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Boise

Boise is nestled on a high desert plain in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, and visitors will be hard-pressed to forget its proximity to the glories of Mother Nature. The Boise River flows directly through the centre of town, enhancing the 25-mile (40km) Greenbelt path system, which connects five major parks throughout Boise and providing runners, walkers, bikers and skaters with endless space for exercise. Boise's location makes it a gateway to the great outdoors. Towering mountains lie to the north, including the Bogus Basin Mountain Resort, just a few minutes' drive from the city. Also easily accessible are natural sand dunes, hot springs and crystal clear mountain lakes.

Downtown Boise, however, is not without cosmopolitan flair. Shops, galleries, restaurants and clubs radiate from the central Grove Plaza, where free concerts are staged throughout the summer and holiday celebrations, including the lighting of an enormous Christmas tree, take place during the winter. Renovated historic buildings like the 8th Street Marketplace and Union Block offer unique shopping and dining experiences. Boise has an active downtown association, which promotes initiatives like First Thursdays, when city businesses stay open late and offer various promotions.

This is the perfect time to sample Boise's Basque cuisine... yes, Basque. In the 1930s, a group of Basques left Europe and settled in Boise, joining the sheep-herding industry, which was quite strong at the time. Today, Boise has the largest concentration of Basques in the world outside the Pyrenees. In Boise's Basque neighbourhood, visitors can enjoy the Basque market, the traditional Gernika restaurant and various cultural events.