Who's done a USA trip?

[Saracen]

..... I personally found Miami to be quite poor, and run down.

Depends where you are in Miami. There are some seriously wealthy parts. There's also some seriously down-at-heel parts. That, of course, is also true of most major cities.

Best tip you'll get?
Take $200 cash and the rest in Traveller's cheques. Trust me.

And take US$ travellers cheques, not Sterling ..... and it's probably best to take ones easily recognised in the US, like Amex.

If you take sterling travellers cheques, you'll probably end up having to get them cashed in local banks and at the mercy of local exchange rates. If you take US$ ones, you can use them as cash in pretty much any bar, shop or hotel, just by counter-signing them. The disadvantage is that if you don't use them, you'll risk what the exchange rate is when you convert them back to sterling on arrival home.currency

[Funkstar]

coming in late to this one, but i jus got back from a 3 week trip in the US

ID - I didn't get ID'ed at all in 3 weeks. Two girls i was with who are 21 got ID'ed once on the first night. That was it. Another girl (a cousin, 18) didn't get ID'ed in NYC with us either. But then we were only drinking in resteraunts or buying a few bottles of wine etc.

LA - we thought it was pretty dull

Houston - Unless you have a reason to go there, don't bother. San Antonio is a lot nicer. Or there is Austin as well, suppossed ti be good.

[iranu]

If you want to drink then ID is a must no matter what the age. It's hit and miss in the USA so best to be safe. Although I did use my dulcet charms and natural English charisma to get a couple of ladies who hadn't got ID into a club. This only works on the opposite sex!!!!!!!!!!

[Bazzlad]

ID - I didn't get ID'ed at all in 3 weeks. Two girls i was with who are 21 got ID'ed once on the first night. That was it. Another girl (a cousin, 18) didn't get ID'ed in NYC with us either. But then we were only drinking in resteraunts or buying a few bottles of wine etc.

Funnily enough, I didn't get ID'ed in any resturant either - but EVERY Bar (except Irish bars ) perhaps they have the same alcohol with food laws we do?

[Funkstar]

everyone we spoke to was really surprised we didn't get ID'ed more.

Could have just been lucky i guess.

[awm]

Funnily enough, I didn't get ID'ed in any resturant either - but EVERY Bar (except Irish bars ) perhaps they have the same alcohol with food laws we do?

Nope, no selling alcohol to anyone under 21 anywhere. And at least in NY as of a year or two mandatory carding. This is not true in all states but anyone under 30 should be getting carded everywhere. Here fake IDs are quite popular and common.

As an interesting aside the US government isn't allowed to directly regulate the drinking age, but to get highway funding the age has to be 21.

[grabbi_21]

Any suggestions for travel/health insurance guys? Moneysupermarket throws up "downunder insurance" who look reasonable.

[grabbi_21]

Is it wrong to book Kings of Leon tickets in las vegas 11th Sep before purchasing travel insurance?

[Funkstar]

we booked all our flights, hotels and tickets to see Spamalot before i organised my travel insurance. Unless you have a known medical condition you are not going to be refused travel insurance.

[Aaron]

Is it wrong to book Kings of Leon tickets in las vegas 11th Sep before purchasing travel insurance?

Have you booked a hotel for Vegas yet and, if so, where are you staying?

I've been to New York and Vegas. Both trips were very enjoyable.

New York is just like London. Lots of things to do, easy to get around without a care, great restaurants, great night life. I could easily spend months in New York without getting bored. Buy a copy of Time Out or something similar when you get there. Things change very quickly and guide books will only tell you about the tourist traps.

The Strip in Vegas is just like one big theme park. There's lots of attractions but alcohol is pretty expensive. I was 24 when I went and I got IDed everywhere - bars, restaurants and even just walking across the floor of casinos. They'll look at your British driving license funny but accept it without question. You'll meet a lot of small town Americans in Vegas and I found that they were always amazed to meet a real Brit. Expect lots of questions about the royal family.

Have fun on your trip. I'm sure that you will come back with lots of stories.

[mcmiller]

i'd love to do something like this, go on a road trip around america for a few months or a couple of weeks would do. Hopefully now i have this new job i can save up and maybe do something like this in a yr's time

[Dareos]

its a dream of mine to tour the states on a bike, but really don't see me having the cash to do it... ever.

shame tho, would love to take 6 months off, buy a bike and just take off coast to coast, meeting people i have gamed with, new people, seeing the real America and not the hollywood tripe we are forcefed day after day. Ideally carrying nothing more than a few clothes and a credit card, buying what i need and renting motel rooms or staying with friends as I go.

If anyone has a spare 15-20k lying around they want to get rid of, can i have it?


edit : add a laptop to that list