Sensational Sights in Southwestern USA

Salt Lake City & Antelope Island Salt Lake City is a breath of fresh mountain air — wide boulevards, spotless streets, and a perfect blend of historic charm and modern life. With only around 200,000 residents, the city feels open and welcoming. It’s home to the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), and the impressive Temple Square complex dominates downtown with its mix of churches, halls, and the Family Search Library. A short hour’s drive away, Antelope Island State Park feels like another world. This 28,000-acre island in the Great Salt Lake is home to herds of bison, pronghorn antelope, and mule deer — descendants of the 12 bison first introduced in 1893. Trails crisscross the island, leading to viewpoints where sunsets melt over the lake’s shimmering, salty surface. The views are pure magic. Back in town, the Grand America Hotel truly lives up to its name. Grand staircases, antique vignettes, and luxurious garden terrace suites make it one of the city’s most elegant stays. With indoor and outdoor pools, fine dining, and a serene courtyard, you might never want to leave.

Moab: Gateway to the Parks Quirky, creative Moab is the beating heart of Utah’s red-rock country. With fewer than 6,000 residents, this small desert town packs in a lively arts scene, cool cafés, and adventurous spirit. Once the “Uranium Capital of the World,” Moab has reinvented itself as the gateway to two of America’s most spectacular national parks: Arches and Canyonlands.

Canyonlands & Arches National Parks Canyonlands National Park sprawls over 337,000 acres of rugged wilderness carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers. Standing at overlooks like Island in the Sky or Grand View Point, it’s hard not to feel tiny compared to nature’s handiwork — mesas, buttes, and canyons painted in every shade of red and gold. Nearby, the Utah Scenic Byway 279 offers a glimpse into ancient history. High on the cliff walls, petroglyphs from the Formative Period tell stories of horned figures, animals, and abstract shapes — a reminder that people have been inspired by this landscape for thousands of years. At Dead Horse Point State Park, legend meets landscape. Cowboys once corralled wild mustangs here, and today the viewpoint delivers one of the most breathtaking sunsets imaginable. As the sun dips below the canyon, the sky erupts in color, soon giving way to starlit “dark skies” worthy of any planetarium. If you’re into dinosaurs (and who isn’t?), Moab is a paleontologist’s dream. Trails at Mill Canyon and nearby sites reveal fossilized tracks and bones of Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, and even ancient crocodiles — perfect for a family adventure or curious traveller. Finally, the crown jewel — Arches National Park. With over 2,000 natural stone arches, the park is a geological masterpiece millions of years in the making. Famous formations like Delicate Arch and Double Arch are jaw-dropping, especially in the soft glow of sunrise or sunset.

Aboard the Canyon Spirit Train All aboard! The Canyon Spirit luxury train journey from Moab to Denver is the perfect way to experience the Southwest in style. I boarded just outside Moab and instantly fell in love with the train’s curved glass windows — designed to showcase every inch of the passing desert and canyon scenery. Traveling in Silver Leaf Plus class meant wide leather seats, a private lounge, and impeccable service. From pork taco hors d’oeuvres to smoked salmon salads and decadent chocolate tarts, every meal felt like a celebration. What makes the Canyon Spirit truly special, though, is its staff — engaging storytellers who make the landscape come alive as you glide past. An overnight stop in Glenwood Springs at the historic Hotel Maxwell Anderson (formerly the Hotel Denver) added a dose of Colorado charm. This 100-year-old property has been lovingly restored with plush bedding, modern comforts, and vintage touches. The town itself is famous for its hot springs, boutique shops, and a clifftop adventure park that will make your heart race. Day two on the train — Glenwood Springs to Denver — was unforgettable. For over seven hours I couldn’t take my eyes off the window. Towering cliffs, snow-dusted peaks, and rivers rushing through narrow canyons rolled past in an endless panorama. I spotted bald eagles, deer, and even ventured out onto the open-air viewing platform to feel the wind whip through my hair. If you think train travel is old-fashioned, think again — the Canyon Spirit is pure luxury on rails.

Discovering Denver Denver surprised me in the best way. Stylish, walkable, and full of energy, it quickly became one of my favourite U.S. cities. My base, the Thompson Denver Hotel, sits right in LoDo (Lower Downtown) and oozes contemporary cool — think chic interiors, warm service, and the city’s best French restaurant, Chez Maggy. A wander through RiNo (River North Art District) is a must. It’s like Denver’s own Soho — former warehouses turned into art galleries, street murals, cocktail bars, and live-music venues. The street art here is ever-changing and endlessly photogenic. For a dose of culture, the Colorado State Capitol offers free tours and golden-domed grandeur, while Meow Wolf is a mind-bending explosion of art and imagination. It’s a multi-sensory world where nothing is as it seems — you’ll leave grinning and slightly bewildered. Denver also makes it easy to explore. The free shuttle along 16th Street connects Union Station to the Capitol, and with 300 days of sunshine, it’s a joy to stroll, shop, and soak in the mountain views.

Golden & Lookout Mountain Just a 20-minute drive from Denver lies Golden, a picturesque town rich with Old West heritage and the final resting place of the legendary Buffalo Bill. Once a Gold Rush hub (and, less proudly, a Ku Klux Klan meeting ground in the 1920s), Golden has transformed into a friendly, walkable town filled with boutiques, museums, and the prestigious Colorado School of Mines. Drive the winding road up Lookout Mountain for sweeping views over the plains and the city beyond — and you’ll understand why Denver locals escape here every weekend.

From the shimmering salt flats of Utah to Colorado’s creative heart, this journey was an unforgettable blend of landscapes, history, and heartfelt hospitality. Whether you’re drawn by the wild canyons, the serene train ride, or the vibrant cities along the way, the Canyon Spirit route proves that adventure and luxury can go hand in hand.