NORTH AMERICA, NATURALLY

First established just over a century ago, America’s national parks encompass some of the most stunning landscapes on the planet

The USA is a national park wonderland. As well as embracing the country’s grandest scenery, the sheer diversity of the individual parks is astonishing. Aside from landscapes, which embrace wetlands and weirdly eroded rock formations, ancient forests and immense canyons, active volcanoes and petrified forests, they are also habitats for a menagerie of wildlife. In Yellowstone alone, known as the ‘American Serengeti’, it ranges from herds of bison to mountain lions.

Take your pick from a wide choice of escorted tours organised by Cosmos, a family-owned company offering more touring holidays in North America than any other operator. Each one is led by knowledgeable tour directors, who are supported by local guides.

In California, you’re able to combine visiting Yosemite, where you can follow walking trails in the shadow of massive monoliths, granite walls and waterfalls, with seeing the world’s tallest trees in Sequoia.

In Utah, visitors can see the weird but mesmerising sandstone pillars of Bryce Canyon; the aptly named Canyonlands, sculpted and gouged by the elements over millions of years; Zion, a geological wonder of colourful sandstone canyons, immense tablelands and countless rock towers where three kinds of wildcat are found; and Arches, a photographer’s dream of spectacular rock formations.

North of the border, you can travel from Jasper to Banff on the Icefields Parkway, which runs parallel to the Rockies’ highest, most rugged, saw-toothed peaks. There’s a good chance of spotting bears – grizzly or brown – while wildlife enthusiasts should definitely go on a whale-watching excursion from Vancouver before setting off for the mountains.