In America, tipping your waiter is the normal practice and not leaving one is considered rude. As the minimum wage is low, it's common to leave a 15% to 20% tip to compensate. If your math is a bit dusty, it proves helpful to have your phone calculator nearby. So remember, whether you're at a restaurant, bar, or in a taxi, it's important to leave a tip, especially if you've received good service.

When it comes to purchasing goods and services in the United States of America, the price isn't always what it seems. This is because most of the prices you will see are excluding sales tax, so when you arrive at the counter to pay, expect the cashier to require a slightly higher price. As the tax will vary from state to state, it's safe to expect at least a 10% addition to the total cost. This also goes for most accommodation, with 'resort fees' commonly added to advertised prices.

Although America is renowned for it's dense, buzzing cities, the country also boasts a very impressive range of national parks. Ranging from lush forestry, sky-scraping mountains, red desserts, and bottomless valleys, there's a natural playground to suit any adventurers needs. Not to mention, the parks hold a collection of records, including the longest cave system in the world (Mammoth Cave National Park) and the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere (Death Valley, California). Some national parks that are undeniably worth your time are Yellow Stone National Park, The Grand Canyon National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Zion National Park.

It's important for incoming travellers to be aware of and understand the requirements of entering the USA. America's Visa Waiver Program allows people of certain countries (such as Australia, Denmark, and Belgium), to enter the US for up to 90 days without a visa. Although, this doesn't mean you can simply arrive without any paper-work. If you're arriving from a country under the Visa Waiver Program, you are required to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) and attain approval before arriving. The process is quick and simple, but be sure to leave yourself plenty of time before you leave just in case.

Although travel insurance is a necessity of any trip overseas, it's absolutely crucial when it comes to America. The country's health services are extremely expensive, to the extent that you'll be wondering whether you truly need medical attention or if you can stick it out. Just to be safe, it may be wise to make an investment in travel insurance and keep a printed version with you while on your journey.