A trip to the USA is a dream for European travelers. The variety of landscapes and places is huge so the first step to plan your trip is to collect some information and then decide where to go. The American Dream  can be found in so many places: the nature, mountains, beaches and deserts, skiing areas and redwood forests as well as exciting cities with restaurants, museums, theatres and lifestyle. But what visitors expect most are the big open skies.

Top place No. 1: New York

New York is definitely famous for its many artists and galleries. There are fantastic restaurants and it is without question the capital of shopping. Nearly every new trend is set in New York. New York City is full of life, energy and a real American experience. One of the most famous sights is the Statue of Liberty which can be visited every day of the year. The Times Square is the most crowded street in New York; do not miss this place.
If you like clubbing and nightlife New York is a perfect place to be. You can find whatever you like.
There a no better restaurants in the world than in New York. It is full of special restaurants and bars where you can enjoy whiskey, seafood, chocolates, steaks and much more. There are also huge restaurants with more than 20,000 seats – incredible. When you want to see real New York, go and see Brooklyn. It is cultural and historical. Neighborhoods are diverse and there are pubs and restaurants around.

Top place No. 2: The Grand Canyon and the South Rim

The Grand Canyon is America´s most famous canyon and known for its legendary canyon views. There are official overlooks, old buildings, trails for walking and museums. The Grand Canyon National Park is well developed and open all-year. The wildlife is great and the canyon itself is of a special beauty. There are fantastic camping sites and lodges. The best thing is it is not too hard to escape the crowds.

Top place No. 3: New Orleans

New Orleans is a city famous for great and rich food and Jazz and Blues Music. It is a place which is mainly populated by African-Americans, it is colorful and offers great parades. So it is definitely worth a visit. New Orleans´cuisine is Caribbean, African and European so you might find alligator sausage and best American cheesecake. The celebration season is the best season for visiting the town. There are Mardi Gras, a carnival and a Jazz Festival with lots of parties and entertainment as long as you can think. The town is full of traditions and community spirit. And New Orleans is also known as a grown city with interesting facades mainly made of wood and paint which cannot be compared to any other American town.

Top place No. 4: Santa Fe

Santa Fe is the capital of New Mexico. It is a place from the past and you can feel the border to Mexico, which is not far away. There are old buildings made of adobe, a busy plaza and Indian style restaurants. It is a very earthy style. There are many souvenir shops where you can buy Indian style souvenirs like dream-catchers. It is rather a small place but there are very good museums and galleries so you might need more than one day to visit it. Visitors, who love outdoor activities, will find a fantastic base for hiking, mountain biking, Backpack trips and skiing. The local cuisine offers great Tex-Mex food so take your time for your lunch break.

Top Place No. 5: Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World is the best American theme park with a very long tradition. In real, it is more complex than a world. When you go there, you really need a good plan not to get lost. It is an area of 40 square miles. Within Disney World, there are four theme parks called Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and the Animal Kingdom. There are 20 hotels run by Disney world where visitors can spend the night without leaving the area. There are fantastic rollercoaster rides and traces of our beloved Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and rather new Disney characters like Gaston, Elsa and Anna. There are parades, shows, musical productions and exciting stunt shows. So it is great entertainment not only for kids.

 

Information for International visitors:

International travelers who are willing to visit the USA need to apply for the ESTA permit. This is a program that can be used by travelers from all the 38 countries that are members of the Visa Waiver Program. As a legal visitor you must apply for this authorization.

ESTA is for travelers who want to stay for 90 days or less. The purpose of travelling must be business or pleasure. The application for a new ESTA authorization can be for on individual or a group application for two or more people. What you need is a valid passport from a Visa Waiver Country, a valid credit card to pay for the application, your contact information and your employment information.

ESTA countries are Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, UK and 27 more. Total 38 countries now!

If you are in possession of a visitor´s Visa, you do not need to apply for an ESTA permit.