Meet the US of A USA weather reportGetting into the USAFrom the American kitchenFrom the American bar Currency in the USAMajor airports in the USAThings to have at hand in the USADid you know?

 

Meet the US of A

 

The USA is a country that today stands juxtaposed amid the good, the bad, and dare we say it – the ugly.  While it has a history rich in memories of the Wild Wild West when heroic figures like Mark Twain brought pride upon its name, it is also tinged with the scandal of modern day mishaps that have brought shame upon its precious post as world policeman.

 

Moronic, war mongering ex-presidents who invent vocabulary words with no meaning, sit on their backsides in the midst of natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, stake claim to the hallucination of being spoken to by God, and declare that global warming is but a myth with no valid threat to the environment, have riddled the country with ridicule.

 

But America has offered up plenty of other opportunities at which the world has poked fun, felt angry, and jeered.  The fast food influence that has now given way to a global obesity epidemic is but one among these many. And thus, Mr. Obama, you have a lot of work to do in restoring good repute to your nation, but thankfully, the news isn’t all bad – there is some positive imagery to lend you a helping hand along the way.

 

Hollywood glory old and new, Vegas and its shimmering lights, the majesty of the Statue of Liberty, a world of Disney characters and theme parks, Hawaii’s volcanoes, and a wealth of other attractions also represent the USA. And let us not forget the country’s immense global influence on the worlds of entertainment, media, business, fitness, and sport.

 

Taking all that into account, it’s no wonder that millions of visitors flock to it every year to sample the American Dream and its mix of offerings.    For families, Orlando’s Disney World and Universal Studios, Arizona’s Grand Canyon, and San Diego’s Mount Rushmore National Park are among the most favoured destinations.

 

For the city dweller, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco are some of the hotter pickings.  Their cosmopolitan appeal, star studded night life, museums, international shopping, and world class restaurants attract visitors from all walks of life.

The intrepid traveller might prefer white water rafting in Colorado, a winter ski break on the slopes of Aspen, or a wildlife cruise among the glaciers of Alaska along with a glimpse of the aurora borealis (northern lights) in the night sky.

 

And those in search of relaxation can enjoy a more tranquil adventure in destinations like Vermont and Montana, both rich in lush green forests, mountain ranges, and lakes.  The magnificent vistas and bountiful expanse of wilderness will sooth and calm even the most anxious persona.

 

So whatever your association with this vast land, be it good, bad or ugly, there is no denying it’s still a sight to see.  With 50 states, granted not all of them are worth visiting, and a landscape that is as diverse in culture as it is in nature, the mighty USA is sure to serve up something that can satisfy your holiday palette.

 

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USA weather report

 

 

When it comes to choosing a holiday based on weather, the USA is your oyster.  The sheer volume of its land ensures a diversity of climate, so whatever season or activity you’re after, there’s always a destination to suit you at any time of year.

 

Sunny beach lovers can enjoy almost year round good weather in places like California and Florida, but keep in mind that if you head over to California during the months of June through August, its northern side, home to San Francisco, experiences its fall season, so make sure to pack some warm clothing.  The southern side meanwhile, home to San Diego, experiences the most pleasant of summer weather.  Days are dry and warm with a refreshing breeze and evenings may require a light jacket.

 

For city life on the east coast, we recommend visiting destinations like New York during the fall, winter or spring.  The pre-Christmas season is a particularly glorious time of year in the Big Apple when decorations and activities are aplenty, while spring in places like Washington D.C. offers a celebration of cherry blossom trees during the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

 

Down south, destinations like Texas enjoy the full range of seasons with winter being quite mild and summer sizzling hot.  Some parts are also prone to tornadoes, hurricanes and cyclones, so do check the forecast before you plan your trip.

 

And if winter ski is what you seek for most of the year, you’ll be happy to note that the Colorado Mountains offer snow almost year round.

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Getting into the USA

 

As of 12^th January 2009, the US swapped its I-94W form for the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), which determines the eligibility of visitors to enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).  ESTA applications can be made online any time prior to travel however, we suggest applying at least two weeks in advance of travel in case of any processing problems with the application. Please note that you will also require a biometric passport to enter the US under the VWP.

