Our USA special: Girl About takes a visit to America

America, it’s the land of the free, the home of the brave, and THE country to visit for a holiday like no other.

It’s an understatement to say the United States of America is huge, it's huge in every sense of the word. It’s the world’s third largest country, stretching from the Atlantic coast in the east to the Pacific coast in the west, is twice the size of the European Union, and shares the world’s longest international border – with Canada – to the north.

On a visit to America and its 50 states you’ll find everything from tropical beaches in Florida to the snow-capped Rocky Mountains in Colorado, Wyoming and Montana; rolling prairie lands in North and South Dakota, Kansas and Oklahoma to dense forests in Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire; as well as some of the coolest cities – New York, LA, Seattle, San Francisco to name a few.

And spread among it all are the Great Lakes, the Grand Canyon, the Mississippi River and nearly 400 national parks, home to bears, eagles and buffalo, plus much, much more.

The country’s highest peak is Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, in Alaska, at 6,190m while its lowest is Death Valley in Eastern California in the Mojave Desert, at 86m below sea level.

And while you might think Florida or California would have the longest coastline, that honour actually belongs to Alaska, with 6,640 miles – more than all the other 49 states combined.

Yet it’s not just the USA’s geography stats that speak volumes, it’s the people too. With a population of 331 million people, America is the third largest country in the world by population, too, and its influence and cultural reach is second to none.

From Hollywood legends to Grammy-winning greats, Silicon Valley billionaires to global statesmen and women, we’re fascinated by Americans. And it’s not just the big names – it’s also the racially diverse communities, the fiercely loyal immigrants, and the everyday Joes diligently pursuing the American Dream for a better tomorrow that that capture our imagination.

Wrap all this together and a visit to America is a must. Whatever you’re into, whether it be the great outdoors, modern culture, or pretty much anything else, America offers it all.

Which is why we’re turning our attention in the Girl About Holiday Insiders' Club to the United States of America in this Holiday Hub.

We’ll be going beyond the obvious and exploring such states as Montana, Oregon and Arizona, and learning about incredible road trips across the country, indulgent lodges sat in their own national parks, and inspiring musical cities.

And we’ll be talking to real women who make their living in some of the country’s most beautiful spots - a mountain bike guide in Arizona, a yoga teacher in Montana, a radio presenter in California.