Grand Canyon Village is a portal to one of the most enchanting geological sites on the planet. The town sits on the precipice of the Grand Canyon's South Rim and is the gateway to hypnotic views of landscapes deeply carved by the Colorado River over the past 5 to 6 million years. Marvel at Mother Nature's handiwork when you descend into the canyon or explore the rim’s well marked hiking trails, either on foot or horseback. Less strenuous options include taking the free shuttle bus to the area’s best viewpoints, or experiencing the jaw-dropping vistas from the sky via a helicopter or plane tour.

Situated west of the majestic Olympic Mountains in Washington State's Olympic Peninsula, the majestic Quinault Valley is an idyllic retreat that rests on the bank of the beautiful Lake Quinault. Completely encompassing the lake is the enchanting Quinault Rain Forest, a wildly exuberant rainforest where nature lovers can enjoy guided tours of this pristine paradise. This sylvan setting is the ideal destination for nature trails, swimming, boating and fishing in various areas around the lake. For a greater outdoor adventure, visitors can explore Olympic National Park and admire the rugged coastline, take on the Olympic Peninsula Waterfall Trail and drive around the scenic Quinault Rain Forest Loop with possible sightings of Roosevelt elk, blacktail deer, Cougars, bald eagles, bobcats, and black bears. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit Lake Quinault Museum and discover the fascinating history of the Lake Quinault.

Resting at an elevation of 1646 metres, the tiny hamlet of Paradise lies just south of the majestic Mount Rainier. The area actually rests on the southern slopes of the renowned mountain and forms part of the Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state. It encompasses an array of natural treasures including Paradise Valley and the Paradise Glacier which is the source of the Paradise River. The surrounding landscape is dotted with wildflower meadows interrupted by glistening snowfields and encircled by snowcapped peaks. It serves as an excellent base from which to explore the breathtaking landscapes and surrounding wilderness.

Aptly dubbed ‘The Evergreen State’, Washington is undoubtedly one of mother nature’s darlings. Whether you’re looking for lush rainforests, snow-capped volcanic peaks, picturesque Alpine meadows, glorious beaches, or remarkable wildlife, Washington has it all. For all its epic scenery though, the state’s primary draw card is the beautiful city of Seattle. This laidback hub of creativity continues to enchant visitors with its legendary live music scene, trendy neighbourhoods and diverse range of cultural attractions. If big cities are not really your thing, how about a Bavarian hamlet? Tucked into the Cascade Mountains, the little village of Leavenworth offers an intriguingly bizarre combination of Bavarian architecture, lederhosen, and even the odd Wiener schnitzel! Washington may see an inordinate amount of rain, but with all of this and more on offer it is certainly worth getting out your wellington boots and stomping through the puddles to explore all that this spectacularly scenic state has to offer.

Enchanting Western-styled buildings line the streets of downtown Winthrop in the picturesque Methow Valley of Washington, USA. Discover the charm of the Old West in this remote town and learn the history of the area at Shafer Museum, view the local artistic flair of the city at Winthrop Gallery. Explore the authentic restaurants, bars, pubs as well as the numerous outdoor recreational areas in the sublime natural surroundings. Things to do include skiing, hiking, and mountain biking at the unmissable North Cascades National Park and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, or taking a scenic drive along the spectacularly beautiful Cascade Loop and Mount Baker Highway.

Located on Washington state’s Olympic Peninsula in the Pacific Northwest, the Olympic National Park features a range of different ecosystems, from the dramatic peaks of the Olympic Mountains to old-growth forests, rainforests and the rugged Pacific Shore. Encompassing nearly 405-thousand hectares, the park protects a vast and diverse wilderness and offers visitors many opportunities for outdoor adventure and relaxation. Main attractions on the coast are the broad and sandy beaches of Kalaloch and Ruby, while Ozette also features one of the largest lakes on the peninsula. The Hoh Rain Forest and Quinault Rain Forest are gateways to alpine meadows, lakes, and ice-carved peaks, while the Elwha and Sol Duc valleys are home to dense, green forests and sparkling rivers favoured by salmon. Visitors can also look forward to hiking, biking, kayaking, swimming, climbing and wildlife watching.

