Top 7 US short city break destinations

Las Vegas, Nevada
The fun never ends in Las Vegas. The city is today the largest playground for grown-ups and one of the top tourist destinations in the U.S. To start with, take a stroll along the Strip and see some of the world's most famous hotels & casinos. Visit The Venetian and take a gondola ride through the streets of Venice. Enjoy lunch in a 50-storey replica of the Eiffel Tower. Make sure to see the fountains at Bellagio, where water dances and shoots high into the sky. Enjoy the art at the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum or take in a show at Cirque du Soleil. If shopping is your thing, head to the Fashion Show Mall with its 7 anchor stores and 250 retail stores and restaurants.

Orlando, Florida
Orlando has developed a cool reputation over the years as the ultimate family destination. Famous for its amusement parks, Orlando welcomes millions of visitors each year. Just south of the city lies Disney World, the world's largest theme park; plus Universal Resort, themed to the Hollywood super-productions; and SeaWorld Orlando with its aquarium and dolphin shows alongside a water park. There's modern art at the Orlando Museum of Art and interactive exhibits at the Orlando Science Center. For shopping, try the immense Florida Mall.

New York City
Each year the "Big Apple" welcomes over 35 million visitors, drawn by its legendary skyscrapers, renowned museums, and incredible shopping. Must-sees in this 12-million metropolis include Times Square, Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building, and the famous Statue of Liberty. Get some fresh air at Central Park. See art and waxwork at the Metropolitan & Madame Tussauds or catch a show on Broadway. Then immerse yourself in the city's vibrant nightlife with its first class restaurants, nightclubs and entertainment of all kinds, plus thousands of stores and boutiques that make New York a shopping wonderland.

Los Angeles, California
LA and its immediate vicinity are internationally recognized as the "entertainment capital of the world." Important landmarks include the Los Angeles City Hall, El Pueblo State Historic Park, Farmers Market, Chinatown and Little Tokyo. Stroll along Hollywood Boulevard to see the famous sidewalks decorated with stars of celebrities. Take a glimpse at active backlots and enjoy stunt demonstrations and high-tech rides at the Universal Studios theme park. Disney Land, the original family-oriented fantasy park is located in nearby Anaheim. The most beautiful beaches of Los Angeles can be found in Malibu.

San Francisco, California
The city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the US, renowned for its steep rolling hills and eclectic mix of Victorian and modern architecture. Famous landmarks include the legendary Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, the cable cars, and Chinatown. Stroll across the Golden Gate Park, including the California Academy of Sciences, the Asian Art Museum and the Japanese Tea Garden. With top-brand retailers, restaurants, and personal services, Embarcadero Center offers the very best in San Francisco shopping, dining and entertainment.

Washington D.C.
The capital of the USA has the architectural beauty of a well-planned city filled with magnificent monuments, governmental buildings and parks. Its main points of interest are situated in the National Mall - between the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol. The city has some of the finest museums in the country, including the vast complex of Smithsonian Institution museums - most of them absolutely free to the visitor. There's a collection of masterpieces at the National Gallery of Art, Auguste Rodin's sculptures at the Hirshhorn Museum, and exotic animals at the National Zoo.

Seattle, Washington
Famous as the home of the grunge music, today the city is one of the most visited tourist destinations on the West Coast. A good place to start with is the Space Needle - Seattle's most recognizable landmark. Buy some sea food at the Pike Place Market and have some coffee at the world's first Starbucks store. Enjoy concert at the Benaroya Hall, or watch a performance at the Seattle Opera. For shopping, try the four-storey Westlake Center. Fishing, rafting and mountain climbing are all within a short drive from downtown.

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Virgin America expands to San Diego

Virgin America commenced service to San Diego, CA from its base of San Francisco International Airport on February 12. It is the sixth destination for the low-fare carrier, which aims to serve as many as ten major U.S. cities within its first year of operation.

Virgin America will initially operate three flights a day on the San Diego route, expanding to five daily flights on March 9. Introductory fares start at $39 one way in the Main Cabin and $149 one way in First Class.

Started in August 2007, Richard Branson’s U.S. airline flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Washington D.C., and New York City. Virgin America said it will launch service to Seattle March 18.