This vibrant and contemporary city is home to Amazon, Starbucks and Expedia to name a few! Visit Pike Place Market and Seattle Center with the Space Needle. There is also the Aquarium, the Pacific Science Center and the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), not to mention great shopping and dining. Take a trip out to the Boeing Factory at Everett where you can take a guided tour, or enjoy a whale watching trip, harbour cruise or boat trip across Puget Sound.

Stay two nights in Seattle.

Collect your hire car today and head across Washington State to your first stop in Idaho, Coeur D’Alene. The town is surrounded by dozens of lakes left behind by the glaciers from the ice age and as well as the beautiful scenery, there are plenty of opportunities to paddle, boat, swim and fish. If dry-land is more your thing, take a leisurely bike ride along the Trail of the Coeur d’Alene’s bike path or a stroll along the lake-front. Regardless of what you choose, make sure watch the sun set and moon rise over Lake Coeur d’Alene. 

Stay two nights in Coeur d’Alene. 

The first stop on today’s journey is Wallace; explore the western history, ghost towns and the Route of the Hiawatha around the photogenic vintage silver-mining town. Then head into Montana to the pretty mountain town of Whitefish one of the gateway towns to Glacier National Park. Enjoy Whitefish’s unique restaurants, shops and art galleries this evening. 

Spend some time in spectacular Glacier National Park to discover glacial-scoured valleys, towering peaks, tumbling waterfalls, verdant forests and wildflower-strewn meadows. Keep an eye out for grizzly bears, elk, mountain goats and bighorn sheep. Drive the magnificent 53-mile Going-To-The-Sun-Road or take a 1930s Red Bus Tour for a fascinating insight into the deeper significance and meanings of the park. Make time to hike some of the 700 miles of Glacier’s trails.

Stay three nights in Whitefish

As you travel south admire the crystal clear waters of Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the west. Make a stop in the picturesque small town of Bigfork which has been honoured as one of the 50 Great Towns in the West and brims with art galleries, restaurants and high-end boutiques. Then head to the artsy town of Missoula to visit the Smoke Jumper Visitor Center which tells the story of how elite, highly trained firefighters fight forest fires in remote areas throughout the country. Missoula is an outdoor lover’s dream with kayaking and rafting right through downtown and wonderful hiking trails in the 60,000 acres of surrounding wilderness. 

Stay one night in Missoula

Take a scenic drive to Philipsburg, one of the ‘Prettiest Painted Places in America’ to mine for authentic Montana sapphires. Continue to Bozeman where you can walk amongst the giants at Museum of the Rockies, home to one of the largest collections of dinosaur fossils in the U.S. Bozeman is one of the most diverse small towns in the Rocky Mountain West, with an eclectic mix of ranchers, artists, professors, ski enthusiasts and entrepreneurs drawn hereby world class outdoor recreation, Montana State University and a slice of old fashioned Americana. 

Stay one night in Bozeman

The next three days is all about the nation’s first national park, Yellowstone - best known for the geysers, hot springs and mud pots that make it one of the most active geothermal areas on the planet. The awe-inspiring landscape covers 3,000 square miles with over 10,000 thermal features and hundreds of animal species. Popular sites include Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone Lake, Old Faithful, Midway Geyser Basin, Norris Geyser Basin, Lamar and Hayden Valleys and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with its inspirational view of Lower Falls. Join a wolf tracking tour to see the majestic creatures in the wild.

Stay three nights either in Yellowstone National Park, or the gateway town of West Yellowstone. 

Leave Yellowstone National Park by the South entrance. You’ll soon begin to see the Tetons, a jagged 40-mile stretch of the famed Rocky Mountains. Spend the afternoon exploring Grand Teton National Park – drive the 42-mile Scenic Loop, take a boat trip on one of the lakes and visit the Visitor Center, before heading to the gateway town of Jackson. Toast your epic adventure in true western style by saddling up at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar or enjoying live music at the world-famous Silver Dollar Bar.

Stay one night in Jackson 

Spend your morning exploring the authentic cowboy town of Jackson which features wooden sidewalks, elk antler arches and shops that range from the chic to the traditional. Drive the Teton Pass for incredible mountain scenery as you head back into The Gem State of Idaho. Spend the afternoon admiring the thundering sisters of Upper and Lower Mesa Falls and simply enjoy the natural beauty of the landscape. As you reach the riverside town of Idaho Falls, enjoy a stroll along the Snake River Greenbelt and don’t miss the beautiful, cascading rocky features along the river walk.

Stay one night in Idaho Falls 

This morning, head towards the Sawtooth Mountains, visiting Craters of the Moon National Monument, formed during eight major eruptive periods between 15,000 and 2,000 years ago. It contains three major lava fields which are some of the best examples of rift cracks in the world. Continue your scenic drive further into the mountains to the Sun Valley area which boasts nearly one million acres of surrounding wilderness. Spend the night at Sun Valley resort, the birthplace of the ski chairlift and home to old Hollywood Glamour, alternatively stay in the mountain town of nearby Ketchum. 

Stay one night in either Sun Valley or Ketchum

Enjoy the incredible mountain scenery as you drive from Sun Valley to Stanley. Along the way stop at Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Redfish Lake for epic views of mountain peaks and ice blue lakes. Between Stanley and Boise make a stop at Kirkham Hot Springs for a relaxing dip in the natural geothermal pools and waterfalls. 

Explore the state capital of Boise. Take one of the Boise Township Tours, stop by the Boise Art Museum, or visit the newly re-opened Idaho State Museum for a fascinating insight into the story of Idaho. Spare some time for the indoor/outdoor World Center for Birds of Prey to meet eagles, owls, vultures, hawks and falcons. In the evening enjoy a drink or two and sample one of Boise’s eclectic restaurants on Eighth Street.  

Stay two nights in Boise

Travel north to the town of McCall along the Payette River Scenic Byway enjoying the mountain views, forests, lakes and valleys. This laid back town on the shores of Payette Lake is surrounded by mountains and forests. Take a swim in the lake or enjoy the alpine views on a cruise. Or head into Ponderosa State Park for spectacular views across the lake from Osprey Cliffs Overlook. 

Stay one night McCall

Today is the day to discover your adventurous side. Take a thrilling white-water rafting trip on one of the most popular stretches of the Salmon River. Or go jet boating through the rapids of Hells Canyon which divides Oregon and Idaho and is the deepest river gorge in North America. Spend the night in Riggins, nestled deep in a canyon at the confluence of the Salmon River and the Little Salmon River.

Stay one night in Riggins

Continue north along the Snake River to Lewiston, on the border with Washington. As part of the Lewis Clark Valley, you’ll find plenty of history here, especially at the Lewis and Clark Discovery Center which features indoor educational displays, a two acre outdoor interpretive plaza along the banks of the Snake River and a beautiful moving stream with sculptures, along with a 30 minute film about the expedition. You’ll also find plenty of outdoor opportunities here, from walking trails along the banks of the river, to boating, fishing and swimming. 

Stay one night in Lewiston

As Washington’s leading agricultural county, Yakima, 'The Fruit Bowl of the Nation' has a large and highly varied farm base, complemented by National forests and wildlife viewing, lakes, streams, rivers, skiing, and hiking. Take a wine tour or visit some of the many farms in the area for some fresh produce, or stroll the downtown area where you will find a selection of tasting rooms and unique shops.

Stay one night in Yakima

Return to Seattle and drop-off your car in time to check-in for your flight back to the UK.