Dubbed 'The Emerald City' due to its abundance of lush, evergreen trees and its spectacular views of the snow-capped Cascade and Olympic mountains, Seattle is a laid-back, friendly city which is set apart by is its remarkably beautiful natural setting and its progressive, multicultural inhabitants. The city is perhaps best known for its seafood, its incredibly wet weather and its famously obsessive coffee culture as well as the staggering diversity of its neighbourhoods: Grand stately manicured suburbs; hip and trendy urban areas; pockets of eclectic, artsy boutiques and cafes; and rows of glistening state-of-art skyscrapers - Seattle has it all. With nature on its doorstep, it’s hardly surprising that an outdoor lifestyle prevails, with plenty of boating, skiing, and hiking facilities on offer as well as a vast array of fascinating museums, galleries and cultural sights. No matter when you’re travelling to Seattle, there are more than enough attractions to hold your interest, come rain or shine!

Located on the eastern side of Black Hills National Forest in western South Dakota, Rapid City is best known for its proximity to Mount Rushmore, the massive iconic sculpture of four United States presidents embedded into a mountain. Visitors can also look forward to discovering many other local attractions including the the South Dakota Air and Space museum and the scenic Black Hills, which are comprised of several impressive cavern systems that can be viewed on a guided tour. Other popular activities include exploring the Custer State Park, a picturesque nature reserve with many trails; interacting with the giant tortoises at the Reptile Gardens Zoo; and visiting the Chapel in the Hills, a replica of a 12th-century Norwegian-style wooden church.

Custer State Park is a 30 000 hectare wildlife reserve, located in the Black Hills of southwestern South Dakota. This impressive expanse of wilderness is famous for its scenic drives, historic gold rush sites, fishing lakes, holiday resorts, and exceptional array of wildlife, which includes over 1500 free-roaming bison. Each year, the park hosts the Buffalo Roundup & Arts Festival and the Black Hills Playhouse offers professional theatre performances surrounded by the beauty of the hills. The Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, which is formed by four of the most scenic drives in the area, offers mountain tunnels, wide-open meadows and deep canyon passageways. Other activities include hiking, biking, horse riding, swimming, fishing, kayaking, wildlife watching and boating in Custer State Park’s five picturesque lakes.

Situated in southwestern South Dakota, the Badlands National Park protects 98 hectares of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires, as well as the largest undisturbed mixed grass prairie in the United States. This dramatic landscape stretches over layered rock formations and steep canyons while bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs inhabit its sprawling grasslands. The Badlands wilderness also serves as the site of reintroduction of the black-footed ferret - the most endangered land mammal in North America. Main attractions include the Loop Road, the main road through the park where animals and landscapes can be admired; the Badlands Wall, a ridge of incredible rock formations; and Notch trail, a scenic hiking trail that takes about an hour to complete.

Situated along the coast of Maine, approximately midway between New Hampshire and New Brunswick, Canada, Acadia National Park is a 47,000-acre recreation area set primarily on Maine's Mount Desert Island. The park features pristine stretches of untouched wilderness characterised by woodland, lakes, rocky beaches and glacier-scoured granite peaks including Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the United States’ East Coast. These diverse habitats combine to form some striking scenery and a haven for an astonishing range of wildlife including moose, bears, whales and seabirds. Hiking and biking are popular activities with over 200 km of hiking trails to explore by foot and 70 km of carriage roads to travel by bike or on horseback. There are also a number of towns and villages to explore on and off the island such as Bar Harbor, Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor, Ellsworth, and more.

Situated in Wyoming State south of Yellowstone National Park and north of Jackson, Grand Teton is a national park exhibiting astonishing nature and an abundance of diverse activities. Boasting mountain meadows, the snow-capped peaks of the Teton Range, lush valley floors and idyllic alpine lakes, the park’s breathtaking scenery offers some of the most exquisite photographic locations in the world. Visitors can hike a trail that American Indians might have used in the 1820s, or one built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Snake River is ideal for wonderful paddle, canoe, or rafting meanders. Cruises along the lakes offer a relaxed and luxurious way to take in the views, and include a delicious full breakfast or dinner. Animal lovers will delight in spotting bears, elk, foxes, and a variety of birdlife, and the option to explore the area on horseback.

