Boasting mountains, sea, culture, art, and so much more, many cities claim to have it all, but few can back it up, like Vancouver. Famously livable, just visiting this highrise city - surrounded by staggering natural beauty - is a thrill. 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. Head up to the Vancouver Lookout Tower for the ultimate 360-degree views of the city, glistening amid the beautiful embrace of the beckoning wilderness beyond. But what to see first? 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.
On the other hand, culture vultures 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 incredible 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.

Navigate through the intricate outlays of some of Alaska’s most staggering winter scenery, threading a needle between craggy, snow-dusted islands and slipping glacial giants. To cruise this 500-mile stretch of Alaskan beauty is to sail through a living work of natural art - with perfectly sculpted mountains soaring from the shoreline and clutches of islands scattered across the dark waters with delicate attention to detail. A standard sailing route due to its calm, sheltered waters, gorgeous natural set pieces constantly play out here - whether it’s killer whales accompanying you through the breathtaking icy passages, harbor seals catching a break on floating hunks of ice, or wisps of cloud clinging to distant mountain peaks. Witness Mother Nature at her most dramatic and elaborate along this Alaskan coastline, where glaciers groan and creak melodramatically before finally releasing colossal shelves of ice, allowing them to free fall into the waters below and explode with angry booms and thunderous splashes. While fundamental displays of nature’s power always awe and amaze, the tranquil beauty of this passage - amid still waters, splitting only to reveal the smooth backs of breaching humpback whales – 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.

The Salmon Capital of the World is a thrilling introduction to wild and wonderful Alaska, sitting at the southern gateway to the Inside Passage's famed route of larger-than-life scenery. Cruise through the waters or soar just above in a sightseeing plane to take in the majesty of the magnificent Misty Fjords National Monument. Home to grizzly and black bears and cruising whales and swimming seals, the wildlife spotting opportunities in this majestic corner of the world are nothing short of spectacular. 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, head to the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary, which is alive with bald eagles, black bears, and remarkable, thick, yellow banana slugs - the squeamish are advised to keep well clear. Visit Ketchikan's Heritage Centre, where a collection of intricately carved totem poles rises, preserving the heritage of these lands' indigenous Tlingit and Haida people. Ketchikan has the world's most extensive collection and some of the oldest and most precious totems. This frontier city hasn't always been so wholesome, however. See the colorful historic street built on crooked stilts over Ketchikan Creek, which has a crude history as the central 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 to enter Creek Street away from prying eyes.

Endicott Arm is a long fjord branching off Stephen’s Passage, the major inner passage heading southeast from Juneau. The easternmost tip of Endicott Arm nearly reaches the Canadian border. Like all the fords in this region, glaciers carved it during the last Ice Age, which ended about 11,000 years ago. On either side of the fjord, the steep, nearly vertical walls rise to about 370 meters or 1,200 feet. Sitka spruce and western hemlock trees manage to cling to the rock face, adding to the breathtaking beauty of the landscape.

A distant land of bears, wild landscapes, and icy adventures, sail between glorious islands and witness the diverse wildlife of the Inside Passage. Eagles watch over the scenery overhead while whales and sea lions add glorious weight to the animal life that thrives and thrashes in these icy seas. With a quintet of Pacific salmon species filling the rich rivers and waterways with life, settle back to enjoy the show as Sitka's immense setpieces play out before you. You might notice the onion-shaped dome atop St. Michael's Church – a relic of the area's Russian history. Sitka formed a part of the Russian Empire until a deal was struck in 1867, and the territory was sold to the United States, with the handover ceremony taking place here in Sitka. The native Tlingit culture is important, and elaborate totem poles rocket up in Sitka National Historical Park. They mark the battleground of 1804 when the indigenous people clashed fiercely with the Russians. The snow-capped peak of the dormant volcano, Mount Edgecumbe, draws understandable comparisons with Mount Fuji's symmetrical cone. Climb to thrilling heights as you arrive on Kruzof Island, and enjoy richly spellbinding views of the scattered Pacific islands while hiking. Whether you want to spend your time flying above snow-dusted mountain ridges, fishing for colossal King salmon, or savoring Northwest frontier cuisine in waterfront restaurants, there's no shortage of ways to experience Sitka's natural wonders.

Extraordinary adventures amid nature's wildest staging await at Juneau. The majestic Mendenhall Glacier sprawls down from Juneau Icefield, which provides an icy cap to the area's rip-roaring scenery. State capitals don't get more dramatic than this isolated, remote city lost amid the Alaskan wilds. Even the roads eventually peter out, absorbed by forests and viewpoints, firmly underlining the isolated location, hidden behind an impenetrable wall of rigid mountains. Rise to Mount Roberts Tramway's viewpoint to see the city swallowed by this colossal backdrop. This is a glacier country, and no fewer than 38 ice flows branch off from the main Juneau Icefield, slowly carving out valleys in their wake. Taku Glacier cuts deep 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. With 1,500 square miles of ice field to explore, one of the best ways to take in the magnitude and majesty of this epic ice sculpture is to hold on tight as the propeller whirs, and you soar into the skies on an exhilarating sightseeing flight. Cruising up above the icy world that fills in these serrated mountain peaks is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The animals that inhabit the Southeast Alaskan wilds are just as inspiring as the landscapes – 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 for huge catches, power across the ice in a snow sled, or kayak just below glaciers. However you choose to immerse yourself in it, Juneau's incredible outdoor adventures never disappoint.

