15 days in United States Itinerary

Writer Pearl Buck once called New York City “a place apart,” and this giant urban center remains unlike any other in the world.

Do your shopping at Fifth Avenue and Strand Bookstore. The Metropolitan Museum of Art and American Museum of Natural History are good opportunities to explore the local culture. There's still lots to do: go for a walk through Central Park, examine the collection at New York Public Library, make a trip to 9/11 Memorial, and look for gifts at Tiffany & Co..

For ratings, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the New York City trip planning tool

Manchester, UK to New York City is an approximately 11-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and train; or do a combination of train, flight, and bus. The time zone changes from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to Eastern Standard Time (EST), which is usually a -5 hour difference. In May, New York City is somewhat warmer than Manchester - with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. On the 11th (Fri), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to Seattle.

Nicknamed the "Emerald City" because of its abundant evergreen trees, Seattle is the cultural and business center of the Pacific Northwest, as well as a popular holiday destination.

On the 12th (Sat), explore the world behind art at Seattle Art Museum, then shop like a local with Pike Place Market, then take in the exciting artwork at Chihuly Garden and Glass, and finally look for gifts at The Elliott Bay Book Company. On the 13th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: browse the range of quality goods at NORDSTROM and then take a stroll through Pioneer Square.

To see ratings, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the Seattle trip itinerary planner

Traveling by combination of bus and flight from New York City to Seattle takes 8.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and flight; or drive. The time zone difference when traveling from New York City to Seattle is minus 3 hours. In May, daytime highs in Seattle are 23°C, while nighttime lows are 12°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 13th (Sun) to allow time for travel to San Francisco.

San Francisco is a top holiday destination featuring scenic beauty and great ethnic and cultural diversity.

Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Alcatraz Island and City Lights Booksellers & Publishers. Head to Ferry Building Marketplace and Ghirardelli Squarefor plenty of shopping. There's much more to do: get a taste of the local shopping with Union Square, appreciate the extensive heritage of Twin Peaks, browse the eclectic array of goods at Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, and take in the views from Golden Gate Bridge.

For traveler tips, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the San Francisco trip itinerary builder site

You can fly from Seattle to San Francisco in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and train; or drive. May in San Francisco sees daily highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Wed) early enough to travel to Los Angeles.

Surrounded by mountain ranges, forests, valleys, beaches, and deserts, the metropolitan area of Los Angeles is home to over 17 million people.

Getty Center The Publications and Montana Avenue are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Shop till you drop at Amoeba Music and Bergamot Station. The adventure continues: buy something for everyone on your list at The Grove, wander the streets of Abbot Kinney Boulevard, stop by The Last Bookstore, and shop like a local with Guitar Center.

To find photos, maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Los Angeles travel itinerary planner

You can do a combination of flight and train from San Francisco to Los Angeles in 3.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of train and flight; or drive. Prepare for somewhat warmer weather when traveling from San Francisco in May: high temperatures in Los Angeles hover around 28°C and lows are around 17°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 19th (Sat) early enough to travel to Las Vegas.

Nicknamed the "Entertainment Capital of the World," Las Vegas sits in the middle of a desert in the southern section of Nevada.

Kick off your visit on the 20th (Sun): don't miss a visit to The Strip, browse the different shops at The Grand Canal Shoppes, then look for gifts at Barneys New York, and finally admire the local landmark of Bellagio Fountains.

To see ratings, reviews, maps, and tourist information, read our Las Vegas travel route planner

Traveling by combination of train and flight from Los Angeles to Las Vegas takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train, bus, and flight. Plan for somewhat warmer temperatures traveling from Los Angeles in May, with highs in Las Vegas at 36°C and lows at 21°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Sun) so you can travel back home.