Great outdoors by USA Discovery Program

Discover America’s

T PAR E ON

Great Outdoors Surf’s up

choose the best beaches

Dream fly-drives

get your motor running

National Parks

explore the USA’s natural wonders

contents 3

2 contents

Welcome...

Welcome to the first of four special supplements this year designed to inspire and give you the information you need to sell the USA with confidence. Many of you will be aware of Brand USA, the new tourism marketing body for the

Front cover picture: Trek America

United States of America. Our aim is to promote the country as a premier travel destination – with

This Discover America

your help and support.

supplement is published by

We’ve been busy creating exciting new

Travel Weekly Group,

developments, such as the first-ever Brand USA

Third Floor,

Megafam, on which 100 agent places are up for

52 Grosvenor Gardens,

grabs across a range of itineraries. Further

London SW1W 0AU. Tel: 020 7881 4897

Contents

Supplements editor Joanna Booth Art editor/production editor

Flora Ioannou Subeditors Mike Walsh Stephanie Krahn Managing editor Robin Searle Lucy Huxley Sales director Kieron Dodd Senior account manager Production assistant Nick Cripps Chief executive Duncan Horton Printed by Wyndeham Heron ©

Travel Weekly Group 2013

Many people think they know the United States of America. Some feel it is almost overfamiliar, having seen it in many movies and television series. Others may think they have ‘done’ the States,

NEWS Alaska gains new flights and cruise capacity – Operators expand national parks programmes – Cape Cod back on track with Boston rail service – plus, Vegas, Dallas, Florida

having visited once on holiday many years ago. Yet there’s nothing like discovering the USA for yourself, in person, time and time again. There really is something for everyone in this diverse country. And it’s not just about seeing

Editor-in-chief

Lisa Roberts

information can be found at USAmegafam.co.uk.

6 CALIFORNIA The granite cliffs and giant waterfalls of Yosemite National Park are a four-hour drive from San Francisco

10 MINNEAPOLIS This city, home of Prince and the mammoth Mall of America, is the starting point for a recommended fly-drive itinerary

14 georgia The state’s coastline is rich in relics from the American civil war and boasts miles of beautiful, deserted beaches

16 MASSACHUSETTS Take a leaf out of our agent expert’s book and brush up on this popular destination

PICTURES: ABOVE, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT; Capitol Reef NP, Temples of the Sun and Moon, Utah/Tom Till. Pikes Peak and Garden of the gods, Colorado. Road to Hana, HTA/Tor Johnson. Orange County beach, Visit California

Discover America - Great Outdoors

6 10 14 16

and doing: it’s about experiencing and feeling NATIONAL PARKS Explore these stunning national treasures, from Yosemite and Yellowstone to Hawaii Volcanoes and Harpers Ferry

something different every time you visit. This first of four supplements focuses on the USA’s vast and incredible Great Outdoors. From classic American journeys to those with a difference; from national parks, to some of the best

FLY-DRIVE Hit the open road through the Smoky Mountains with Paul Blaney. Plus, three more routes to get you revving

beaches. We hope you find the information useful and keep the USA top of mind. Watch out for the next supplement, on Indulgence in America, out in May. Thanks, and keep selling the USA!

BEACHES Your guide to the coastline’s best places for sunshine,

GERRY BOYLE

surfing, people watching, history and glorious isolation

Travel Trade Account Director, Brand USA UK & Ireland

AGENT expert USA specialist Ken Garrity – a veteran of more than 30

Discover this land like never before

visits – offers his top tips for selling holidays in America

with DiscoverAmerica.com

Discover America - Great Outdoors

news 5

4 news

Alaska prepares for bumper year as it marks centenary

NEWS IN BRIEF

New flights and cruise capacity added for 2013

Camp in comfort at new Colorado ranch

Virgin adds Texas and Funway adds Dallas

Cresto Ranch, a glamping resort

Texas is a new destination for Virgin

Icelandair is to start flying to Alaska

of eight luxury safari-style tents,

Holidays for 2013, with the operator

from Reykjavik, with connections

will open in Colorado’s San Juan

featuring seven hotels and three

from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester

Mountains in May. The tents will have

self-drive itineraries in its latest USA

and Glasgow.

