Planning a long vacation to USA can be a daunting task. Where to begin? What should be step one? What to pack? When to visit? Where to stay? So many questions! So much confusion! Hope the following trip planning tips guide you and help you out in planning your dream holiday:
1. Check the visa requirements: Visitors going to the United States must have a valid passport, visa, or other accepted documentation. Having said this however, in an effort to attract more tourists, the US has initiated a ‘Visa Waiver' program for people going on a vacation for a maximum of 90 days. There are 36 countries already participating in this program. Check whether yours is one of them.
2. Rein in the dreamer!: While planning a trip, one tends to get over excited! You want to see it all, experience it all. But, you have to get practical and sit down to work on your budget and think about how much time you can afford to spend away from your job. USA is so huge, one trip will any which way not be enough to cover the entire nation.
3. Asses your personality: Are you a beach bum? Or would you rather hike across the Grand Canyon? Do you love skiing? Or would you rather go bargain hunting? Or are you a party animal? With USA housing every type of topography known to mankind, assess your personality and chose a vacation destination accordingly.
4. Research: Research well on your chosen destination. Check the official website of the U.S. Department of State for any travel tips and warnings. The website also issue warnings about cities facing natural calamities.
5. Use the power of the internet!: Once you decide your trip duration and budget, go to your favourite trip planning website and check out travel itineraries created by users or create your own customized one. This way, you can enjoy your trip at your own pace. Unlike tour operators who rush you around a city to show you maximum number of tourist attractions in minimum number of days!
6. Put your ‘smartphone' to good use: With wi-fi being available everywhere in USA, download a good trip planner and plan your trip on the go! Also, prep up your phone with applications such as Skype, Whatsapp, Facebook and Google Hangout so that you can stay connected with your loved ones while travelling.
7. Don't forget to buy travel insurance: Not just while travelling to USA, but for any international trip you intend on taking up, travel insurance is always a good thing to invest in.
Apart from these travel tips, do keep in mind the following:
No vaccinations are required to travel to the US. However, you should make sure you are up to date with your health checkups and medicine doses. Health-care provision in USA is good but it doesn't come cheap.
The US currency (dollar) is divided into 100 cents. Coins consist of 1 (penny), 5 (nickel), 10 (dime), 25 (quarter), 50 (half-dollar) and $1. Notes/Bill consist of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.If you are carrying currency exceeding a total of $10,000, you need to declare it at the airport.
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