza.
And this is only a small grain of our huge, beautiful world, open to travel lovers.

Traveling to Europe can get a little more expensive. Starting from mid-2025, residents of most countries, including US citizens, will need another document to enter the European Union. To visit the EU, tourists will need to apply for a permit through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). This will cost 7 euros, although some travelers are exempt from paying this fee.

Traveling is not getting easier or cheaper in modern reality, unfortunately.

Useful links for travelers:

Popular tourist places

Some of the most visited places in the USA:

  • Times Square is one of the most visited squares in the world (New York).
  • Central Park in New York is considered as the most famous park in the world. Central Park and Times Square are located on Manhattan Island in New York.
  • The Las Vegas Strip is a stretch of South Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada. It is known for its concentration of resort hotels and casinos. The Strip is approximately 4.2 miles (6.8 km) in length. It is located immediately south of the Las Vegas city limits.
  • Disney World (Walt Disney World Resort) is the largest and most visited entertainment center in the world. The entertainment park is located near the city of Orlando (Florida).
  • Located in the city of Anaheim Disneyland is also popular with tourists (near Los Angeles, California).
  • The Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge is located near the city of San Francisco. The Golden Gate Bridge was the largest suspension bridge in the world until 1964.
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