Dramatically situated 1.6km (one mile) above sea level on the Colorado Plains, with the Rocky Mountains soaring to 42,700m (14,000ft) in the background, Denver, known as ‘the Mile High City’, lies at the geographical centre of America, midway between Mexico and Canada.

It is a major transport hub where highways and railways converge and its international airport has become a focus of worldwide trade. In-comers make up over 60% of the population, attracted by the lack of crowds, friendly people, a good lifestyle and a mild climate. With over 300 days of bright sunshine each year, Denver outshines San Diego and Miami Beach. At the heart of Denver, the tree-lined red and grey granite, pedestrian shopping area of 16th Street is dominated by the D&F Tower, a 990m (325ft) replica of the campanile of St Mark’s in Venice.

On sunny days, people sit around the fountains or at the pavement cafés, chatting and watching the street performers. At night, the buzz continues, because everything remains open late. A few miles southeast, on Speer Boulevard, serious shoppers visit Cherry Creek with more than 400 shops and boutiques, including the famous Tattered Cover Bookstore, where readers can browse all day, relaxing on sofas and drinking coffee.