Motorcycle Tour: West, the parks of Arizona and Utah

Phoenix is the capital of Arizona, spread across the heart of the Sonoran Desert in the vast, sun-drenched basin its residents call the "Valley of the Sun." A modern, ever-expanding city, it boasts a hot, dry climate and a landscape dominated by the majestic saguaro cacti, symbol of the American Southwest. At the Desert Botanical Garden visitors can admire thousands of desert plant species, among centuries-old saguaros and unexpected blooms, while the Heard Museum holds one of the richest collections devoted to Native American cultures. Outdoor enthusiasts find spectacular views of the city and surrounding desert along the trails of Camelback Mountain and South Mountain Park. Nearby, refined Scottsdale seduces with its art galleries, luxury resorts and golf courses, while the archaeological remains of Pueblo Grande tell the story of the ancient Hohokam people who once inhabited this land. Between Tex-Mex cuisine, desert excursions and fiery sunsets that turn the rocks red, Phoenix is a surprising destination for those seeking sun, nature and authentic Southwestern culture.

Williams bills itself as the “gateway to the Grand Canyon”, a small northern Arizona town that proudly preserves the authentic atmosphere of Route 66. It was here that the last stretch of the legendary Mother Road was officially bypassed, and today its Main Street comes alive with neon signs, 1950s diners, vintage shops and period motels. From Williams departs the historic Grand Canyon Railway, which in just over two hours carries travelers to the South Rim of the planet’s most spectacular canyon. Surrounded by the ponderosa pine forests of the Kaibab National Forest, the town also offers tranquil lakes for fishing and trails deep in nature. Between the retro charm of America on the road and the grandeur of its scenery, Williams is an unforgettable stop.

Today's stage takes you from Williams to Page/Lake Powell with a visit to the Grand Canyon National Park. The Grand Canyon is the most spectacular and grand example of river erosion, an incredible abyss carved by the Colorado River, about 1500m deep, 450km long, and 16km wide. Its layers expose the geological history of the past two billion years, a majestic panorama with rocks that change color depending on the time of day and different scenarios that offer unforgettable emotions. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Exit the park following Desert View Drive (Route 64), which runs along the edge of the canyon for about 40km until the park's eastern entrance (East Entrance) with several scenic viewpoints: we recommend Grand View, Moran, Lipan, Navajo Point, and Desert View. Don't miss the viewpoint overlooking the deep and narrow canyon of the Little Colorado River, about 35km from Desert View Point. Leave Route 64 by turning left onto Route 89 in Cameron, where one of the authentic Southwest post stations is located. You have just entered the largest Indian reservation in the USA, the Navajo Indian Reservation, which extends beyond the Arizona border into New Mexico and Utah with a population of about 200,000 Navajo. From Cameron to Page, it is 125km. Before arriving, if you have time, definitely make a stop at Horseshoe Bend, about 7km from the center of Page; the viewpoint is reached by a 2.5km walk along an easy dirt trail (bring water with you). Page was founded in the heart of the northern Arizona desert as a small service town for the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam, and is today an ideal base for exploring some of the most spectacular landscapes of the American Southwest. A few minutes away opens Lake Powell, a vast turquoise reservoir set among red sandstone canyons, a paradise for boat trips and houseboats. Nearby lie two icons of travel photography: Antelope Canyon, a slot canyon with undulating walls pierced by beams of light, and Horseshoe Bend, the dramatic curve of the Colorado River wrapping around a rock spur. The area, home to the Navajo Nation, offers guided tours, fiery sunsets and starry skies of rare purity.

The gateway to Zion National Park, Springdale is a small town in southern Utah nestled among the towering walls of red sandstone that made the canyon famous. Its single main street is lined with art galleries, cafés, restaurants and lodges offering breathtaking views of copper-hued cliffs that shift in tone with the changing daylight. From here a free shuttle climbs up Zion Canyon, leaving visitors free to tackle the park's celebrated trails: the exposed Angels Landing, the spectacular river walk of The Narrows, or the gentler Emerald Pools. After a day of hiking, Springdale welcomes guests with local cuisine, craft breweries and skies of rare, starry clarity. A perfect base from which to explore one of the most spectacular landscapes of the American Southwest.

Las Vegas rises like a luminous mirage in the Mojave Desert, the world capital of entertainment, where excess becomes spectacle and the night never ends. Its pulsing artery is the Strip, the famous Las Vegas Boulevard lined with themed resorts that recreate the planet's great icons in miniature: at the Bellagio, fountains dance in choreographies of water and music before an artificial lake; the Paris Las Vegas is crowned by a replica of the Eiffel Tower; at the Venetian, gondoliers glide along Venetian-style canals beneath painted skies; at the Luxor, a black glass pyramid and a great sphinx evoke ancient Egypt, while the Mirage and the other gaming giants animate the scene with dazzling casinos. By night the city becomes a continuous stage: Cirque du Soleil shows, concerts, magic acts and residencies by major stars fill the theatres, while celebrated restaurants and gaming tables keep the metropolis awake until dawn. A short distance away, historic Downtown preserves the city's original face around the Fremont Street Experience, a pedestrian arcade canopied by a barrel vault of LED lights that brings the old Las Vegas back to life amid vintage neon signs and a more intimate atmosphere. Yet Las Vegas is also the gateway to magnificent natural landscapes: nearby, the Hoover Dam blocks the Colorado River to create Lake Mead, an ideal basin for boating and outdoor activities; Red Rock Canyon offers red sandstone formations crossed by trails and climbing walls; the Valley of Fire sets the desert ablaze with scarlet rock; and to the east opens the immensity of the Grand Canyon, one of the most beloved day trips. The city's most theatrical tradition is here too, that of the wedding chapels where couples marry in minutes, now an integral part of its legend. Between lights, desert and desire, Las Vegas remains a place where anything seems possible.

Flagstaff sits at over 2,100 metres, at the foot of the San Francisco Peaks and surrounded by the world's largest continuous ponderosa pine forest. A laid-back university town, it keeps a brick-built historic centre along the legendary Route 66, lined with cafés, craft breweries and vintage shops. It is the natural gateway to the Grand Canyon, little more than an hour away, as well as to the volcanic landscapes of Sunset Crater and the ancestral ruins of Wupatki and Walnut Canyon. Crystalline skies and minimal light pollution make it one of the world's first dark-sky cities, a haven for stargazing at the Lowell Observatory. In winter, the slopes of Arizona Snowbowl offer surprise skiing in the heart of the Southwest. Flagstaff is an authentic base for exploring both desert and mountain on a single trip.