Staff Travel Guide: An American Adventure
Date Posted: 18/05/2022
An adventure to the United States makes for a holiday like no other. With such geographical and social diversity, America is a melting pot of culture and breath-taking environments. From the snow-capped Rocky Mountains of Colorado to the bustling metropolis of New York, the rhythmic sultry atmosphere of New Orleans, to the quaint Southern charm of Nashville; there is a perfect state out there for everyone to enjoy.
Paula, our Head of Retail here at Hays Travel, recently returned from an unforgettable trip state side where she explored the amazing cities of Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
Here is her experience in these iconic cities and her top tips on how to enjoy an American Adventure.
American Airlines
"America was always on my list of places to visit. For this trip I decided to fly with American Airlines. I was lucky enough to travel Premium Economy on the outward journey and it didn’t disappoint. I must say the toilets were the cleanest I have seen on a plane! The seats were very comfy with good seat pitch and a great entertainment system that kept me amused the entire flight. I also had the advantage of exit seats which further added to the relaxed experience."
"On the return I flew their flagship first class and WOW! They really gave us the royal treatment. From effortlessly checking in at the airport to the use of their first class lounge; everything was out of this world. We indulged at the A la carte restaurant with a choice of a 3 course menu and the food was incredible! As we were flying overnight, I seized the opportunity to take advantage of the flat bed option on my seat. I received a mattress, blankets, pillows and even pyjamas from the outstanding staff. The journey was extremely comfy and added a special experience to our holiday – I would highly recommend travelling with American Airlines."
Los Angeles
"I began my American Adventure in the City of Angels, Los Angeles. From top beaches like Santa Monica and Long Beach to the Hollywood Glamour of Universal Studios and the Celebrity Walk of Fame; Los Angeles is packed with must see attractions. So with so much to see and do, I would definitely suggest planning a bit of itinerary beforehand.
I personally recommend visiting Griffith Park and the Observatory. With a lovely trail walk to the top and get great views of the Hollywood sign it was a perfect place to enjoy the sunshine and snap a picture of the iconic landmark. Another must-visit in my opinion is Universal Studios. I would recommend buying express tickets as the wait times for attraction were much faster with these- a couple of minutes opposed to a couple of hours! A major highlight of this holiday for me was our bike tour of the Celebrity homes and Beverley Hills. A fantastic alternative to the more known bus tours, this activity was so much fun and a definite must!
Whilst in Los Angeles I stayed at the Andaz hotel. Floating just above the twinkling lights of the Sunset Strip and the picturesque Hollywood Hills, we couldn’t have asked for a better location. I highly recommend this area if you are planning to visit this city. It was very central with plenty of bars and restaurants within walking distance which meant we didn’t feel the need to hire a car; and it also felt like a very safe area to explore.
If you are planning a holiday to America, I’d absolutely add Los Angeles to your list. It is a great place for all ages, with something to entertain everyone!"
Las Vegas
My next stop hardly needs an introduction. Arguably the “Entertainment Capital of the World”, Las Vegas was littered with bright lights, neon casinos and dazzling attractions. And the atmosphere was infectiously electric!
I stayed at the Venetian Palazzo in Las Vegas and WOW! I didn't even need to leave the hotel! There were fantastic bars and restaurants and the setting was gorgeous. My bedroom was huge along with the bathroom and we even had a separate seating area. The hotel had a lovely vibe and was just what we were looking for. In terms of area, this hotel was towards the top end of the strip and I much preferred it here.
As I meandered along the iconic strip, Las Vegas really came alive. With gleaming arcades, jaw-dropping malls and spectacular dinning there was so much to see and do. Whilst visiting sin city, I decided to explore what really crowned this place one of incredible entertainment- its dazzling shows. So I booked some tickets! I was lucky enough to see Lady Gaga's jazz and piano show which was an unforgettable experience! But one show that I would recommend anyone seeing was Cirque du Soleil. I watched ‘O’ which was truly outstanding. An aquatic masterpiece, I couldn’t believe the magnificent staging and surreal talent that went into these performances. This is a must if you are planning a trip to Las Vegas!
Which cities would be on your American Adventure?