12 days in United States Itinerary

Phoenix is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona. Kick off your visit on the 10th (Tue): take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Camelback Mountain, then see the interesting displays at Musical Instrument Museum, and then take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour.

For photos, traveler tips, more things to do, and tourist information, read Phoenix tour itinerary tool.

If you are flying in from Italy, the closest major aiports are Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Luke Air Force Base. October in Phoenix sees daily highs of 38°C and lows of 22°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 11th (Wed) so you can catch the flight to Petrified Forest National Park.

Petrified Forest National Park presents a surreal landscape of large deposits of petrified wood.

On the 11th (Wed), take a peaceful walk through Rainbow Forest.

To find where to stay, more things to do, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Petrified Forest National Park itinerary planner.

Getting from Phoenix to Petrified Forest National Park by flight takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Traveling from Phoenix in October, expect Petrified Forest National Park to be cooler, temps between 22°C and 1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 11th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Albuquerque.

Albuquerque remains one of the state's secret jewels, as its tourist attractions are often overshadowed by the more popular holiday destination of Santa Fe.

Start off your visit on the 12th (Thu): see the interesting displays at Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, soar above the sights with a balloon tour, and then get to know the fascinating history of Albuquerque Old Town.

To see maps, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, read our Albuquerque travel planner.

You can drive from Petrified Forest National Park to Albuquerque in 3.5 hours. Other options are to fly; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from Petrified Forest National Park in October, with highs in Albuquerque at 26°C and lows at 10°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Fri) so you can drive to Santa Fe.

Santa Fe continuously ranks among the world's top holiday destinations, attracting visitors with its unusual combination of scenic beauty, rich history, cultural diversity, and high concentration of performing arts venues, fine restaurants, and interesting attractions.

Kick off your visit on the 13th (Fri): admire the masterpieces at Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, then steep yourself in history at Loretto Chapel, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, and finally appreciate the extensive heritage of Canyon Road.

For photos, reviews, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Santa Fe itinerary planning tool.

Traveling by car from Albuquerque to Santa Fe takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Traveling from Albuquerque in October, Santa Fe is little chillier at night with lows of 5°C. On the 14th (Sat), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off to Taos.

Many residents have shunned fast-paced city living for Taos's laid-back vibe and blend of Spanish, Native American, and Anglo cultures.

Start off your visit on the 14th (Sat): admire the masterpieces at Millicent Rogers Museum, then take in the views from Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, and then indulge your thirst for a good beer at Taos Mesa Brewing. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: see what you can catch with Taos Fly Shop, admire all the interesting features of High Road to Taos, then don't miss a visit to Taos Pueblo, and finally make a trip to Taos Plaza.

For maps, where to stay, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Taos travel planner.

You can drive from Santa Fe to Taos in 1.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Expect little chillier evenings in Taos when traveling from Santa Fe in October, with lows around 0°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 16th (Mon) so you can go by car to Abiquiu.

Abiquiú is a small census-designated place located in Rio Arriba County, in northern New Mexico in the southwestern United States, about 53 miles (85 km) north of Santa Fe. On the 16th (Mon), browse the exhibits of Ghost Ranch and then explore the striking landscape at Plaza Blanca.

To see other places to visit, traveler tips, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our Abiquiu trip builder tool.

Drive from Taos to Abiquiu in 1.5 hours. Traveling from Taos in October, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit warmer in Abiquiu, with lows of 8°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Mon) early enough to drive to Aztec.

Aztec is a city and county seat of San Juan County, New Mexico, United States. To see photos, where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, use the Aztec holiday planner.

Getting from Abiquiu to Aztec by car takes about 3 hours. Traveling from Abiquiu in October, expect nights in Aztec to be a bit cooler, around 4°C, while days are a bit warmer, around 24°C. You will leave for Shiprock on the 17th (Tue).

Shiprock is a census-designated place in San Juan County, New Mexico, United States, on the Navajo reservation. For other places to visit, more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Shiprock itinerary tool.