heated wooden floors, hot stoves

brochure. Funway Holidays has also

and stylish bathrooms, while a

launched a new Texas twin-centre

Commencing on May 15 and flying twice a week until mid-September, the

restored farmhouse nearby houses

Reykjavik-Anchorage service will offer

a restaurant and bar. All-inclusive

three cabin classes and take around

rates start from $1,400.

seven hours.

flights through Anchorage to additional For travellers connecting via the USA, JetBlue will add a Seattle-Anchorage service in May, and United Airlines will offer a seasonal nonstop

Operators make a bigger splash in the national parks

Vermont’s Jay Peak has $30m upgrade

Codeshare partner Alaska Airlines will provide connections to Icelandair locations throughout Alaska.

‹ Grand Canyon: Adrenaline activities abound in this natural wonder

The Jay Peak Resort in Vermont has ‹ Anchorage: The Alaskan capital will be served by a new Icelandair flight

increase passenger capacity by more than 65,000 in 2013.

Suppliers add new tours and accommodation

undergone a $30 million upgrade, including a Disney Mountain three to 10 years.

includes accommodation at the

a range of new independent and

in the USA and over the Hoover Dam;

Bar 10 Ranch at the edge of the

escorted trips, and new hotel product.

Yosemite, Tahoe & Monterey Walk,

Grand Canyon, meals, entertainment

Many new itineraries focus on the

which explores California and Nevada;

and ranch activities.

Canyonlands. A new 12-day Red Rock

and Olympic & Mount St Helens Walk,

the state’s waters this year, one more

including flights, and running on dates

will open in May in the Salt Pima

and Canyons fly-drive from Vacations

offering an in-depth experience of

than in 2012.

between June and August.

Maricopa-Indian Community in

to America and a new 14-night

Oceania Regatta will return after a

This year the state will celebrate the

Scottsdale, Arizona. Butterfly

Mythical Parks of the American

year’s break, and this, combined with

centenary of the first ascent of Mount

Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises

Wonderland will later be joined by

West mountain bike tour

McKinley, America’s highest peak,

from KE Adventure Travel

basing larger ships in the region, will

an aquarium and a history museum.

located in Alaska’s Denali National Park.

A weekend rail service linking South

to attract tourists who will enjoy the

Station in Boston to Hyannis in the

relaxing journey with beautiful views

heart of Cape Cod will start running on

of the Massachusetts countryside.

Running until Labor Day

Travel and Tourism, says: “Visitors to

(September 2), trains will depart

Boston, which boasts an old-world ambience and a cosmopolitan urban

Saturdays and Sundays, with a

centre, will find this rail service a

weekend return ticket costing

great opportunity to see the natural

$30. It is 25 years since trains

wonders of Massachusetts, including

ran to Cape Cod and the

visiting Cape Cod and experiencing

Chamber of Commerce hopes

the stunning scenery along the way.”

Discover America - Great Outdoors

Kuoni has added four threestar properties in national

Drive a ‘Mucky Duck’ in swamps in Florida Florida activity operator Revolution Off Road, based in Clermont, will offer self-drive excursions using

both visit the National

Grant Village and Lake

amphibious vehicles from March.

Parks of Zion, Bryce

Yellowstone Hotel

The so-called ‘Mucky Ducks’ travel

Canyon and the Grand

& Cabins are both

over woodland and sand trails but

Canyon.

300-room options in

can also splash into lakes and

new escorted itineraries in

Julie Greenhill, UK account manager for the Massachusetts Office of

Washington State.

parks to its programme.

