The land in the north of Idaho is sometimes called the "American Switzerland". It is indeed a mountainuous land strewn by charming touristic villages such as Sandpoint and Coeur d'Alene.

In the south of Idaho lie the lands nicknamed "Paradise" by Lewis and Clark, first explorers to come to Idaho after the Indians. High mountains, with the chain of Seven Devils, and vertiginous gorges such as the Hell's Canyon, plunging deeply in the ground to the lowest ground level in North America.

A passionating way to discover this region is to go back towards the northern direction by cruising the Snake River on boat (departing point : Lewiston). You will navigate on 27 km long of Hell's Canyon's main passages.

In the heart of the State, the Indian reserve of Nez Percé or in English Pierced Nose is located. More sites in Idaho share the history.

Boise

Boise, capital and largest city of the State, is located in the central western part in the heart of an agricultural and mining area.

Under the grounds of Boise flow hot springs used by many inhabitants as heater.

Visit the Pioneers's Village, the law station Halladay and the DeLamar Mansion.

At the end of the 19th century, a big number of Basques emigrated in Boise and its surroundings, they were of Bizkaia Province origins and they were mostly shepherds, miners or loggers.

The Basques form today a very active community in Boise, centered on Grove Street often called the Basque Block.

In 1987, for the first time the Jaialdi, a Basque International Festival, was held in Boise. The Festival rassembled about 30,000 visitors around the parades, sportive demos, street dances, etc. The event was repeated in 1990 for the 100th anniversary of Idaho State, and the festival being a huge success, it was decided that it would be held regularly, every 5 years.

Next rendezvous would be then from July 27 to July 31, 2010, in Boise.

In the south of Boise lies the Bruneau Dunes Desert State Park, where the highest sandy dunes of North America are located.

We will also find here the World Center for Birds of Prey.

North of Boise, luxurious forests strewn by cascades and quiet mountain lakes are located.

Oregon Trail

In the east of the State we find the Glenns Ferry, who, every year in August, reconstructs the crossing in caravan of Oregon Trail, the ground route taken by 19th century pioneers moving towards the West, and whose vast sections are still visible in this region.

Sun Valley

In the center of Idaho, east of Boise, lies Sun Valley, one of the world's most famous ski stations. Discovered in 1935 by Count Felix Schaffgtosh, in the middle of his search of an ideal place to develop a great American resort. The resort opens following a few months of construction works, and had an immediate success, attracting the European nobles and Hollywood stars such as Clark Gable and Gary Cooper, and it has been the training ground for Olympic Ski Champions of the moment such as Don and Gretchen Fraser, Gracie Carter Lindley and Andy Henning.

Craters of the Moon National Monument, about 110 km to the south, at the east of Sun Valley, will bring you to discover a lunar experience. Millions of years ago, volcanic activities have shaped this region with fantastic-silhouetted craters.