A visit to the much treasured Yellowstone National Park is likely to leave you spellbound. Situated largely in Wyoming, with parts stretching into Idaho and Montana, the park features dramatic canyons, alpine rivers, waterfalls, lush forests and gushing geysers, including its most famous, ‘Old Faithful’, which shoots eruptions of boiling water over 50 metres into the air. Yellowstone also has one of the world’s largest petrified forests. Along the Grand Loop Road, you can see scenic grandeur and top attractions at your leisure. Wildlife abounds – with bison, moose, elk, bear and wolves, and around 300 species of birds. There are nine visitors’ centres and 12 camping grounds to help you along your journey.

The picturesque valley of Jackson Hole is flanked by the sweeping Teton and Gros Ventre mountain ranges, jagged peaks that offer powdery skiing in the winter and beautiful hiking in the summer. The term 'hole' was used by early frontiersmen, who had to descend along steep slopes in order to access the valley below giving the sensation of entering a hole. These magnificent low-lying valleys are surrounded by mountains that serve as a winter playground for visitors to Wyoming’s highest-profile ski resort, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The vibrant base village buzzes with activity, thanks to a number of charming hotels and timeshare complexes, as well as restaurants, stores and a ski school. In the summer the valley transforms into a dazzling wilderness which is blessed with an extraordinary abundance of wildlife and makes an ideal destination for summer hikes, playing golf and adventurous horseback riding.

Montana is a state in the northern/northwestern United States which is characterised by diverse landscapes ranging from the towering Rocky Mountains to the wide open expanses of the Great Plains. This diverse terrain provides an ideal environment for a variety of outdoor activities including: hiking, cycling, horse riding, hunting, and fishing in summer; or skiing and snowboarding in winter. Montana is home a number of renowned national parks. These include among others: the Yellowstone National Park, one of the largest and most famous national parks in the world with more than two million acres of geysers and bubbling hot springs simmering between mountains, rivers and canyons; and the Glacier National Park, a land of mammoth mountains and ice-hewn valleys dotted with spectacular aquamarine lakes, forests, waterfalls and glaciers. What Montana lacks in big name cities, it more than makes up for in spectacular natural appeal.

In San Juan County in the southeastern corner of Utah, lies the vast, wild and sunbaked desert plane of Monument Valley. This red-sand desert region is known for its towering sandstone buttes and forms part of the lands sacred to the Navajo Nation. In this area, the stars of the Milky Way can be seen exceptionally clearly at night. Visitors can enjoy hiking, jeep tours, horse riding and stargazing on their own or escorted and narrated by Navajo guides. Top activities also include touring the Monument Valley Drive for spectacular views of the landscape, hiking the Wildcat Trail for closer views of the buttes, learning more about the area at the Goulding Film and Cultural History Museum, and watching the sunrise from one of the many viewpoints.

Situated in the northwest corner of Arizona, the Grand Canyon National Park welcomes around 5 million visitors a year. Nature and animal lovers, scientists, geologists and archaeologists continue to be mesmerised by the imposing beauty and splendour of its massive layered-rock canyons, river tributaries, fauna and flora, and historical significance. Your touring options are endless: a drive along the incredibly scenic South Rim; a two-day mule trip down to the bottom of the canyon; hiking trails; helicopter or hot-air balloon tours; or white-water rafting down the Colorado River. The park is home to around 500 species of animals and birds, including the endangered Californian condor, and six types of rattlesnakes.

