USA and Canada: North by Northwest

Seattle stretches between the waters of Puget Sound and the shores of Lake Washington, framed by the snow-capped summit of Mount Rainier and the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges. The heart of the Pacific Northwest and home to an unmistakable urban culture, it is a city that weaves together untamed nature, technological innovation and a creative soul built on music, coffee and markets. A visit often begins at the famous Pike Place Market, one of the oldest public markets in the United States, where fishmongers toss salmon across the stalls and where, in a discreet corner, the very first Starbucks coffeehouse was born. From here the eye travels to the Elliott Bay waterfront, alive with ferries, seafood restaurants and the great Seattle Great Wheel. Nearby rises the Space Needle, the futuristic tower built for the 1962 World's Fair, whose observation deck embraces the entire city; at its feet lies the Seattle Center, with the colourful Museum of Pop Culture designed by Frank Gehry and the Chihuly Garden and Glass, devoted to blown-glass sculptures. The neighbourhoods reveal different faces: Pioneer Square, with its red-brick Victorian buildings and art galleries; lively Capitol Hill, realm of nightlife and the independent scene; and the Chinatown-International District, home to the city's Asian communities. Culture lovers should not miss the Seattle Art Museum, while those seeking views can climb to Kerry Park, a prime spot to photograph the skyline with Rainier in the background. All around, nature is never far away: ferry trips to the Sound's islands, hikes in Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier National Park, and tastings in the wineries of Woodinville Wine Country. A city of gentle rain and ever-changing skies, Seattle reveals itself on foot, coffee in hand, surprising visitors with its balance between metropolis and wilderness.

Vancouver is one of North America's most scenic cities, set between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains on Canada's west coast. Surrounded by water and forests, it combines a lively urban life with extraordinary nature, ranking consistently among the world's most liveable cities. The vast Stanley Park, a green lung facing the sea and crossed by a famous seawall, invites scenic walks and bike rides. The historic Gastown district, with its bohemian atmosphere, the lively Granville Island market and Chinatown reveal the city's many faces. The skyline of glass towers reflects in the waters of the bay, while nearby mountains, such as Grouse Mountain and Cypress, offer skiing and hiking just minutes from downtown. The dining scene, rich in fresh seafood and Asian cuisine, is excellent. Between sea, mountains and culture, Vancouver embodies the perfect balance between metropolis and nature.

Kamloops lies in the interior of British Columbia, at the confluence of the two branches of the Thompson River, in a landscape of semi-arid hills dotted with lakes. The city boasts a sunny, dry climate that makes it pleasant for much of the year. Surrounded by over a hundred lakes, it is a paradise for fishing, golf, mountain biking and outdoor sports, while in winter the nearby Sun Peaks offers ski slopes. First Nations culture is alive in the region and recounted in interesting cultural centres. A convenient stop along the routes between Vancouver and the Rockies, Kamloops offers parks, riverside trails and an open, bright landscape. Sunny and active, it is a pleasant base for discovering the interior of British Columbia and its outdoor activities.

You head east along the Yellowhead Highway (Highway 5 and Highway 16), passing through a varied landscape that includes majestic mountains, coniferous forests and spectacular canyons. On the way, you pass through picturesque towns and villages such as Clearwater and Valemount, with breathtaking views of the Canadian Rockies and boreal forests. Finally, you arrive in Jasper, nestled in the heart of Jasper National Park. Jasper is a mountain town set in its namesake national park, the largest in the Canadian Rockies and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wilder and quieter than nearby Banff, it is surrounded by grandiose nature of imposing peaks, glaciers, emerald lakes and endless forests, where wildlife is easily encountered along the roads. From Jasper, excursions set off to natural wonders such as Maligne Lake, with the famous Spirit Island, the Maligne Canyon and the Miette hot springs. The legendary Icefields Parkway, one of the world's most beautiful scenic roads, links Jasper to Banff along the Columbia Icefield. Recognised as a dark-sky preserve, the park offers extraordinary night skies. Between glaciers, lakes and silence, Jasper is a paradise for lovers of pristine nature.

The journey from Jasper to Lake Louise/Banff is one of the highlights and most spectacular parts of the trip; you travel along Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic roads in North America, amidst majestic mountains, vast forests, and enormous glaciers, in a wild region. Banff is Canada's most famous mountain resort, set in the heart of its namesake national park, the country's oldest and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains, the picturesque town is the ideal starting point for exploring landscapes of extraordinary beauty, among turquoise lakes, glaciers and forests. Nearby are natural jewels such as Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, with crystalline waters framed by mountains. The Banff Upper Hot Springs invite relaxation, while Banff Avenue offers shops, restaurants and the iconic view of Mount Cascade. Wildlife, from elk to bears, populates the region. In every season, between skiing, hiking and canoeing, Banff offers an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Rockies, one of the world's most spectacular nature destinations.

