1. Capri, Italy

   This is the most beautiful city in the world. Capri is a small city on the coast of the Bay of Naples on the Mediterranean Sea. The beaches are amazing, and when you're on the top of the city the view is breath taking. One thing that you have to do while in Capri is take a small boat around the island. The beaches and rock formations are amazing.

2. New York City, USA

   If you love big cities you will fall in love with New York City. There are Sky Scrappers everywhere. So many wonderful sites you can go to. The view on top of the Empire State Building is amazing you can see forever. Go to the Statue of Liberty that has such a large amount of history about it. You can also go and watch the New York Yankees or Mets play. Broadway plays there are wonderful, and is a must see.

3. Delphi, Greece

   One word that describes this small town is Wow! This small town lies on top of a very large mountain, and hangs over the step cliffs. So it has one of the best views in the world. Delphi is a quiet town, but receives a lot of tourists. There is an archeologist site that is amazing. The ruins were from before Christ.

4. San Francisco, USA

   So many things to do here, and they're all amazing. San Francisco is along the San Francisco Bay. It has a perfect climate. It's never snowy or it's never burning hot. It's always in 70s. The Golden Gate Bridge is an amazing feat of architecture. Alcatraz a jail that is no longer in use lies on an island out in the bay, and it is a fun site to visit. It's always fun to ride around the city on their famous trolleys.

5. Utah, USA

   If you love the outdoors this is the state to go. It has snowy mountains that are great to skiing and winter sports. Utah is known for the greatest snow on earth. When the mountains aren't covered in snow the mountains are great for mountain biking and hiking. Down in southern Utah there are many National Parks like Zions National Park. Zions National Park is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Along with Zions National Park there are many other National Parks that are must see.

These are the five must see cities on earth. I have been to all of them, and they're all amazing. So go and check out all these cities so you can experience the greatness yourself.

Yosemite National Park, California

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John Muir, one of America's original naturalists supposedly took President Theodore Roosevelt camping in Yosemite to convince the president that our country needed to have designated National Parks. President “Teddy” Roosevelt was so awe struck by his experience camping in Yosemite that he set up the National Parks Service to preserve vast pieces of our country's wild and beautiful territory. Yosemite has deep valleys and waterfalls that are truly magnificent. Yosemite is one of our nation's most regal parks and over 3 million visitors from all over the world come to reign in her glory.

This is an example of just one waterfall within Yosemite National Park.

Half Dome, Yosemite National Park

Denali National Park, Alaska

Denali National Park is home to Mt. McKinley, the tallest mountain in the United States.

The park itself is about 200 miles south of the Artic Circle. The park wildlife includes Dall (big horn) sheep, grizzly bears, gray wolves and moose. This area is a place where the tectonic plates of the earth continually are in motion and thus earthquakes are a part of the territory. The Alaskan Range actually rises 3 centimeters a year, due to this constant force. In the winter, the temperature in this region can drop to 95 degrees below zero.

 

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its red rock formations and unusual landscape.

These rock formations are called “hoodoos” and they were craved by melting snow. This sculpting of the rocks took thousands and thousands of years. The entire park has been created by the elements of wind and rain, giving it a memorable terrain. Inside the park at 9,000 feet above sea level, there are 1,500 year old pine trees.

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

 

Crater Lake National Park was created when a volcano literally blew its top over 7,000 years ago. Actually the blast was 42 times the explosion of the Mt. St. Helen's in 1980. . Half-a-million visitors descend on this park every year to see this amazing crater and lake. Crater Lake is surrounded by lush evergreen trees and scenic hills, which make it a very popular travel stop. The lake itself may be surrounded by freezing weather, but it only froze once back in 1949. The area typically receives about 44 feet of snow a year. Crater Lake is the 7th deepest lake in the world with a depth of almost 1,300 feet.

Rocky Mountains, Colorado

 

It's no wonder that John Denver wrote a song called “Rocky Mountain High” about these amazing mountains. Over 2 million people visit this inspirational place every year.

The Rocky Mountains offer the visitor a glimpse of the ancient erosion that formed these peaks. The valleys were created by glaciations back in the Cenozoic Era. Animals that call this area home are elk, deer, big horn sheep, coyote, cougars and black bears. The Rocky Mountains are home to much natural beauty and pristine lakes.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

When we think of Yellowstone National Park we all think of the geothermal geyser “Old Faithful.” “Old Faithful” is one of many geothermal geysers in the area. Yellowstone National Park is literally a “hotbed” of geothermal activity and is the location of a “super volcano.” This “super volcano” is called “Yellowstone Caldera” and is still considered to be an active volcano. The geothermal activity is fueled by the active volcanism in this part of the world. Interestingly enough, “Old Faithful” has a sister geothermal geyser that is located in Napa Valley, California.

One of the largest highly elevated lakes is also in Yellowstone Park. Most of the land of Yellowstone is located in the state of Wyoming. Although a small amount of the park drifts into Idaho and Montana,

As you can imagine this region of the world experiences hundreds of small earthquakes every year.

