Welcomed by magnificent sights like glaciers carving through itself and the surrounding mountains as whales languish into the deep blue framed by mountains, Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park offers one of the most awesome sceneries in the world. Fjords carve into the landscape, while the Harding Icefield - which caps Kenai Fjords National Park - reaches out its icy fingers, with glaciers spilling down between mountain peaks. Head to Holgate Glacier, to come face to face with a breathtaking stack of intense blue and white ice. You can go face to face with these colossal ice behemoths with a kayak or a quick boat ride, walk through the discarded confetti of ice chunks, and chance at witnessing an ice ledge creaking and groaning, before plunging to the waters below. Anchorage is adjacent, contrasting the wild wonders of Alaska. It is not uncommon for deep-sea fishermen to bump shoulders with businesspeople. It is a fascinating city called home by almost half of the Alaskan population. This small city’s skyline is humbled by the snowy peaks of the wilderness beyond. Soak in the unique culture, tradition and heritage of the First Nation people of these lands as well.
 

Off the coast of Yakutat, Alaska, is the largest glacier in North America, The Hubbard Glacier with a 6-mile wider calving front. It is an active glacier named after Gardiner Greene Hubbard, a U.S. lawyer, financier, and philanthropist. He was the first president of the National Geographic Society.

Hike to Mount Roberts Tramway's viewpoint and witness a city swallowed by this immense mountain. More than 38 ice flows branch off from the main Juneau Icefield, sculpting the valleys inch by inch. Taku Glacier cuts a deep gash into the mountain, forming a colossal sculpture that is one of the world's thickest - almost a mile deep. Mendenhall Glacier cascades down, just 12 miles away from downtown, terminating in its own lake and visitor center. Fly over 1,500 square miles of these awesome wonders and soak into the sheer size and magnitude of these icy sculptures. Looking at this immense icy world from above the sky is an adventure of a lifetime. With the breathtaking scenery is diverse wildlife that is just as inspiring and quote-worthy.  Families of bears patrol the riverbanks, bald eagles survey the surroundings watchfully, and Pacific humpbacks migrate from Hawaii's waters to feast on the krill-rich, icy waters. Fish in the sea, slide through the ice in a sled, and kayak near the glaciers for some face-to-face encounters. Juneau offers incredible thrill and adventure that never fails to deliver.

Find your fortune like the first settlers of Skagway did. You can still feel the gold rush along this citys’ streets. Take a walk at Klondike National Historical Park and downtown to imagine a city during this golden era. While the gold may now be gone, a treasure trove of natural glory and history waits to be discovered here. Explore the jagged mountain ridges - with peaks of white snow above a treeline of towering pine forests - providing a reward for the ages. Ride one of the world’s most spectacular railroads and go back to the days of adventure. See the immense beauty of the scenery while riding vintage carriages curving around the White Pass & Yukon Route, through waterfalls and deep gorges. Historic trails like the Chilkoot Trail Hike, provide an experience to explore the well-trodden footsteps of the gold seekers. Skagway offers beautiful sceneries and awesome views of the land. You can wade through rivers full of salmon jumping over rapids. Witness brown bears ambling through the seemingly endless forest which is home to bald eagles as well.
 

With its glorious islands and wild landscapes and its rivers full of Pacific salmon varieties, this land is home to bears, eagles, whales, and sea lions. This place is a former Russian territory before being ceded to the United States. Remnants of this history can still be gleaned through some of the landmarks such as the St. Michael’s Church. This territory is part of the Russian empire until 1967 when it was sold to the United States. Elaborate totem poles show the history and presence of the Tlingit culture. These totem poles are the mark of the battlefield where the indigenous people and Russians fought.
 
Climb Mount Edgecumbe and enjoy its almost perfect cone much like Mt. Fuji. Climb the mountains, fish the shores and rivers, and walk the trails of these beautiful lands for a thrilling adventure into the wild!

The name Alaska is synonymous with Salmon.  See why Ketchikan is called the Salmon Capital of the World as you sail through the waters or fly over the scenery to appreciate the stunning tapestry of nature at the Misty Fjords National Monument. The wildlife around these parts is nothing short of amazing, being the home of grizzlies and black bears as well as whales and seals. Head towards the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary, and watch bald eagles, black bears and a remarkable, thick, yellow banana slug which can only be found here.
 
Towered over by steep banks and valley walls, Ketchikan's ocean inlet is peppered with granite stacks, looming from the waters. Surrounded by glorious landscapes, Visit Ketchikan's Heritage Centre, where a collection of intricately carved totem poles rise up, preserving the heritage of the indigenous Tlingit and Haida people of these lands. Ketchikan has the world's largest collection, and some of the oldest and most precious totems in existence.
This frontier city hasn’t always been so wholesome, however. See the colorful historic street that is built on crooked stilts over Ketchikan Creek, which has a crude history as the main red-light district in the city. The brothels closed in the 1950s, but you can explore this legendarily seedy past at Dolly’s House - a brothel turned museum. See the Married Man trail, a historical route used to enter Creek Street away from prying eyes.

Traverse through some of Alaska’s most staggering landscapes in the winter, through craggy, snow-dusted islands, and glaciers. Negotiating this 500-mile stretch of Alaskan beauty is like exploring a living work of natural art. This route is commonly used for sailing due to its’ calm sheltered waters. See whales or seals swimming along with your boat through icy passages and floating ice on a landscape framed with gorgeous mountains.  Witness glaciers sound and grind as it slides into the oceans. While fundamental displays of nature’s power always awe and amaze, it’s the tranquil beauty of this passage - amid still waters, splitting only to reveal the smooth backs of breaching humpback whales – that is relentlessly moving. A journey of glaciers, remote hidden villages, and carved fjords - the Inside Passage is a breathtaking voyage through the intricate mesh of Alaska’s fractured, raw and spectacular coastal landscapes.

 
Vancouver is the best of both worlds. On the one hand, you have a wonderfully modern city which is widely considered to be one of the world’s best. On the other, a magnificent landscape that’s just a few minutes away from the metro.  With a natural backdrop of mountains and seas, this city is teeming of arts, culture, and fashion all its own. Offering all of the creature comforts of an ultra-modern, worldly metropolis - even downtown has a hint of mountain-freshness to its air - and part of Vancouver's appeal is how easily you can swap the skyscrapers for whale-filled oceans and mountain-punctured skies. Climb up to Vancouver Lookout Tower for the ultimate 360-degree views of the city glistening, amid the beautiful embrace of the beckoning wilderness beyond. Art lovers might choose the Vancouver Art Gallery or the Contemporary Art Gallery. Nature lovers might rush for the ferry to visit Vancouver Island - where they can encounter grizzly bears, whales and orcas. Culture vultures, on the other hand, will probably head for the sights and sounds of Canada's biggest Chinatown. From steaming dim sum for lunch to Chinese apothecaries offering herbs to soothe any illness, it’s all here thanks to the migrant workers of the 19th century. The one-of-a-kind treasure of Stanley Park brings wild wonder and natural beauty to this cosmopolitan city's doorstep, and the pine-tree-clad park offers isolated trails and amazing views. Wander the Seawall that encircles it - a 20-mile coastal path, full of joggers, whizzing skaters and wandering couples. Grab a bike and cycle between Coal Harbour and Kitsilano Beach. You can top up your tan on the shore, as you soak in the glorious views of the mountains and cityscape from the sands.