The USA offers so much variety that most holidays work best around one or two regions over 10 to 16 nights. You might pair New York with the New England coast, drive through California's wine country, stay at a luxury ranch or explore Utah's canyons from a desert retreat. Spring and autumn suit many touring routes, while summer brings Alaska's wilderness adventures and winter offers Florida sunshine and skiing in the Rockies.
USA at a glance
| Flight time from London | Around 7.5 hours to Boston, 8 hours to New York, 9.5 hours to Miami or Orlando and 11 hours to Los Angeles or San Francisco |
|---|---|
| Time difference | Usually 5 hours behind the UK on the East Coast and 8 hours behind on the West Coast; Alaska and Hawai'i are further behind |
| Entry | British citizens under the Visa Waiver Programme need an approved ESTA |
| Best time to visit | Spring and autumn for many touring routes, summer for Alaska and mountain parks, winter for Florida and skiing |
| Ideal length | 10 to 14 nights for a multi-stop trip, longer for national parks, a ranch or Hawai'i |
| Best for | City stays, coastal road trips, national parks, luxury ranches, family adventures and beach escapes |
USA Highlights
- Explore New York's neighbourhoods, museums and rooftop bars before continuing to Boston and the New England coast.
- Drive California's Pacific coast, with time for vineyard lunches, coastal towns and Yosemite's granite cliffs.
- Stay among Utah and Arizona's red-rock landscapes, combining privately guided adventures with exceptional desert retreats.
- Ride through Montana or Wyoming's open country, returning to excellent food and the comforts of a luxury ranch.
- Follow the music through Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans, with characterful hotels and Southern cooking along the way.
- Cruise past Alaska's glaciers or explore Hawai'i's volcanic landscapes, tropical gardens and beaches.
Discover the USA
A few days in New York followed by the New England coast. A California road trip with vineyard lunches and somewhere special to stay. Or a week on a Montana ranch, with riding, mountain air and excellent food. Luxury USA holidays can take so many different forms, and choosing where to begin is part of the adventure.
For families, the possibilities reach well beyond Florida's theme parks. Learn to ride on a ranch, watch for wildlife in the national parks or explore Hawai'i's beaches and volcanoes. I'll help you balance the bigger adventures with manageable journeys, quieter days and hotels that suit everyone.
For couples, there are desert retreats, coastal hideaways and city hotels worth building a holiday around. Combine restaurants and galleries with time in wine country, take a leisurely journey through New England or celebrate somewhere wonderfully remote. I'll help you choose what works together and give each place the time it deserves.
Great Cities
New York, Boston, San Francisco and New Orleans, with distinctive neighbourhoods, excellent food and plenty to discover beyond the familiar sights.
Wide Open Landscapes
Red-rock canyons, mountain ranches, national parks and Alaska's glaciers, with knowledgeable guides and memorable places to stay along the way.
Coast and Islands
New England's seaside towns, California's Pacific cliffs, Florida's sandy shores and the volcanic islands of Hawai'i offer very different coastal escapes.
Feeling inspired?
Start Planning Your Luxury
USA Holiday
Tell me who's travelling and what you'd love to experience, from a California road trip to a family ranch stay or a few days in New York followed by the coast. I'll design the journey around you and look after the details from your first enquiry until you're home.
When is the best time to visit the USA?
The USA offers something different in every season. Spring and autumn suit city stays, the Deep South and exploring Utah and Arizona, while summer brings long days for Alaska and the mountain landscapes of the national parks. Late September and October colour New England's forests in reds and golds. Winter offers Florida sunshine, skiing in the Rockies and seasonal whale watching in Hawai'i. The best dates depend on your route, so I'll help you choose the right time for the experiences you have in mind.
| Experience | Best months |
|---|---|
| New York and Boston | April to June and September to October |
| New England autumn colour | Late September to late October, depending on the area |
| Yellowstone and Grand Teton | Late May to September, depending on access |
| Utah and Arizona canyon country | April to May and September to October |
| California wine harvest | August to October |
| Alaska cruises and wilderness stays | May to September, depending on the itinerary |
| Hawai'i | Year-round; January to March for humpback whales |
| Florida beaches | November to April |
| Skiing in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming | December to March, depending on snow conditions |
| Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans | Spring and autumn |
Featured regions
Where to go in the USA
New York and New England
Best for: city stays, coastal inns and autumn colour. Explore New York's museums, neighbourhoods and Broadway before taking the train to Boston. Continue to Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard or Newport, or head into Vermont and New Hampshire for country inns, forest walks and autumn drives.
