USA

Why Choose an Escorted Holiday to the United States?

America is enormous, and this is the central challenge for any visitor with limited time. The distance between New York and San Francisco is greater than the distance between London and Moscow. Most first-time visitors, without a plan, see far less than they could. A guided tour builds a coherent itinerary through America's greatest sights - whether that means the National Parks of the west, the cities of the eastern seaboard or the Mississippi and Deep South circuit - and handles all the driving, transfers and hotel logistics that make independent travel across the US genuinely exhausting.

For British-Indian passengers, the United States has enormous appeal. The Indian diaspora in the US is large, successful and culturally visible in a way that makes cities like New York, Los Angeles, Houston and Chicago feel immediately familiar. Indian restaurants, temples and community life are present across virtually every American city our tours visit. Many of our passengers already have family in the US, and our group departures are a popular way of combining a family visit with a proper tour of the country.

Indian-Friendly Features on Our USA Tours

• Indian dinners included on most multi-day tours, with outstanding Indian restaurant options in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Houston
• Vegetarian options widely available across the United States
• No beef or pork compulsory in any included group meals
• Indian community exceptionally well established in major American cities - relevant to our passengers' experience and comfort
• India departure add-on available on some itineraries - contact our India team on 1800 123 181 181

Best Time to Visit the United States

The US covers multiple climate zones; the best time to visit depends on which part of the country you are exploring.

April and May are excellent for the east coast cities (New York, Washington DC, Boston) and the Deep South. National Parks in the southwest are beginning to open after winter.

June to August is summer across the country. National Parks are at their busiest; the coasts are warm and lively. Book well ahead for summer departures.

September and October bring excellent conditions across the country: the New England fall foliage is spectacular in October, the National Parks are less crowded, and the cities are at their most pleasant.

November to March is the best time for the Desert Southwest (Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico) and Southern California. New York at Christmas is a classic experience.

Popular Destinations Within the United States

New York City - Manhattan: the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum, the Empire State Building, Times Square, the High Line and the extraordinary variety of neighbourhoods from the Upper West Side to Chinatown.

The Grand Canyon and Utah's National Parks - one of the great natural wonders of the world. Our western USA itineraries typically combine the Grand Canyon with Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park and Monument Valley - a landscape that is simply unlike anywhere else on earth.

San Francisco and the West Coast - the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, Napa Valley and the Pacific Coast Highway drive south to Los Angeles or north to the Redwoods.

Las Vegas - the extraordinary spectacle of the Strip, with its themed hotels and entertainment culture. Also the most efficient base for day trips to the Grand Canyon, Valley of Fire and Hoover Dam.

Washington DC - the Mall, the Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian Institution's free museums and the White House. A city of remarkable civic architecture and historical weight.

New Orleans and the Deep South - jazz on Bourbon Street, the French Quarter architecture, Creole cuisine, plantation country and the Mississippi culture that shaped American music and literature.

Yellowstone and the Northern Rockies - the world's first national park, with its geysers (Old Faithful), hot springs, bison herds and grizzly bears. Paired well with Grand Teton National Park on longer western itineraries.

Practical Information

• Currency: US Dollar (USD)
• Language: English; no significant language barrier for UK travellers
• Time zone: Multiple zones. Eastern Standard Time is GMT-5 (GMT-4 in summer); Pacific is GMT-8 (GMT-7 in summer).
• Electricity: Type A and B plugs (120V). UK devices need a voltage converter as well as a plug adapter.
• Tipping: Included in your Star Tours holiday price; our tour managers handle all gratuities
• India bookings: Call our India line free on 1800 123 181 181 (10am-7pm)
• ABTA & ATOL: All our USA holidays are fully protected