USA Wine, Desert & Coast

It may sound grim, yet Death Valley is anything but. Explore huge sand dunes, sculptured rocks and volcanic craters before taking a stroll on the stunning salt flats. It is bizarre, unearthly and hot – but worth every moment.

There is no greater contrast than the serene surroundings of the great outdoors and the mouth of ‘Sin City’. Play responsibly, chomp away at an all-you-can-eat buffet, see a volcano at the Mirage, meet a gladiator at Caesars and spot the Eiffel Tower and pyramids on the strip. That’s Vegas, baby.

Discover some of Utah’s most captivating sights in Zion National Park. Stare up in awe at the enormous sandstone cliffs, be mesmerised by cascading waterfalls, rock-hop across gently flowing streams on the path out to the Emerald Pools and discover the unique flora and fauna that call this park home.

Leave behind the ‘city on lights’ and enter the desert of Arizona. Enjoy the wide open spaces and sleep overnight in a ranch hand’s bunkhouse at Lake Powell. Relax in a sandstone cave, walk around the area or get active on the lake, whether in flippers or on a kayak or boat.

Learn about the Navajo Indians, the largest Native American tribe in the US, at Monument Valley, where more than 200,000 native people live. Go for a walk past giant sandstone pillars and rock pinnacles in this truly unique and breathtaking landscape.

Taking between three and six million years to form, the incredible Grand Canyon is the US's most famous national landmark and stretches 28 km wide, 365 km long and more than 1.6 km deep. Explore this site on foot while walking the South Rim Trail or hiking to Plateau Point. Alternatively, opt to take to the skies on a scenic helicopter ride over the spectacular valley.

Once the capital of Arizona, Prescott is now a small town with a whole lot of charm. Stroll though Prescott’s historic downtown and head to Whiskey Row, a place where America’s most famous cowboys and notorious outlaws once came to drink. Perhaps head to Prescott National Forest, see the stunning Willow and Watson lakes or hang about in town and watch a true blue rodeo show.

Journey to the ‘City of Angels’ to see the Hollywood sign, shop on Rodeo Drive or laze on Venice Beach. Explore the impressive collection at the Getty Center, including the art works of Van Gogh and Monet, or chase down the city’s best food trucks.

Catch a train to Santa Barbara and be welcomed by white beaches and warm weather. Walk down Stearns Wharf for a breath of fresh air, visit the Museum of Art or sit down with a beer and view of the bay.

It claims to be the happiest place in America, so why not decide for yourself if this charming town’s proclamation lives up to its name. Visit Bubblegum Alley (yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like), hike to the top of Bishop Peak for an impressive view or be blinded by the gaudy design of the glitzy restaurants at the world famous Madonna Inn.

Relax by the beach in Monterey, where the hikes are long and breezy, the seafood is fresh and the marine life is active. Visit the aquarium, explore the waters by kayak or journey down the coast to Big Sur to see pristine beaches, magnificent redwoods and some truly beautiful coastal landscapes.