Explore the beauty of America's national parks

03 November 2025

The USA's national parks are more than just protected areas; they are vast landscapes of incredible beauty and diversity. From jagged mountain ranges and geothermal wonders to ancient forests and dramatic coastlines, these parks offer some of the most memorable travel experiences in the world. Deciding which ones to visit can be a challenge, so we've highlighted some of the very best to help inspire your next adventure.

Explore the beauty of America's national parks

Yellowstone National Park

As the world's first national park, Yellowstone sets a high standard. It’s famous for its unique geothermal features, including the ever-reliable Old Faithful geyser which erupts with impressive regularity. Beyond the geysers and bubbling hot springs, the park is a sanctuary for wildlife. It's common to see vast herds of bison roaming the valleys, and you might even spot bears or wolves. The best time to visit is from late spring to early autumn when roads and facilities are fully open.

Yosemite National Park

Located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite is a masterpiece of granite cliffs, powerful waterfalls, and ancient giant sequoia trees. The park’s icons, El Capitan and Half Dome, are legendary among climbers and photographers alike. In the spring, the park’s waterfalls are at their most spectacular as the snow melts. Visiting between May and October ensures full access to all areas, including the high-altitude Tioga Pass.

Glacier National Park

For breathtaking mountain scenery, it's hard to beat Glacier National Park in Montana. Known for its turquoise lakes, carved valleys, and, of course, its glaciers, the park is a hiker's paradise. The Going-to-the-Sun Road is one of the most scenic drives in North America, offering unbelievable views at every turn. The ideal time to visit is during the short summer window of July to September, when the famous road is fully clear of snow.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Straddling the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountains are named for the persistent morning fog that settles over the rolling hills. This park is celebrated for its incredible biodiversity, with dense forests and countless waterfalls. It’s a wonderful destination year-round, but spring brings a spectacular display of wildflowers, while autumn transforms the landscape with brilliant foliage.

Grand Teton National Park

Just south of Yellowstone in Wyoming, Grand Teton makes an immediate impression with its sharp, jagged peaks rising straight from the valley floor. The park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering pristine lakes for kayaking, miles of hiking trails, and fantastic opportunities for wildlife watching. The scenery is particularly stunning from summer into early autumn, when the weather is ideal for exploring.

Other, perhaps lesser known, national parks are also well worth a visit too. Acadia National Park in Maine combines dramatic coastal cliffs with the thrill of being one of the first to see sunrise from Cadillac Mountain. Death Valley National Park, straddling California and Nevada, stands out for its striking desert scenery and extreme conditions, best experienced during the cooler parts of the year. Down in Florida, Everglades National Park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, with subtropical wetlands providing a home for alligators, manatees, and a dazzling variety of birds.

To start planning your own American adventure, get in touch with your personal Travel Counsellor today.

7 cool-cations for an unforgettable autumn escape

28 August 2026

Summer might get most of the attention, but autumn can be one of the most rewarding times of year to travel. Cooler temperatures make days outdoors more comfortable, landscapes shift into rich seasonal colours, and many destinations settle into a quieter rhythm once the peak summer crowds have gone. That’s where the ‘cool-cation’ comes in. Instead of chasing the heat, these trips are all about crisp mountain air, lakeside walks, dramatic scenery, cosy food, and the kind of weather that makes you want to pull on another layer and keep exploring. From the Italian Alps to the Canadian Rockies, here are seven destinations that come into their own in autumn.

What winter in Lapland really looks like

27 August 2026

Finnish Lapland in winter offers something that’s hard to find elsewhere: long stretches of snow, quiet surroundings, and a pace of life that encourages people to slow down. It’s a place where the days can feel calm and steady, even when temperatures drop well below freezing. It’s a place where winter isn’t just a backdrop but part of everyday life, and here’s what you can expect when you experience it for yourself.

The Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines sale is ready for take-off

27 August 2026

It’s not just where you go, it’s how you get there. Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines have long made transatlantic travel feel seamless, connecting the UK with some of the most exciting cities across the United States and beyond. Their new sale gives you even more reason to start planning. Running from 27th August to 30th September 2026, it includes travel up to 30th June 2027, with return flights from £385 per person and an impressive choice of destinations to explore.

Explore the beauty of America's national parks

7 cool-cations for an unforgettable autumn escape

What winter in Lapland really looks like

The Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines sale is ready for take-off

Keep dreaming with us

Every unforgettable journey starts with the right person by your side.