Immortalised in the Johnny Depp film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Hunter S Thompson’s portrayal of the city is a nightmarish hunt for the American dream. In The Hangover, Hollywood offers the clichéd centre of excess, complete with drunken marriages and AWOL grooms. But today’s Vegas is something a little different from the image of tackiness and debauchery that it embodied for decades, with a wave of

Climate & best time to visit United States of America

The United States has varied weather conditions, and the best time to visit depends both upon the location and the season. Spring (March, April, May) and autumn (September and October) are generally cooler, more comfortable times to visit. Summer months – June, July, and August – are generally hot regardless of the region, but winter temperatures (November-February) can vary substantially depending upon the part of the US you are visiting. The southern part of the country tends to be warmer in the winter than the north. The general climate of the continental US is temperate, but keep in mind that Hawaii is tropical and Alaska is arctic. Many of the country’s dependent territories, such as Guam, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, are also tropical.

Telephone/Mobile Telephone

Dialing Code: +1

Telephone

Public telephones have become a rarity, but can still be found here and there. They take coins, telephone cards and credit cards. If you are planning to make regular use of public phones, it’s best to purchase a prepaid calling card from one of the many U.S. providers.

Mobile Telephone

Not all European cell phones work on the American network, since it requires a tri-band or quad-band device. Full network coverage is not always assured outside densely populated areas. Roaming charges are high here, so it is often cheaper to buy a SIM card from a U.S. provider. Low-cost prepaid SIM cards for making calls inside the country can be ordered online before you travel.

Key Areas

The Strip is the epicentre of consumerism where you’ll find Dior and Louis Vuitton rubbing shoulders with high-street chains. Head Downtown and down-to-earth for a rather different shopping experience.

Markets

There aren’t exactly many markets in the traditional sense in Sin City. However, there’s always the expansive and colourful Broad Acres flea market (2934 Las Vegas Boulevard North) with many a relic from nights that went too far. You might also visit Bonanza Mini Market, perhaps the world’s biggest gift shop (2440 Las Vegas Boulevard South), though novelty souvenirs are more or less the order of the day here.

Social Conventions

Americans are renowned for their openness and friendliness to visitors. The wide variety of national origins and the USA’s relatively short history has resulted in numerous cultural and traditional customs living alongside each other. In large cities, people of the same ethnic background often live within defined communities.

Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting in formal situations and in business meetings. As long as the fundamental rules of courtesy are observed, there need be no fear of offending anyone of any background.

Main emergency number: 911

Food & Drink

Food in the US is safe to eat, and the conditions under which food is prepared and served are regulated by city, state, and federal health and hygiene agencies. In many jurisdictions, it is mandatory for restaurants to have a certificate of health or hygiene, as well as the current grade they have been assigned, posted visibly.

Although America is famous for its fast food and obesity rates, the local and fresh food movement is very popular in many areas, especially cities, making it easy to eat healthy. A variety of options also makes it easy for people with special dietary needs to find food that suits them, whether their needs are due to health reasons or to religious requirements.

Tap water is considered safe to drink in the US and is often offered in restaurants before bottled water. Bottled water is available throughout the country, however, both in restaurants and shops, for those who prefer not to drink tap water.

IATA Travel Centre

The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.

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