11 days in United States Itinerary

More than the country of car-packed streets seen in TV shows and movies, the United States of America is a complex and diverse home to over 300 million people living in a wide range of landscapes and climates. From its big-city skyscrapers to its sprawling natural parks, the country's ''melting pot'' combines many ethnic groups that share a strong sense of national identity despite their cultural differences. A country of road trips and big blue skies, the United States harbors orderly cities filled with restaurants, parks, museums, and innumerable sightseeing opportunities, as well as pristine natural areas perfect for a holiday in the great outdoors. To see as much as you can of this diverse land quickly, drive over some of the more than 6 million km (4 million mi) of highways leading through deserts, mountain peaks, fertile fields, and giant urban centers.

Taking up the better part of northeastern Pennsylvania, the Pocono Mountains Region contains more than 6,200 sq km (2,400 sq mi) of rolling mountains, waterfalls, lakes, forests, and streams. A year-round vacation getaway, the region once attracted mostly honeymooners. Today, the Poconos draw adventure-seekers from around the globe, arriving in throngs to explore one of the southernmost ski areas in the United States. Famous for its pristine nature teeming with native wildlife, the region is a quick car ride from New England or New York. The Pocono Mountains do not encompass any major cities--the wilderness area dotted with small towns and natural attractions makes this one of the least polluted portions of the region.