E is for…Elvis Presley
Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, Elvis Presley lived in Graceland from 1957 until his untimely death in 1977. This mansion in Memphis is now a museum, and you can see various rooms, including the famous Jungle Room, admire the 22 vehicles that he drove or rode on during his life, and even step aboard his private planes. Guided tours end in the poignant Meditation Garden, where Elvis is buried alongside his parents. In Memphis you can also visit Sun Studios, where the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll made his first recordings in 1954.
F is for…food
Nearly all of the popular dishes consumed in the USA originated elsewhere and were taken there by settlers, colonists and immigrants. On USA tours your menu is sure to feature hamburgers, hot dogs, pizzas and tacos, as well as a slice of all-American apple pie. Head South for fried chicken and cornbread, and try out Boston’s seafood, it’s said to be amongst the best in the world.
Fancy a tipple? Bourbon is considered the USA’s national drink, California’s wines are world renowned and there are more than 3,000 breweries in the USA, from industry giants producing world-famous ales to microbreweries inventing full-flavoured, innovative craft beers. As a general rule, if you want it, you’ll probably find it in America, and in huge portions too.
G is for…Grand Canyon
Sights don’t come much grander than the Grand Canyon. No tour of America would be complete without a visit – and about six million people oblige each year! This iconic natural wonder really does have to be seen to be believed, whether you stand on the South Rim absorbing the breathtaking views or take a thrilling flight over this 277-mile-long gorge, which at its widest is 18 miles across. This is more than just a big hole in the ground, this is an overwhelming sight that proves the adage that bigger is definitely better, and the sight of it will stop you in your tracks.
And let’s not forget San Francisco’s GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE. Just as famous as the city in which it resides, it was opened in 1937 and was once described as ‘the bridge which could not and should not be built’. Since that day, about two billion vehicles have journeyed across it, and a really thrilling way to view it is from a helicopter, as you soar around, over and under it.
H is for…History
The USA was founded on 4th July 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was written and signed in Philadelphia. Serving then as the country’s capital, the city is home to the most historic square mile in America, featuring the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the President’s House, where George Washington and John Adams spent most of their presidencies, and Carpenter’s Hall, where the seeds of the American Revolution were sewn.
Boston too is a city awash with history. Once a hotbed of revolutionary activity, this was the site of the infamous Boston Tea Party, an act of protest over taxation. It’s also where you can follow the Freedom Trail. This path passes by 16 historically significant locations including Paul Revere House, the Granary Burying Ground and the Benjamin Franklin statue, a tribute to one of America’s Founding Fathers.
And hooray for HOLLYWOOD too! Every visitor to Los Angeles wants to step on the Walk of Fame and gaze up towards the nine white letters of the Hollywood sign – a metaphor for ambition, success and glamour!
I is for…icons
USA tours are quite simply packed with iconic landmarks no matter where you go. Sail under or fly over San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, admire the sights on the Las Vegas Strip, or take a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon. View the extensive musical exhibits at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and immerse yourself in political history as you stand before the White House. The whole city of New York is an icon, aided by the likes of the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Central Park and so on.
J is for…Jazz
Be sure to put
Orleans on your list when you tour America, especially if you’re a music-lover. One of the oldest cities in the country, it is also the birthplace of jazz. Take in the scent of the flowers tumbling from the wrought iron balconies in the French Quarter as music wafts from every door and window. Head to Bourbon Street, which is 13 blocks long and lined with bars and live music venues playing everything from Dixieland to acid jazz, day and night.
K is for…Martin Luther King JR
Born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1929 in a time of racial segregation, Dr Martin Luther King Jr was destined to become a legend. As leader of the Civil Rights Movement, he will forever be remembered for his ‘I have a dream’ speech, a passionate call for an end to racism.
L is for…Las Vegas
There is no chance you’ll get bored in Las Vegas, not for one minute. The whole place is a living, neon-lit attraction and just walking along the Strip is an electrifying excursion that won’t cost you a dime! The hotels are way past incredible, with shows, rides, exhibitions and huge shopping malls inside, but you only have to stroll by for a thrill-a-minute experience. Luxor whisks you to Cairo as you gaze at not quite the Great Pyramid at Giza and the Sphinx, but they’re great copies. The Belaggio’s colourful dancing fountains are awesome to see in action, and at the Venetian you can get your photo taken with gondoliers navigating Vegas’s very own Grand Canal in the background. Save The Mirage Hotel for a night-time visit, it’s got a waterfall that actually turns into an erupting volcano. Oh, and there are loads of casinos – for some the star attraction but we think they’ve got way too much competition.