9 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.

Less than an hour from San Francisco, Sonoma County bills itself as the "Number 1 Wine Destination in the U.S." for good reason. Though not as famous as the neighboring Napa Valley, Sonoma County features a rolling landscape dotted with over 250 wineries. The county ranks among the country's most agriculturally productive regions. It turns out not only some of America's finest grapes, but also hops, prunes, and apples. The county manages to cling to its leisurely way of life--which is how the local nickname "Slow-noma" got started (despite the fact that the valley attracts nearly 8 million tourists annually)--and is really more about simple enjoyment than a jam-packed sightseeing itinerary. Napa may be better known, but as the crowds of visitors continue to clog the roads there, Sonoma's appeal as a vacation destination only grows.