America Holidays
Road trips in California to City Breaks in NYC!
America Holidays
What do you think of when planning a trip to the USA? An Americana-filled road trip along Route 66? The beaches dotted along the coast of California, or shopping and celebrity spotting in LA? Or maybe the New York skyline?
Whatever appeals to you, we can help bring your itinerary to life and tailor make the trip of your dreams.
You might opt for a city break - New York and Las Vegas are two of the most popular destinations for a quick getaway.
We can organise car and campervan hire, giving you the freedom to hit the road and travel your way. Take in National Parks, ghost towns, buzzing cities, golden coasts and soaring mountains.
Follow the sun to Hawaii, and learn how to surf. Take the kids to meet Mickey Mouse. If you’re a foodie, chow down in some of the best restaurants in the world, or order a plate of grits in the Deep South. We can even take you whale watching in Alaska!
Whether this is your first visit to the US, or your tenth, there is so much to explore, we can guarantee it won’t be your last!
New York City Breaks
New York, New York! This is the ultimate city break destination, the jewel in the crown of the US. There are so many must sees - the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and Times Square for starters. Shop ‘til you drop, revisit iconic filming locations on walking tours, wander through Central Park and don’t forget to experience the street food - bagels and pretzels are on every street corner.
There are an abundance of hotels to match most budgets. Manhattan is the place to be with easy access to most of the sights. We would recommend a hop on, hop off tourist bus pass to get you around and enable you to skip the queues.
With enough Broadway shows, museums, galleries and restaurants to keep you busy whatever the duration of your trip, we would definitely recommend that you take a bite out of the Big Apple.
Florida, Miami & the Keys
Florida is best known for its white sand beaches and alligator infested everglades system, but there is much more to it than meets the eye.
Miami is the main arrival point if you are avoiding Orlando’s theme parks. Miami itself has much to offer, particularly its colourful Art Deco buildings, famous South Beach and Cuban influences (visit a tobacco factory and enjoy some Cuban food!)
If you head down to the Keys, you will find a quirky, tropical string of islands connected by a series of long bridges. The drive is spectacular, and only takes 3-4 hours. Stop along the way at Robbie’s, treat yourself to a slushie and feed the pelicans and tarpon. Right at the end is the biggest Key, also known as Key West.
Key West itself is a fantastic snorkelling destination with an easily accessible coral reef. It is actually closer to Cuba than Miami, and the island has a laid back party vibe, especially at Mallory Square during its nighty arts festival leading up to the sunset.
We can also get you off the beaten track - Sanibel island, Clearwater, Naples and St Augustine are all beautiful in their own ways, and can combine to make an amazing road trip.
Disneyland Florida
Orlando is well recognised as the theme park capital of the world! Walt Disney World was established in 1971, and a multitude of other attractions soon followed. Nowadays, there are seven Disney parks, including EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Orlando is also home to Gatorland, Discovery Cove and Legoland Florida, as well as multiple water parks.
If thrill seeking isn’t your thing, you could check out some of the abundant golf courses or shopping outlets nearby. There is a thriving food scene where you can sample all kinds of cuisines, from Brazilian to Egyptian!
Orlando has an energetic, youthful feel which appeals to families and people from all walks of life. Orlando has on average 233 sunny days a year and was recently named the most visited city in the US, which says it all!
California Holidays
If you have a couple of weeks, then California is a great choice for a dream holiday. It is the quintessential road trip - there is nothing like the feeling of driving down the winding Pacific Highway, through picturesque Big Sur towards the bright lights of LA.
The north of the state offers giant redwoods and vineyards abundant with fruit and wine. If you head towards the south, you will be able to enjoy a more laid back surfer lifestyle, with sweeping golden beaches and national parks aplenty.
LA is the obvious starting point for any California itinerary. The City of Angels is well known for its Hollywood studios, eclectic shops and restaurants, lively nightlife and quirky Venice Beach. But there is lots to explore off the beaten track as well. Head up into the Hills for a hike, or take the perfect Instagram selfie on the Santa Monica Pier!
Las Vegas Holidays
If it’s glitz and glamour that you’re looking for, then Las Vegas will tick all the boxes. Famous for its neon lights, marriage chapels, casinos, fine dining and lively nightlife, there is nowhere else quite like it.
Themed resorts and high end hotels are dotted along the famous Las Vegas Strip. You can visit Venice, ancient Greece, Egypt and Paris in a single day!
Take a rollercoaster ride in a crazy taxi at New York, New York! Shop ‘til you drop at one of the many shopping malls, get a sugar high by digging into the world’s most expensive ice cream sundae, and be sure not to leave without seeing at least one of its spectacular shows. Las Vegas is an adults’ playground like no other!
It is also the gateway to the surrounding national parks - opt for a day trip or helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon, or spend a couple of days enjoying the peace and serenity that nature has to offer in Bryce Canyon or Zion National Park.
US National Parks
The US is home to over 84 million acres of wild landscapes and historical geological sites, made up of 61 National Parks in total. This means plenty of space for you to trek, camp, horse ride, raft, enjoy and explore.
