31 days in Asia, United States, South America, Caribbean & Europe Itinerary

More than the country of car-packed streets seen in TV shows and movies, the United States of America is a complex and diverse home to over 300 million people living in a wide range of landscapes and climates. From its big-city skyscrapers to its sprawling natural parks, the country's ''melting pot'' combines many ethnic groups that share a strong sense of national identity despite their cultural differences. A country of road trips and big blue skies, the United States harbors orderly cities filled with restaurants, parks, museums, and innumerable sightseeing opportunities, as well as pristine natural areas perfect for a holiday in the great outdoors. To see as much as you can of this diverse land quickly, drive over some of the more than 6 million km (4 million mi) of highways leading through deserts, mountain peaks, fertile fields, and giant urban centers.

The country's largest state, Alaska is also its least densely populated. America's final frontier, the state lies on the Arctic Circle and features some of the highest mountains in the United States. Today, several million people flock annually to the state's pristine wilderness areas, which shelter a diverse plant and animal life and offer a great selection of things to do. Tailor-made for adventurous types wishing to leave civilization behind, Alaska can also be an extremely expensive vacation destination, with few transportation options and much of its land accessible only by plane or helicopter.

Nicknamed the "Heart of It All" because of its heart-like shape, Ohio is perhaps best described as a mosaic of big cities and small towns, with vast tracts of farmland in between. Always a major industrial and political player in the country, the state was the home to eight American presidents and the Wright brothers, inventors of the airplane. The first man to walk on the Moon came from Ohio, as did 23 other astronauts. More than just an overachiever in science, industry, and politics, the state is also a serious holiday destination, featuring both traditional Amish farms and bustling cities with a great selection of things to do.

Thanks to its size and geologic features, Texas contains diverse landscapes that closely resemble both the south and southwest of the United States. Though most people associate Texas with tracts of barren land, deserts cover only about 10 percent of the state, with most of its big population centers located in areas once covered by prairies, grasslands, and forests. As you travel from one end of Texas to the other, observe the changing terrain that ranges from coastal piney woods and swamps in the east to the mountains of the west, with rolling plains and rugged hills in the center. For a bit of urban sightseeing visit some of the state's large cities such as Houston, Dallas, or Austin, or immerse yourself in the nation's history by adding famous attractions like The Alamo to your itinerary. Take plenty of time to mingle with the locals, famous for their hospitality, generosity, and fiercely independent spirit.

Shrouded in centuries of mystery, Easter Island remains one of the world's most geographically and culturally isolated places. Just over 6,000 people call the Chilean island home, with nearly double that number of visitors arriving each year to unravel the enigma of the island's giant stone heads, known as moai. Built by the island's original inhabitants, the Rapa Nui people, the monolithic moai continue to keep watch over the windswept coastline and serve as top Easter Island tourist attractions. During your Easter Island vacation, you can explore the hilly landscape on foot, by bicycle, or on horseback.

A trip through England is a trip through world history, and few places in the world offer such a diverse variety of places to visit, activities, and experiences. The sprawling urban areas surrounding the capital city offer countless sightseeing opportunities, such as museums and historical sites, as well as some of the best shopping, nightlife, and culinary options in the world. To truly experience this country steeped in centuries of history, try to make time to explore the sweeping countryside, where you can enjoy the warm hospitality of small villages and explore the ancient remains of once-powerful societies. England boasts an outstanding transportation system, and many visitors find that even a short train ride through the country’s landscape of rolling hills and plains can be a highlight of their entire vacation. However you choose to move about, remember that in this compact country you’re never very far from a bustling town, where modern pubs, shops, and restaurants await to be explored.