Utah

Massachusetts has it all, from the beauty of the forests and mountains in the west to the sandy beaches of Cape Cod and the popular island communities on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. This state is filled with America’s history, with Pilgrims at Plymouth, Witch Trials in Salem and the start of the American Revolution with the Boston Tea Party in Boston. With galleries and museums throughout, there’s plenty of culture to discover in this diverse state.

Getting away from the road and hitting the trails is a great way to take in the unbeatable scenery of Bryce Canyon National Park. The Bristlecone Loop Trail is a great short hike and the Rim Trail section between Sunset and Sunrise Points gives amazing views of the amphitheatre and hoodoos. Don’t miss a stop at Inspiration Point, from here the view stretches seemingly forever. The most brilliant colours of the park come alive with the rising and setting of the sun.

Utah’s capital provides everything you’d expect to find in a thriving city but also the convenience and affordability of a place that hasn’t yet been discovered by the masses. A compact downtown makes for easy walking to the many sights in the city. Visit the historic and spiritual heart of Utah, Temple Square, satisfy your shopping fix with a stroll through City Creek Centre or take in the view of the city from the steps of the State Capitol.

Visit Arches to discover a landscape of contrasting colours and textures unlike any other in the world. The park has over 2000 natural arches, in addition to hundreds of soaring pinnacles and giant balanced rocks. From the scenic roads that slice through the park to the trails that wind among the 92 metre high towers, Arches can be explored by all. Hikers of all abilities will see some of the most spectacular namesake arches such as Delicate Arch and Balanced Rock.

Imagine wave after wave of deep canyons, towering mesas, pinnacles, cliffs and spires. This is Canyonlands National Park, formed by the currents of Utah’s Green and Colorado Rivers. Island in the Sky is the easiest area of Canyonlands to visit in a short period of time, offering many stops with spectacular views along the paved scenic drive and easy hikes. Here is where you’ll also find one of the West’s most photographed landforms – Mesa Arch.

Capitol Reef National Park is an expanse of sweeping vistas, a seemingly endless landscape and limitless sky. Here you get a feel for what the earth might have been like millions of years ago. In the Fruita area, there are many day hiking trails. These trails range from easy strolls to strenuous hikes involving steep climbs over uneven terrain near cliff edges. Some of the more popular hikes are to Hickman Bridge and Cohab Canyon.

Straddling the states of Arizona and Utah, is monolithic buttes, mesas and spires that make up Monument Valley. This iconic symbol of the American West is internationally recognisable, having appeared in countless movies and is the sacred heart of the Navajo Nation. Enjoy a self-guided scenic drive leading to overlooks of the park's famous formations, or explore further afield on a guided tour. Monument Valley truly is one of the natural wonders of the world.

Located in the south-central region of Utah, the Grand Staircase region is remote, but it is spectacular and contains the most extensive network of slot canyons in the state. You can’t miss a visit to Kodachrome Basin State Park and the formations along the rugged and unpaved Cottonwood Canyon Road. The colourful ‘risers’ in the staircase include the Shinarump Cliffs, the Vermilion Cliffs, the White Cliffs, the Gray Cliffs, and the Pink Cliffs.