The East

On a first visit to New York City it is hard not to feel like you have been there before. So much a part of popular culture, one spots landmarks at every turn. But it also feels like no other place you have ever been. All of the hype about New York is true. It is a perpetually entertaining city where there is always something going on, always something to see. Where streets define your experience-Broadway, Fifth Avenue, Wall Street. Where neighborhoods seem like cities unto themselves-Greenwich Village, Soho, Hell's Kitchen, Harlem. And where you will find every kind of shop, restaurant, museum, music, and person, and ethnicity you can think of. New York truly is a melting pot. Just ask the Statue of Liberty.

To see where it all started, the cradle of American Democracy, New England and the North East charm with their picturesque villages preserved from another era and their lively cities with deep historical roots. Boston provided the spark for the American Revolution and is the unofficial hub of New England. Beautiful coastal towns and great seafood from Cape Cod all the way up to the Maine coast. Colonial-era villages in New Hampshire and Vermont set amidst woodlands that go crimson and gold in the autumn. South of New York City is Philadelphia the city that gave us Benjamin Franklin, the Liberty Bell, and the greatest Constitution every written.

Heading further south, Washington DC, the national capital, bridges the worlds of north and south. As the seat of government, and with all of its grand marble edifices, soaring monuments, and superlative museums, it is sometimes easy to overlook the great neighborhoods that make the city and region so special. Historic Georgetown in DC and Old Town Alexandria across the river in Virginia show the areas colonial roots while the neighborhoods of Dupont Circle, U Street, and Adams Morgan provide energy and diversity.

And for a change of pace, Florida does not disappoint. There's Orlando, half city, half theme park, the hot and spicy nightlife of Miami, the laid back groove of Key West, and the state's unending beaches on both the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.

The Central States

Cultural epicenter of the Midwest, Chicago, Illinois proudly anchors the "fly over" states, both geographically and spiritually. Set on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Chicago was one of the most important cities in the economic development of the United States. Today its importance as a center of business and commerce is not diminished. Chicago is equal parts elegance and exuberance. Hosting some of the worlds finest cultural institutions like the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera and some of the best live jazz and blues in world, Chicago's sophistication is second only to its sports-mad enthusiasm, creative energy, and its never ending retail.

Other cultural and creative hotspots in the Midwest include Cleveland, Ohio, with perhaps one of the three finest orchestras in the World as well as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota not only serve as a gateway to Minnesota's north woods and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, but they also host an unbelievable number of live theaters, the most important collection of modern and contemporary art between the coasts, two world-class orchestras, and a pop music scene that gave the world Bob Dylan, Prince, Soul Asylum and others, not to mention the largest shopping mall in the United States. And what could be more iconic than the giant carved heads of Mt. Rushmore and the herds of Bison in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota?

Further down the Mississippi from the Twin Cities, The grand arch in St. Louis, Missouri heralds the gateway to the American West and New Orleans, Louisiana gives the world its unique brand of jazz and blues and its French Creole food and architecture. From its panhandle to its Gulf coast to its border with Mexico, Texas never fails to remind visitors of its former status as the Republic of Texas. Upon closer inspection the stereotypes of big oil, big money, and big hair give way to an incredible diversity of people, geography and history. With quirky Austin's status as live music capital of the world, the wilds of west Texas, and the cultural and commercial centers of Dallas and Houston, Texas really could be a country unto itself.

The Mountain States

The Rocky Mountains, plowing their way through Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, put a distinct mark on the region. Along that spine of breathtaking peaks is an amazing diversity of habitats for animals and humans. From the wilds of Utah comes the internationally famous annual crush of celebrity known as the Sun Dance Film Festival. The stunning slopes of Aspen, Colorado are in direct competition for attention with the mega-stars who plunked down millions of dollars to make this their second home. And the rich and not-quite-as-famous live amidst the awesome natural beauty and ski slopes of the Grand Tetons in Jackson, Wyoming.

The West

After New York City, California is perhaps the most iconic symbol of America. Expansive and diverse in every way, the Golden State defies categorization. Los Angeles, Hollywood and the rest of Southern California offer surfers, movie stars, valley girls, and a large and vibrant Hispanic community. Movie studios, world-class shopping, theme parks, beach communities, great art collections, and the finest orchestra in the West provide endless opportunities for entertainment.

Northern California and its epicenter of San Francisco, on the other hand, offers hippies, Silicon Valley millionaires, the old school California sophisticate, and a large and vibrant gay and lesbian community. With hilly streets, the Golden Gate Bridge, diverse neighborhoods and stunning views of the bay, San Francisco shows a different side of California.

About three hours east of San Francisco you can find yourself amidst the giant sequoias of Yosemite National Park. Or head just up the road north from San Francisco are Napa Valley and Sonoma County. For wine enthusiasts and gourmands this truly is fertile ground, with many award-winning wineries, fine restaurants, and the Napa Campus of the Culinary Institute of America. Driving in a car or even on a bike on the curvy roads through the green and golden hills of Sonoma County, you might think you are in Tuscany until you come to the stunning Northern California coastline and the famous US Highway 1.

Continue far enough up the Highway 1 and you will find yourself along the exploring the beautiful coastline of the Pacific Northwest, the Oregon valleys that produce some of the finest Pinot Noir in the world, the progressive, lively city of Portland, and eventually Seattle, Washington and the lovely Cascade Mountains.

Southwest

Las Vegas has to be experienced to be believed. Perhaps the only city in the World that seems to exist solely for the sake of fun, it's a study in excess and controlled mayhem. With the finest restaurants, the most opulent hotels, world famous shows, world-class shopping, unbelievable nightclubs, and endless sunny days of golf, one could almost forget about the casinos.

Only 250 miles from Las Vegas but millions of years away are the ancient and breathtaking gorges of the Grand Canyon. Running 277 miles along the Colorado River in Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park can be approached from the North or the South.

Alaska and Hawaii

The largest state in the USA, Alaska is also one of its most unique, with the amazing glacier filled inner passage best seen from a cruise ship, the wild beauty of Denali National Park and five of North America's highest peaks.

Hawaii is America's exotic state in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. With five major islands for visitors, Hawaii has something to please just about anyone. Gorgeous beaches, perfect surfing, active volcanoes, some of the best Asian/Pacific fusion cuisine in the world, great shopping, luxurious resorts, and native Hawaiians ready to share their Aloha.

Canada

In addition to fantastic skiing in the Canadian Rockies, British Columbia has stunning Pacific coastline and coastal islands, temperate rainforests, and remarkable cities: The aptly named British-flavored Provincial capital of Victoria and the cosmopolitan east-meets-west excitement of Vancouver. A waterfront city, Vancouver is one of the most walkable and beautiful cities in North America.

At the other end of the country one can find the beautifully remote Maritime Provinces, with their charming coastal villages that are so idyllic they would make any Anne of Green Gables fans weep.

Further inland, the heart of French Canada centers around Montreal and Quebec City. One doesn't have to be a Francophone to appreciate this European city with a decidedly North American twist, with more than its share of world class cultural institutions, sporting events, and shopping. One of the most charming and arguably the most European of North American cities, Quebec City offers a taste of Paris without having to cross the Atlantic.

Further south, peeking over Lake Ontario at the United States, Toronto is the large, bustling commercial center of Canada. With its vibrant city center and striking skyline, Toronto is also a wonderful city of neighborhoods, providing visitors with wide variety of local experiences missing from many metropolitan areas south of the border without sacrificing any of the excitement of a big city.

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