USA Escorted Tours & Guided Holidays

Frequently asked Questions about guided holidays in USA

What are the best tours to the United States?

With such an array of experiences within this vast land - the guided holiday you choose depends on what experiences you are looking for.

For music lovers, exploring the heritage of Blues and Jazz on our The Deep South tour is a must. Alternatively, if its understanding more of the history of this great nation - America's Historic East is just the ticket. Or perhaps you have the world famous National Parks on your list of must see's - in which case our Epic Wonders of the National Parks tour taking you to no less than 8 of the greatest parks will be the tour for you. Or perhaps you want to ee the sights of New York or the surrounding areas of San Francisco and the Pacific Coast or even Discover New England - with a country as big as the USA - there's sure to be something for everyone.

What should I pack for a guided holiday in the United States?

Americans tend to dress casually, particularly in the warmer months.  We recommend checking the weather forecast a few days before you travel.

 

We recommend comfortable, lightweight clothing.  You may also find a cardigan or pullover useful for air-conditioned buildings and transportation. Comfortable shoes are a must as there can be a lot of walking involved on some excursions.

 

What's the food like in the US?

The United Sates is a melting pot of different cuisines from around the world, from the Creole dishes of New Orleans to the Italian influenced food of New Jersey. Every imaginable dish can be found coast to coast and the wide range of options partnered with larger portions makes eating out easy and delicious. These are some of the most iconic foods we recommend you try on your visit:

• Bagels – One of New York’s most popular foods, if you’re looking for a quick bite then a bagel shop is your best bet. The iconic pairing of cream cheese and smoked salmon is as quintessential as you can get.
• Fried chicken – Found all over the States, you’ll never be too far away from a plate of crispy chicken wings. But the south is credited as the birthplace of fried chicken, so make sure to try Nashville’s famous hot chicken with its cayenne pepper sauce.
• Clam chowder – Clam chowder is a hearty coastal comfort food. Originating in New England you’ll also find this creamy soup all over San Francisco.
• Gumbo – For a true taste of Louisiana you need to try Gumbo. This popular thick soup has both Creole and Cajun variations, but will contain either meat or seafood or both and will always include stock, celery, onions, peppers and roux.
• Mac n cheese – A beloved dish by all Americans, its origins can be traced back to Italy, but it feels as though it is a typical American recipe and a must try on your visit.
• Barbecue – Barbecue is a part of American culture, especially in the southern states. Barbecue joints can be found across the country with beef brisket, pork ribs and pulled pork all on offer. However the sauce or seasoning varies significantly on the region.
• Cheesecake – Cheesecake is a popular dessert both in the States and here in the UK, but nobody does it better than New York – the extra cream cheese gives it a rich creamy texture. Head to Junior’s in New York for the best cheesecake around but don’t worry if you’re not in the Big Apple, The Cheesecake Factory offers an amazing selection of cheesecakes.

When it comes to drinks American beer is light, cheap and always served chilled. Bud Light is probably the most popular beer in the States and will be served pretty much everywhere, from restaurants, city bars, pubs and local dive bars. American wine, usually from California, has certainly ‘come of age’ in recent years and now presents a very respectable alternative to the more expensive European imports.

How long is the flight to the United States?

Flights from London take about 8 hours to the East Coast of America and just over 11 hours to reach Los Angeles on the West Coast

What time zone is the United States in?

As North America is such a vast country (3,000 miles from coast to coast), the country spans 6 time zones.  It shares the main four time zones with Canada. Eastern Time , Central Time, Mountain Time and Pacific Time (Hawaii Time and Alaska Time are separate Time zones).

 

Please see below cities we fly into and their Time Zones

• Boston, New York and Atlanta (Eastern Standard Time) - 5 hours behind GMT.
• Chicago, Dallas and New Orleans (Central Standard Time) - 6 hours behind GMT.
• Phoenix and Rapid City (Mountain Standard Time) - 7 hours behind GMT.
• Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas (Pacific Standard Time) - 8 hours behind GMT.