Haleakala Crater and National Park, Hawaii

 

Haleakala sunrise

Haleakala, Maui, Hawaii in Hawaiian means “House of the Sun.” It is 10,000 feet above sea level on the island of Maui. The mountain is actually a dormant volcano and astronauts practiced their lunar landing in the barren crater. There is sometimes snow at the top of this volcano. So you could ski in the morning and surf in the afternoon, that's Haleakala. The volcano is popular with tourists and well-known for its spectacular views at sunrise. Tourists and natives alike rent bikes and take the downhill ride of their life to the bottom of Haleakala.

 

Downhill on a bike from 10,000 feet above sea level is a rush!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

 

The Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee has a larger collection of tree species than Northern Europe. The Smoky Mountains represent the culture and ways of the diverse life of South Appalachian of the past. President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the park way back in 1940 and it was problematic as there were many farmers that lived in the designated park region. It was an emotional loss for many of the people who were forced to relocate, although some were allowed a lease that would extent through their lifetime. The park has a bear population of about 1,500.

 

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

 

It is hard to imagine but the Shenandoah National Park is only 70 miles away from Washington, D.C., our country's capital. This park is part of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. The area has become a popular tourist destination that allows the urbanites to stay in cozy inns and pastoral settings, although wilderness does account for 40% of the park. Shenandoah National Park is full of woodland forests, wildlife and waterfalls.

 

Glacier National Park, Montana

 

Glacier National Park is called “Shining Mountains” to the Native tribes of the region.

The park is aptly named for the rugged terrain that was craved by glaciers millions of years ago. One winter night in 2005, the park was pounded by 8 feet of snow! Just a few days ago, it was announced that due to the volume of snow, a major new road won't be opened in that part of Montana until at least July 4th. Avalanches are creating havoc in the area and delaying the long awaited highway and it is summer!

 

Arches National Park, Utah

 

Arches National Park is home to over 2,000 sandstones arches that have been craved by the wind and the weather for millions of years. The unusual textures and colors make the park very unique and vibrant in some areas. The summer temperatures are over 100 degrees. The winter temperatures are often around 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Redwood National Park

 

Just two hours south of Oregon, hugging the rugged California coast is where you will find the Redwood National Park. The Redwood National park is home to ancient trees which reach heights of 367 feet into the sky. The base of the trees can be as wide as 22 feet. You will not find these extraordinary trees anywhere else in the world.

These trees are about 20 million years old and began with a tiny seed. The damp environment and cool, foggy weather along the Pacific Ocean are the perfect living conditions for this rainforest of fascinating trees.

 

Our National Parks keep the wilderness of our country open and free. Long may they protect the beauty of our natural and most precious spaces!

OGDEN

On the western flank of the Rocky Mountains and against the Wasatch front, is a town not to be ignored. There's a little bit of Paradise in Ogden, Utah. Far enough from the big city to provide country living, it is close enough for those who need to be surrounded by culture of the most sophisticated.

Escorted by their local Visitor's and Convention Bureau representatives, I was able to see much of what Ogden has to offer. It's simply beautiful here. Two rivers run through the town, and within half an hour of here, you can see an abundance of wildlife such as deer, moose, elk, ducks and geese. Also nearby, is a fisherman's dream: fishing for bass, trout, catfish, walleye, pike, crappie and blue gill. Hikers are rewarded by its abundance of mountain trials and views. From its mountain lakes and forests to desert sunsets, it is also a real treat for campers, hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. It's even a fine place renowned for snow skiing. There is something for everyone to enjoy here.

Odgen is filled with cultural events as well. Several street fairs and a winter carnival are high points here. They offer theater, symphony and the ballet, along with museums for those historically minded.

Moreover, almost everyone I have met here has been extremely down to earth and friendly. Locals are more than willing to answer questions I have posed about this heavenly region.

My travel partners and fellow journalists were in for special treat on the fourth day of our 5 day adventure. We were able to witness a reenactment of the Golden Spike Ceremony at the National Historic Railroad site. This is where the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads met on May 10, 1869. The visitors center and museum is open daily from 8:00 a.m.-4:40 p.m. It features a substantial collection of railroad memorabilia, and in the summer, visitors can view the replicas of the two engines, Jupiter and #11p. They are 35 miles west of Brigham City on US 83 at the Promontory Summit.

Then, our posse moved on to visit Hill Aerospace Museum, located on approximately 30 acres on the northwest corner of Hill Air Force Base, Utah, about five miles south of Ogden. The museum was founded in 1981 as a part of the United States Air Force Heritage Program and opened in 1986. It moved to its current facility in 1991. Annually, they have around 180,000 visitors, coming from every state and from many foreign countries. Currently the Museum exhibits over 80 military aircraft, missiles, and aerospace vehicles on the grounds and inside the Major General Rex A. Hadley Gallery and the Lindquist Stewart Fighter Gallery. The museum collection features a wide variety of ordnance, an assortment of aerospace ground equipment, military vehicles, uniforms, and thousands of other historical artifacts. Their collection is outstanding.

