Let’s face it, a continent the size of North America is going to have some seriously jaw-dropping vistas. Vertiginous mountains, ancient desserts, and dazzling cities combine to make a mighty awesome destination that is as lens-friendly as you can get. It was a challenging task but in honour of our new Trafalgar USA and Canada brochure, launched recently, we’ve curated our definitive list of North America’s most epic views.
1) Arches National Park, Utah
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Some large, some small, but boy, there are many. Home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, Arches National Park, Utah is teeming with striking red-hued formations, deep canyons, and seemingly endless mountain ranges.
2) Northern Lights, Alaska
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Like a giant sky-disco, the Northern Lights are truly one of nature’s most captivating sights. The best places to spot the hypnotic aurora borealis in Alaska is at Anchorage and Fairbanks, where you’ll see it dancing above snowy peaks.
3) Golden Gate Bridge, California
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America has many bridges, but none perhaps as iconic as San Francisco’s Golden Gate. The bright red Art Deco overpass connects San Francisco with Marin County and seems to glow in the evening sun.
4) Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
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America’s greatest presidents immortalised in granite 60ft high. It could only be Mount Rushmore, one of the USA’s most iconic landmarks. The impressively carved structures took an astonishing fourteen years to build.
5) Grand Teton, Wyoming
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A mountain range so high it kisses the sky, Grand Teton’s sharp, snow-capped peaks look like jagged shark’s teeth. Reflected in the lake below, they’re an even more wonderful sight.
6) National Mall, Washington DC
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The view that each new president takes in as they’re inaugurated: Washington DC’s National Mall is a marvel of American architecture. With the towering Washington Monument obelisk overlooking the Reflecting Pool, framed by the Lincoln Memorial, it’s a vista to behold.
7) Portland Head Lighthouse, Maine
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This historic lighthouse has been illuminating the Maine night skies for centuries. Perched on the rugged cliffs of a tiny Portland Harbour peninsula, the charming Portland Head Lighthouse encapsulates America’s maritime history.
8) Big Sur, California
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California’s Big Sur is one of the USA’s best-preserved coastlines, with a charming coastal road snaking along the craggy cliffs. As such, there are plentiful spots to pull in and pause to capture a magical picture.
9) Las Vegas Strip, Nevada
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After dark, Las Vegas’ infamous Strip truly comes alive when hundreds and thousands of illuminations twinkle into life. From the Eiffel Tower to a mini Statue of Liberty, the world’s major landmarks come alive in Sin City.
10) Lake Tahoe, Nevada & California
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With azure-blue waters and idyllic beaches, Lake Tahoe is a magnet for tourists. The crystal-clear freshwater lake sits on the border between Nevada and California and is one of America’s most splendid.
To book a guided holiday to the United States and Canada call Trafalgar on (011) 280 8440 or visit www.trafalgar.com For bookings made and paid for by 24 November we’ll give all guests 10% off.