Trafalgar Tours has two the region, a nine-day Canyon Badlands National Park, South Dakota

CAPE COD A new rail link from Boston will start in May

Las Vegas to its programme. The Bar 10 Ranch Stay costs £322 and

The USA’s largest butterfly pavilion

from Boston on Fridays,

overnight ranch stay outside

which treks to the most remote village

Tour, a 10-day trip starting from £2,349,

to making the journey by car.

Attraction World has added an

national parks are expanding with

expanding, with 31 ships operating in

May 24, giving tourists an alternative

Going to Vegas? Stay a night at Bar 10 Ranch

2013: Grand Canyon & Havasupai Walk,

Hear the flutter at new butterfly site in Arizona

Railway returns to Cape Cod after 25 years

of the Dallas TV series.

Tour operator programmes in America’s

offering a new Alaskan Budget Lodging

Adventure specialist TrekAmerica is

dude ranch to celebrate the remake

Learning Centre for skiers aged

Cruise capacity in Alaska is also

Fairbanks-Chicago service from June.

holiday, combining Dallas with a

Yellowstone National Park, sits at the entrance to Bryce

Country Jamboree, which is part of its

Canyon, and Yosemite View Lodge is

Family Experiences Collection, and a

just five minutes from the park.

14-day Coast, Canyon and Desert Oasis

Virgin Holidays is featuring the Grand

Crossing itinerary, which combines

Canyon Ranch Resort for the first time.

urban adventures in Los Angeles, Las

Situated just a few miles from the West

Vegas and San Francisco with the

Rim of the canyon, accommodation is

Grand Canyon, Death Valley and the

in western-style cabins, and activities

Joshua Tree National Park.

include wagon rides and camp-outs.

Grand American Adventures has three new seven-day hiking tours for

Discover America - Great Outdoors

swamp areas.

Best Western Ruby’s Inn

❯ National Treasures: read all about the USA’s national parks, page 6

Funway adds rafting, hiking and kayaking Funway Holidays is now cooperating with excursion supplier Viator, so agents can book activities including a Mount Rainier Hiking Experience from Seattle, a River Rafting Day Trip from Denver and a River Kayak and Hike in Kauai, Hawaii.

6 national parks

national parks 7 ‹ Yosemite: Abseiling is one of the many activities available

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho The world’s first national park is home to more than 300 geysers, towering mountains, an active volcano, grizzly bears, wolves, lynx and bison so it’s a must for clients who love wildlife. In total, 80% is forested, mostly with pine, and although located mainly in the state of Wyoming, its 3,500 square miles (think North Yorkshire for size) meander over the border into Montana and Idaho. Its most famous attraction is the Old Faithful geyser, which erupts like clockwork every 91 minutes,

National

Yosemite National Park, California

Treasures

into the air. Visitors come year-round to stay

A four-hour drive east from San

in the nine hotels and 12 campsites

Francisco in California, Yosemite really

within the park. While it’s busiest in

has it all, from soaring granite cliffs

the summer, in winter, snow lends it an

such as El Capitan and Half Dome

otherworldly allure, but it can get cold –

to giant waterfalls, glaciers, tranquil

the lowest temperature recorded

meadows and forests of ancient

is -54C.

sequoia trees (the biggest living things

Getting there: North America Travel

on earth). It’s a haven for clients who

Service offers a 14-night Wonders of

love the great outdoors.

Wyoming fly-drive from £2,155 (two

About 95% of its 1,100-plus square

The USA’s 58 national parks are a showcase for the country’s diverse range of spectacular nature and stunning landscapes. Will Hide picks out five to sell to your clients

spouting 7,000 gallons of water 150ft

sharing) including British Airways

miles – about the size of Dorset – is

flights to Denver. The nearest airport

a designated wilderness area with no

to the park is Jackson, which is served

roads or cars.

daily by United Airlines via Chicago.

