USA

2008

I have been lucky to visit America multiple times - my first visit was in 2008. I went to California (Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Francisco), Utah (Salt Lake City), Nevada (Las Vegas) and Arizona. If you enjoy skiing Park City offers a fantastic ski field, but you'll need a few days there! Yosemite and the Grand Canyon are also attractions that cannot be missed. Be sure to travel on Route 66 as well; it just makes your trip feel that much more American. When you reach Los Angeles there is so much to do - I did a day trip to see the movie star's homes, then of course there are all the beautiful beaches. When in LA, make sure you visit the Griffith Observatory! This is iconic of Los Angeles, and features in many different films. It also offers stunning views of Hollywood, and the Hollywood Sign!

I loved Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco - that was the highlight of the trip for me! San Francisco is full of hidden suprises. I recommend hiring a Mustang and driving through all the windy and steep streets!

2014

I visited the states again in 2014, and checked out the East Coast this time - I visited New York, Massachusetts (Boston), and then flew down to Florida (Miami and Orlando). Everyone seems to have an opinion on New York - you either love it or... you don't. I found it too loud and overcrowded for my liking; but having said that, I did not venture out into the suburbs where it may have been quieter. Boston was nice - a walk through the campus of Harvard University is a must! My pick of this trip was Miami - a chilled vibe, lovely beaches, but STINKING hot. Avoid going in summer if you can. In Orlando you can enjoy Disney World (100% more fun than Disneyland, waaaaaay bigger), and the Orlando Outlets, if you like to shop as much as I do!

I also went to the Kennedy Space Centre - this can be done as a day trip out of Orlando. If you're interested in space and technology like I am, it is a must!

2016

In 2016 I went back to the East Coast AGAIN, via Texas. I landed in Fort Worth airport, and had a stopover there for a few nights. Texas was fun - it has a totally different feel to the rest of the States that I have been to. I watched my friend ride a mechanical bull, but didn't do it myself. My few days there were rather overshadowed by what the East Coast was about to bring me. What can I say, I just love it. It's Disney World, I just can't stay away. I was surprised that they renamed 'Downtown Disney' to 'Disney Springs' - huh? The bus is very easy and convenient to navigate your way between the parks - Magic Kingdom (this is Disneyland in just one park), Epcot (more Science inclined), Hollywood Studio's (stunts etc) and Animal Kingdom. Aside from the classic Magic Kingdom you MUST check out Epcot - they have fantastic rides like Spaceship Earth, which is also the main symbol of Epcot. Then they have pavilions representing different countries from around the World, where you can taste the food and experience the culture of that country. Some of them even have rides too!

Now of course, I must also mention that I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan. This may have been my reasoning for travelling back to America so soon. I am of course talking about Universal Studios Orlando. Now once again there is a Universal Studios in Los Angeles, but it doesn't compare. Universal Orlando is much bigger. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is split into two - Hogsmeade (like LA), but it also has Diagon Alley. I have never been on such a high in my life. I wouldn't have known my own name if you'd asked me. You can travel on the Hogwarts Express between the two villages and it's AMAZING. So much money was spent but I never regretted any of it. If you go please promise me you'll go on the Harry Potter ride - it's IN the castle AND you get to walk through the castle to get to the ride! Waiting in line is not boring because the surroundings are so interactive!

2018

There was another opportunity for me to go back to the USA once again, and I couldn't resist. It was back to the West Coast this time, back to California. This trip was much shorter than my others (10 days total) and I went back to Los Angeles, and also visited San Diego this time! When in Los Angeles I did not go to Disneyland; instead I chose to spend my time at Universal Studios Los Angeles (by this point, you can all probably work out why). Yes, you guessed it! I must point out that all the other sections of the park are still great - Star Wars, The Simpsons, Jurassic Park, but I'm just such a Harry Potter addict. I went on the ride about 8 times that day, often running up the single rider line with my eyes welling up with tears of anticipation. I'll leave it there for now, perhaps I'll do a seperate blog entry on Harry Potter another time.

In terms of US cities, I have to admit that San Diego was the underdog. I knew almost nothing about it, or what it had to offer. But as soon as I drove in I noticed the city had a very pleasant feel to it - relaxed, friendly and fun. In all honesty if I were to settle down and live in the States, this would be the city that I would choose. It has a lot of tourist attractions to visit. The San Diego Zoo (be warned, it's HUGE and you'll get lost), and Balboa Park. Here you'll find the Air and Space Museum, beautiful gardens and sculptures, as well as cute little shops. La Jolla beach is beautiful - there are lots of cute restaurants with lovely views, and a fantastic atmosphere. I will certainly go back to San Diego again!