The Eastern USA is a place of such diversity and beauty, it will quite literally astound you.
In a nutshell
The cosmopolitan Big Apple is everything at once: vibrant, cultural and incredibly romantic. New England boasts some of the world's most breathtaking scenery, whilst Washington and Philadelphia are steeped in history. Home of the blues, Chicago has a vibrant music and theatre scene, and in Boston the past sits happily alongside the present with cobblestone streets and attractions galore.
Sightseeing ideas
Shopping
Philadelphia offers some of the best buys in the US with tax-free prices on everything considered essential, including clothes, belts and shoes! Boston also has relaxed pedestrian-friendly shopping, as does historic Georgetown in Washington DC. New York's 5th Avenue is home to a plethora of designer shops and boutiques, similar to the Magnificent Mile in Chicago.
Touring
We offer a selection of fantastic flydrive tours that take in the best Eastern USA has to offer. The Virginian explores the diversity of the capital states and the NEW New England Discovery takes in Cape Cod, Maine and Boston. Starting in Chicago, get your kicks on Route 66 or experience the beauty and excitement of New York State on 2 brand-new tours for 2008 (please see our Tours section).
Ski
Killington, in the mountains of snowy Vermont, boasts the largest ski resort on the East Coast or head to Stowe for 4 of the toughest slopes in New England. At North Conway and Jackson in New Hampshire, you can enjoy downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing and ice skating. All resorts have the added bonus of a short flight transfer time, making them even more family friendly (please see our Snow brochure for an even wider choice of holidays).
Weddings and Honeymoons
New York may be cutting edge but it's also incredibly romantic with amazing hotels, gourmet restaurants and horse-drawn carriage rides through Central Park. There's a variety of wedding styles to choose from in the city, ranging from 'hitch 'n' go' ceremonies to more extravagant affairs (please see our Weddings, Honeymoons & Special Occasions brochure for full details of wedding packages in New York).
Spa
Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa is New England's most celebrated spa and the ideal place to unwind. For luxurious treatments, head to The James, Intercontinental or the Peninsula in Chicago. In New York, the W New York, The Waldorf=Astoria and the Ritz-Carlton, Central Park all have noteworthy spas with state-of-the-art facilities to indulge mind and body.
'Try Something Different'
Book our Route 66 or Taste of Route 66 flydrive and tour across North America, taking in some unforgettable sights and sounds as you effortlessly cruise the freeways. Alternatively, enjoy a city break in North America before sailing home on the QM2 - now that's what we call travelling in style!
Additional info
Boston
New England's largest and most important city, Boston provides a plethora of attractions giving a patriotic perspective on the past, present and future. The 2½-mile Freedom Trail is one of the best ways to get acquainted with the city and efficiently visit the city's bounty of historic landmarks. Other sights include the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Public Garden - the nation's oldest botanical garden, and Fenway Park, historic home of Major League Baseball's Boston Red Sox. Quincy's Market is ideal for shopping and dining or enjoy a pub lunch at Cheers, formerly the Bull & Finch Pub, which inspired the hit television show. A more relaxed place to shop than New York, Newbury Street is home to speciality stores, as are the cobblestone streets of Downtown Crossing.
New England
White wooden churches, clapboard houses, lush pastures, colonial towns, stunning coastlines and romantic inns characterise this beautiful part of the world. For peace, quiet and the great outdoors, take a ferry across to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket or marvel at breathtaking mountain and lake views in New Hampshire. The historic seaside city of Portland is a popular place to visit in Maine or soak up the intriguing history of Salem, where the 17th-century witch trials were held. Rhode Island is home to the exciting cities of Newport and Providence, as well as pristine stretches of sandy beach. Vermont is the Green Mountain State and represents 'traditional' America at its finest. Not just a place to visit in the autumn, New England is stunning all year round!
Washington DC & The Capital Region
America's seat of power and the nation's capital, Washington DC is home to some of the world's most famous landmarks. The White House on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is the world's most famous address with tours running Tue-Sat. The Capitol should also be placed high on the sightseeing agenda, along with the Smithsonian Institution, a collection of museums covering everything from art to space exploration. Aside from culture, there's great shopping at Union Station, a living and working museum that boasts over 130 unique shops and restaurants. For hiking, head to Great Falls Park, take a walking tour of Old Town, Alexandria, raft white water on the James River in downtown Richmond or visit Thomas Jefferson's house at Charlottesville. And if that's not enough, there's also the Blue Ridge Mountains to consider!
New York
All of life can be found in New York - a melting pot of lifestyles and cultures that practically fizzles with excitement. Famous sights include the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Times Square, Grand Central Station and the Empire State Building. Theatre-goers are spoilt for choice with a seemingly endless supply of plays, musicals, cabaret and comedy shows, whilst shoppers have some of the best stores in the world in which to browse. Cutting-edge restaurants, bars and nightclubs abound with something for everyone. The Back Room is particularly intriguing - located down a quiet alley, it is fronted as a closed toy shop. Inside, drinks are served in teacups and a sliding bookcase reveals a second bar!
Philadelphia
It's in Philadelphia that Americans defended their liberty and forged the ideals of the American Dream. Steeped in history, visitors can enjoy the legacy of more than 3 centuries of political, economic, social and cultural achievements. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence here at Independence House - now a major cultural attraction. You can also visit the world's only museum dedicated to the US constitution. Historic battlefields and houses abound, including the nation's first hospital co-founded by Benjamin Franklin. When you're done with sightseeing, there's a wonderful mix of urban shopping districts, some of the nation's largest retail centres and tax-free shopping on clothes and shoes. After dark, the city heats up with vibrant nightlife, delectable dining and acclaimed performing arts.
Chicago
Built on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago is the birthplace of the blues. Music buffs will love its vibrant music scene with world-class acts taking to the stage nearly every week in venues such as the House of Blues, the Cotton Club and Hot House. Theatre-goers are also spoilt for choice with a scene to rival that of New York! Cultural attractions include the Art Institute of Chicago and the Sears Tower Skydeck, the 2nd tallest structure in the world. The Loop, Chicago's central business district, is where the world's first skyscraper was built and is a living museum of modern and 19th-century architecture. For upscale shopping, head to the Magnificent Mile for stores such as Bloomingdale's, Lord & Taylor, Tiffany's and Nordstrom.