Thanks to movies and television, the United States may be the one country anyone in the world is familiar with. And yet, all the films and shows ever made cannot even begin to fully capture what this country is all about. After all, with 50 states flanked by two oceans and covering an incredibly varied terrain, the country is too large a place to explore. In fact, with all the different peoples who have come to this “New World” in search of the American Dream, the US is simply a larger-than-life melting pot. From endless desert to soaring mountains, centuries-old towns to bustling cities, the US always has something cookin’.

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

St. Thomas is known as an idyllic vacation spot today, but its history is not so peaceful. In the 18th century, the island was at the center of a bustling pirate culture, as swashbuckling pirates such as Blackbeard and Drake traded stolen wares in the port of Charlotte Amalie. This world-renowned Caribbean island is famed for its beautiful beaches, gorgeous sea and landscapes and crystal clear waters. It’s also known as "the duty-free shopping capital of the world."

Attractions

• Skyline Drive to enjoy a breathtaking view of St. Thomas Harbour. Then travel to Mountain Top, the highest point on St. Thomas, and see spectacular views of Magens Bay, one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. The skyride to Paradise Point, 700 feet above the sea, also gives you one of the most fantastic vistas in the Caribbean. An exciting helicopter ride can also give you a bird's eye view of the beauty of St. Thomas.
• Marine Adventures: via Coral World Marine Park, where you can touch sea stars at the touch pool or explore the mystery of life in a mangrove lagoon off the Coastal Trail; or via the Atlantis Submarine, to get close to coral reefs and other marine life.
• An exhilarating, wind-in-your-face ride-of-a-lifetime around the island on the 100-foot trimaran, Wild Thing. Or, take a relaxing half-day sail to Buck Island aboard a large sailing yacht, then snorkel in Turtle Cove.
• A bike tour through historic and picturesque St. Thomas Harbour.
• Duty free shopping! Visitors can bring home $1,200 in merchandise without paying duty - twice the limit of most of the Caribbean.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Fort Lauderdale boasts a lively seafront, miles of golden sandy beaches, shopping malls and electrifying nightlife. Called ‘The Venice of America’ because of its 300 miles of navigable waterways, this is truly the jewel of Florida’s Gold Coast. People have been flocking to Fort Lauderdale's beaches for decades. And with good reason. Fort Lauderdale Beach is a two-mile strip of beautiful beach featuring the recently renovated Promenade, which offers all sorts of bars, restaurants and shops.