An oasis of bustling activity in a vast expanse of desert, Moab in southern Utah is a prime adventurer’s hub. Use the town as a base camp to freshen up after day trips to Arches or Canyonlands National Parks – you’ll find plenty of accommodation and late-night shopping. Over the US summer, the area fills up with 4x4 enthusiasts eager to join the annual Moab Jeep Safari, mountain bikers lured by the extensive trails in the area, and other fans of rugged living. Thrill-seekers can go rock climbing, white-water rafting in Westwater Canyon, kayaking, hiking and backpacking. (Visitors are encouraged to use existing trails to preserve the desert lands.) For a more laid-back experience, pop into Hole ’n the Rock, or take in the surprise offerings at the Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage.

Located in the Dixie region of Washington County in the US state of Utah, Springdale serves as the gateway to the world-renowned Zion National Park. It is a popular tourist destination providing an excellent stopover and base from which to explore the exceptionally scenic surrounding area. This park town is perched at an elevation of 1200 metres and is towered over by the awe-inspiring cliffs of Zion. It offers an array of art galleries, buzzing cafes and bustling streets lined with excellent restaurants. Visitors can look forward to exploring the spectacularly scenic Zion National Park featuring a host of natural wonders with its soaring red cliffs and unique rock formations. Other popular activities include: cycling, camping and hiking through this remarkably beautiful landscape.

As the largest city in the state of Alaska, Anchorage offers a compelling combination of metropolitan luxuries and unrivalled natural beauty. Covering a vast area of 1900 square miles, much of this remarkable port city remains uninhabited and mountainous. The greater Anchorage area is home to a population of over 300,000 inhabitants as well as an astonishing range of wildlife such as moose, brown and black bears, dall sheep, and many migratory bird species. With the glistening waters of the exquisite Cook Inlet and the towering peaks of the Chugach Mountains right on the city's doorstep, outdoor enthusiasts can indulge in a range of activities including hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and even sea kayaking among some majestic tidewater glaciers in nearby Blackstone Bay.

Situated on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, on the northern banks of Kachemak Bay, the small city of Homer is known as the arts capital of southcentral Alaska. This city is home to the Homer Spit, a long strip of sand which extends out into the bay. Homer is a thriving artists community featuring several art galleries, excellent restaurants, fascinating museums and theatres. It serves as a port of entry for visitors to explore the magnificent surrounds. Homer boasts sweeping panoramic views across the glittering Kachemak Bay, which is crowned by Kachemak Bay State Park’s snow-capped Kenai mountains and the dramatic Grewingk Glacier. This spectacularly scenic area offers a wide selection of exciting wilderness adventures and activities such as trekking, bear viewing, paddling, and world-class fishing.

Sandwiched between Mount Marathon and the glistening waters of Resurrection bay, this scenic city is surrounded by lush rain forests and is easily accessible from Anchorage. This vast surrounding wilderness makes Seward an ideal base for kayaking, hiking, fishing, whale-watching and glacier-viewing excursions. It also serves as the gateway to the impressive Kenai Fjords National Park which offers exceptionally scenic landscapes and a remarkable variety of unusual marine wildlife. Many visitors take a day cruise along the coast south of Seward to watch glaciers calve into the sea and to spot seals, sea lions and whales. More adventurous travellers can rent a kayak and spend their afternoons paddling among sea otters and their nights gazing at glaciers. This small, sparsely populated, 21.5-square-mile city, is the perfect place to call home for a few days while you explore all of the breathtaking natural wonders that this stunning wilderness area has to offer.

With ample annual snowfall, close to a hundred cycle trails and thousands of skiable acres, Mt Alyeska is a prime location for adrenaline junkies with a need for speed. Forming part of the Chugach mountain range, Mt Alyeska is accessed via the town of Girdwood, a resort town lying just south of Anchorage, Alaska. Visitors can look forward to experiencing the spectacular views of Turnagain Arm, a spectacularly scenic waterway running into the northwestern part of the Gulf of Alaska. There are also seven glaciers in the area which can be accessed by taking the tram at Alyeska Resort to the top of the mountain, where in the wintertime, you can ski or snowboard back down again. Other popular activities in the Alkyeska region include mountain biking, for which training courses and gear are provided, as well as rock climbing and paragliding. Don’t miss the once-in-a-lifetime exhilarating experience of riding a dog sled on a glacier.