Vancouver to New York

Cosmopolitan Vancouver is a city that rewards exploration, an eminently liveable place and an easy gateway to the natural beauty of British Columbia. The culinary scene here is a particular draw, with seafood galore and some fantastic Asian restaurants, and the city has also been at the forefront of the craft beer movement. Verdant Stanley Park is a favourite of locals and visitors alike, while Kitsilano's beaches and wooden houses are wonderfully picturesque. Cultural attractions tend to be on a smaller scale than you'd expect from a city of this size, but the thrill of stumbling across one of Vancouver's quirky little galleries is all part of the city's appeal.

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.

Astoria is the oldest city west of the Rockies, situated on the picturesque Oregon coast where the Columbia river meets the Pacific Ocean. This bustling port town is sometimes known as ‘Little San Francisco’, with handsome Victorian architecture, a proud fishing heritage and a buzzing, creative vibe.

Renowned for its food, its misty mornings and its vertiginous streets, cosmopolitan San Francisco is quite unlike any other American city. Highlights include the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the delightful waterfront and the bohemian quarter of Haight Ashbury.

Santa Catalina Island has a laid back Mediterranean feel, and it’s a popular destination for hiking, snorkelling and kayaking. The island was purchased in 1919 by the chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr., and the Wrigley family later established the Santa Catalina Conservancy to preserve the island’s natural habitats.

Laid-back, friendly and blessed with near-perfect weather all year round, San Diego is one of America’s most likeable cities. Enjoy a stroll through Balboa Park, dotted with beautiful Spanish Renaissance-style architecture, take a whale watching trip along the coast, or sample the nightlife of the trendy Gaslamp Quarter.

The resort town of Puerto Vallarta, on Mexico’s Pacific coast, has bags of charm in spite of its popularity. Spend some time exploring the pretty old town, with its cobbled streets and quirky boutiques, or relax on the beach. Humpback whales breed out in the bay during the winter months, and dolphins can be spotted year round.

A cruise call at Acajutla is a rare opportunity to explore the tiny Central American nation of El Salvador. Popular excursions include the Mayan ruins at Tazumal, scuba diving off beautiful Los Cabanos beach, or a trip to the Izalco volcano, where you can peer down into the dormant caldera.

The beach town of San Juan del Sur is a popular hangout for surfers, and it’s a nice place to spend some time relaxing. If you’re looking for a more immersive cultural experience then it’s worth taking an excursion to the beautiful colonial town of Granada, an hour and half away on the shores of Lake Nicaragua.

Situated on a peculiarly shaped peninsula on the Gulf of Nicoya, Puntarenas is a popular weekend beach destination for residents of Costa Rica’s capital, San José. The port itself is not pretty, but the beachfront Paseo de los Turistas is a nice place to relax with a drink or enjoy a seafood lunch.

The port of Fuerte Amador sits at the southern edge of Panama City, near the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. The shining skyscrapers of the Panamanian capital are a testament to the city’s status as a key financial centre, while the tiny Casco Viejo is home to pretty colonial streets, hip hotels and happening bars.

Cartagena was founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1533, and the beautifully preserved centre is a real highlight of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. The walled old town, the Ciudad Amurallada, is a camera-friendly collection of cobbled streets and colourful, colonial-era buildings.

Situated on Jamaica’s north east coast, Port Antonio has a quieter, more authentic feel than the big resorts on the west of the island, and was once a haunt of Hollywood stars such as Errol Flynn. This part of Jamaica is rich in natural beauty, with pristine rainforest, secluded beaches, cascading waterfalls and misty mountains.

Montego Bay is Jamaica’s tourism capital, and is the second largest city on the island after Kingston. The beach bars along the ‘Hip Strip’ offer a taste of the Jamaican way of life, with the ubiquitous Bob Marley providing the soundtrack; alternatively you may prefer an excursion to nearby sights such as Dunn’s River Falls or Seven Mile Beach.

Far more than just an offshore tax haven, Grand Cayman boasts the staggeringly beautiful white sands of Seven Mile Beach and some fantastic snorkelling in crystal clear waters. The capital, George Town, is a compact and friendly place, home to some interesting architecture and a suspiciously large number of registered companies.

Downtown Miami is a destination in its own right, with a host of world class galleries, but it's still Miami Beach that draws the biggest crowds. The Art Deco district around South Beach is very much back in vogue, with new restaurants, bars and luxury developments sprouting up all over the place.

Port Canaveral is the gateway to Orlando’s many attractions, including beaches, theme parks and the Kennedy Space Centre, where you can meet real astronauts. If you’re lucky you may be in port for a rocket launch, though it’s difficult to plan for as schedules are subject to weather conditions and technical hitches.

The Big Apple is one of the world’s most iconic, cosmopolitan cities, a place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. From the lofty heights of the Manhattan skyscrapers to the hipster hangouts of resurgent Brooklyn, New York City buzzes with energy and excitement, and there’s never been a better time to visit.