Founded in 1859 by gold seekers from Kansas and Georgia, Denver marks the boundary between the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains that provide a splendid backdrop. A university town and the capital of American craft beer, it is called the 'Mile High City' because it is located exactly one mile (about 1600 meters) high, as noted on the 13th step of its Capitol building. Modern and youthful, it has trendy neighborhoods for all tastes and is pleasant to explore on foot, featuring diverse architectures ranging from Victorian to postmodern, along with art, history, culture, shopping, and a vibrant nightlife.
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Day 3 — Denver → Vail
Vail, approximately 200 km west of Denver, was created out of nothing as a ski resort in 1952. The skiing is excellent, perhaps the best in the USA, with a wide variety of slopes. Along with Aspen, it is the most famous and fashionable ski resort in the Elk Mountains, set in a picturesque landscape. It is highly frequented by the wealthy and famous, and is a resort town centered around Vail Village, with top-notch shops and restaurants.
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Day 5 — Vail → Glenwood Springs
Glenwood Springs is known for its hot springs and caves. Springs like Glenwood Hot Springs Pool and Iron Mountain Hot Springs are considered healing. In the area, you can also go rafting on the Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers or visit the fun Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.
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Day 6 — Glenwood Springs → Grand Junction
Grand Junction is the main town in western Colorado and an excellent starting point for exploring the vast and spectacular canyon region with the pinnacles of the Colorado National Monument; here the Green River merges into the Colorado River.
