The classic image of the Southwest has been shaped,
for many, by countless spaghetti westerns: arid deserts
full of rattlesnakes, prickly cactus, howling coyotes
and a solo Man with No Name. Also synonomous with
this corner of the world is the epic beauty of the
Grand Canyon, a world famous 'wish list' tourist
destination of awesome dimensions and dazzling variation.
But the Southwest embodies much more than the loneliness
of the wide open space - it embraces a tri-cultural
blend of Native American, Hispanic and Anglo-American
cultures, characterised in the superb La Cocina
cuisine. These contrasting roots, combined with Utah's
staunch Mormon heritage and the odd alien or two (bear
in mind that this is the land where UFO sightings
across the barren plains are as commonplace as cowboy
boots and Chevies) guarantee that, if nothing else,
you're in for quite some crazy road trip.
From the ancient cradle of civilization, bought to
life by prehistoric cave paintings and Jurassic dinosaur
bones, to millions of acres of sensational National
Parks, providing massive playgrounds for skiing, ballooning,
hiking and that great American sport - long distance
driving - you'll agree that it doesn't get much Wilder
out West than in the states of Utah, Arizona and
New Mexico.
Read the full story -
background and travel essentials