It’s well known to hikers and mountain bikers, but in winter clients

ba.com northamericatravelservice.co.uk

can ski at Badger Pass. If visitors come in mid to late February they could see the spectacle of the ‘fire falls’ when the setting sun seems to turn the water of Horsetail Falls burning orange. The park was protected by the US government in the 19th century and it attracts more than 3.5 million visitors every year. Bryce Canyon NP, Utah, Tom Till

Getting there: American Airlines

Discover America - Great Outdoors

flies daily to Mammoth via Los Angeles. Travel 2 offers a three-day Essential Yosemite Experience ground package from £359 (two sharing) including return transport from San Francisco. aa.com travel2.com

› Yellowstone: The park’s geothermal features are a hot draw

›

national parks 9 › Hawaii Volcanoes: Explore the raw landscape year-round

Lava watching, HTA/Tor Johnson

8 national parks ‘pahoehoe’ and ‘aa’ lava flows, while taking photos of the spectacular steaming seas as lava, as hot as 1,000 degrees celsius, hits the Pacific Ocean. Getting there: United Airlines flies daily to Hilo via San Francisco and

Laidback or living it large – which national parks to recommend if your clients want to…

Los Angeles from Heathrow. Key to

Play golf: Hot Springs, Arkansas

America offers an 11-night escorted

has top courses nearby then there’s

tour to four of Hawaii’s islands from

the chance to soak weary limbs in the

£5,127 (two sharing) including flights.

naturally-warm waters.

united.com keytoamerica.com

Boat: The Everglades in Florida are easy to reach from Miami and boat tours give clients the chance to

‹ Great Smoky Mountains: The name derives from the morning mists

Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee/North Carolina Fantastic scenery, great music, friendly hospitality and Dolly Parton on the doorstep – what more could clients want? The morning mists that cling to the wooded hills give this park, which straddles the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, its name. Weather-wise, spring and autumn

10 for the annual Dolly parade. Getting there: United Airlines flies daily to Knoxville via Washington DC from Heathrow. Premier Holidays offers a 12-night fly-drive taking in the park from £1,335 (two sharing). united.com premierholidays.co.uk

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

spot everything from manatees to

It will be hard for clients to imagine in

Fish: There are 30 well-stocked

such a peaceful setting as this, where

lakes in Voyageurs National Park in

the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers

Minnesota and clients can even hire a

meet, the carnage that took place here

houseboat to stay on.

in 1862. From September 12-15 the

Hike: It’s a long way down to the

Confederate and Union armies fought

floor of the Grand Canyon, and it feels

in one of the most well-known battles

even further coming up, but hiking is

of the civil war – a period of American

a fantastic way of seeing this national

history that continues to fascinate

park.

British visitors.

Raft: Denali National Park in Alaska

Previously to that, in 1859, the town

Hawaii Volcanoes, Hawaii

alligators.

is the place to send clients who want

had been the scene of a raid on the

the thrills and spills that can only be

military arsenal by those who wished

found by tackling grade four rapids.

to abolish slavery, led by John Brown,

Ski: Hurricane Ridge ski and

but the whole event led to increasing

snowboard area sits inside Olympic

are ideal times to visit. It’s the USA’s

Situated on the ‘Big Island’, this

tensions with the south, which boiled

National Park, in Washington, so

most-visited national park and some

national park offers a slice of the state

over into war two years later.

it’s excellent for adventure-seeking

roads can get busy in summer. The

that is a world away from the bars of

solution? Advise clients to lace up their

Waikiki Beach or the laid-back surfers

Mountain bike: Zion in Utah is a

boots and hit the 800 miles of hiking

the conflict from the on-site rangers

of Maui – but with cheap internal flights

top spot for bikers of all abilities,

trails or grab a rod and explore the

and the town’s museum, visitors come

between six distinct islands, it’s easy to

with some challenging terrain for the

back country for some fishing in the

here to hike and enjoy the natural

combine them all for your clients.

beauty of the area where the states of

real pros and amazing scenery for

wonderfully clear rivers and streams.

As well as finding out more about

Visitors are confronted with the raw

clients.

West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland

everyone.

