60 days in Continental USA Itinerary

Known as a focal point of the civil rights struggle in the 1960s, Alabama features diverse landscapes that include tall mountains, rolling hills, and gentle plains. Though still largely undiscovered by foreign visitors, Alabama offers tourists a chance to discover the distinct culture of the Deep South. In addition to well-preserved examples of antebellum architecture, this area also boasts an outstanding local cuisine, famous for traditional barbecue recipes passed down from generation to generation. Looking for outdoorsy things to do? Nature lovers on holiday can explore the state's beaches, rugged canyons, and lush river valleys.

A top destination for a holiday in nature, North Carolina provides a seemingly endless variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain climbing, and skiing. While the state's rural regions offer a taste of traditional Appalachian music and culture, its increasingly diverse big cities feature modern skyscrapers, renowned museums, and historical neighborhoods perfect for sightseeing tours. The coastal region, famous for its year-round temperate climate, attracts millions of annual visitors, making North Carolina the sixth most-visited state in the country. Though it's hard to find a quiet time of year in coastal North Carolina, the state's inland areas retain many secluded corners where you can experience the laid-back Old South atmosphere.

Divided by law, geography, and custom into three major regions, represented by the three stars on state's flag, Tennessee boasts a distinctive musical heritage that includes elements of bluegrass, country-western, and blues. With a countryside as diverse as its people, Tennessee includes landscapes ranging from a mountainous region in the east to the lowlands of the west, with gently rolling hills in the middle. For a well-rounded vacation, you can hike remote mountain trails in the morning and explore the crowded bars of Nashville in the evening. Visit the urban attractions, such as Elvis Presley's former residence in Memphis, but don't miss a chance to spend some time in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, situated in the eastern part of the state.

A diverse region of sprawling farmland and rich cultural heritage, Kentucky is the birthplace of American horse racing and home to the world-famous Kentucky Derby. While the cities of Lexington and Louisville experience the majority of the state's tourism, Kentucky is also a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts with its array of natural attractions, including the Cumberland Gap and the world's longest cave system at Mammoth Cave National Park. Take a tour through original Civil War battlefields to delve into the nation's history, or head to one of the many bourbon distilleries to learn more about Kentucky's most famous export.

Part of the American heartland, Iowa is marked by a strong agricultural heritage, with farmland encompassing around 90 percent of the state's land. However, a holiday in Iowa offers more than corn and cows: you'll also discover charming towns, beautiful lakes, and a handful of vibrant cities. Iowa City, a university town, provides a healthy dose of culture and nightlife, with a youthful and artistic vibe fueled by a sizable student population. A trip to some of Iowa's small towns provides a true American experience. Fortunately, the welcoming residents bear very little resemblance to the dour Iowans portrayed in Grant Wood's famous painting "American Gothic."

Famous for the cliffside monuments of Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse memorial, South Dakota is a land of Old West history, American Indian culture, and impressive natural wonders. Get to know the state's diverse and breathtaking landscape with a trip through Custer National Park, with a herd of 1,300 free-roaming bison, or by traversing the dramatic peaks of Badlands National Park near the Black Hills. Allow time in your itinerary to visit the state's largest city, Sioux Falls, for shopping, dining, and entertainment options, as well as a number of museums and historical attractions.

Acquired from France as part of the famous Louisiana Purchase, Missouri offers visitors equal amounts of urban and rural tourist attractions, with a good sprinkling of lush valleys and meandering back roads ideal for leisurely road trips. The state has a highly varied geography, ranging from the till plains in the north to the rolling Ozark Mountains in the south. The state sits at the intersection of North America's three greatest rivers, creating fertile plains known for supporting extensive farms and ranches. Now generally considered part of the country's Midwest, most people used to count Missouri among the southern states, primarily due to its status as a slave state before the Civil War.

