THE US UTAH DESTINATIONS Instead, we took an altogether easier


WHERE TO STAY


Hotel Monaco, Salt Lake City This large,


trendy hotel is in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City. Part of the Kimpton Hotel Group, it has the simple elegance of a small boutique with the gym,


spa facilities and customer service of a larger group. Rooms are airy and elegantly furnished, with high ceilings and classy upholstery. Rooms from $249. monaco-


saltlakecity.com


Gonzo Inn, Moab The sort of place you want to relax in after a hard day’s hiking, the Gonzo Inn is in the centre of


Moab and close to other attractions. Rooms have microwaves and fridges in case you fancy whipping up something from the convenience store opposite, and there is a spa tub and seasonal outdoor pool. The atmosphere is relaxed and


informal. Perfect digs for would- be adventurers. gonzoinn.com


1 September 2016 travelweekly.co.uk 69


approach the next morning, letting the friendly, knowledgeable tour guides of the Salt Lake City Bike Taxi Company pedal us around the key sights, sitting in comfortable carriages at the back while they did all the hard work. By day, the city is vibrant but not busy, and even the newly developed City Creek shopping centre had an air of calm. The pedicab trip concluded at


Temple Square, a large Mormon microcosm in the heart of the city, at the centre of which is Salt Lake Temple, the largest of its kind in the world. The gardens are beautifully maintained and incredibly peaceful despite the large number of tourists. The temple itself has become a major attraction, and regular tours are given by welcoming Mormon guides.


◗ MOAB The next day heralded our journey east, skirting the Manti-La Sal National Forest and weaving through the southern Rocky Mountains. Bikes, skis and boards of all kinds were


The view changed from built-up craggy escarpments to sweeping plains of towering red-rock monuments


strapped to the cars and mini pick-up trucks headed to Moab, and as we approached, the view changed from built-up craggy escarpments to sweeping plains of towering red-rock monuments. I had never seen anything like it, and not for the last time during my stay in Moab, I was struck dumb by the beauty of the landscape. The ‘Mighty 5’ are Utah’s five


national parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion. These staggering parks provide perfect terrain and inspiring surroundings for a host of adventures and activities. The parks are accessible with regular buses taking visitors to the information centres and walking trails.


Of the Mighty 5, Moab is home to


Canyonlands and Arches, and it was at the entrance to the latter that our guide from the Moab Area Travel Council talked us through the natural wonders we were about to encounter on the two-mile hike to Landscape Arch. All around us, delicate arches


rose out of the red rocks forming keyholes through which we could see distant lofty peaks. Massive boulders balanced on thin fragile pillars or hung, seemingly suspended, at the edges of cliffs. It felt like we were walking on another planet or a sci-fi film set. A quick word to the wise: it can


get very hot and dusty. Take plenty of water; wear lots of sun cream. I was smothered in a full layer of factor 50 and still ended up a little rouge, and that was on an uncharacteristically cloudy day. That said, this is something that can


be experienced by anyone and there is no time limit. There were young children galloping over the rocks, mountain bikers hurling themselves down terrifying slopes, and people


RIGHT:


Salt Lake City BELOW:


Salt Lake Temple, Temple Square


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96