LOGAN

Located in gorgeous Cache Valley, Logan, Utah is just an 1.5 hour drive from Salt Lake City. It's also the most scenic route to Yellowstone. I recommend the Logan National Scenic Byway, especially during the fall with all its glory. You can see see a breathtaking view of Bear Lake at the highway summit. The lake is a popular fishing and boating destination in the summer, and a place for revved up snowmobiles in the winter.

One Cache Valley main attraction is the American West Heritage Center, where you can rediscover and relive 100 years of the American West. There are hands on demonstrations in the blacksmith shop, a wonderful kitchen filled with the aromas of baked pies and strudel, and even little tee pees erected for further exploration. The farm is a living history museum, set in 1917. All the traditional ways are closely followed, and guests are invited to jump back in time and learn about food preservation, sheep shearing, quilting, hay making, threshing, and more. Our travel group embarked on a covered wagon ride throughout the center's grounds.

Home to Utah State University, Logan is known for even more outdoor recreation at its finest. In the winter, you can ski at Beaver Mountain Ski Resorts or snowmobile in Logan Canyon. And, just like Odgen, plenty of fishing, hiking and mountain biking awaits you. The University itself offers one of the finest agriculture education programs in the country.

Cache Valley hosts several large events: the Top of Utah Marathon, Cache Valley Cruise-In Car Show, the Utah Festival Opera Company and the Festival of the American West.

Nearby, the Logan LDS Temple, built from 1877-1884, stands today as a monument to Utah's early pioneers. It represents sacrifice, commitment, and a diligent work ethic. The neighboring tabernacle is equally spectacular, and is home to an early 1900-era pipe organ.

Utah's Logan destination is a peaceful region for those ready to remember simpler times.

BOUNTIFUL

Bountiful is Utah's second settlement and was named for one of the ancient American cities described in the Book of Mormon. Bountiful was settled not long after Mormon pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. Perrigrine Sessions explored the area just three days after his arrival. In September 1847 Sessions gathered his family into their wagon and herded 300 head of cattle into the South Davis Valley. Other families moved into the area and began planting crops the following year. Fifty-three families had established farms in the area by 1850.

Because of repeated Indian problems, a fort was constructed of dirt walls, three-quarters of a mile square, with the town site being laid out within its boundaries.

For more than forty years, Bountiful remained a sleepy farming community, but in the 1950s its close proximity to Salt Lake City made it an ideal residential community for suburban commuters. Families started moving from Salt Lake City to the suburbs, causing Bountiful's population to more than double. Its demographics also changed since many of these new residents were professionals (doctors, lawyers, educators, executives) who commuted to work in Salt Lake City.

Bountiful's growth continued throughout the 1960s and 1970s but slowed in the 1980s to only 11 percent. The 1990 census recorded a population of 36,659, revealing that Bountiful had fallen to the position of the second largest city in Davis County. Economic growth remains the city's top priority with downtown redevelopment as its major concern.

The Bountiful Performing Arts Center is a wonderful place to see some of the best theater in the state. They strive to present professional quality, family-oriented stage productions at an affordable price.

The Bountiful Ridge Golf Course is an excellent place to tee off, with its premier 18-hole mountain golf course with a spectacular view of Great Salt Lake and the valley. It is rated 4 stars and a “best value” golf course by Golf Digest.

ANTELOPE ISLAND

The largest of the Great Salt Lake's 10 islands, Antelope Island is part of the Utah State Park System. Visitors can reach the park by boat or via a causeway reopened in 1992 after being submerged for a decade by record-high lake levels.

Recreational opportunities abound. White sand beaches beckon to sunbathers and picnickers. Hiking trails attract those looking for new and unique experiences. A sailboat marina lends a maritime atmosphere to island activities. Bicyclers enjoy the experience of riding out on the causeway in the invigorating salt air to explore the island. Campers come to watch beautiful sunrises and sunsets in seclusion found only minutes away from their urban homes.

From the mainland, its 28,022 acres appear barren and deserted. But Antelope Island is home to a variety of flora and fauna native to the Great Basin region. This is a great place to view wildlife. The island was without its namesake antelope for many years, but they were reintroduced in 1993 and can now be seen in many areas of the park. Deer, bobcats, coyotes, many varieties of birds and waterfowl, and a small herd of elk also call the island home.

But most famous are Antelope Island's American Bison, introduced to the island in 1893 and now numbering some 600 animals. The world-renowned herd is managed by the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation and visitors are welcome at the island's buffalo corral and management facilities. During the annual bison roundup each November, visitors can get a close-up look at the bison and the techniques used on a working buffalo ranch.

Visit beautiful and serene Northern Utah and all its glory. Your family will thank you for it.