United States

English is the official language of the United States of America and you will be able to speak with the vast majority of people in this language. Spanish is the second most spoken language in the country with approximately 40 million people fluent or conversant in the langauge.

There is no one culture that defines the United States of America. This vast country has one of the most diverse populations of any country in the world.The USA is a country that is built on its immigrant populations. From the European settlers that came 300 years ago to the vast number of latin American migrants that have come into the country over the last 50 years, every destination within the country has its own unique cultures and traditions. Migrants from Asia, Africa and the Middle East all continue to contribute to the ever changing diversity of culture in the country.

The USA use the the United States  Dollar. US Dollars are widely available to buy in the UK and if you shop around, it is possible to buy US Dollar cash notes for your American holiday from a variety of outlets. Bureau De Change units in tourist areas in the UK can sometimes offer decent rates as it is a quick way for them to offload excess dollars. There are also a number of online currency providers that allow you to purchase US Dollars by credit or debit card which will then either be delivered to you or can be collected from local pick up points.The most cost effective way of buying US Dollars is to open a bank account that offers a debit card with no foreign or non sterling transaction fees. Look out for banks that also offer spot/no margin on the exchange rate. You may also be able to get a prepaid debit card with the same benefits. Both of these options allow you to pay for purchases and withdraw cash from local ATM machines. The banks are cards offering fee free foreign exchange is changing all the time, so you will need to ensure that you check that your card still offers this benefit before you travel.

Visa information British Citizens require an ESTA prior to travelling to the USA. The Electronic System for Travel Authorisation applies to all citizens of countries that are eligible to enter the country under the Visa Waiver Programme. Certain citizens of the Visa Waiver countries are still required to obtain a visa prior to traveling to the USA. The following British citizens will require a visa for the US holiday and will not be able to travel to America with an ESTA: British Citizens who have a been arrested for certain crimes (even if the arrest did not result in a conviction) Dual nationals of certain countries Anyone who has travelled to Libya, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since 2011 You cannot apply for an ESTA visa waiver if you have travelled to or been in Cuba after 1 January 2021. You must instead apply for a US visa. British passport holders who have been refused admission into, or have been deported from the USA British passport holders who have previously overstayed under an ESTA visa waiver Your passport must be valid for the proposed duration of your stay and must be an ePassport with the internationally recognised symbol on the front of it. Visa appointments at the US Embassy in London are limited. Plan your application as far ahead as possible before travel. If you need to travel urgently, you can request an expedited interview through the US Embassy’s appointment service provider. Additional costs We wish to make you aware of additional costs that may be incurred during your stay in hotels or villas in the United States.  While we strive to include all known fees in the initial price quote, it is important to note that some hotels and villas in the U.S. may charge additional mandatory fees upon arrival or at the end of your stay. These can include, but are not limited to:   Resort Fees: Some hotels and resorts charge daily resort fees. These fees often cover access to certain amenities such as fitness centers, pools, internet access, and parking. The fees vary from property to property and are not included in the room rate quoted to you. Cleaning Fees: Particularly in the case of villa or apartment rentals, there may be a one-time cleaning fee charged at the end of your stay. This fee covers the cost of cleaning the property after your departure. Service Charges and Tips: In the United States, it's customary to tip for services provided, such as bellmen, housekeeping, and room service. These costs are not typically included in the quoted price. Incidental Hold/Deposit: Many hotels require a deposit upon check-in for potential incidental charges such as room service, mini-bar use, or damage to the property. This amount is usually held on your credit card and refunded upon check-out, assuming no additional costs have been incurred. Please be aware that these additional costs are set by the hotel or villa and not by our agency. We recommend contacting the property directly prior to arrival for a comprehensive list of potential additional fees.   We appreciate your understanding and are here to assist you with any queries. Thank you for choosing our agency for your travel needs.