Keep an eye out for impromptu

power of nature as the earth belches

meet. The Appalachian Trail runs

Go back-country camping:

music gigs that regularly spring up,

forth fire and smoke. You can explore

through here for those who want to

Glacier National Park in Montana is

usually with a group of friends jamming

the top of a volcano such as Kilauea in

awesomely remote for serious hikers

on a porch to country, blue grass and

walk part of this famous rural route.

a hire car. The 11-mile Crater Rim Drive

who want to escape the crowds.

gospel, reflecting the early settlers’

circles the summit passing through a

Getting there: British Airways flies

Climb: Mount Rainier in Washington

strong Irish and British heritage.

daily from Heathrow to Washington

variety of biospheres including desert

DC. America As You Like It has a

is the USA’s most heavily glaciated

and lush tropical rainforest.

seven-night fly-drive, including two

peak outside Alaska and, with decent

nights in Harpers Ferry, from £1,180

planning, clients can make it to the

(two sharing) including flights.

top of the 14,410ft active volcano.

ba.com americaasyoulikeit.com

Discover this land, like never before

Just outside the park is Pigeon Forge, home to the Titanic Museum,

Clients can also hike in the area and

lots of lodging options and, most

explore the year-round, geothermally

famously, Dollywood. Clients who want

active landscape, which has erupted

to see Ms Parton should come on May

61 times since 1823, and search for

› Harpers Ferry: This tranquil town is rich in civil war history

Discover America - Great Outdoors

at DiscoverAmerica.com

10 fly-drive

fly-drive 11 ‹ Saddle up: Kentucky is prime horse breeding country

Picture: ISTOCK

Highway Code

› Sip up: Woodford Reserve Distillery, Kentucky

Picture: 4CORNERSIMAGE

Picture: TENNESSEE TOURISM

If you really want to see America, you need to hit the road. Paul Blaney steers one laid-back route and suggests three more amazing journeys

‹ Sing up: The Bluebird Cafe, Nashville, hosts established and up-and-coming acts

eading east on US Route 60 on a May morning,

south towards Tennessee. This is the sort of driving that

world’s longest-running live radio programme. After a rip-

North Carolina, is breathtaking. My co-pilot and I took turns

I can see why Kentucky is known as the

actually lowers your blood pressure. We stop for lunch at

roaring show, we felt so foot-tappingly excited we moved

at the wheel so we could both enjoy the scenery. Despite its

Bluegrass State. Either side of me are white-

a small town along the way. Washing the meal down with

on to two more live-music venues in Nashville.

size, Asheville feels cosy. It boasts dozens of small eateries,

fenced paddocks where horses graze on rich

coffee and doughnuts in a friendly roadside bakery, I’m

Not so bright and early the next morning we cruised east

galleries and boutiques, as well as a botanical garden. Our

grasslands that have just a hint of blue. Driving the slow

reminded of what I love best about America. Much as I enjoy

along I-40 towards the Great Smoky Mountains National

favourite attraction, however, was the Biltmore Estate, a

way from Louisville to Lexington, I pass through the heart

New York, Chicago, San Francisco and LA, it’s small-town,

Park. Straddling the border between Tennessee and North

French-style chateau with landscaped gardens.

of horse country. And as I approach the pretty town of

off-the-highway USA that offers the warmest welcome.

Carolina, the park is made up of ridge after forested ridge

Versailles – pronounced Vuhr-sayles hereabouts – I come upon Kentucky’s other gift to the world: bourbon. The Woodford Reserve distillery is as picture-perfect as

Sometimes, of course, you feel the need for speed.

We could have spent longer in Asheville but, alas, our

that fade into the horizon. It’s also home to historical

flight home awaited. The drive from Asheville to Atlanta is

Picking up I-65 at Bowling Green, we head south and cross

Appalachian buildings, walking trails and a wild, wonderful

an easy four hours. Given more time, we’d have loved to

the border into Tennessee. In less than an hour, we’ve hit

assortment of plant and animal life – including bears.

take a scenic detour – one last chance to experience those

they come, a match for any of its Scottish counterparts. The

Nashville, home of Stetson hats, cowboy boots and all

welcome is equally delightful, the tour short but informative

things country. Before checking into our hotel, we take

of the park as well as discovering the charms of Gatlinburg.

