Transatlantic trips are undoubtedly trips of a lifetime. They are experiences that remain etched in the memory forever. Unlike trips to Europe that feel somewhat familiar (some common characteristics between the peoples, the common currency and the short distances by plane), in America everything is so different. The feelings may resemble those of the first explorers who, wanting to reach the Indies, discovered a new world…
This post is the beginning of the story about a roadtrip we took on the west coast of the United States of America. More to come 4 posts in which we will describe the areas we saw, the sights, where we stayed and everything else we experienced there. However, if you want to organize such a trip yourself, I will give you some tips so that the whole process does not seem like a mountain!
Preparation – Airline tickets
When you travel alone and not with a group, you need good organization and preparation. And so this trip began… many months in advance. Our goal was to spend the Christmas and New Year holidays somewhere with mild weather. After a lot of searching for plane tickets to our favorite Skyscanner, the most advantageous offer was that of Turkish Airlines from Thessaloniki to Los Angeles with a stopover in Istanbul. We found that despite the fact that there were holidays, the tickets were exactly the same price as if we were traveling at any other time. So, we booked them without much thought!
Tip: When it comes to long-haul air travel, it's very important to avoid many layovers, airport changes, and long waiting times. So don't think about paying extra to arrive faster and more comfortably.
Car rental
Immediately after that, the… study began! Sights, destinations, places we wanted to see, museums, were added and removed from the program, while checking the map so that they had a logical order. It quickly became clear that since the distances are huge and we wanted to see many areas, renting a car was essential. Through the http://www.rentalcars.com/gr/ We booked a car for 20 euros per day! To have peace of mind and to avoid any unforeseen circumstances in case we get a flat tire or the car experiences mechanical failure, we booked full insurance (an additional 4 euros/day).
Tip: By purchasing full insurance, the rental company will charge a smaller amount from your card than if you purchase a lower-value package. Also, this way you won't have to pay out of pocket in case of damage. Oh, and a prerequisite for all of this is to have a credit card!
ESTA
Those who have traveled to America in the past remember the tedious process of obtaining a Visa. Now that has changed and to enter the USA as a tourist you need an ESTA. You enter the site https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/ and within a few minutes and with a fee of approximately 21 euros you are ready to travel. A prerequisite is that you have a valid passport that does not expire within the next 4 months.
How to choose what to watch
This is something purely subjective. Do you like landscapes or museums? Do you want to do some activity there? Do you like gastronomic tourism? We wanted to do a combination of all of the above. Two very good apps to see what each area has to offer are TripAdvisor, Lonely Planet and Visit a City. Once you have decided what you want to see, book tickets to museums and other activities in advance so you don't waste time in lines (often everything is cheaper online).
Residence
When everything fell into place, our program was structured as follows: 4 nights in Los Angeles with accommodation in Hollywood, 1 night in San Diego, 2 nights at Las Vegas and another 2 nights in Venice beachThe accommodation was booked through Airbnb as hotels were priced high due to the holidays and the houses we would stay in were in ideal locations and quite luxurious.
Tip: Choose to stay close to the areas with the sights you want to see to save time on transportation.
What you need to know about driving in the USA
– Gasoline is quite economical.
– The traffic lights are located after intersections. It will seem strange at first, but you get used to it.
– It's very rare to find a rental car with a manual transmission. An automatic is even more relaxing and you'll get used to it right away. The big difference is that when you stop at a traffic light, you won't have to take your foot off the brake!
– Pay attention to the speed limits. Obey them to avoid getting into trouble.
– Honking horns, flashing lights and continuous overtaking from the right and left (the so-called wave) are punished.
– If you are in the left lane and going the speed limit, you are not obligated to turn right to let someone coming from behind you pass you. They will wait patiently until you decide to change lanes.
– It is not necessary to get an international driver's license. In many states they accept the new type of license from our country. With an email to the rental company or a search in the Department of Transportation of the state you will travel to you will be sure.
– Traffic jams on highways and in cities are common during rush hour. Try to avoid them or be patient.
– Route 66 is the ultimate road trip in the U.S. It's certainly very difficult to cross it in its entirety, but try to do at least a small part of it. It's worth it!
What else will you need?
– Maps. Download at least 2 apps on your phone (that will work offline)
– Small pharmacy. Put the essentials inside after you have spoken to your doctor or pharmacist.
– Personal items. Baby wipes, hand sanitizer. You will definitely need them!
– Car charger, mobile phone case – stand.
– Get yourself a yes to have data everywhere.
Closing
A road trip in America is an experience like no other! You really have to experience it to understand that it is unlike any other trip. However, it requires good organization and, above all, good company! The sequel here…..
