Soaring Fjords & Raw Wilderness

Eclectic Seattle is a jumble of different neighbourhoods, each with its own distinctive character. Fremont, the self-proclaimed 'centre of the universe', is an arty, bohemian district where you'll find everything from trolls lurking under bridges to a statue of Lenin, while Capitol Hill is characterised by creaking mansions and trendy boutiques, and waterfront Ballard has a fascinating Scandinavian heritage. Seattle also enjoys a stunning natural setting, surrounded by forests, mountains and the broad sweep of Puget Sound, and boasts a wealth of green spaces.

Klawock, on Prince of Wales Island - the USA's third-largest island home to a vast temperate rainforest and abundant wildlife include bears and whales - is known for its deep Tlingit culture embodied in the Klawock Totem Park, home to 21 carved poles representing the heritage of the Heenya Kwaan people. Visit the heritage centre and carving shed to watch local artists at work and learn about Tlingit traditions, alongside opportunities for fishing, kayaking and hiking.

Sitka was founded by Russian fur traders in 1799 as the city of New Archangel, and there is still a discernible Russian influence here, including the distinctive St Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral. The town also enjoys spectacular natural surroundings, facing the Pacific Ocean and dramatic Mount Edgecumbe.

The port at Icy Strait Point was created to ensure that indigenous communities benefit from cruise tourism in Alaska, and the facility is owned by the local Tlingit people. Here you can learn about Alaska’s native culture and enjoy guided nature walks, whale watching trips or shopping for local crafts.

Situated at the northern end of the Inside Passage, Skagway is an impressively well preserved former gold rush town, with a charming historic centre that’s easy to explore on foot. Popular activities include hiking to the pristine Lower Dewey Lake and the scenic train ride along the old gold rush route.

Alaska's state capital is isolated and remote, accessible only by plane or by boat thanks to its dramatic hillside location. The wild hinterland is thick with forest, sculpted by the glaciers of the Juneau Ice Field, while down at the water's edge the harbour bustles with fishing boats and seaplanes.

Ketchikan is a great introduction to Alaska’s natural attractions, situated at the foot of towering Deer Mountain and within easy reach of the Misty Fjords. The colourful wooden buildings of Creek Street, the old red light district, are a reminder of Ketchikan’s former status as a rough and ready frontier town; these days, things are rather more civilised!

Arriving by ship in the misty port city of Prince Rupert, on the coast of British Columbia, is a memorable experience. This is an important cultural site for the Tsimshian people, one of Canada’s aboriginal First Nations, and it’s also a wildlife hotspot, home to a grizzly bear sanctuary and the highest concentration of humpback whales in North America.

Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and Canada’s westernmost city, with a distinctly English feel that occasionally borders on the twee. It’s a very walkable city, with handsome 19th century architecture, verdant parks and a lively harbour, and, this being Canada, the great outdoors is never far away.

Situated in the northwest corner of the USA, eclectic Seattle is a jumble of different neighbourhoods, each with its own distinctive character, and the city enjoys a stunning natural setting, surrounded by forests, mountains and the broad sweep of Puget Sound.