Can anyone suggest an economical way to travel the USA, covering major cities and regional areas. Time limit 30-40 days. Although we have booked a European trip for 2001, we always begin thinking of the next hoilday. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Hello Alsue,
Don't know if this helps, but I can recommend a wonderful tour of the Western US and Canada. It was 20 touring days and was called the "Great National Parks"- taken by a company called American Tours International, out of Los Angeles. The package didn't include any meals or flights, but food in the US and especially Canada, isn't really that expensive (we Aussies have to think about that these days, don't we!.) Flights are OK too if you hook onto one of those "Disneyland" deals. The tour itself visited almost every national park and major city from LA, inland through to Yosemite, then up into the Canadian Rockies and down the west coast.Some spectacular scenery and plenty of time to see everything. It was a first class escorted tour, staying at good hotels that were all fairly central. Couldn't complain about a single thing. I found out about it from a brochure at the Travel Agents-put out by Adventure World. It included a selection of tours, but this one was listed at the back, and not under the company name- just as a fully escorted tour. The company also do tours of the East Coast. One worth looking into. Don't really know if this helps.
Linda

Consider purchasing a combined Amtrak/Via Rail Pass. Check out their Web Sites for details and costs.
Amtrak is the American passenger rail service and Via Rail is the Canadian rail system.
With this pass, you can travel throughout the two countries, getting on and off the trains as you wish. On the nights you want to remain on the train, you can purchase sleeper accommodation.

Linda

Thank you for your assistance. We will file it in our US travel info file that we have started. We are looking at 2003, got to get over the European trip first.

Alan and Sue

quote:

Originally posted by linda_t:
Hello Alsue,
Don't know if this helps, but I can recommend a wonderful tour of the Western US and Canada. It was 20 touring days and was called the "Great National Parks"- taken by a company called American Tours International, out of Los Angeles. The package didn't include any meals or flights, but food in the US and especially Canada, isn't really that expensive (we Aussies have to think about that these days, don't we!.) Flights are OK too if you hook onto one of those "Disneyland" deals. The tour itself visited almost every national park and major city from LA, inland through to Yosemite, then up into the Canadian Rockies and down the west coast.Some spectacular scenery and plenty of time to see everything. It was a first class escorted tour, staying at good hotels that were all fairly central. Couldn't complain about a single thing. I found out about it from a brochure at the Travel Agents-put out by Adventure World. It included a selection of tours, but this one was listed at the back, and not under the company name- just as a fully escorted tour. The company also do tours of the East Coast. One worth looking into. Don't really know if this helps.
Linda

Hi Skye

Thanks for your help. I will add this to our information and start the web surfing. I am a train buff and would be very interested. It will depend on how we go about arranging accommodation, hopefully some of the chains have accom passes like in Australia and NZ. Thanks again

Alan and Sue

quote:

Originally posted by Skye:
Consider purchasing a combined Amtrak/Via Rail Pass. Check out their Web Sites for details and costs.
Amtrak is the American passenger rail service and Via Rail is the Canadian rail system.
With this pass, you can travel throughout the two countries, getting on and off the trains as you wish. On the nights you want to remain on the train, you can purchase sleeper accommodation.

It would be an impossible task to see the entire country adequately in 30-40 days. You should select one or two regions of the country you would like to visit and concentrate on those areas. The best way to see the country is to rent a car and fly between the regions that you want to see. In most of the large cities, you can get a half-day or day tour on Greyline or a similar company to get a city tour. I have never taken a train anywhere in the US(there are no passenger trains where I live)so I can't comment on them at all. The American Automobile Association(AAA)also has alot of information and I know they offer tours to different parts of the US. Their web site is www.aaa.com. Perhaps this can be a starting point. Good Luck!

Thank you vagabond for the info. Of course the other challenge will be to try and catch up with as many travelling companions that we have met on previous trips.

quote:

Originally posted by vagabond:
It would be an impossible task to see the entire country adequately in 30-40 days. You should select one or two regions of the country you would like to visit and concentrate on those areas. The best way to see the country is to rent a car and fly between the regions that you want to see. In most of the large cities, you can get a half-day or day tour on Greyline or a similar company to get a city tour. I have never taken a train anywhere in the US(there are no passenger trains where I live)so I can't comment on them at all. The American Automobile Association(AAA)also has alot of information and I know they offer tours to different parts of the US. Their web site is www.aaa.com. Perhaps this can be a starting point. Good Luck!