California and the Pacific Coast
Best for: coastal road trips, wine country and national parks. Explore San Francisco before visiting Sonoma and Napa for vineyard lunches. Follow the coast through Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur, or head inland to Yosemite, with Santa Barbara and Los Angeles adding beaches, restaurants and city exploring.
Arizona, Utah and Las Vegas
Best for: desert retreats, canyon adventures and spectacular scenery. Explore the Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce Canyon, walk through slot canyons or stay among the red rocks. Add Las Vegas for shows and restaurants, or slow down in Sedona, with walking trails, restorative spa stays and sweeping desert views.
Montana, Wyoming and the Rockies
Best for: luxury ranches, wildlife and mountain adventures. Ride through open country, learn to fly-fish or spend the day hiking before returning to a welcoming lodge. Yellowstone and Grand Teton add geysers, wildlife and mountain scenery, while winter brings skiing and cosy stays in places such as Jackson Hole.
Florida
Best for: family adventures, beach resorts and winter sunshine. Combine Orlando's theme parks with quieter days on the Gulf Coast or a beach stay in Miami. Explore the Everglades, follow the Florida Keys or settle into a coastal resort, with time for boat trips, waterfront dining and relaxed family days.
The Deep South, Charleston and Savannah
Best for: music, regional food and characterful cities. Follow country music through Nashville, blues and rock 'n' roll in Memphis and jazz in New Orleans. A separate coastal journey through Charleston and Savannah brings historic streets, gardens and beach stays, with excellent food and a slower rhythm throughout.
Alaska
Best for: glaciers, wildlife and wilderness adventures. Explore by small ship, scenic rail journey or remote lodge, with opportunities to see whales, bears and glaciers. Pair a coastal cruise with time inland, or choose a wilderness lodge for guided adventures, mountain scenery and a closer look at Alaska.
Hawai'i
Best for: island combinations, volcanic scenery and beach stays. Discover O'ahu's North Shore, Maui's beaches, Hawai'i Island's volcanoes or Kaua'i's dramatic coastline. Choose one island or combine two, with time for coastal walks, tropical gardens, local food and unhurried days beside the ocean.
Ways to experience the USA
City stays and two-part escapes
Spend a few days enjoying New York's restaurants, museums and theatre before continuing to the coast, as in my New York and Boston multi-centre holidays. Pair Boston with Cape Cod, San Francisco with wine country or Los Angeles with a beach stay. I'll help you choose combinations that work well together, with hotels in the right neighbourhoods and enough time to enjoy each stop.
Coastal road trips
Follow California's Pacific coast or explore New England's harbour towns, beaches and islands, as I describe in my New England in the fall holidays. The pleasure is in the stops as much as the drive: a seafood lunch, a coastal walk or an extra night somewhere you love. I plan realistic driving days, appealing places to pause and hotels that make each arrival worth looking forward to.
National parks and desert retreats
Explore canyon country with a private guide, walk beneath Yosemite's granite cliffs or watch for wildlife in Yellowstone. Your stay might be close to the park entrance or at a special retreat with a pool and spa to return to. I'll help you balance access, comfort and travelling time, with seasonal conditions in mind.
Luxury ranch holidays
A ranch holiday, like those in my American ranch holidays, can be as active or unhurried as you like. Ride with experienced wranglers, try fly-fishing, follow mountain trails or simply enjoy the surroundings. Some ranches are particularly good for families, while others suit couples seeking a quieter escape. I'll match the riding, accommodation and atmosphere to the experience you want.
Music, food and Southern culture
Discover the stories behind Nashville's country music, Memphis's blues and New Orleans's jazz, as in my holidays to Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans, with live performances and regional cooking along the way. You might build a whole journey around the music or spend longer getting to know one city. Private guides, neighbourhood food tours and well-chosen hotels can bring a different perspective to familiar places.
Small-ship cruises and wilderness adventures
See Alaska's coast from a smaller ship, with opportunities to explore sheltered waterways and get closer to its landscapes. Add a wilderness lodge, a scenic flight or time inland for a different view of the state, or combine the coast with the Rockies as in my Alaska cruise and Rocky Mountaineer itinerary. I'll help you compare the ships, routes and experiences, so the journey suits your interests and preferred level of comfort.
Handpicked hotels
Where to stay: luxury hotels in the USA
A glimpse of the USA's places to stay, from desert retreats and coastal hideaways to luxury ranches and classic city hotels. Many more are available.
Desert Retreat
Amangiri, Utah
Set among southern Utah's sandstone landscapes, Amangiri makes its extraordinary surroundings part of every stay. Explore slot canyons, take a guided hike or spend time around Lake Powell before returning to the spa and the pool beneath the rock. A memorable choice for couples wanting adventure, privacy and exceptional comfort.