 

The USA welcomes 22 of the 27 EU member states under the VWP.  EU member states that are NOT include:

• Bulgaria
• Cyprus
• Greece
• Poland
• Romania

Countries outside of the EU that ARE also eligible for the VWP include:

• Andorra
• Australia
• Brunei
• Iceland
• Japan
• Liechtenstein
• Monaco
• New Zealand
• Norway
• San Marino
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Switzerland

Travellers holding passports outside of the listed as eligible for the program will not be able to enter the US without a visa and should consult with their local US embassy or consulate in order to find out what kind of visa they require, and how to obtain it.

All travellers, including those who are eligible for the VWP, will require a valid passport with photo in order to enter the USA no matter which country they are from.

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From the American kitchen

 

When we picture American cuisine, we mostly think of burgers, fries, and hotdogs – but the US has much more to offer in the way of food.  The following is just a sampling of some of the hearty meals that can be found across the country:

• Baked country ham: Salt-cured or smoked, dry aged pork legs

• Baking powder biscuits: a savoury, scone like bread ideal for breakfast with either jam or gravy

• Boston baked beans: White beans cooked in molasses

• Candied sweet potatoes: A delicious accompaniment to turkey, this dish comprises sugar baked sweet potatoes

• Chicken pot pie: A delicious, hearty meal of chicken stew cooked with crumbly pastry

• Cornbread: A sweet-savoury tasting crumbly, moist bread made with cornmeal

• Gumbo:  A Cajun stew comprising meat and shell-fish

• Chicken-fried steak: A Texan tradition that is available across the US comprising red meat, which is battered and fried escalope style

• Corndogs: Cornbread covered hotdogs mostly eaten at ballgames and fairs – smother with ketchup and enjoy

• Macaroni and cheese: Good old pasta smothered in cheese and baked!

• Haupia: Hawaiian coconut pudding dessert

• Pancakes: Thicker and than crepe, this breakfast food needs no introduction – smother with butter and maple syrup and enjoy!

• Pumpkin pie: A famous Thanksgiving dessert tradition

• Southern fried chicken: Battered and fried with a side of mashed potatoes – not the healthiest of foods, but so good!

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From the American bar

 

Aside from inventing coffee cocktails in every conceivable flavour, America does have a few other tricks up its sleeve in the way of drinks.  Additional bar samplings include:

• Milk shakes of every kind

• Alcohol free ice tea

• Long Island ice tea: Sip slowly – the effects are undetectable through taste, but trust us, they can have quite an impact!

• Rose champagne cocktail: Contains brandy, pernod, grenadine, peach schnapps, and champagne!

• Ice cream sundaes: Kind of like an dessert drink

• Popular beers: Budweiser, Bud Light, Miller Lite

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Currency in the USA

 

US currency is the American Dollar represented by the $ symbol.  It is also referred to as USD or US$ when abbreviated.

Within the currency there are five different coins referred to as cents, these include 1₵, 5₵, 10₵, 25₵, and 50₵.

 

There are eight banknotes within the currency.  These include $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, and $1000.

 

For the up to date currency conversion please use the Pampo exchange rates calculator.

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Major airports in the USA

 

Passengers boarding cheap flights to the USA can look forward to an arrival at one of its many international airports.  With 50 states to choose from, there is no shortage of landing venues.  We present ten of the most popular:

• New York – John F. Kennedy International (JFK)

• Los Angeles – Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

• Chicago – Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

• Houston – George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

• Washington D.C. – Dulles International Airport (IAD)

• San Francisco – San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

• Las Vegas – McCarran International Airport (LAS)

• Orlando – Orlando International Airport (MCO)

• Boston – Logan International Airport (BOS)

• Dallas – Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

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Examples of food and drink spend

• Average price of a beer in the US costs $3.20 – this can go up or down depending on the state and type of beer

• Price of an average breakfast is $10

• Price of an average lunch meal comprising a sandwich, beverage, and packet of potato crisps is about $11

• Price of an average dinner is $19.29

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Did you know?

•  The average person in the States uses 80-100 gallons of water each day

•  US Dollar bills are made out of cotton and linen

• The ZIP in “ZIP code” means Zoning Improvement Plan

• Coca-Cola contained Coca (whose active ingredient is cocaine) from 1885 to 1903

• American Indians were not made citizens of the U.S. until congress acted in 1924

• According to the U.S. Geological Survey, there are 140 towns and cities in the U.S. that have the word "Christmas" in their names  

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