See more on a whistle-stop tour of America
Did you know it is possible to travel in the USA and see practically all of its most famous sites in just two months? Well, depending on the tour you book, you can do just that - which would be a truly exhilarating gap year experience.
To find out more about just some of the highlights of a trip like this, read on.
Soak up the southern sun
When you think of a holiday in the USA, it's hard not to dream up the image of long golden beaches lapped by azure waters - and you can enjoy just this during your stop in Florida. In the capital Miami you can visit iconic South Beach and soak up some of those rays for yourself, before taking full advantage of the buzzing nightlife once the sun sets.
However, there's plenty more to do in the south than simply work on your tan. In the north-east of Florida lies the city of St Augustine, which just so happens to be the oldest continuously-occupied European and African-American settlement in the country, having been founded in 1565.
Another destination bursting with history is Charleston in South Carolina, where you can see beautiful mansions that look like something out of Gone with the Wind and sites that were key in both the American Revolution and Civil War.
Go cowboy in the Midwest
Another image you conjure up when thinking of the US is the old west, so no tour of the country would be complete without a visit to the Midwest. Start off in Louisiana so you can soak up the atmosphere in New Orleans, where jazz fills the air and there's no better feeling than sipping on a Hurricane cocktail at Pat O'Brien bar.
From here it's on to the real cowboy country of Texas, where you can don your Stetson and enjoy camping out under the stars, just as real cowboys did all those years ago. They may not have had marshmallows to toast back then - but you can certainly enjoy a bag!
Get back to nature
Of course, the US is renowned for its huge cities, but there are also acres of seemingly endless countryside to explore and the landscape changes as you cross the country. Missing out the chance to see at least one of the national parks would be a real mistake.
Carlsbad Cavern, Mesa Verde, Arches, Bryce, Zion, Yosemite, Redwood, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon are the major national parks you can visit in the US, while there's also the chance to stop at Banff National Park in the Rocky Mountains, which is the oldest in Canada.
Other memorable natural sights you will pass on your whistle-stop tour include Niagara Falls, Monument Valley and Lake Powell.
Bright lights, big cities
All that open countryside makes for a striking contrast with the large cities the USA is home to. After all, you don't have to travel too far from the awe-inspiring landmark of the Grand Canyon to reach Las Vegas, which really brings home what a country of opposites the US is.
From the bright lights of the Strip, it's on to the equally thrilling metropolis of Los Angeles, where so many people have gone seeking fame and fortune. Make your way to Venice Beach to really experience the buzz of this city.
The west coast is also home to San Francisco, where famous sites include Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. The sun shines brightly here, but expect the temperature to dip as you head up the Pacific coastline to Washington state and the city of Seattle, where you can enjoy a bird's eye view of the metropolis from the Space Needle.
Cross the border
Of course, it's all very well visiting all of the US's most famous states, but North America is also home to Canada, which is itself a popular destination. Here you can see some of the most beautiful countryside on the planet at its various national parks.
In the province of British Columbia, you are certain to understand why its most well-known landmark got its nickname the Gem of the Rockies. Lake Louise is a true spectacle and you can see more by taking a canoe trip or hiking to the Plain of Six Glaciers.
Yet your tour is still far from over and before it comes to an end, you can expect to visit Wyoming, South Dakota, Ohio and New York state.