All-Inclusive Ranch
The Ranch at Rock Creek, Montana
This Montana ranch combines riding, fly-fishing and outdoor adventure with distinctive accommodation and excellent food. Choose from lodge rooms, cabins and canvas stays, with activities shaped around your interests and experience. It suits families and couples who want to spend their days outdoors while enjoying the comforts of somewhere special.
Clifftop Coastal Retreat
Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur
High above the Pacific, Post Ranch Inn is a place to pause on a California journey. Rooms sit among trees or face the ocean, keeping the surrounding landscape in view. Coastal dining, spa treatments and time watching the changing light make this a lovely choice for a romantic stay.
Hawaiian Beach Resort
Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, Hawai'i Island
On the Kona Coast, Kona Village offers freestanding hale surrounded by tropical grounds and volcanic scenery. Spend time beside the ocean, explore the island or settle into the resort's slower rhythm, with dining, wellness and activities for younger guests. An appealing option for families and couples wanting a distinctive Hawaiian stay.
Classic New York Hotel
The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, New York
On the Upper East Side, close to Central Park, The Carlyle brings a quieter residential feel to a New York stay. Explore nearby museums and neighbourhood restaurants before returning to its distinctive rooms and much-loved Bemelmans Bar. A characterful choice for a celebration or the city chapter of a longer holiday.
Cape Cod by the Sea
Chatham Bars Inn, Cape Cod
Overlooking the shore in Chatham, this classic New England inn combines seaside days with the comforts of a resort. Rooms and cottages offer different ways to stay, with beach time, boat trips and local seafood shaping the holiday. It suits families and couples looking for a relaxed coastal stop after Boston or New York.
Why plan your USA holiday with me?
I'm Rachael. I plan tailor-made holidays for curious travellers who love comfort. New experiences, lovely places to stay and someone looking after the details.
Design
I listen first, then shape your holiday around what you enjoy and what makes you comfortable. From the route to your room, with time to explore and time to relax.
Discover
With trusted specialists and local experts, I find distinctive places to stay and experiences that help you get to know a destination, chosen around your interests.
Travel well
I contact your hotels before you arrive, reconfirm your stay and share your preferences. I ask about upgrades and thoughtful extras where available, and support you until you're safely home.
Sample journeys
Luxury USA Tailor-Made Itineraries
These itineraries are just a few examples of what is possible. I can tailor any of them to suit you or create something completely from scratch around the USA experience you have in mind.
Hawai'i Family Island Adventure
Explore four Hawaiian islands, combining beachfront hotels with volcanic landscapes, snorkelling and family adventures.
3 nights · O'ahu
Begin at Moana Surfrider on Waikiki Beach. Enjoy beach days, visit Pearl Harbor and explore Kualoa Ranch's dramatic valleys and film locations.
4 nights · Kaua'i
Stay at Sheraton Kauai Resort on Po'ipū Beach. Discover Waimea Canyon, sail beneath the Nā Pali Coast's cliffs or add ziplining and mountain tubing.
3 nights · Maui
Continue to Fairmont Kea Lani for spacious suites and beach time. Snorkel at Molokini, paddle an outrigger canoe or watch sunrise over Haleakalā.
4 nights · Hawai'i Island
Finish at Fairmont Orchid on the Kohala Coast. Explore Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, try surfing or arrange a night-time manta-ray snorkel for older children.
Florida Four Seasons Family Escape
Theme parks, the Gulf Coast and Miami Beach, with three Four Seasons stays and time to settle in at each stop.
6 nights · Orlando
Begin at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. Balance days in the Disney parks with the resort's pools, family activities and quieter time between the bigger adventures.
4 nights · Naples
Continue to Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort, for white-sand beaches and Gulf Coast sunsets. Add a private boat trip or a guided Everglades excursion, with plenty of time beside the sea.
4 nights · Miami
Finish at Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club in Surfside. Enjoy the beach and explore further afield, from the art of Wynwood to the gardens and waterfront setting of Vizcaya.
California Wine Country, Yosemite and the Coast
A journey through San Francisco, Sonoma and Napa, with Yosemite's granite landscapes and the Monterey coast to finish.
3 nights · San Francisco
Stay at Fairmont San Francisco on Nob Hill, with time for neighbourhood walks, cable cars and a pre-booked visit to Alcatraz.
4 nights · Sonoma and Napa Valley
Spend two nights at Farmhouse Inn in Sonoma County before continuing to Meadowood Napa Valley for two more. Enjoy vineyard visits, excellent food and the option of a sunrise balloon flight.