You can drive from Aztec to Shiprock in an hour. In October, daytime highs in Shiprock are 24°C, while nighttime lows are 4°C. On the 17th (Tue), you'll travel to Teec Nos Pos.

Kick off your visit on the 17th (Tue): pause for some photo ops at Four Corners Monument.

To find reviews, ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Teec Nos Pos travel itinerary planner.

You can drive from Shiprock to Teec Nos Pos in an hour. Traveling from Shiprock in October, expect slightly colder with lows of 1°C in Teec Nos Pos. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Tue) so you can drive to Mesa Verde National Park.

Whereas most national parks are primarily devoted to showcasing unique and special landscapes, Mesa Verde National Park focuses on ancient human habitation.

To see photos, other places to visit, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Mesa Verde National Park trip planner.

You can drive from Teec Nos Pos to Mesa Verde National Park in 2 hours. In October in Mesa Verde National Park, expect temperatures between 24°C during the day and 1°C at night. On the 17th (Tue), you'll travel to Canyonlands National Park.

Canyonlands National Park features myriad canyons and buttes that the Colorado River, Green River, and their tributaries have carved over millions of years in hues of red and orange.

Plan a Canyonlands National Park trip in moments using our itinerary builder.

Drive from Mesa Verde National Park to Canyonlands National Park in 4 hours. Traveling from Mesa Verde National Park in October, Canyonlands National Park is somewhat warmer at night with lows of 6°C. You'll set off for Arches National Park on the 18th (Wed).

Mother Nature kept reaching for red when she painted Arches National Park's 2,000 sandstone arches, resulting in one of the country's more distinctly shaped and colored landscapes.

Start off your visit on the 18th (Wed): hike along Double Arch, explore the striking landscape at Landscape Arch, and then explore the striking landscape at Tunnel Arch.

To see photos, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Arches National Park trip planner.

Getting from Canyonlands National Park to Arches National Park by car takes about 1.5 hours. In October, daytime highs in Arches National Park are 25°C, while nighttime lows are 6°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 18th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Capitol Reef National Park.

Capitol Reef National Park takes its name from a particularly rugged and scenic section of the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic "wrinkle" stretching for 160 km (100 mi) along a dry plateau surrounded by white Navajo sandstone cliffs and domes, and red canyons, buttes, and rock bridges.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, read Capitol Reef National Park trip itinerary tool.

You can drive from Arches National Park to Capitol Reef National Park in 3.5 hours. In October, Capitol Reef National Park is a bit cooler than Arches National Park - with highs of 19°C and lows of -1°C. On the 18th (Wed), you're off to Bryce Canyon National Park.

You can find hoodoos--rock pillars formed by erosion--all around the world, but those of Bryce Canyon National Park remain the standard bearers thanks to their bright red color, tall stature, and arrangement in large amphitheaters.

Start off your visit on the 19th (Thu): get great views at Fairyland Point, tour the pleasant surroundings at Sunset Point, then get great views at Inspiration Point, and finally tour the pleasant surroundings at Navajo/Queens Garden Loop.

To find more things to do, where to stay, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Bryce Canyon National Park trip site.

You can drive from Capitol Reef National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park in 2.5 hours. In October, daytime highs in Bryce Canyon National Park are 19°C, while nighttime lows are -1°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 19th (Thu) so you can go by car to Zion National Park.

Towering cliffs of red, white, and pink Navajo sandstone, stream-carved slot canyons, and big blue sky all characterize Zion National Park.

Kick off your visit on the 20th (Fri): explore the wealth of natural beauty at The Narrows. Keep things going the next day: admire all the interesting features of Zion Shuttle and then trek along Angel's Landing.

To see reviews, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Zion National Park trip itinerary tool.

Traveling by car from Bryce Canyon National Park to Zion National Park takes 1.5 hours. Prepare for somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Bryce Canyon National Park in October: high temperatures in Zion National Park hover around 27°C and lows are around 2°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Sat) to allow time to fly back home.