Alaska

Tiny Ketchikan is just three miles long and three blocks wide, but here you can be sure to find Alaska’s busiest waterfront buzzing with boat planes, fishing boats, pleasure craft, and busy fishermen. Local trawlers bring delicacies like king crab, octopus, shark, prawn and rockfish to Ketchikan, known as Alaska’s First City for its location and its figurehead status for outstanding natural beauty.

Icy Strait Point is a grand idea brought to life in a brilliant hub of Alaskan action and adventure. Look out for whales in the picturesque wilderness or enjoy warm hospitality and hearty food ashore. Built around a restored 1912 salmon cannery, its shops are wholly Alaskan-owned, and it features restaurants, nature trails, a museum and even a beach. Bears outnumber humans on Chichagof Island.

Get up close and personal with the gigantic Hubbard Glacier, North Americas largest tidewater glacier. Its 1350 square miles of blue ice and one of the most active in Alaska.Witness the grace and brilliance of glacial formations and towering icebergs in action as you sail by a highlight of Alaska’s many coastal wonders. Learn the history its created and take in the view. Hubbard Glacier has dictated local geography and human endeavour over millennia. This is your chance to get close to one of Earth’s majestic giants of slow-moving ice.

Beneath an ice field that never melts, on a waterway that never freezes, Juneau is the unusual and disarmingly beautiful capital of Alaska. The Mendenhall Glacier is the not-to-be-missed attraction. Look for orca and humpback whales as we sail into Juneau. There’s plenty to entertain and intrigue in the city. If you’re feeling fit, explore the glaciers by kayak or trek with crampons and an axe.

Located at the top of Lynn Canal, one of the world’s longest fjords, Haines occupies an area of natural beauty so picturesque you’ll be reaching for your camera at every opportunity. Your guide to Haines. Soaring peaks and temperate rainforest add to this city’s infinite charm, while sea kayaking, rafting and hiking through verdant forests awaken the senses in more ways than one. From historic forts and sculpture gardens to native art and Tlingit history, Haines is a celebration of Alaska’s culture, heritage, and native population. Join a guided wildlife tour for a chance to see some of the region’s resident animal species or savour a small batch gin at a local distillery.

Sitka is a hidden beauty on the east coast of Baranof Island in southeast Alaska. Towered over by snowy mountains in the distance, it has previously been known as the Indian River Park and Totem Park. Sitka’s National Historical Park is the oldest national park in Alaska, and along with the town’s warm welcome, its many natural wonders combine for a remarkable experience.

The capital of British Columbia, Victoria, possesses a unique blend of historic charm and contemporary charisma. It offers a wide variety of exquisite sights that draw visitors from around the world. Notable landmarks include Craigdarroch Castle and the elegant Empress Hotel, which contrast with the shops and restaurants. There’s ample opportunity for whale watching and wildlife viewing, too.