The Great American Southwest

There’s no resisting the full-throated call of nature in Scottsdale: crimson-tipped mountains and the hot scent of desert dust are inescapable. But Scottsdale has much to entertain visitors before the inevitable escape: the Old Town is a bustling wedge of Wild West kitsch, while luxury boutiques fill the malls of Fashion Square. Basking in the flowery, landscaped grounds of its five-star resorts is all part of Scottsdale’s appeal, too, and a round of golf on one of the countless fairways is a must.

Blushing beneath red sandstone cliffs and ponderosa pines, Sedona seduces with its beautiful desert landscapes, thermal springs and flawless night skies. Beyond the off-roading tracks and lush gorge hikes, history runs through this region’s russet bones: petroglyphs, carved as long ago as AD 600, have been discovered deep in the canyon walls, while the labyrinthine dwellings and burial grounds of the Sinagua tribe were hewn from the rocks over seven centuries ago.

You already know the Grand Canyon, America’s natural showpiece: yawning for over 220 miles through the Arizona desert, its burning-red walls are the symbol of a nation, the epic stage for ancient Navajo tales and every Wild West fantasy. Through steep-sided gorges, hiking trails wind like rattlesnakes and rock formations teeter as if held there by magic, while the swooping bends of the Colorado River flash silver below.

Lake Powell is a flash of cobalt between a million shades of red. Snaking across the border of two states, this vast reservoir ducks and weaves through the rock with ragged shores, forming dramatic bends and secluded bays that make it a haven for adventurous travellers. Use it as a base for exploring Utah's national parks or discover the teal waters by boat as it winds between hulking ochre cliffs. 

Nature’s sculpture park is a feast for the eyes: humped mesas, spearing pinnacles, vermilion canyon walls and gorges carpeted with cottonwood trees. Exploring this wild playground can be as relaxed or as high-octane as you desire, whether long-distance hiking, horseback riding or rafting down roaring white rivers, the tremendous landscapes of southern Utah always take centre stage.

Brash, brilliant, bewildering and bonkers – say what you wish about Sin City, but nowhere else compares, erupting from the desert floor like a sudden jackpot win, a frenzy of neon and bright lights. But this addictive feast of artifice has more to offer than round-the-clock casinos and outrageous hotels: it is the gateway to the epic scenes of Death Valley and the Nevadan desert, home to world-class entertainment and sizzling new restaurants that have even the biggest A-listers clamouring for a table.