34 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.

The home of the first permanent English colony in the New World, Virginia is a prime holiday destination for those looking to immerse themselves in American heritage. Proud of its colorful history, distinct culture, and southern drawl, Virginians see their state as the place where the imaginary line between the north and the south is drawn. With scenic beauties as diverse as its people, Virginia is a land of rolling hills, rugged mountains, lush valleys, dense forests, and secluded beaches along picturesque bays. Bordered on the east by the Atlantic and the west by the Appalachian Mountains, with rolling farmland in the middle, the state offers countless places to visit for history buffs, nature lovers, and passionate foodies.

A state inextricably tied to its waterways, Michigan does water activities better than almost any other place in the country. Things to do in the state include numerous opportunities to swim, fish, sail, motorboat, and canoe. The country's only state to stretch over two peninsulas, Michigan features a long freshwater coastline. In a land of nearly 65,000 inland lakes and ponds, you can never be too far from a natural water source. Michigan's major claim to fame is its status as the center of the U.S. automotive industry, with the Detroit metropolitan area housing the country's three major car manufacturers. The city is also a major center of culture, the birthplace of the Motown Sound, and the home of several museums and other tourist attractions. Farther from the big urban centers, Michigan offers visitors a world of apple and cherry orchards, rustic villages, and picturesque vineyards.