Money Tips

With the weak dollar if you are travelling from Europe, America can seem quite cheap, however you must take into account the fact that tax is usually not included on price tags in the States and is added on afterwards. When eating out you should also bear in mind that waiting staff expect a 15-20% tip, this also applies to taxi drivers. If you are planning on travelling around whilst you are in America, for budget accommodation at the last minute your best bet is probably a motel. Remember to try to bargain down the original price quoted to you. Often motel staff have 4 or 5 different pricing levels and if you ask you can usually get the price down at least a little.

Weather and Climate

As the US is such a large country the weather and climate varies depending on where you are. In the North-East around Pennsylvania and New England temperatures can go from one extreme to the other in winter and summer. In Florida and Hawaii the climate is tropical and many of the central southern states experience desert like climates of dry heat and dry cold.