Vacation USA: Organise to Optimise!
The secret to a great holiday of a lifetime is great organisation. This is especially true when you are thinking about a destination as large as the United States of America. This article suggests an overview of some of the main things to keep in mind when planning your holiday in, or to, the US.
Getting around the US couldn’t be easier. Planes fly into almost every major city and many smaller ones. The Amtrack offers a more comfortable mode of transport if you don’t mind taking a little longer to get there, and if money is tight, why not check out the Greyhound bus? It might take a few days to arrive at your destination, but you’ll see some great sites, and meet some interesting people along the way.
Accommodation varies from place to place. Whether you want to gamble with the cheaper options such as hostelling, or ensure a clean place to lay your head by booking into one of the well-known hotel chains, you’ll find something to fit your budget. Bed and breakfast establishments are also becoming increasingly popular in some parts of the US, and these can provide an interesting as well as economical place to stay. Wherever you choose to stay, make sure you read through the information carefully before making your reservation. Many types of accommodation offer discounts for various types of guest and lengths of stay. Perhaps you could qualify for a free night if you stay seven, or maybe you qualify for discount as a member of the military services. Also find out whether breakfast is included with your room price – again this varies from place to place with some establishments offering nothing at one end of the scale to full American buffet style breakfast at the other – and a cup of coffee with a muffin somewhere in the middle! There are even establishments that will provide accommodation for your pet as well as yourself.
Food isn’t just big in the US. It’s HUGE! If you are on your first visit to America from overseas, be prepared. Think European portions and at least double it for what you will receive in the US! Usually restaurants operate a policy of automatic refills on coffee so that you only pay once but can drink as much as you need – or want. Half portions of main courses are sometimes available and if you find that the normal US portion is too big, this is a great option – if this isn’t available in the restaurant you go to, ask for a “doggy bag” and you can save some of the excess for later. Tip: If you do this, ask for the bag before you start your meal so that you can remove some of the food before you start eating – it’ll look less like leftovers that way! Another thing to keep in mind is that most hotels/motels in big tourist areas are used to guests having food brought in, so if the eating establishments in or near your accommodation are a little pricey, check out the local telephone directory and see what you can have delivered instead!
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