Sample package: North America Travel Service offers

and, as for the product – so my co-pilot informs me – it’s

a drive around the Parthenon, a full-scale replica of the

Gateway to the park, Gatlinburg is also a visitor attraction

a 12-night fly-drive package (into Louisville and out of

surely one of Kentucky’s finest.

Athenian original. Alas, we didn’t have time to check out

in its own right. The place abounds with restaurants, shops,

Atlanta) from £1,825 per person, based on two sharing. The

the golden statue of Athena; we had tickets instead for the

shows and all-around Appalachian hospitality.

price includes return flights, accommodation and car hire.

We elect to bypass Lexington, opting instead for country roads – and country music on the radio – that lead us gently

Grand Ole Opry. Dedicated to country music, this is also the

Discover America - Great Outdoors

We spent a couple of days exploring the natural beauty

The drive through the Smoky Mountains to Asheville,

Discover America - Great Outdoors

old Smoky Mountains before turning in the car.

Email: travel.agents@nats-uk.com

›

12 fly-drive

fly-drive 13

Three more of the best

Other modes of transport

America is so diverse that there are superb driving itineraries in all 50 states. Here are three more ideas to help your clients discover less well-known USA, with its open roads and warm welcomes

Harley-Davidson Ideal for Easy Riders and those for whom the

Go West: Seattle → Portland → Eugene →

Northern Delights: Minneapolis → Sawtooth

Pacific Coast → San Francisco

Mountains → Duluth → Madison → Milwaukee → Chicago

This itinerary blends together three great West

Home of the artist formerly known as Prince,

Coast cities, plus mountains, Pacific coastline and

Minneapolis is also the site of the immense Mall of

some very fine wines. Heading south from Seattle,

the Americas, so advise your clients to go prepared

your clients follow spectacular Puget Sound and

with a spare suitcase. Beyond Minneapolis, the

pass Mount St Helens before crossing into Oregon

road north leads between dozens of lakes to the

and super-cool Portland. From there, it’s on down

Sawtooth Mountains. Wedged between Canada and

the Willamette Valley that runs between the Cascade

Lake Superior, the mountains are great for skiing

Mountains and the ocean. Crossing the border into

in season. At the southwest corner of Superior is

California, they should look out for cone-shaped

the city of Duluth. Hometown of Bob Dylan, the

Mount Shasta before cutting west to hug the

city is also a great base from which to explore the

wave‑swept coastline. There are opportunities to

coastline, its wonderful inns and guesthouses, and

enjoy the giant redwoods en route to wine-rich

outdoor recreation. From Duluth the road carves south and east across the dairy state of Wisconsin

wonderful San Francisco.

to two great cultural destinations, Madison and

Sample package: Funway Holidays offers a

Milwaukee, before ending in the Windy City, Chicago.

10-night Pacific North West fly-drive package in May

Sample package: Kuoni offers a nine-night

from £1,259. The price includes flights to Seattle and

fly-drive in May from £1,600, including flights to

out of San Francisco, car hire and accommodation.

Minneapolis and out of Chicago, car hire and hotels.

funway4agents.co.uk

kuoni.co.uk

journey matters more than the destination. Tours vary in terms of group size,

Whether for food, scenery, culture or hospitality,

miles-per-day and back-up support.

America’s northeast coast is a premier attraction.

RV (motorhome)

Your clients start in historic Boston, which boasts

These homes on wheels are a great way for

heritage, Harvard and a whole lot of fun. The same

families and outdoor lovers to enjoy the wide

could be said of nearby Rhode Island, while the

open spaces of the American west. Can carry

mansions of Newport are among the USA’s finest

bikes or rafts with ease.

houses. From here it’s an easy drive to America’s

Classic cars

riviera, Cape Cod, with its beaches and harbour

America is the home of the classic car, grand

towns, as well as the chance to take a ferry to

autos that bring out the cruiser in all of us.

Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket. The road to Maine

Imagine rolling through Vegas or Miami in

passes back through Boston. Heading north, the

20-plus feet of gleaming chrome.

coast grows more rugged and the roads less busy.

Rail

At the end of the line is Acadia, perhaps the only

America has a more extensive railway

East Coast national park to rival those out west.

system than most imagine. Among the more

Sample package: Virgin Holidays offers an

spectacular routes are the Coast Starlight that

eight‑night northeast fly-drive, departing at the end

links Seattle and LA, and the Empire Builder

of March, from £965 based on two sharing. The price

from Chicago to Seattle.

includes accommodation, car hire and flights to Boston. vhols4agents.co.uk

Camden Harbour on a fall morning, Maine

Sonoma and the sometimes weird but always

Eastern Promise: Boston → Providence → Cape Cod → Maine

Discover America - Great Outdoors

Discover this land, like never before at DiscoverAmerica.com

14 beaches

beaches 15

Shore Thing

rom Miami‘s South Beach to

Screven details its fascinating story.

Waikiki in Hawaii, the USA is

Or try: Provincetown sits at the very

home to some of the world’s

tip of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It was

most famous beaches. And

the first landing place of the Mayflower

with 12,000 miles of coastline, it’s

Pilgrims, but the town has become a

hardly under-endowed with stretches

magnet for artists and writers.

of shore. Here’s our guide to help you

Joanna Booth takes a look at some of the best beaches in the USA

find the right beach for your clients.

Best for…surfing

surf to make the beautiful people congregate – and nowhere has a more

USA, and you’ll find some of the

concentrated collection of them than

world’s best waves in their home state

Miami’s South Beach. From spotting

of California. Santa Cruz, the birthplace

rock-hard abs sculpted by the South

of modern surfing, is where you’ll find

Beach diet, to rocking nights at one

the world’s first surfing museum, and

of the 150 clubs and bars, seeing and

the original O’Neill surf shop, which

being seen is all part of the package.

opened in 1959. Cowell’s Beach, with

Or try: Oak Street Beach sits on the

numerous surf schools, shallow water

shore of Lake Michigan at the end of

and gentle waves, is one of the best

Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Pop-up

places to learn to surf in the States.

cafes provide the perfect spot from

Or try: Hawaii is the home of big

which to watch locals rollerblading and

wave riding, and Oahu’s North Shore

playing volleyball.

in November and December.

Best for…history

Picture: ISTOCK

There’s nothing like sun, sand and

The Beach Boys sang about Surfin’

hosts the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing

Discover America - Great Outdoors

Best for…people watching

Best for...watersports Fort Lauderdale’s 23 miles of beach aren’t just for sunbathing. Jetskiing,

Frankly, my dear, you should give a

parasailing, fishing, stand-up paddle-

damn about Georgia’s coast. The state

boarding – this spot on Florida’s Gold

may be best known in the UK as the

Coast is where it all happens. Send

setting for Gone with the Wind and its

lovers of marine life to Lauderdale-by-

civil war history, but it has mile upon

the-Sea, where the three-tier natural

mile of beaches as beautiful but less

coral reef is close enough to shore to

well-known – and crowded – than its

swim out for snorkelling and scuba

southern neighbour, Florida. At Tybee

diving. For an adrenaline rush, Ski

Island, just 20 minutes from the historic

Rixen is a cable waterski park, also

city of Savannah, visitors can breathe

offering wakeboarding and trick skiing.

in heritage with a lungful of sea air. The

Or try: Zephyr Cove on Lake Tahoe

barrier island has five miles of sandy

is a mile-long stretch of sand where

beaches, but was also a significant site

parasailing, waterskiing, wakeboarding

during the civil war and the Spanish

and kayaking all come with a backdrop

American war. The museum at Fort

of snow-capped mountains.

