This is why American holidays could be great again

America has always been a popular holiday destination for English-speaking travellers, with 52 varied states to explore. Whether spending time in fast-paced cities, relaxing on sandy beaches or diving into a star-spangled celebration of American culture, the choice of bucket-list activities seems endless.

Even though current times are challenging, looking ahead, there’s a general sense of optimism in future travel. Tour operator Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) has reported an uptick in enquiries for US holidays, coinciding with a new dawn at the White House – phenomena dubbed the Biden Boost.

“Arguably the most well-known country on earth, the USA is abundant with once-in-a-lifetime sights,” says Kerry Golds, managing director of A&K. “We’ve seen a boost in enquiries overall with vaccine confidence, but one country that stands out is the USA, for travel later in the year.”

Seeking some inspiration? Here are a few suggestions to spark a sense of stateside wanderlust.

Best for scenery: Utah

With five national parks, 44 state parks and six national forests, Utah is one big, mountainous playground, where adventures unravel against epic backdrops. Visit Arches National Park, home to more than 2,000 naturally formed sandstone arches and towers; marvel at the deep canyons of Canyonlands National Park; and explore the red desert of Capitol Reef National Park. Filmed on location in the state, classic movie Thelma & Louise celebrates its 30th anniversary this year – providing even more reason to go. Directed by Ridley Scott, and starring Geena Davis as Thelma and Susan Sarandon as Louise, it saw Dead Horse Point State Park doubling for the Grand Canyon.

American Sky (americansky.co.uk; 01342 331 798) offers a 14-night Utah Mighty Five and Beyond By Motorhome itinerary from £1,755 per person, including flights.

Best for wildlife: Alaska

Few roads connect the glaciers and Arctic tundra of Alaska, America’s wildest state with its magnificent mountains, dense forests and abundance of glaciers. From June to October, it’s one of the best places to view brown bears as they hunt for salmon and parade along rivers with young cubs. Kodiak Island is home to a high-density population of extra-large animals, who thrive in the 1.9-million-acre Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, one of the most productive watersheds in the world and offering protected habitat for over 3,000 world-famous Kodiak brown bears. Study the bears from viewing platforms or make more intimate observations from hides.

Windows On The Wild (windowsonthewild.com; 020 8742 1556) offers a seven-night Bear Viewing on Kodiak Island itinerary from £5,955 per person, including transfers, activities and flights from London.

Best for food: San Francisco

Route 66, one of North America's legendary highways.

In a land of super-sized portions and endless variety, food can shape a journey across the States. Famous for its gourmet restaurant scene, San Francisco has more than 5,000 restaurants and cafes – more per capita than any other major city in the US. New Vice President Kamala Harris is a fan of the SOMA district, a vast area dotted with food trucks and late-night diners, warehouses and night clubs. In between meals, tourists can explore the Golden Gate Bridge, hang out in hippy district Haight-Ashbury, or trundle uphill on original 19th century cable cars to admire the city’s giddy views.

Virgin Holidays (virginholidays.co.uk) offers a seven-night break from £2,528 per person, including accommodation, flights and car hire.

Best for a road trip: Route 66

With big roads and plenty of possibility, America is best explored on a road trip. Arguably the most iconic four-wheel journey in the world, Route 66 slices through the country’s cultural heartland. Nicknamed the ‘Mother Road’ by John Steinbeck it starts in Chicago, travels through Oklahoma, St Louis, Amarillo and Albuquerque, and offers the opportunity for stops to see the Grand Canyon and explore the Petrified Forest national parks, Home to the Rainbow Forest Museum with paleontology exhibits and trail access points, the Petrified Forest park is home to the ruined village of Puerco Pueblo and the Painted Desert Inn, a 1930s adobe building which is a museum with Hopi murals. Ending up in LA, the full trip clocks up more than 2,000 miles.

View of the Flatiron Building from Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, New York City.

Titan Travel (titantravel.co.uk; 0808 2391 428) offers a 17-day Historic Route 66 escorted tour from £3,199 per person, including transport, some meals and flights from London. Price based on a May 15 departure.

Best for urban adventures: New York and Las Vegas

The stars of multiple blockbuster movies, New York and Las Vegas have eternal A-list appeal. Take a trip to the Big Apple for shopping at one-of-a-kind boutiques in the East Village, catching a theatre show on Broadway or simply wandering through Manhattan’s maze of skyscrapers. Twin with a stay in Vegas for glitz, glamour and fun, where 24-hour casinos and non-stop neon blur the boundaries between day and night.

American Sky (americansky.co.uk) offers a seven-night holiday at the Royalton Park Avenue in New York, (located in the heart of Manhattan, it has a rooftop bar with stunning views of the Empire State Building, Italian restaurant and spa), and the ARIA Resort & Casino in Vegas (with eye-catching modern architecture, a huge choice of restaurants, bars and lounges, casino, nightclub, spa and pool area just off The Strip) from £1,599 per person, including flights and room-only accommodation.

Best for wine lovers: California

California is regarded as the largest and most important wine region in North America, thanks to its complex topography and climate. Vintages grace menus across the globe, but sampled at source, they taste even better. Discover Napa Valley’s vineyards on a private guided tour, learn how to expertly pair dishes with wines on a cooking class at Peju Vineyards in Rutherford, and cycle between tastings on a tour of Sonoma Valley. Finish the trip off with a hike below the towering trees soaring from the Armstrong Redwoods Reserve. Back in the 1870s, this area was set aside as a natural park and botanical garden by Colonel James Armstrong, a lumberman who recognized the beauty and natural value of the forests he harvested. After his death his daughter was part of a successful campaign to preserve this last remnant of the once mighty redwood forest and The Colonel Armstrong Tree, the oldest in the grove and estimated to be over 1,400 years old is named after him.

Abercrombie & Kent (abercrombiekent.co.uk) can tailor-make a tour. POA.