A young couple who quit their jobs to go backpacking in the USA have shared five things Brits should know before doing the same.
Megan Barrett, 27, and Mikey Rudak, 28, always wanted to travel, but thought they’d head to South East Asia or South America like many other people in their twenties.
But, a love for nature and outdoor pursuits led them to choose the US instead – the country is so large that is has wildly different landscapes from coast to coast.
For Megan, one of the dreamiest experiences was "100% the starry night in the desert", while Mikey said that Clifton Rock at Yosemite National Park was a particular highlight.
READ MORE: 'We quit our jobs in the UK to backpack across the USA from coast to coast'
The USA boasts deserts, mountainous regions, Great Plains. swamps, cities, forests and more and is enormously biodiverse making it an incredible place to explore.
Megan and Mikey spent around £8,000 each backpacking and road-tripping the country travelling from Washington on the West Coast to New York in the East.
And, here are five things they think Brits should consider before travelling across the pond…
Book early
"Unless you're super rich, create a plan and book early," they advise. "The US is expensive and you don't want to blow all your spending money on pricey accommodation."
Eat cheap at supermarkets
"The 'meal deal' is non-existent in the US so eating cheap is actually really hard in most places. However, Wholefoods have the most amazing food bar of salads, pastas, rice and other hot or cold goods. You can pick up a decent sized lunch for around $10."
Don’t tip for everything
"Tipping culture is wild, you're asked to tip almost everywhere you go," they explain. "Don't feel obligated to tip in general shops or stalls.
"We were asked to tip in a shop after picking up a bottle of Coke. For tips 15% is considered the lower end so we opted for 20%."
Choose your destinations carefully
"Location is so important, unfortunately the US is the place we've felt the least safe in our experiences abroad. When booking a place to stay always check the reviews on location and search backpacker or tourist areas for the best experience."
Go to tourist centres
"Go to the visitor centres when you're in a new town or national park. They're so helpful and will provide you with the best hidden gems that don't come up on 'Top places to visit' blogs or articles.
"We were directed to hidden trails and hikes that we would have completely missed if it wasn't for the centres."
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