Perhaps it's best to think of America as an epic and impossibly complicated idea rather than a country. The first thing a prospective visitor should understand is that whichever corner you care to peer into is a world unto itself so the very notion of a single land that the casual tourist can take in is essentially misguided. Instead it makes far more sense to pick somewhere and let its particular charms reveal themselves to you.



In case you don't fancy the dart in map approach here's our pick of three of our favourite American cities you might consider starting with:

San Francisco

There can be few more immediately pleasant cities to visit than San Francisco. With its picturesque bay views (completed, of course, by the imposingly iconic Golden Gate Bridge), it's pleasingly relaxed vibe and the fact that, particularly when compared with the inaccessible sprawl of LA, San Fran is surprisingly compact and easy to take in, it's not hard to see why ?Baghdad by the Bay? is such a popular tourist destination.

In fact San Francisco is pretty close to being the complete package, combining natural beauty, diverse period architecture, an idiosyncratic cultural scene and an intriguing history, and all with an easy grace that it is hard not to be charmed by. The city is not short of big draws ? the aforementioned Golden Gate Bridge, the ever popular Alcatraz tours and the tourist magnet that is Fisherman's Wharf ? but once you've got these out of the way you'll find that San Francisco's real magic is best experienced away from this altogether too frantic tourist trail.

Miami

Think of Miami and one thing inevitably springs to mind ? partying. And yes, however reductive a summary of this city's many redeeming qualities it may be, there can be no denying that Miami has long been, and continues to be, party central.

Nestled at the south east tip of Florida, Miami is the sun dazed repository for all of America's most gaudily decadent and downright hedonistic inclinations. There really is nowhere better suited to letting your hair down and revelling amidst a hazily glamorous mirage of cool Art Deco architecture, unabashedly brazen displays of wealth and the feisty rhythms of Latino culture.

Miami is, unapologetically, a good time city and whilst at times the stark juxtaposition of beautiful people spending a lot of money with the genuine poverty that often accompanies recent immigration might be hard to take, that's Miami for you ? a sultry, vibrant melting pot surrounded by swampland and ocean that might be a bit, well, crazy but remains a vital and utterly unique expression of the American dream.

Boston

It would be easy to characterise Boston as a city defined by its history and, hell, it does have an awful lot to offer on that front. From its origins as the puritans ?shining city on a hill? Boston (dubbed rather imposingly ?The Cradle of Liberty?) has consistently commanded a position at the forefront of America's cultural and political landscape and still exudes an undeniable gravitas.

Given this steadily acquired image one could be forgiven for imagining a city weighed down by a sense of staid historical self importance. Such off-putting preconceptions do Boston a great disservice however; visitors will find a city that is indeed rich in history, pretty green expanses and period architecture but equally overflowing with a more contemporary energy. In fact Boston is experiencing something of a cultural renaissance right now, with a thriving visual arts scene, forward thinking architectural developments and impressive new landmarks like the Institute for Contemporary Arts.