Top of the list is Yellowstone, a dormant supervolcano which has more geysers and hot springs than any other place on earth.
If rock climbing and bouldering is more your thing, then check out some of the 4500 routes that the Joshua Tree National Park offers. Combined with its desert eco system and gold mining ruins, it is a really unique place.
The Grand Canyon is a must. One of the best experiences is to take a helicopter ride to admire its vastness and beauty, watch the sunset and then have a champagne picnic inside the ravine itself.
Yosemite National Park, famed for its giant sequoia trees, will provide peaceful surroundings for you to relax and soak up the atmosphere. Enjoy an easy walk to one of the many waterfalls or kick back by a lake. If you want to feel the adrenaline pumping then Yosemite offers rafting, 4x4s, multiple more challenging hikes and even a zipwire!
Solo Travel in the US
If you’re a solo traveller but looking for a group holiday we can help. We have some small group guided tours, don’t worry! They’re not the traditional stuffy tours of the 1980s! These are modern cycling or trekking tours with plenty of free time, other solo travellers and a guide. Contact our team to find out more.
Family Travel in the US
The USA is the ultimate family destination. With no language barrier, excellent medical facilities and food to match all tastes, it makes an ideal and safe place for families with children of all ages.
Family-friendly accommodation is plentiful, from interconnecting hotel rooms to multi-room log cabins, we can help you find the perfect base.
You won’t be able to experience everything that the US has to offer in one trip, but there are some definite highlights which are ideal for families travelling together.
Disneyland is a massive draw for people wanting to make their childrens’ dreams come true! Immerse yourselves in the multitude of theme parks in Orlando, or head to Disneyland in Anaheim for a more low key taste of all things Disney.
We offer RVs (recreational vehicles) which can be a convenient, family-friendly way to travel around the West Coast - and means only having to unpack once!
The kids will be in an outdoor classroom if you include a visit to one of the many National Parks, and as parents, we guarantee you will enjoy it just as much. Why not consider extending your stay, and glamping for a few nights under the stars?
Stay on a traditional cowboy ranch, explore Hawaii’s volcanoes, cycle across San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge - whatever you do, you will all appreciate the ease of travel and amazing experiences that the US offers.
US Tours
If you’d like to see more of America than a typical holiday, why not consider joining one of our small group guided tours? These aren’t the old fashioned stuffy coach tours and we promise there won’t be any guides with flags in sight! These are guided but free flowing adventures taking you to explore your destination and experience the local life. Certainly most tourists won’t experience where these tours will take you.
Getting Around in the US
Public transport is not very convenient in the US. We would highly recommend an escorted trip, or car hire.
For long distances, such as east coast to west coast or vice versa, we would recommend a domestic flight. They are plentiful and good value for money.
Local buses tend to be expensive and time consuming (particularly in LA) and the intercity Greyhound has a bit of a downmarket reputation.
The AMTRAK train system is good, and there are some very scenic routes (check out the Coast Starlight in California) however there is limited capability to get into the National Parks or more rural areas.
We can help you plan a self drive itinerary. The West Coast is particularly popular for this. You could even upgrade to a convertible - what a way to cruise down Sunset Boulevard. Car hire in the US is inexpensive and the roads are in good condition. We would always recommend hiring a GPS system to help you navigate - some of the freeways in LA have fourteen lanes!
Another option well worth considering is hiring a campervan or RV (recreational vehicle). This will give you true freedom, and help overcome the issue of lack of availability in the summer. You will still require a campsite membership pass however, so don’t forget to factor this into your budget.
The biggest advantage of all is the fact that you only have to unpack once, saving you valuable holiday time!
Best Time to Go to the US
From March onwards, temperatures start to warm up, Las Vegas pools open and wildflowers bloom.
Spring and summer are the best seasons for road tripping and camping, although it does mean having to plan and book early.
In the summer especially, lodges and campsites get fully booked so planning ahead is key.
Come September, the crowds start to disperse and temperatures start to drop. Snow can be seen in many northern parts of the country, but the south will still be mild.
New York at Christmas time is particularly magical, and many people pop across the pond for a Christmas shopping minibreak, complete with the quintessential experience of ice skating under the giant Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Centre.
Helpful Information
The currency in the USA is the US Dollar.
Flying time from the UK is 7 hours to the East Coast, 12 hours to the West Coast.
Local emergency numbers are:
Ambulance - 999
Local Police - 999
National Police - 999
Coastguard - 999
The Holiday People Financial Protection
At The Holiday People we give you full financial protection.
Simply, when you make a booking your money goes into a sperate business account and stays there until you go on holiday.
Your money is separated from the money we use to run the business. Your money enters into either a Trust Account or Client Account pending what elements of a holiday your booking.
This means that we will always be able to refund and even if, for some reasons The Holiday People failed, you'd be able to get a refund or go on holiday because your money is separated from the business.
The Holiday People offers some of the most comprehensive financial protection in the travel industry. Many travel companies do not offer the protection we do so even if you don't book with us, please do check how you are protected!
We hope this makes sense!
For more information please click here or contact our team.