Cross the land of the cowboys, passing through the Rocky Mountains and leaving Banff National Park, towards the plains surrounding the vibrant city of Calgary. Calgary is a dynamic city in Alberta, built at the foot of the Canadian Rockies, famous for its western spirit and the legendary Calgary Stampede, one of the world's largest rodeos and cowboy-culture festivals. Grown as a centre of the oil industry, it boasts a modern skyline of skyscrapers and a lively city life, with districts such as Inglewood and Stephen Avenue, rich in restaurants, bars and shops. The Calgary Tower offers a panoramic view over the prairie and the mountains on the horizon. The city is above all the ideal gateway to the Rockies, less than an hour's drive from Banff and the national parks. Its green spaces along the Bow River invite walks and outdoor activities. Welcoming and growing, Calgary combines urban energy, cowboy tradition and grandiose nature, a perfect base for exploring western Canada.

Glacier National Park, in northern Montana on the Canadian border, is one of the most spectacular parks of the Rocky Mountains, nicknamed the 'Crown of the Continent'. Two thousand lakes, rivers, forests, majestic mountains, here is Glacier National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a paradise also for wild animals, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, brown bears and grizzly bears, wolves and cougars. The name does not derive so much from the existing glaciers, few, small and retreating, but from the enormous expanse of ice that created its valleys during the last ice age, about 20,000 years ago. The legendary Going-to-the-Sun Road crosses the heart of the park with breathtaking views over Logan Pass. Hundreds of kilometres of trails make it a hiker's paradise. Pristine and grand wilderness, Glacier is nature in its purest state.

Missoula rises in western Montana, at the confluence of five valleys and three rivers, a lively university town home to the University of Montana, nicknamed the 'Garden City of Montana'. Surrounded by mountains and forests, it is a paradise for fly fishing, rafting, hiking and cycling. Its centre alternates craft breweries, galleries, farmers' markets and a vibrant cultural scene. The 'M' on the hill of Mount Sentinel offers views over the valley. Between outdoor nature, youthful energy and an independent spirit, Missoula is one of Montana's most beloved and lively cities.

West Yellowstone stands at the western gateway of Yellowstone National Park in Montana, serving as its natural point of entry. This frontier town, ringed by the Gallatin forests and the peaks of the Rocky Mountains, lives to the rhythm of the great park beside it: the world's first national park, established in 1872 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From its centre of wide streets and Old West atmosphere, Yellowstone's geothermal wonders lie just minutes away: the Old Faithful geyser with its regular eruptions, the limestone terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs, the iridescent pools of the Grand Prismatic Spring and the thundering Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with its waterfalls. The wildlife is extraordinary: bison, elk, grizzly bears and wolf packs roam the Lamar and Hayden valleys, favourite spots for wildlife watching. In winter, when snow blankets everything, West Yellowstone becomes a paradise for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing, with exclusive access to the snow-covered park. Between a hike on the trails, trout fishing in crystalline rivers and a stop in its mountain-flavoured eateries, the town is the ideal base camp for exploring one of North America's wildest and most spectacular landscapes.

Established in 1872 as the world's first national park, Yellowstone spreads across a volcanic plateau between Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, holding one of the most extraordinary concentrations of geothermal phenomena on the planet. Here the famous Old Faithful geyser erupts at regular intervals, while the Grand Prismatic Spring dazzles with its rings of shifting colours and the limestone terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs form surreal landscapes. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, carved by the river of the same name, plunges into spectacular waterfalls between golden walls. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is also a wildlife sanctuary where bison, elk, grizzly bears and wolf packs can be spotted, especially in the Lamar Valley. Among forests, alpine lakes and meadows, Yellowstone offers hikes, wildlife safaris and the thrill of a primordial, powerful nature, a symbol of the American wilderness.

The landscape between Yellowstone and Jackson Hole is marked by the picturesque Teton Mountains, which rise steeply from the flat prairie between lakes, waterfalls, and forests inhabited by elk and bison. The highest peak is the Grand Teton, which exceeds 4,000 meters. Jackson Hole is a broad Wyoming valley framed by the jagged peaks of Grand Teton National Park, the southern gateway to Yellowstone and a kingdom of outdoor activities. The lively town of Jackson welcomes visitors with its famous arches made of elk antlers, art galleries, saloons and western boutiques. Don't miss a visit to the National Elk Refuge, a winter sanctuary for around 8,000 elk, and the adjacent National Museum of Wildlife Art. Along the Snake River, rafting and canoe trips run through grand landscapes, while the National Elk Refuge shelters thousands of elk in winter, viewable from horse-drawn sleighs. To the north lies Yellowstone, the world's first national park, with its steaming geysers, iridescent hot springs and extraordinary wildlife of bison, bears and wolves. An ideal destination for those seeking wild nature, hiking and skiing.