If there is one word that sums up Alaska, it is nature—Miles and miles of it. And Icy Strait Point, one of AAlaska'smost most unspoiled destinations, has nature in spades. To begin with, Icy Straight Point is stunningly beautiful. It is the Alaska of your imagination: eagles soaring overhead, whales breaching before your eyes. Moody, low-hanging clouds set the scene, while velvety green mountains provide the backdrop. Sparklingly clear waters lap at pebbly shores. These are beaches of the adventure kind; you won't find sun loungers and sombreros here, but they are more like kayaks and canoes, ready for those who want to take their discovery offshore. The village prides itself on being home to "more brown bears" than humans," so expect immersive wilderness experiences, from ATV adventures to zip-lining through a canopy of trees! Located on Chichagoff Island, 35 miles west of Juneau and right in the center of Glacier Bay, Icy Strait Point began life as a salmon cannery business, employing the residents of nearby Hoonah. The cannery has served the community in many ways, including housing for employees after a fire in 1944 destroyed many residents' homes. It ceased to function entirely in 1999, and in 2001, the landing was repurposed as America's onAmerica'se cruise ship terminal. The Alaskan-owned and operated terminal funnels all its profits back into the local environment and employs around 85% of residents, many of whom live in Alaska's most prominent Native Tlingit village.

Wild, raw, and unrestrained, Haines is Alaska at its most intoxicating. Crisp white snow crowns charcoal-colored mountains, while seas of impenetrable pine forest flow to swathes of scenic coastline in this magical setting. Explore a rejuvenating Alaskan escape of temperate rainforests and glaciers as you dig into Chilkat Tlingit culture. Explore a landscape of frayed waterways that are alive with Alaska's renowned wildlife. Sat at the head of the lengthy Lynn Canal - deep within the Inside Passage - Haines is where whale tales flick, bald eagles call, and juicy trout leap onto fishing rods. Get your hands dirty and immerse yourself in nature's wonders - whether you want to slide out onto the still waters in a kayak, trek narrow trails on a bike, or rise to grandstand views while hiking. Surrounded by watery inlets, get close to the magnificent wildlife - whether it's brown bears wading into the river to wrestle with huge fish or walruses and sea lions reclining lazily on the banks. Autumn brings a swell of fierce bald eagles to the area, and Haines welcomes the world's most significant concentration of powerful birds. Fort Seward is a site of important gold rush history. It is a former US military fort and turned heritage museum, and it's adorned with totem poles and masks. The area's native culture is kept alive through extraordinary Chilkat weaving, and the indigenous people create elaborate, richly decorated robes. Don't leave before tasting smoke-cured salmon, fresh from the surrounding rivers.

Hubbard Glacier, off the coast of Yakutat, Alaska, is the largest glacier in North America, with a calving front that is more than six miles wide. One of the primary sources for Hubbard Glacier originates 76 miles inland. It has been a very active glacier, experiencing two significant surges in the past 30 years. This glacier was named after Gardiner Greene Hubbard, a U.S. lawyer, financier, and philanthropist who was the first president of the National Geographic Society.

Valdez is a spectacular coastal city tucked away on the deep shores of Prince William Sound. The open scenery is one of unspoiled wildness, majestic mountains, tidewater glaciers, and deep green rainforests. Take the chance to admire this landscape and become a part of it.

Colombier Glacier is one of the fastest-moving glaciers in the world and is renowned for its dramatic carving, leaving colossal chunks of ice in the water. Get up close to this icy phenomenon by boat or helicopter. Flightseeing tours have the advantage of offering exceptional aerial views of the glacier and the surrounding Chugach mountains.

Sea kayaking is popular, and navigating the vast landscape in a small kayak immerses you in nature like nothing else. Visit forgotten glaciers, strange ice formations, and icy sea caves.

Valdez holds some of the oldest fish derbies in Alaska with big prize money, a testament to the superb fishing opportunities available. Try to land a prize salmon or big halibut by shore or sea. If not, watch the experts from mid-June to August, when the salmon are spawning and the waters are silver and pink with fish, sea lions, and brown and black bears coming to take their catch of the day.

Hiking trails of all difficulty levels are well maintained and offer awesome views, including dramatic waterfalls and wildlife. Eagles, seabirds, bears, seals, sea lions, and sea otters are all commonly seen, and whales and porpoises are frequent visitors, so it can be hard to know where to look next.

Monumental scenery surrounds you in this remote corner of the world, where glaciers calve, and whales cruise through inky waters against an immense mountain backdrop. Almost totally submerged by the colossal landscapes around it, Seward and the wonders of Kenai Fjords National Park offer some of Alaska's most astonishing and thrilling scenery. Seward is a place to immerse yourself in nature's majesty in a deep gash in the Kenai Peninsula. 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. Get up close in a kayak or boat ride to slalom through the discarded confetti of ice chunks and perhaps even witness the powerful spectacle of an ice ledge creaking and groaning before plunging to the waters below. The city of Anchorage is easily within reach from here, offering an incongruous contrast to the wild wonders of Alaska. A place where deep-sea fishermen bump shoulders with businesspeople on the 9-5, it's a fascinating, remote city. Anchorage is home to almost half of the Alaskan population, and its humble skyline is dwarfed by the snowy peaks of the wilderness beyond. Don't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique culture, traditions, and heritage of the First Nation people of these lands, too.