Great American West - Idaho and Montana Rockies

Boise, capital of Idaho, spreads along its namesake river at the foot of the Boise Foothills, where the desert plain meets the first heights of the Rocky Mountains. A city of surprising vibrancy, it owes its name to the cottonwoods that struck the early French explorers (les bois, "the woods") and today combines a dynamic downtown, a growing culinary scene and exceptional access to nature. Boise still strongly preserves its Basque cultural heritage from its early settlers.The Boise River Greenbelt, a long green path along the river, crosses the city linking parks and neighborhoods, while the picturesque Basque Block tells the heritage of the largest Basque community in the United States, with restaurants and its own museum. All around lie trails for hiking and mountain biking, rivers for rafting and ski resorts within easy reach. A city with an enviable quality of life, perfect for lovers of outdoor sport and the authenticity of the American West.

Ketchum lies at the foot of the Smoky Mountains in mountainous central Idaho, just minutes from the famous Sun Valley resort. The town keeps the feel of a frontier settlement turned refined alpine retreat: compact streets lined with art galleries, bistros and boutiques, and a packed calendar of outdoor pursuits. In winter it is a skiing kingdom on the slopes of Bald Mountain; in summer it becomes a base for hiking, mountain biking and fly-fishing along the Big Wood River. Ernest Hemingway lived here for years and rests in the small local cemetery. Ketchum is an ideal destination for those seeking nature, sport and elegant calm among Idaho's peaks.

Salmon rises along the river of the same name in central Idaho, set amid the wild mountains of the north-western frontier. The homeland of the guide Sacagawea, who accompanied the Lewis and Clark Expedition, it is today the capital of rafting on the famous "River of No Return". Its landscapes of canyons, forests and rushing waters draw lovers of adventure and pristine nature. Salmon is a gateway to the wild America of the Rocky Mountains.

Hamilton gathers in the Bitterroot Valley of western Montana, framed by majestic mountains and boundless forests. A quiet town of authentic character, it is a base for hiking, fly fishing and wilderness adventures in the Rockies. Its historic centre preserves period buildings and a genuine small-town feel. A serene stop in the heart of Big Sky Country, among crystal-clear rivers and imposing peaks.

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 Glacier guards the western threshold of Glacier National Park in Montana, where the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road begins its climb among peaks and glacial lakes. A tiny hamlet of services and timber lodges, it is the ideal starting point to explore the crystalline waters of Lake McDonald and the trails that push into the alpine forests. Rafting on the Flathead River and wildlife sightings complete the experience. West Glacier is the gateway to one of North America's most spectacular landscapes.

East Glacier gathers on the eastern side of Glacier National Park, in northern Montana, at the foot of the imposing peaks of the Rocky Mountains. A small historic community tied to the railway, it is a gateway to the park, a starting point for hikes, scenic drives and exploring the alpine lakes and glaciers. The atmosphere blends the charm of old mountain lodges with grand nature of Glacier National Park.

Bozeman lies in the Gallatin Valley, framed by the peaks of the Bridger and Gallatin Ranges, and has established itself as one of Montana's most vibrant towns, the northern gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Its historic centre, arranged around Main Street with its nineteenth-century façades, is home to galleries, microbreweries and restaurants that capture the city's increasingly young and creative spirit, fuelled by the presence of Montana State University. A must-see is the Museum of the Rockies, renowned for its remarkable collection of dinosaur fossils, including Tyrannosaurus rex remains unearthed from Montana's badlands. All around, nature takes centre stage: in winter, ski enthusiasts head for the slopes of Big Sky and Bridger Bowl, while in the warmer months the Gallatin Valley opens up to hiking, fly-fishing along its rivers and horseback excursions. From Bozeman it is easy to set off in search of Yellowstone, with its geysers, hot springs and wildlife, on a day's journey across endless prairies and mountains.

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.