Discover America - Great Outdoors

Best for…isolation Even in a country of 315 million people, you can still be alone. For deserted beaches, head for the Olympic Peninsula, the nugget of Washington State that lies across Puget Sound from Seattle. Shi Shi and Ruby Beach are on the rugged northwestern coastline, where shops, restaurants and hotels take a back seat to untouched miles of sand strewn with driftwood skeletons, punctuated by caves, rock arches, tide pools and sea stacks – vertical columns of rock jutting out of the sea. Visitors are as likely to share the shore with a heron, bald eagle or deer as another tourist. Or try: Roque Bluff in Maine, where a half-mile crescent of pebbles faces the ocean on one side and a freshwater lagoon on the other. Hiking trails snake through fir trees and beach roses.

SAMPLE PRODUCT Funway Holidays offers a seven-night stay at Four Points by Sheraton Miami Beach from £885, flying with United Airlines on September 16. funway4agents.com 0844 557 0626 Hayes & Jarvis offers seven nights’ B&B at the three-star Holiday Inn Express in Santa Cruz, California, from £1,149, including Delta Air Lines flights from Heathrow on June 18. hayesandjarvis.co.uk/agents 0871 200 2211 Discover this land like never before at DiscoverAmerica.com

agent expert

KEN GARRITY

Ken Garrity Travel, Altrincham How many times have you

formations. Zion is entered from the

What is your ideal mode of

visited America?

valley floor and is a lot greener with

transport to explore the USA?

More than 30, visiting everything

more trees and vegetation. I’ve also

A 4x4 vehicle or SUV. You get to

from cities to national parks.

hiked in Yosemite National Park,

sit higher and see more when you

walked in the Great Smoky Mountains

drive. Navigating is easy, especially

when was your first trip?

in Tennessee, ridden horses in Texas

with satnav. The roads are usually

A weekend trip to Los Angeles on

and a mule down the Bright Angel

empty outside of big conurbations,

Pan Am’s new Boeing 747 in 1970.

Trail into the Grand Canyon. At 8am

and drivers in the USA are usually

The trip cost £6 including flights,

the temperature was -2C and at the

courteous and helpful if you’re lost.

transfers to the Huntington Sheraton

bottom it was 28C. Do you think UK travellers

Hotel in Pasadena, sightseeing and Which of America’s natural

know how much THE USA offers?

wonders that you haven’t

Britons knows the main icons, including

Describe your most amazing

seen are top of your wishlist?

the major cities and some national

great outdoors experience

Yellowstone National Park. It was the

parks. However, there are so many

On the California Superfam, we went

very first national park. I’d also like

other untapped experiences.

white-water rafting on the American

to take a paddle steamer down the

River, where the first gold was found

mighty Mississippi River, visiting the

What would you say to

in the California gold rush era. It was a

civil war sights such as Natchez.

travel agents who currently

half a day in Disneyland.

don’t sell much USA?

fantastic experience, not least because I’m not a great swimmer and had to

How important have fam

Take the time to study the USA and

remove my glasses for safety reasons!

trips been in developing

all it has to offer. You may surprise

your knowledge of America?

yourself how much you know. There are

other memorable experiences?

Without fam trips I wouldn’t have seen

courses for agents and fam trips to be

I’ve been hiking in Bryce Canyon and

half as much as I have had the

won. The main areas I get asked for are

Zion Canyon in Utah. Bryce Canyon

privilege to see. I know they are all

New England, Florida, California and

is like a mini version of the Grand

whistle-stop morning to night but

the big cities – knowing just these areas

Canyon, with red rocks and unusual

the experiences are unbelievable.

will help you cover many enquiries.

This Discover America Great Outdoors supplement is the first in a series of four produced by Travel Weekly in association with Brand USA. Look out for the next edition, focusing on Indulgence, published with Travel Weekly in May. To view this magazine in digital format, visit travelweekly.co.uk/supplements.