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USA States travel map - USA Travel and Tourism Guide, Tourist Attractions, Destinations

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Travel information for the States in the United States, including Florida, California, Nevada, Hawaii, Alaska, Colorado, Texas and more.

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VisitTheUSA is the USA official guide for traveling the United States of America. Discover here all the information you need for your American holidays.

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Want to record the thrills and spills of your adventures? Here's how to write an evocative and captivating travel diary

Ask yourself...Who is the diary for? Is it just for you to read - or to share with your friends? This could influence what you put in or leave out! It will also influence the tone and style of the way you write. If you're keen to write for a wider audience, how about creating a travel blog?

A journal is a wonderful memoir
When writing your notes, think about what you'll want to remember from the trip in ten, 20, or even 30 years.

What do you want to include?
Your itinerary; your route plotted on a map; a 'cast list' of people you meet en route (include brief descriptions or even photos to jog your memory); contact details of the people you would like to keep in touch with (and do keep in touch with them!); lists of 'top moments' or 'best bits' from your trip - best sunset, view, meal, restaurant...

Bring your journal to life

Avoid listing your activities/descriptions/surroundings'And then I did this... and then I did that'... It can become tedious! You want to create a captivating story, not a repetitive list. Indeed, this is one of the big no-nos of travel writing!

Entries don't have to be chronological
Write whatever catches your imagination, whenever it occurs to you.

You don't have to record everything!
What you leave out is as important as what you put in.

Use dialogue...
Funny things you've overheard, or a conversation with a camel driver, for example.

Use ALL your senses
Write about the sounds, smells, tastes and even textures of your trip.

Illustrate it
The act of drawing a building, termite mound or person will help to etch them in your memory. If you're not artistic, how about learning how to get the best results from your camera or how to take great iphone photos instead?

Stick in tickets, bottle labels, snippets from local newspapers, receipts, etc - use the pocket in the back of the journal to hold them, or stick them in next to the day they refer to. You'll have a thick, full memory book to look back through.

A spectacular setting for diary writing (Shutterstock)

The practicalities

Give a day and date for each new memory...
Or else you'll forget what happened when.

Get it down on paper while it's fresh - it will be much more vivid. If there's not enough time for a full description, jot down a few key words, which will jog your memory and fill in the gaps later.

It's your journal, so stick to what interests YOU
If you want to record distance in miles covered, units of wine drunk, funny road signs, tacky souvenirs, or even cute cats, then great - that's up to you!

Enjoy yourself!
Your travels and trips are fun - and your journal should be too! If it's becoming a chore, think how you can change it to make writing more enjoyable... How about summarising each day with one sentence, a best of/worst of list, or replacing words with pictures or photos?

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Want to record the thrills and spills of your adventures? Here's how to write an evocative and captivating travel diary Ask yourself...Who is the diary for? Is it just for you to read - or to share with your friends? This could influence what you put in or leave out!

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Penzu is a free online diary and personal journal focused on privacy. Easily keep a secret diary or a private journal of notes and ideas securely on the web.

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Looking for a change of scenery? Is your current city too expensive, isolated, or even boring?

If you're considering moving to a new area, then look no further. Livability.com, a division of Journal Communications, has released its third annual list of the Best Places to Live.

Livability surveyed 2,000 American adults about what qualities they believe are important in the communities in which they live and the ones to which they might one day consider moving. The company also pulled data from sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Affairs and Education, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Cities throughout the U.S. with populations between 20,000 and 350,000 were then ranked across eight categories: amenities, demographics, economy, education, health care, housing, social and civic capital, and transportation and infrastructure.

As a result, the cities on this list can be trusted to have respectable schools, low crime and high quality amenities such as parks, natural and built environments, and arts and culture. These cities are also affordable; racially, ethnically and economically diverse; and conducive to residents' flexibility in choosing a hospital, school, park and manner of commuting.

Click through to see the 15 Best Places to Live in the U.S.:

15. Fargo, North Dakota
The largest city in North Dakota, Fargo is considered to be one of the best cities for job seekers and college grads. Residents can spend time in the museums, galleries and Art Deco theater palace, or explore the many restaurants and outdoor activities throughout the city.

14. Overland Park, Kansas
One of the best cities for families, Overland Park is considered one of the top places to live due to its low crime rate, various entertainment options and stable economy. Residents can also take advantage of the city's indoor and outdoor recreational facilities, top-notch schools and great restaurants.

13. Fort Collins, Colorado
Fort Collins, one of the healthiest cities in the U.S., boasts award winning schools, beautiful outdoor facilities, and a flourishing arts scene. Additionally, residents can visit any of the unique breweries, shops and restaurants located in the area.

12. San Mateo, California
San Mateo is one of the most diverse cities in Silicon Valley and is filled with parks, historic buildings and great restaurants. Sustainability is very important to the city leaders and residents, many of whom use local buses and the commuter rail service to get to work

11. Walnut Creek, California
Named one of the best foodie cities, with so many restaurants supported by local farmers markets, Walnut Creek also offers high-quality schools and various indoor and outdoor recreational activities. Residents are also very active in their community, especially in the political scene.

10. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Throughout the year, residents of Sioux Falls can take advantage of the city's great schools, sporting events, live music, art shows, festivals and hundreds of restaurants. The city also boasts more than 70 parks and greenways and a 1.3 million-square-foot shopping center, in addition to beautiful views of the cascades of the Big Sioux River.

9. Iowa City, Iowa
The University of Iowa provides a number of opportunities for people to explore interesting classes and workshops, and the various different arts and entertainment options throughout Iowa City demonstrate the creativity of its residents. Iowa City is also known for its excellent health care and school district in addition to its great restaurants and shops.

8. Ann Arbor, Michigan
Named one of the best cities for liberals in 2014, Ann Arbor is also one of the best college towns in the country, thanks to the events and activities offered by the University of Michigan. Residents can also find countless ways to occupy their time in the city's restaurants, bookstores, art galleries, performance venues or one of the more than 150 parks throughout the area.

7. Bismarck, North Dakota
An affordable housing market and a strong healthcare system make Bismark one of the best places to live in the U.S. The city, which is located on the east bank of the Missouri River, also has over 80 miles of trails, multiple golf courses and a lively downtown area for residents to enjoy.

6. Palo Alto, California

Residents of Palo Alto are active in the community and local politics, and many work at one of the prominent technology companies in the area. The beautiful parks and open spaces throughout the city provide residents with great places to unwind.

5. Boulder, Colorado
Boulder, another one of the best cities for liberals, offers a strong support of local farms, a prominent arts scene, a wide-range of shopping options and unparalleled scenic views. Most residents are very active and spend their time hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, fishing and skiing in and around the city.

4. Santa Barbara, California
The beautiful weather, beaches and mountain views of Santa Barbara are not only a major attraction not only for tourists, but also for residents. The interesting culture, great health care, unique restaurants and top schools amplify the city's appeal.

3. Madison, Wisconsin
With one of the top rated health care systems in the country, Madison has been named one of the best places to live for the third year in a row and is also one of the top college towns in the U.S. The economy of the city is driven by its 33% minority population and high percentage of college-educated workers.

2. Bellevue, Washington
Throughout the year, residents of Bellevue can enjoy the beautiful parks, bike paths, museums, restaurants, and music venues. This city also has highly rated schools, famous festivals and fairs and a rising downtown area.

1. Rochester, Minnesota
According to Livability, the Best Place to Live in the United States is Rochester, due to the rapid growth in its schools, civil engagement and entertainment options. The city is home to the esteemed Mayo Clinic, which creates increased job opportunities and health care advantages.

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The 15 best places to live in the united states

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Looking for a change of scenery? Is your current city too expensive, isolated, or even boring? If you're considering moving to a new area, then look no further. Livability.com, a division of Journal Communications, has released its third annual list of the Best Places to Live.

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Companies are clamoring for skilled workers, and one of the best ways to attract them is to set up shop in a great place to live. That is why we include Quality of Life in our annual America's Top States for Business study. The category is worth a possible 300 out of 2,500 total points. We measure things like crime rates, health and health care, attractions, air quality, and inclusiveness. You can view our methodology and this year's sources here. Travel with us now through America's Top States to call home.

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Companies are clamoring for skilled workers, and one of the best ways to attract them is to set up shop in a great place to live. That is why we include Quality of Life in our annual America's Top States for Business study. The category is worth a possible 300 out of 2,500 total points.

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Companies are in a battle to attract the best workers, and one way to do that is to offer them an inexpensive place to live. These states do not fit that bill. Our Cost of Living category in America's Top States for Business rates all 50 states based on an index of average costs for basic items. The category is worth a possible 50 points out of our 2,500 total. Here are 10 states where you will pay a pretty penny to live, as well as average prices for some basics in each state's most expensive area.

Price data based on the 2016 Annual Average Cost of Living Index by the Council for Community and Economic Research, C2ER.

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America's 10 most expensive states to live in 2017

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Companies are in a battle to attract the best workers, and one way to do that is to offer them an inexpensive place to live. These states do not fit that bill.

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Featured

Boston, the largest city in New England, is located on a hilly peninsula in Massachusetts Bay. The region had been inhabited since at least 2400 B.C. by the Massachusetts tribe of Native Americans, who called the peninsula Shawmut. Captain John Smith in 1614 explored the coastline of what he christened "New England" (to make the [...]
Read more Read more about Boston: A City Steeped in U.S. History

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U.S. States: 50 States & State Capitals | HISTORY

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There are 50 states and state capitals in the United States. Learn more about each U.S. state, its state capital and the Native American history of each state.

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The 50 States of America | US State Information

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Click here to learn more information about the 50 States of America including maps, facts, historical information and more.