With a diverse geography including mountains in the north, dense broadleaf forests in the south, and fertile lowlands in the east, Arkansas is aptly nicknamed the "Natural State." Still largely undiscovered by foreign tourists, the state hides a world of little-known lakes and rivers. Arkansas also includes vast state parks, offering visitors on vacation outstanding camping facilities in the middle of pristine natural areas sheltering blue herons, warblers, and bald eagles. Often stereotyped as little more than poor hillbilly country, Arkansas boasts a surprisingly diverse array of cultural attractions, including numerous museums, theaters, and cutting-edge sports venues. To learn about the real culture of Arkansas, explore its outstanding cuisine, traditional festivals, and lively music scene.

Still relatively unspoiled by mass tourism, Mississippi epitomizes rich history and offers warm hospitality to those who vacation here. The Mississippi River forms most of its western border, so it's no surprise that this mighty waterway shapes the lives of people calling the "Magnolia State" their home. The river influences everything from the food they eat to the music they listen to. Perhaps the easiest way to discover Mississippi is to take a drive on the 715 km (444 mi) long national parkway, which follows a route used since pre-colonial times that's famous for its scenic beauty and attractions of historical interest. At the end of the parkway sits a town packed with nearly 600 antebellum homes.

With a landscape of deltas, marshes, and swamps formed by the sediments of the Mississippi River, Louisiana is home to rich native plant and animal life, including rare species of tree frogs, ibis, and egrets. The state's urban areas, most notably the historical city of New Orleans, are some of its most popular attractions and boast a varied multicultural and multilingual heritage, strongly influenced by a mix of French, Spanish, Native American, and African cultures. Native Louisianans proudly cling to their distinctive dialects and musical traditions, offering visitors a chance to explore one of the most culturally diverse areas in North America. The homeland of both Cajun and Creole cuisines, Louisiana remains a top holiday destination for foodies from around the world.

The “Sunshine State,” Florida became a favorite winter destination for the affluent crowd over a century ago. Today, the state attracts visitors from around the world with its golden beaches and modern theme parks. You can spend your entire vacation enjoying the state's highly developed seaside areas, but remember that some of Florida's best-kept secrets are in secluded locations. Visit the big cities and their comfortable resorts offering top-notch dining and nightlife, but leave some time to see the peninsula's swampy landscape, filled with wild creatures and native plants. Farther away from the tourist-packed urban areas, the untamed wetlands of Florida offer a selection of things to do, such as kayaking, boat rides, and numerous other outdoor activities.

The home of the first permanent English colony in the New World, Virginia is a prime holiday destination for those looking to immerse themselves in American heritage. Proud of its colorful history, distinct culture, and southern drawl, Virginians see their state as the place where the imaginary line between the north and the south is drawn. With scenic beauties as diverse as its people, Virginia is a land of rolling hills, rugged mountains, lush valleys, dense forests, and secluded beaches along picturesque bays. Bordered on the east by the Atlantic and the west by the Appalachian Mountains, with rolling farmland in the middle, the state offers countless places to visit for history buffs, nature lovers, and passionate foodies.

Composed of five distinct geographic regions with boundaries roughly parallel to the Atlantic coastline, South Carolina embraces rich history, scenic beauty, and outstanding cuisine. Originally established as a slave society dependent on the cultivation of rice and indigo, the state now boasts a diverse economy that includes massive production of textile goods, chemical products, machinery, and automobiles. Widely regarded as the beginning of the Deep South, the state remains a deeply conservative part of the country, fervently clinging to its religious and cultural traditions. South Carolinians are kind and open hosts to those who vacation here, eager to share the wealth of their cultural heritage with curious visitors. With many remarkable places to visit like Charleston and Hilton Head, your itinerary here is sure to be diverse and full of scenic attractions.

Founded in 1733, Georgia was one of the original 13 colonies that became the United States. Much more geographically diverse than most visitors realize, the state features a scenic seacoast, high mountain peaks, and large urban centers, with broad rural areas in between. Once famous mostly for historical attractions memorializing the Civil War era and the Civil Rights Movement, Georgia now draws tourists from around the world with its rich musical tradition and distinctive cuisine. Start your Georgian adventure in Atlanta, the state's economic powerhouse, and then road trip to the coastal barrier islands, nature preserves, and chic vacation resorts.