A Taster Itinerary for a Fly-Drive Holiday in USA: Las Vegas and the Canyon Loop.

The city of lights is awesome, there’s no denying it but there’s a lot more to Nevada than just the fabulous Las Vegas and its many casinos. This fly-drive holiday in USA encompasses the very best of both worlds and allows you to get out into the Nevada desert and into Utah. Embrace the opportunity to see some of Mother Nature’s most impressive creations first hand, and at your own pace.

2 Nights – Las Vegas

Two nights in this crazy cosmopolitan city will be gone in a flash of lights, sounds and gambling! You’ll have time to fully explore the Strip and its casinos, enjoy delicious food, visit Caesars Palace and check out the fake famous landmarks of cities around the world. On your third day it’s time to leave the lights and collect your Las Vegas car hire, ready for your expedition into the desert.

1 Night – Bryce Canyon

The first leg of the journey will have you headed for Bryce Canyon, 250 miles away. The journey will be relatively slow going and will take over 4 hours with no stops, but the beauty of a fly drive is the freedom to stop as and when you wish to soak up the brilliant scenery. A worthy spot to stop is Zion National Park. Head for the visitor centre and choose the most appealing route, then go for a walk around to see Weeping Rock, Emerald Pools, Angels Landing, or The Narrows. Keep your eyes peeled for sighting of a great range of mammals from skunks right through to ring tailed cats. Continue on your journey until you arrive at the final destination; Bryce Canyon. Filled with towering spires, fins, arches and mazes, Bryce Canyon is inspiring and the range of colours among the rocks are fantastic.

1 Night – Moab

From Bryce Canyon, the next stop will be Moab. Follow the route into Kodachrome Basin State Park and continue past the fascinating Anasazi Indian Village. It’s worthwhile stopping here for a quick visit to the museum. The site is believed to have been occupied since 1050 AD and although still largely unexcavated, there are many artefacts on display in the museum. The journey will then take you through Capitol Reef National Park where you can see the beautiful Hickman Bridge, before arriving in the Moab Valley for your one night stay. There are plenty of other activities to enjoy in Moab from horseback riding to white water rapids rafting trips! It’s worth mentioning that the Arches National Park is right on your doorstep and there are several short ten minute walks that take you right up several of the arches allowing you to enjoy fabulous views. A visit here will see you appreciate the power of erosion.

1 Night – Mesa Verde

Mesa Verde is the location for your fifth night and it is located approximately 140 miles away although it’s great to split the journey up with a stop at Canyonlands National Park en route! The canyons here took over 300 million years to form and are nothing short of wonderful to explore. When you reach Mesa Verde, you will have the opportunity to see some of the world’s best preserved, and certainly impressive, Native American cliff dwellings. Neither will disappoint!

1 Night – Grand Canyon

At this stage of the trip you are approaching the big finale; the Grand Canyon. At a staggering 1 mile deep, the Grand Canyon attracts millions of visits every year who travel to awe this natural beauty. The South Rim is easier to access and a much more popular choice for viewing the canyon but if you go at the right time of the year, the North Rim is also an option. The Park Rangers offer free guided tours and with their knowledge, this is a great way to experience the park. Book a smooth water raft trip at Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River and hike the fantastic terrain to really experience the Grand Canyon.

1 Night – Las Vegas

Having spent your last night in the Grand Canyon National Park, wake up early to watch the sunrise and snap some fantastic shots over the Canyon. After one last hike, it’s time to travel back to Las Vegas via the huge Hoover Dam for one final night of city fun.

This part of America is wonderful to explore and what better way to do it than with your own itinerary? You could alter the route to suit your taste and maybe even feature Los Angeles or San Diego in your fly drive holiday plan.