Be forewarned: Utah is a state of mind, and the state of mind you adopt will determine the books you will want to read. As Brigham Young, the Mormon colonizer, said, “This is the place.” That invites the follow-up question: The place for what?
If you want to powder ski on “the greatest snow on earth,” this is the place. If you want to visit five national parks from Zion to Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef to Arches and Canyonlands, this is the place. And if you want to understand what psychic hold the Mormon Church has on those of us who live here, this is definitely the place.
Utah is a place of paradoxes: A state of hard-working people who are kind, industrious and community-minded, it is also a place of historic cruelty toward Indigenous people and those on the margins who do not comply with the dominant culture’s mores. It is a state of creativity, resilience and resistance. Now in drought, we are holding brine shrimp in cupped hands, making vows to return water to a shrinking Great Salt Lake.
Utah is always underestimated. It shouldn’t be. Prepare to be surprised.
This is a place of terrible beauty — of eroding and evolving beliefs, where serpentine canyons lead to windows carved out of stone framing a turquoise sky. The view of America’s red rock wilderness is disorienting. Leave your watches at home. Time here is told through geologic eras exposed by wind, water and faith.
It begins by reading the land. Start with “,” by Frank DeCourten, paired with Stephen Trimble’s beautifully penned and photographed “” For the high desert emblematic of Utah’s national parks, consult “” by Robert Fillmore. And for a more personal sense of Arches and Canyonlands, “,” by Jen Jackson Quintano, is a spirited biography of Wilson, who advocated their protection. “,” by David B. Williams, is an essential companion, with more than 270 plants and animals identified and described within their ecological communities.
Indigenous voices are strong and varied in Utah. Ute historian Forrest S. Cuch’s excellent “ ” introduces the eight federally recognized tribal nations located in the state. “” by Karl W. Luckert, provides transcripts of oral histories made by Diné elders who shared traditional knowledge associated with Rainbow Bridge, one of the world’s largest sandstone arches, accessible by boat on Lake Powell. “” edited by Jacqueline Keeler, is an evocation of why these sacred lands matter to Native communities; it includes voices such as Regina Lopez Whiteskunk, Willie Grayeyes and Jonah Yellowman. Stacie Shannon Denetsosie’s stunning debut collection, “” was recently published, to rave reviews.
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Set between the Vanoise National Park and the Italian border, Bessans is a small resort with a big reputation. Its large, flat, high-altitude plateau has become something of a hub for Nordic skiers, the terrain perfectly primed for cross-country. Not only does the resort offer over 83 miles of dedicated cross-country routes, Bessans is also home to the Haute Maurienne Vanoise International Biathlon Centre (MHVIBC), a modern stadium dedicated to one of today’s fastest-growing winter sports. Combining cross-country skiing and rifle shooting, modern biathlon has developed from a Norwegian military training exercise to one of the most popular winter sports, with 11 dedicated Winter Olympic events ranging from sprints to group relays.
The pandemic has a lot to answer for, not least creating an insatiable appetite among travellers to see more of the world — alone or accompanied. As travelling without a companion becomes increasingly easy, one of the fastest growing markets for solo travel is cruising — and with the industry embracing this demographic, it’s easy to understand why.
As you drive towards an imposing mountain face on a narrow country road, it’s natural to assume it’s a dead-end. Yet look closely, and you’ll soon see a car or two slowly creeping up the mountainside.
La Casa de la Playa offers guests the chance to stay their way. The boutique hotel's Exclusively Your Way concept includes special benefits for guests. These benefits include: •Exclusive experiences at our parks and within the hotel•Haute cuisine at the restaurants in La Casa de la Playa, Hotel Xcaret México and Hotel Xcaret Arte•Experience round-trip airport transportation in luxury vehicles. Please schedule this service at least 24 hours in advance of your stay to ensure availability•24-hour butler•Experiences at the sea with Xcaret XailingIn addition to the Exclusively Your Way benefits at La Casa de la Playa, the resort features gorgeous accommodations in a unique setting.
Welcome to your economy-class seat: 28 inches of legroom and a whopping 16-inch span between your armrests. There’s nothing like the thrill of finding a great airfare deal on an international flight, but after eight-plus hours in your designated 28 x 16-inch space, you might start scheming up ways to make your next long-haul flight more comfortable.
Norway, along with the rest of the Nordic region, is frequently hailed as one of the happiest places to live in the world, boasting one of the highest standards of living. If you’ve ever visited the fjords and fallen in love with the natural beauty, you’ve likely wondered what it would be like to live in Norway.