27 days in United States Itinerary

More than the country of car-packed streets seen in TV shows and movies, the United States of America is a complex and diverse home to over 300 million people living in a wide range of landscapes and climates. From its big-city skyscrapers to its sprawling natural parks, the country's ''melting pot'' combines many ethnic groups that share a strong sense of national identity despite their cultural differences. A country of road trips and big blue skies, the United States harbors orderly cities filled with restaurants, parks, museums, and innumerable sightseeing opportunities, as well as pristine natural areas perfect for a holiday in the great outdoors. To see as much as you can of this diverse land quickly, drive over some of the more than 6 million km (4 million mi) of highways leading through deserts, mountain peaks, fertile fields, and giant urban centers.

A land of many faces, Oregon is at once a state of rugged rocky coastlines and deep forests, as well as vibrant cities and small towns packed with award-winning restaurants and trendy shops. With nearly half of its land covered by dense fir, redwood, and pine forests, the state protects varied plant and animal life inside three national parks. In addition to pristine waterfalls, beaches, and lakes perfect for a holiday in nature, Oregon also offers numerous urban tourist attractions. Portland, the state's largest metropolis, notably includes more breweries than any other city in the world, and its central location makes it an ideal base for day trips to Oregon's emerging wine region and many parks.

A state with two distinct faces, Washington features a landscape split apart by the Cascade Mountains, separating the damp forested areas to the west from the irrigated farmland to the east. Named after the country's first president, Washington is the second most populous state in the western United States. Nearly 60 percent of its population lives in the Seattle metropolitan area, one of the state's most popular holiday destinations. A land of over 1,000 dams, Washington is a leading producer of products as diverse as wine, lumber, apples, hops, pears, and potatoes. A big contributor to the nation's manufacturing industries, the state also boasts a cosmopolitan culture with plenty of sightseeing opportunities and a selection of small cafes, bars, and restaurants.

With a population of only one million, Montana remains an untouched natural paradise of snowcapped peaks, expansive forests, and alpine lakes, dotted with Old West ghost towns, Indian reservations, and progressive urban communities. Appreciate the state's unique charm and beauty with a trip to Glacier National Park, where you can come face-to-face with Montana wildlife among its high peaks. Head to the state's largest cities, Billings and Missoula, for an array of historical attractions and cultural sightseeing.

The mountainous state of Idaho houses some of the country's largest stretches of unspoiled nature. There are plenty of opportunities for adventurous holidays here, with rapids, canyons, snow-capped mountains, expansive lakes, and waterfalls higher than Niagara Falls. Those on vacation with access to a car can enjoy some of the most scenic drives in the nation while traversing Idaho's rugged landscape. Boise, the state's capital and most populous city, provides cultural attractions such as museums, galleries, and theater. The students of Boise State University contribute to the city's vibrant and growing nightlife scene.

The neon streets of Las Vegas represent only one chapter in the story of Nevada, a sparsely populated state offering travelers a chance to discover the country's western frontier. Utterly unlike the more populated parts of the North American continent, Nevada's landscape includes huge deserts where you can easily leave modern civilization behind and enjoy a tranquil vacation. For a taste of untamed Nevada, explore the network of paved and unpaved roads leading to some of the world's most rugged and desolate natural wonders. If trying to make a fortune is high on your itinerary, remember that in the first state to legalize gambling, a slot machine is never too far away. Even gas stations and small motels in the largely deserted rural areas offer some form of gambling to the passing traveler.