Mount Rushmore, North Dakota
In association with: Brand USA
Plan the perfect road trip with Brand USA’s self-drive itineraries. Plus, create your own for a chance to win some incredible vouchers
Have your clients expressed interest in a road trip across the US? Whether it’s the coastal views along the Pacific, the rolling vineyards of the northeast or the vast canyons of the southwest, the country’s stunning and diverse scenery is easily explored by car.
Do your clients have a particular interest, for example, wine tourism? Or would they like to visit the Civil Rights Trail and see where change happened? Perhaps they’re keen to follow in the footsteps of famous musicians? Brand USA’s self-drive itineraries, which cover all corners of the US mainland and beyond, have been devised to inspire you to create dream road trips for your clients.
Bluegrass, civil rights and wine trails
Over the past few months, in partnership with Travel Weekly, Brand USA has highlighted some of its 30 self-drive itineraries to help you plan clients’ trips. The Bourbon, Bluegrass and Horse Country route steers visitors to iconic music sites in Tennessee and to sample bourbon in Kentucky, while The Southern Civil Rights Story itinerary takes in Alabama, where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus, as well as many other historical stops.
Meanwhile, The Mayflower and the Atlantic Colonies is ideal for those wanting to explore where the first immigrants came to the US, and the Northeast Wine Trails recommends stops at some wineries across New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Rockies, national parks and music
If the great outdoors is more to your clients’ taste, then the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains itinerary will ensure they see some of the US’s most famous national parks. More of these can be seen in Canyons, Mesas and Hoodoos, which starts and ends in Las Vegas.
Another itinerary, National Parks and American Indian Cultures, traces a route through some incredible scenery in the southwest, with time to learn about the culture of American Indians along the way. Route 66 and Texas Hill Country takes visitors out into the lesser-seen countryside in these vast southwestern states, and the Pacific Coast Music Trail itinerary takes in some renowned music stops in Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The Island Discovery Series – US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico recommends where visitors can island-hop around the Caribbean, while Country Roads – Byways, Waterfalls and Adventure weaves through the countryside of states including West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
But there are many more itineraries to be discovered. Head to: traveltrade.visittheusa.co.uk/USAItineraries
To book, please call Gold Medal on 0800 014 7777
Create your own route to win an American-themed voucher
Feel inspired to create a self-drive itinerary of your own? Brand USA is offering agents the chance to submit an idea for an itinerary that would make a unique road trip. Entries will be judged on creativity, regional dispersal and theming, with three prizes up for grabs.
1st prize – An American “shopping spree”
A £350* gift card for Levi’s
2nd prize – A lavish American meal
A £250* voucher to Wolfgang Puck’s American steakhouse, Cut, at 45 Park Lane, London
3rd prize – An American show
A £200* voucher for theatre tickets to an American show in the West End
*Or the equivalent in euros. One prize eligible per agent. You have until November 30 to enter. For more information and terms and conditions, visit: travelweekly.co.uk/BrandUSA
Hone your knowledge with the USA Discovery Program
Want to become a destination expert? Join Brand USA’s USA Discovery Program and learn all about this incredible destination at your own pace, with bitesized modules and quizzes.
Agents who sign up will also receive information about exclusive events, fam trips and trainings, as well as access to the latest news and other benefits. Sign up at usadiscoveryprogram.co.uk
PICTURES: Brand USA/Amon Focus; Zack Smith Photography
Find Brand USA’s self-drive itineraries and more at traveltrade.visittheusa.co.uk