2 nights · Yosemite
Continue to Tenaya at Yosemite, near the park's South Entrance. Explore Yosemite's landscapes and Mariposa Grove, with activities and access planned around the season.
3 nights · Monterey
Finish at InterContinental The Clement Monterey on Cannery Row. Visit the aquarium, explore Carmel and the 17-Mile Drive or head out on a whale-watching trip.
New England Coast and Islands
A leisurely coastal journey through Boston, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket and Newport, with at least two nights in every place.
3 nights · Boston
Begin at Fairmont Copley Plaza in Back Bay. Follow the Freedom Trail, explore the waterfront and visit Cambridge, with a seasonal whale-watching cruise if you'd like to get out on the water.
3 nights · Cape Cod
Drive to Chatham Bars Inn for beach days, seafood and exploring the Cape Cod National Seashore. Leave time for small towns, coastal walks and a slower pace.
4 nights · Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket
Spend two nights at Nobnocket Boutique Inn on Martha's Vineyard before continuing to White Elephant on Nantucket for two nights. Explore harbour towns, beaches and cycling routes, with island connections arranged around seasonal services.
3 nights · Newport
Return to the mainland and continue to The Vanderbilt in Newport. Walk sections of the Cliff Walk, visit The Breakers and enjoy a final few days of coastal exploring and good food.
These are illustrative itineraries. Hotels, experiences and transport are subject to availability and will be confirmed in your personal proposal.
Your USA, Designed
Around You
Your holiday might begin with a few days in New York, take you through California's vineyards or give you a week on a Montana ranch. It could include a sunrise over Utah's canyons, Alaska's glaciers seen from a small ship or a slower stay beside the ocean in Hawai'i.
I'll help you choose which regions to combine, how much time to give each one and where a special hotel, private guide or scenic journey will add most to your experience. Then I'll bring together your flights, connections, cars, hotels and activities so you can enjoy the holiday you've been looking forward to.
Start Planning Your USA HolidayUSA holiday FAQs
For a city and coast combination, New York, Boston and New England work well together. California offers a different kind of journey, combining San Francisco, wine country and the Pacific coast, with Yosemite if you have enough time. I'll help you choose based on what you enjoy doing, your travel dates and how much moving around you'd like.
Ten to fourteen nights is a useful starting point for a journey with several stops. A city break can be much shorter, while a route combining national parks, a ranch or Hawai'i may benefit from longer. With limited time, I'll usually suggest exploring one region properly before adding an internal flight and another part of the country.
Yes. Cape Cod and the New England islands offer a seasonal coastal stay after New York and Boston. Florida is another option if you'd prefer a resort and warmer-weather beach time, with an internal flight between the two. I'll help you choose a combination that works for your dates and the kind of beach stay you want.
Late September to October is the usual window, with colour generally developing earlier in northern and higher areas before moving south and towards the coast. The timing changes each year, so I build a route around places you'll enjoy exploring as well as the autumn scenery.
Many ranches welcome beginners, but the riding, atmosphere and other activities vary considerably. Some are particularly good for families, while others suit couples or more experienced riders. I'll check the riding arrangements and match the ranch to your confidence, interests and travelling companions.
No. New York and Boston can be linked by train, while private transfers, guided touring and internal flights open up other combinations. A car is useful for many coastal and national park routes, but I'll help you choose an approach that suits you.
Yes, where the route and timings make sense. Alaska can pair well with time in Vancouver, for example, while an eastern journey might combine US cities with parts of Ontario or Québec. I'll help you weigh up the extra travel and border arrangements so both parts feel worthwhile.
Eligible British citizens travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme need an approved ESTA before travel; others need a visa. Each traveller, including children, needs the appropriate approval. Eligibility depends on your circumstances and travel history, so check the latest official guidance early in your planning.
You can use a UK photocard driving licence, but an International Driving Permit may also be required depending on the state and hire company. Driver age, experience and payment requirements vary too. I'll check the requirements for your route and chosen car hire before you travel.
Fees depend on the parks you visit and how you enter. Selected parks charge an additional fee for overseas visitors aged 16 and over, although an eligible annual pass can cover this. I'll help you compare the options for your route and check any separate reservations needed before you travel.
More places I love
Luxury Canada Holidays
The Rockies by rail, wilderness lodges and bear watching.
Luxury New Zealand Holidays
Self-drives, lodges and dramatic island landscapes.
Luxury Spain Holidays
Cities, coast and island shores across Spain.
More reading: twin-centre holidays with New York, Montana ranch holidays, ranch holidays in the USA and the Rocky Mountaineer and Alaska cruise.