Beach picnics on Kauai, historic houses in Savannah and baseball in LA – just a few of the highlights from USA specialist Natalie Bradburn-Lewis’s time travelling in America. 

What’s your fondest memory from your time in America? 

It’s so hard to pick just one. Watching the LA Dodgers play at their home ground in Los Angeles was pretty special, as was catching the Philadelphia Flyers in an ice hockey game while in Philly. A particularly moving experience was visiting the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii on the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbour. On a lighter note, memories of dancing to live music in the bars of New Orleans never fail to bring a smile to my face. 

What has surprised you most while travelling in the States? 

Just how easy it is to drive there. The roads are wide, the cars are roomy, there’s parking everywhere, and in this era of GPS and satnav, it’s almost impossible to get lost. Self-drive itineraries are definitely the best way to discover the US. 

What’s your favourite US state and why?

I adore Florida as it truly has something for everyone. Nowhere on earth has better theme parks than Orlando. At Walt Disney World alone you’ve got Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, plus Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon water parks. Then there’s Universal Orlando Resort, home of the hugely popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter, as well as Marvel Super Hero Island, the Jurassic World VelociCoaster (Florida’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster) and Universal’s Volcano Bay water park.

But that’s just for starters. Once you’ve tired yourself out at the theme parks, Florida’s beaches offer year-round relaxation. I especially love the quiet, white-sand beaches of the Gulf Coast – places like St Pete Beach near Tampa, Longboat Key, and Marco Island due south of Fort Myers.

Plus of course there’s the Florida Keys, knitted together by a gravity-defying bridge to the mainland; not to mention the glamour of Miami, the vast Florida Everglades and rare opportunities like swimming with dolphins and spotting manatees in the wild.

Do you have a favourite American hotel? 

There’s a special place in my heart for the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on the Big Island in Hawaii. I saw probably the best sunset of my life while sipping cocktails there, just steps from the ocean at the Beach Tree Bar & Lounge (below). 

Which of the tourist hotspots live up to the hype? 

Don’t laugh but I’m going to have to say Graceland, Elvis Presley’s mansion in Memphis, Tennessee. I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed it. And by how much I learned. Did you know it’s the most visited home in America after the White House? From the day he moved in with his parents in 1957, Graceland was Elvis’s escape and refuge. Times may have changed but Graceland hasn’t, remaining frozen in 1977, the year Elvis was laid to rest in the gardens outside. Sure, it’s kitsch and hokey – with its displays of classic cars, flashy stagewear and gold and platinum albums – but it’s also intriguing, entertaining and sometimes moving. As nostalgia trips go, it’s an absolute must!

Where should I go to get off the tourist trail? 

That’s easy – Kauai in Hawaii. Known as the ‘Garden Isle’, it’s the greenest and oldest island in the Hawaiian archipelago and is home to just 5% of the state’s population. It looks exactly how you imagine a tropical island to be, probably because it’s been the backdrop to a lot of well-known Hollywood films, including Jurassic Park, King Kong and Pirates of the Caribbean. About two thirds of the island is impenetrable rainforest, but the third that remains offers some of the most dazzling beaches and dramatic cliffs in the world. Helicopter tours are a great way to view the island’s famed Na Pali Cliffs (below), but to really escape the crowds, pack a picnic, have a boat drop you off on a deserted beach and play Robinson Crusoe for the day. Bliss! 

What’s your favourite city and what must I do while I’m there? 

I love the history on display in Savannah, Georgia. Residents will tell you that the Civil War general W.T. Sherman spared Savannah because of its beauty, which is easy to believe when you walk through its rich Historic District, where parades of houses reveal 200 years of architectural styles. One of my favourites is the Owens-Thomas House, considered the best Regency-style house in America. And if history fatigue sets in, you’ll find plenty of great bars and restaurants in which to fortify yourself.

Savannah is also a springboard for trips to Hilton Head Island in neighbouring South Carolina, a spot that appeals to families, nature lovers and sports enthusiasts alike. Edged by 12 miles of sugary-white beaches, it offers 60-plus miles of biking trails, winding creeks that are perfect for paddleboarding, at least 33 world-class golf courses, art galleries, museums and a buzzing live music scene. Go between May and October and you may even spot turtles nesting on the beaches, or dolphins playing in the waters offshore.

Where should I take the family?

I’ve already talked about Florida’s Disney theme parks and how much there is on offer. But it’s not just the parks that make Florida such a fabulous family destination, it’s how well the hotels are set up to keep the Disney magic flowing. There’s a huge range of perks to staying at a hotel within Walt Disney World Resort, such as Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Waldorf Astoria Orlando, Four Seasons Orlando Resort, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Benefits vary but typically include free daily transfers, early entry and extended evening access to all four Disney theme parks, plus the option to book magical experiences like life-size Disney characters joining you for breakfast in your hotel restaurant. 

Where is best for a beach holiday? 

The beach in front of the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is certainly up there with the best of them, and the hotel is one of my favourites in Hawaii. Florida is perfect for a beach-based holiday. The beaches I mentioned earlier – St Pete Beach, Longboat Key and the like – are just the tip of the iceberg. Off the coast near Fort Myers, for example, is a string of more than 100 islands to explore, offering everything from secluded resorts and pristine beaches to buzzing seafronts, watersports and distinctive wildlife. Another great option is South Carolina. Its sprawling coastline is a beach-lover’s dream, with fabulous spots like Myrtle Beach (below), Folly Beach and the picturesque beaches of Hilton Head and Kiawah islands all easily accessible from Charleston. 

What if I’m looking to really treat myself? 

If I was looking to splash out, I’d book myself a one- or two-bedroom suite at The Setai in Miami, overlooking the water in the historic Art Deco District of South Beach. The suites are in the hotel’s newer 40-storey tower and are truly vast, offering breathtaking ocean views, Asian-inspired décor and a range of exclusive benefits like round-trip airport transfers, breakfast and spa treatments, making them some of the most luxurious room options in Miami. 

What’s the one meal I shouldn’t miss? 

A lip-smackin’ feast of ribs, shrimp, grits, burgers, BBQ chicken, po boys and other Southern classics at B.B. King’s Blues Club in Nashville, Tennessee – washed down to the sweet sounds of live blues, rock ’n’ roll and classic soul. 

What’s the best way to sample American culture? 

For history and culture, I’d really recommend a visit to Philadelphia. It’s often overshadowed by nearby crowd-pullers New York and Washington, but it’s packed full of art, culture and American history. The Declaration of Independence was signed here on 04 July 1776 in what’s now Independence Hall. A few days later the famous Liberty Bell rang out, summoning citizens to hear its first public reading. The bell is now installed in the park across the street and is revered as one of America’s most treasured symbols.

On the cultural front, festivals and jazz concerts are held regularly on the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, named after the Englishman who founded the city. Philly’s Barnes Museum houses the largest number of privately owned impressionist paintings in the world. If that’s not your thing, you may prefer admiring the 3,000-plus murals spread all around the city – often referred to as the world’s largest outdoor art gallery. Plus, of course, you’ve got duty-free shopping, the famous Rocky steps, and the equally famous Philly cheesesteaks – surely the best steak-and-cheese rolls on the planet? 

Where would you like to go in America that you haven’t yet been? 

I’d love to do a classic road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to LA, calling at the likes of Monterey, San Simeon, Santa Barbara and Santa Monica. It’s often touted as one of the most scenic drives in the world, especially the stretch past Big Sur, where the road clings to the cliffside hundreds of feet above the roaring Pacific. 

To speak to Natalie about booking your dream trip to the States, call Lusso on 01625 591 111.