Looking for a great destination in USA
 

from Italy - this year we have been to Grand Canyon and Monument Valley : wonderfull places, a great experience ! <BR> <BR>now planning for the next year, thinking to Yellowstone, but must go in April and we are afraid that weather still too cold, need a suggestion : what's the place in USA that you would suggest as a must to be seen, thanks to you all. <BR>

Yellowstone in April can be very cold with snow. It could still be beautiful, but cold. You sound like people who like national parks. How about Lake Tahoe and Yosemite near San Francisco? That is much easier to get to and, in my opinion, somewhat more beautiful than Yellowstone. Also, consider heading south to Joshua Tree National Park and San Jacinto State Park in southern California, about 3 hours from Los Angeles and near Palm Springs. VERY dramatic and unusual. And not too crowded.

Yosemite and Tahoe can also still be quite cold in April--this year especially, it was still raining/snowing in early April. At that time of year, I would follow the southern California suggestions or my first choice would be Santa Fe, NM, or Sedona(whiich might be too much like the Grand Canyon) Look into Santa Fe! It's pretty, walkable and artsy and historic. A bit like your Verona! <BR>

From your reference to Yellowstone I take it you are interested in areas rich with nature. Herewith my suggestions for such places in the U.S.: <BR> <BR>Arizona: Sedona and environs <BR> <BR>Washington State -- the Olympic Peninsula <BR> <BR>Point Reyes National Seashore -- in Marin County, just north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge. <BR> <BR>Big Sur -- about 150 miles south of San Francisco on the coast, spectacular. <BR> <BR>Northern California's coast, from San Francisco to the Oregon border, is wonderful! Includes: Point Reyes Nat'l Seashore, Salt Point State Park, Point Arena, Mendocino Headlands, numerous state and national parks featuring redwood forests.

It will add extra flying time, but I would say Maui, Hawaii. There's hiking or biking down a crater, swimming, beginner lessons for surfing or wind surfing, great food and places to stay. I strongly advise against Oahu as it is very commercialized. If you decide to go, e-mail me and I will send info on places to stay, other islands to visit etc. <BR>Happy trails!

One of my favorite spots is Mt. Zion National Park in Utah. In April it is just cool enough for long sleeves with a few patches of snow at the higher elevations. The park offers beautiful scenery with tons of hiking trails - ranging in degrees of difficulty from easy to expert. The park is rarely crowded this time of year. When you have enough of Zion, go over to Bryce Canyon and then to any of the four other distinctly different regions in the State. Utah is clean, prices are reasonable, and the people are very friendly. Although I have traveled extensively throughout the US, I still love Mt. Zion and return to it again and again. While everyone heads for the bigger, better known parks, find yourself alone in the wilderness of Mt. Zion for hours at a time. It is fabulous!!

You already have some great suggestions-but here are a few more: <BR> <BR>Arizona-Tucson, Bisbee and especially the Chiricawas near Bisbee (one of the least visited national parks in the country-incredible rock formations and hiking-I think I got the spelling at least close!)We stayed in Bisbee which is knod of like Sedona 20 years ago-a little cute art town in the making <BR> <BR>Washington-Seattle, the San Juan Islands, Mount Rainier (might be early still!) and the Columbia Gorge. My husband is French so we have many Europeans visit us up here in the Northwest after they have already seen NY, LA, SF, etc. and they are always amazed at the amount of naturel beauty in such close proximity. Also Vancouver, BC shouldn't be missed if you come to our region. The gorge is great for windsurfing and the Islands have great hiking. <BR> <BR>California-Santa Barbara Ojai area just for hiking nice environments and go to LA for fun-really! It is a great city