North America

By Christopher Minster

The continent of North America, which for our purposes consists of only two countries (yes, we know, Mexico is in North America, but because of commonalities of history and culture we consider it part of Central America) is without a doubt one of the most diverse travel destinations anywhere. The continent has it all, from natural beauty such as the Grand Canyon to man-made wonders such as Mount Rushmore, to world-class museums such as the Smithsonian.

Travel in North America is not like it is anywhere else, and not just because it is, in general, more expensive than anywhere except Europe. It requires stamina: if you want to see the great American West, you’ll drive 16 hour days, spend interminable hours on a bus, or cough up extra money to fly. It requires patience: in the summer, lines can get long, especially at huge tourist magnets such as Disneyland. And most of all, it requires a profound appreciation of the tacky: Come See The Largest Plastic Dinosaur In The World!! If you can’t laugh at yourself and the silliness that has spring up all over the country, don’t bother.

If you do travel North America, the rewards are great indeed. Fly in to a pristine Northern Canadian lake for the best trout fishing in the world. See the actual spaceships that carried men to the moon. See the best shows and musicals on earth, complete with special effects. Marvel at the Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls. Explore some of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago, Toronto.

There are even more bonuses for the prospective traveler. With the exception of some places like Japan, it is among the safest places to travel. The infrastructure is top-notch. There is plenty of parking. It is the easiest place in which to drive. All this and the world’s largest plastic dinosaur? How can you resist?