Great American West - Icons and Hidden Gems in Wyoming and Idaho

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.

Cheyenne marks the gateway to the great expanses of the north, with the Rocky Mountains in the distance and an endless horizon. The builders of the Union Pacific Railroad arrived here in 1867 and found an outpost of gamblers and gunmen, known as ‘Hell on Wheels’. The railway terminal can still be seen here, to the east of the city, while to the west are the military installations that housed the first intercontinental missile base in 1957. The cowboy atmosphere is tangible and authentic, in clothing stores such as the large Wrangler store in the main square and in the numerous honky-tonk bars, but above all during Cheyenne Frontier Days, a 9-day festival with the largest outdoor rodeo in America, which takes place every year at the end of July and attracts thousands of people to attend concerts by country music stars, parades, wagon races and air shows.

In Gillette, an important mining town, there is the Rockpile Museum, which explores the history of the region from the Native Americans to the settlers. It is strategically located, a short distance from the Devils Tower monolith and the natural beauty of nearby South Dakota.

Charming town with a wild west atmosphere, its main attractions are the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, the most comprehensive museum of the old west, and the rodeo that takes place every evening from June to August.

Continue along the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway, down the Shoshone river and through the tallest mountains and forests in Wyoming. An outstanding variety of landscapes will unfold before you: vast fields of wild sage, forests of firs, and glaciers, where moose, deer, mountain goats, grizzlies and brown bears roam free. Yellowstone is one of the largest parks in the USA, and the oldest national park in the world (it was opened in 1872). What truly makes it unique, though, is its enormous central area, which is in fact the huge caldera of a dormant volcano (the last eruption dates back to 640,000 years ago). Thousands of geysers outburst in the caldera, and several other geothermal features can be seen there – hot springs, mudpots, acid lakes. The area is also home to many animal species, including bears, wolves, bison, moose, deer, cougars and coyotes.

Near Stanley, the Salmon River Scenic Byway starts or ends, one of the most beautiful scenic roads in Idaho, which follows part of the Lewis and Clark route. Interesting stops include Redfish Lake, the Stanley Museum to learn about the area's history, Sunbeam Hotsprings, free hot springs, and Challis, near the town of Salmon, where you can admire wild Mustang horses.

Boise, the capital of Idaho, still strongly preserves its Basque cultural heritage from its early settlers. Known as "the city of trees," it is crossed by the Boise River and the Boise River Greenbelt Trail, which offer numerous outdoor activities accompanied by a vibrant cultural scene, beautiful venues, and craft breweries.

Idaho Falls is an ideal town that serves as a starting point to explore the natural attractions of this corner of Idaho. In the city, you will find the pleasant River Walk along the Snake River.

Salt Lake City is the vibrant, urban heart of Utah. Nestled within a valley, at an elevation of 1320 m above sea level, the capital city of Utah is surrounded by the peaks of the Wasatch Mountains. Founded by Mormons in 1847, It hosted the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Start your visit in the historic and spiritual heart of Salt Lake City, Temple Square. Nearby you’ll find a variety of eateries and bars, and you can shop at City Creek Center, which boasts more than 100 stores and restaurants. You should not miss the Campus district. A quick trip on TRAX, SLC’s light rail system, takes you from city center to the University of Utah campus district, home to Red Butte Garden and Arboretum and the Natural History Museum of Utah.