F ly Drive
convertible to fit in with the movie-star lifestyle in chic towns such as Malibu, Santa Barbara, Carmel and Monterey. Or take it up a gear or two on a raunchy Harley Davidson. On the opposite side of the
country, breathtaking scenery surrounds you along the 469- mile Blue Ridge Parkway. As you wind your way through the spectacular Appalachian mountains of North Carolina and Virginia, it’s easy to see why this road is a favourite with American holidaymakers. Other top spots include the
rural idyll of New England, the music trails of the Deep South and the national parks of the Southwest. Throw in the big-sky country of Montana and Wyoming, the cowboy influences of Texas, the tropical delights of the Florida Keys and a whole lot more and you’re faced with a tantalising choice of destinations!
REAL AMERICA Wherever you choose, take time to get off the major highways to explore the quieter byways. Here you’ll discover the small towns, country stores and roadside diners of the ‘real’ America. It’s where you can watch lobster pots being set in Maine, sun-ripened peaches being picked in Georgia, and Amish farmers using horses to plough fields in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana. The US Department of
Transportation has designated 120 roads throughout the country as National Scenic Byways. Among the most dramatic are Colorado’s Trail
Ridge Scenic Byway, where motorists can step onto the ‘roof’ of the Rocky Mountains 12,100 feet above sea level, and Alaska’s Glenn Highway, which passes the largest collection of glaciers in any US national park. But to truly get away from it
all, the transportation department has dubbed the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway in Arizona as the least-travelled federal highway in the country. The road zigzags across high desert and forests via a series of spectacular hair-pin bends. A further 31 highways are designated All-American Roads because of their unique character. They include the historical Natchez Trace Parkway through Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee and the beautiful International Selkirk Loop through Idaho and Washington State.
ASK AN EXPERT With so much on offer, why not seek some expert advice to ensure you choose an area of the country that is right for you? Tour operators listed in this guide know the USA inside out. They offer a wide range of fly-drive holidays and use reliable car rental companies. You can choose from set
itineraries, with accommodation each night included in the deal, or more flexible arrangements that do not include hotels. The latter leaves you free to go where you want, without being tied down to reaching a named hotel each day. If you go for the second option, you will need to book at least your first night’s accommodation before leaving the UK in order to comply with US immigration rules. Accommodation in any case
can sometimes be at a premium in national parks and rural areas and during US
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