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USA: FAQs,
Insider Tips and Links
Here are some
useful links and information we thought would be very helpful when traveling to
Domestic and International Destinations.
If you need more
information or if you have a link you'd like to add, please contact the Travel Advisor
found on the upper left side of each country
page. |
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Be sure to check our
"Links"
and
"Tips" section
which provides great links for Visa Information, Packing Tips, Travel Advisories,
Driving in Europe (maps and directions), Vaccination Requirements and more. |
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National Holidays
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Official
holidays are:
January 1st - New Year's Day
January - 3rd Monday - Martin Luther King Birthday
February - 3rd Monday - President's Day
May - Last Monday - Memorial Day
July 4 - Independence Day
September - 1st Monday - Labor Day
October - 2nd Monday - Columbus Day
November - 2nd Monday - Veteran's
Day
November - 4th Thursday - Thanksgiving Day
December 25 - Christmas
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| Telephones |
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You
can buy phone cards in most airports, train stations, drug stores,
super markets and other shops throughout the country.
This is the best and cheapest way to call home. Hotels add surcharges
to the phone calls placed from guestrooms and is sometimes quite
expensive. Use any pay phone on the street and just insert the card and
make your call. It’s really easy. |
| US
Currency |
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US currency is the US Dollar (USD)
Visitors can use credit cards and cash readily throughout the USA. You can change money in the
airport and some (but not all) banks. The airport usually gives the better
rate. We do suggest however, that you change your currency into USD before
leaving your country - this is how you usually get the best rate of
exchange. |
Government
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| Weather
& Climate |
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In terms of climate, the USA
has it all. We suggest you check the "Tips" section on the
state you are visiting, or check the real-time weather presented on each
individual city page.
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The People
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Language
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The official language in
the USA is English. However multi-culturalism is the way of
life. You will find areas of the USA where Spanish, French, Chinese,
Vietnamese, Russian and other languages are spoken. The delightful
characteristics of these individual neighborhoods, cities and
towns create a unique national culture.
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Time Zone
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The USA has 4 time zones:
Eastern Time, Central Time, Mountain Time and Pacific Time. We suggest
you check the "Tips" section on the state you are visiting to
confirm the time zone, or check the real-time weather presented on each
individual city page for actual time.
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Electricity
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110 volts, AC, 60 cycles
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Tipping
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Tipping is customary in restaurants, bars,
taxis and personal services - 15% to 20% is customary. Be
careful - sometimes the gratuity is added to your restaurant
check, so look carefully or ask the server so you do not over pay.
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Tax
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Prices quoted for goods,
services and hotels in the USA usually DO NOT include taxes. Tax is
usually 4 - 8%, but some large
cities have a gigantic tax (to pay for overpriced airport construction)
sometimes as high as 18 - 20% so be vigilant and find out
beforehand.
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Drinking
water
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Water from the tap is potable
- that is to say - You can drink it!
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Public Toilets
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Now that we talked about
water lets talk about toilets. The USA definitely has a clean public
restroom shortage! Public restrooms in the USA are usually located in
public buildings and train stations, but I would not recommend using
these - they are usually not too clean. My advice is to use the
restrooms in your hotel, museums, shopping malls, department stores or
restaurants. Use the restroom when you find a good one. However, my
experience is that when I need one - I can never find one! Good luck.
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Health Tips
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Most health risks in USA are related to
heat (sunstroke, dehydration, sunburn) or altitude (altitude sickness, hypothermia and
sunburn). Be careful to not get too much sun. Wear sunscreen. Drink lots of water. Layer your
clothing in winter and stick to natural fabrics - cotton and wool - if
possible.
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FAQ
How
safe is the USA
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"How safe is the
USA? Do I have to worry about pick-pockets and robbers?"
- Ramesh - India
The USA is a large and diverse country and for the most part very safe
and take normal precautions - like do not leave valuables in your hotel
rooms; lock you door, etc.
However in our cities you should be vigilant and very careful.
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Off-Season
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Depending on the area of the
USA you are visiting, the tourist season will change. We suggest
you check the "Tips" section for the city you are visiting to
confirm the off-season.
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LINKS |
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Bed & Breakfasts in the USA -
www.bed-with-breakfast.com
Coupon Codes, Hot Deals, Freebies and Rebate from
CouponCollect.com – We find the best deals from all the major
merchants on the internet! Through our exclusive deals we can bring you
deals no one else can! And our member’s can win prizes!
http://www.couponcollect.com/
Discount Hotel Reservations for the United States can be found at:
http://www.hotel.us
.
Discount Travel Deals for the USA and Worldwide can be found at:
http://www.travelusa.com .
If you want to read some really fun and entertaining
stories about travel in the United States, log on to this site and enjoy
the ride.
http://www.edtrstory.com
http://www.betterbedandbreakfasts.com
is a directory of bed and breakfasts in the United States, Canada and
Australia with thousands of listings, bed and breakfasts reviews and
specials.
http://www.coupon-codes-deals.com Coupons Codes & Deals! From
All your favorite merchants!
Meeting Expectations - Conference Management & Meeting Planning Company
http://www.meetingexpectations.com
http://www.worldrentalcars.com World Rental Cars - Your Rental
Car Solutions World Wide.
www.fishing-premier.com Fishing around the world!
http://www.cruise-princess.net
Let our agency be your guide to
Princess. Princess cruise
information - Ships and Amenities. Take a Cruise with Princess Lines
today!
http://www.sportsbook.fm Daily
sports news for sportsbook players and casual sports betting
observers. Get the news before the game!
www.biz-stay.com
Extended stay lodging directory
www.extendedstayhotels.net
United States extended stay reservations
http://www.resortime.com
- Timeshare Rentals & Vacation Condos - Time Share Condo Rental Service.
Provides timeshare rentals and vacation condos reservation service,
offering travelers discounted time share & condo rental services around
the world.
www.adventurebizsuccess.com
- Since 1994, tourism marketing, ecotourism business consultants,
ecotourism marketing and adventure travel business consulting for
tourism business professionals.
http://www.travel-picks.com
- Travel Picks is an e-zine dedicated to finding the best available
flight, car, hotel and vacation deals. Your one stop source for the very
best in specials and travel deals. Escape today with Travel Picks, On
Line!
http://www.lasvegashotelshotel.com
- Las Vegas Hotel Price - Find discount Las Vegas Hotel Price
http://www.myhotelstravelguide.com
- All Discount Hotels from Budget Hotels to Luxury Hotels
http://www.myrtlebeachhotelshotel.com
- Myrtle Beach Hotels - Find discount Myrtle Beach Hotels
http://www.clearwater-hotel-reservations-and-lodging.com
- Clearwater Florida Hotel - Find discount Clearwater Florida Hotels
http://www.ft-lauderdale-hotel-reservations-and-lodging.com
- Fort Lauderdale Florida Hotel - Find discount Fort Lauderdale Florida
Hotels
http://www.orlando-hotel-reservations-and-lodging.com
- Orlando Area Hotel - Find discount Orlando Area Hotels
http://www.tampa-hotel-reservations-and-lodging.com
- Tampa Bay Hotel - Find discount Tampa Bay Hotels |
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If you have
questions, comments or anything you would like to add to this section,
please send all details to
leah@destinationcoupons.com
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