Since I live in the US I thought I'd just throw my 2 cents in! I agree with vagabond who said it might be tough in 30-40 days to see it all. One thing to keep in mind is in the Northeast part of the US, everything is pretty close together - you could see a LOT in that region over that time period: New England states (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island) - try for autumn when the leaves are changing; NYC, Washington DC, Philadelphia, etc. As you move further west, everything is pretty spread out and harder to get from one major place to another (I know - I live in Arizona!). The train is definitely a good suggestion. The west has some spectacular scenery - try to do the national parks if you can (Utah especially has a group of them in the southern part of the state - Zion, Arches, etc.). California is a great state too - you have the whole theme park/Hollywood/beaches stuff going on in the southern part of the state and then more north has beautiful San Francisco, redwood forests, mountains, etc. Las Vegas is pretty interesting if you've never been anywhere like that.
I'd suggest focus on what type of things you want to see and build your itinerary based on which regions have the most to offer for what you want. But enjoy Europe this year!

Thanks

Will add to the increasing file of information we are collecting.

quote:

Originally posted by Annev:
Since I live in the US I thought I'd just throw my 2 cents in! I agree with vagabond who said it might be tough in 30-40 days to see it all. One thing to keep in mind is in the Northeast part of the US, everything is pretty close together - you could see a LOT in that region over that time period: New England states (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island) - try for autumn when the leaves are changing; NYC, Washington DC, Philadelphia, etc. As you move further west, everything is pretty spread out and harder to get from one major place to another (I know - I live in Arizona!). The train is definitely a good suggestion. The west has some spectacular scenery - try to do the national parks if you can (Utah especially has a group of them in the southern part of the state - Zion, Arches, etc.). California is a great state too - you have the whole theme park/Hollywood/beaches stuff going on in the southern part of the state and then more north has beautiful San Francisco, redwood forests, mountains, etc. Las Vegas is pretty interesting if you've never been anywhere like that.
I'd suggest focus on what type of things you want to see and build your itinerary based on which regions have the most to offer for what you want. But enjoy Europe this year!

Hi, don't forget about my wonderful and incredibly beautiful country of Canada. I have been coast to coast on the train. What a way to go!!!!! Nothing like seeing the Rockies from the train. Have lived in Oregon and California, Texas, Missourialso all incredible. Enjoy what ever you do.

quote:

Originally posted by ALSUEMURRAY:
Can anyone suggest an economical way to travel the USA, covering major cities and regional areas. Time limit 30-40 days. Although we have booked a European trip for 2001, we always begin thinking of the next hoilday. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

We would not come all that way without seeing Canada. That way at least we can sort out once and for all which is the better side of Niagra Falls to see. Thatnks for the reply. NOTED!

quote:

Originally posted by Heather:
Hi, don't forget about my wonderful and incredibly beautiful country of Canada. I have been coast to coast on the train. What a way to go!!!!! Nothing like seeing the Rockies from the train. Have lived in Oregon and California, Texas, Missourialso all incredible. Enjoy what ever you do.

TRY TO MAKE IT TO BANFF\CALGARY IN CANADA YOU'LL LOVE IT!!!!!!!

If you think you will be traveling by car, I would highly recommend a book called "Road Trips USA" It is published by Moon books. It kind of takes you off the beaten path and talks about places that are interesting to go to or road side stands that are great and cheap. (I'm a teacher, always looking for cheap) I am from the US and love traveling by car. I loved being able to see the sights of the country and not have to see the same thing every day by interstate.
Good luck!!!

Thank you Sarah. We have been receiving maps and brochures from various travel agencies in the USA. Car is looking good at the moment

quote:

Originally posted by Sarah J:
If you think you will be traveling by car, I would highly recommend a book called "Road Trips USA" It is published by Moon books. It kind of takes you off the beaten path and talks about places that are interesting to go to or road side stands that are great and cheap. (I'm a teacher, always looking for cheap) I am from the US and love traveling by car. I loved being able to see the sights of the country and not have to see the same thing every day by interstate.
Good luck!!!

Well,now I have to throw my "two-cents" in here too! I'm from California, and I don't think any visit to Ca. is compleate without taking Hwy.1 up the coast to San Francisco.(I live about 20 min. outside of Los Angeles.) The drive is very winding however, so it would be best if you have a rental car to do your own driving. I don't think I've ever seen a tour bus on that road, but I could be wrong. I hope you enjoy whatever tour you end up with in the U.S. There's ALOT to see.

[This message has been edited by darcar (edited February 14, 2001).]