Last summer, my younger brother was visiting from India, so we decided a sibling getaway to Colorado. I flew to Denver from New York and drove to Estes Park from there. It’s almost a 1.5 hours drive from the airport. We stayed in Estes Park, it’s a cute little town with gorgeous scenic views and is situated in the lap of lush green and snow capped mountains, and comes under Rocky mountain national park. A cog railway train to pikes peak (the highest summit of Rocky mountains) can be taken from a small town called Manitou. Views from the top is believed to be breathtaking but it was snowing when we went there, so there was hardly any visibility. (Lesson 101: make sure you check weather before heading up there!)

Weather: It was quite cold even in summer, a slim jacket/ sweatshirt/ shrug is required all the time. While going to Pikes peak, a woolen jacket is a MUST, or be ready to freeze to death!

Points of interest: Rocky mountain national park, Garden of Gods, Pike peaks. A walk in the evening in a small town of Manitou and Estes park is highly recommended.