Alaska 10-nights
Regatta Oceania Cruises

The most attractive of American cities and regularly voted the best city in the USA, San Francisco is adored because of its colourful history, dramatic setting and its laissez-faire atmosphere, a quality missing from synthetic Los Angeles. It is a regular trendsetter in everything alternative, from flower-power to ‘free love’ and gay liberation; it prides itself on being individualistic, down-to-earth and cultured.

Streets rollercoaster up and down the hills, and when not swathed in the city’s trademark fog, there are superb vistas of San Francisco Bay, spanned by one of the world’s most famous sights, the Golden Gate Bridge. Surrounded by hills and urban development, traversed by bridges, dotted with sails and 14 small islands, including the notorious Alcatraz, the bay is the largest inlet on the Californian Coast. Fisherman’s Wharf at the edge of the bay is a popular place to eat, stroll and shop, with its resident seals a favourite photographic subject.

Within the surprisingly compact city are distinct neighbourhoods that reflect the cultural background of diverse communities that were attracted to San Francisco by the discovery of gold in 1848, and the promise of a new life for those desperate to escape their harsh circumstances. Most of San Francisco’s residents were born outside the city and this mix of cultures is reflected in the dragon-studded temples of colourful Chinatown and Japantown, the characteristic bohemian flavour of the Italian pasta restaurants and cappuccino cafes in North Beach, the old Spanish-speaking Mission District that blends with the nightlife of SoMa, the modern Financial District, the gay centre of Castro and The Haight, characterised by the memory of the hippie movement of the 1960s. 

There are plenty of historic and modern sights to see, including Indian arts and crafts and Russian music and dance. Best of all, the water is still crystal-clear, and massive timberland forests remain pristine.

Besides the interesting local tours and the Sitka dancers, if you have time, be sure to take a boat ride to the outer islands to see whales, otters, eagles and other wildlife. The fishing in the area is also excellent.

Over six miles wide and nearly 500 feet high, Hubbard Glacier fills the head of Yakutat Bay. In 1986, it was called the “Galloping Glacier” when it surged nearly 47 feet in one day.  [/tg_program

Accessible only by sea or air, Alaska’s ‘Gateway to the Glaciers’ is the state’s scenic capital, situated among spectacular mountains on the shores of the Gastineau Channel. The holiday destination of Juneau is, however, not as wild as one might expect of such a remote destination. It affords all the pleasures of a large city, while also offering an abundance of activities and natural escapes for outdoor enthusiasts in its backyard. Although the city is not without appeal and is a popular travel hub and port of call for cruises, it is undoubtedly the natural setting that attracts tourists rather than the urban sightseeing opportunities.

In 1880 the city swarmed with gold prospectors, but today it is the cruise ship passengers who pack the streets every summer, enjoying the shopping, dining and picturesque surroundings. Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska’s most visited glacier due to its easy access and proximity to the city, is a highly worthwhile attraction. Glacier Bay National Park is one of the country’s more dramatic regions and is also accessible from Juneau, by boat or plane. Helicopter rides, fishing, whale-watching, hiking and kayaking are popular activities through which to fully appreciate the vast wilderness surrounding Juneau. 

It’s so wild, the country surrounding this small fishing community doesn’t even have a road leading to town; the only way in is by air or sea. Centuries ago, the Tlingit Indians used Wrangell as a port, and in the harbor you can still see the remains of several rock walls built as protected berths. In and around town you’ll find Tlingit totem poles, a museum with Indian artifacts, lovely parks, and unique Petroglyph Beach, where you can see rocks decorated with pictures that have been chiseled into the surface by ancient artists. 

The ‘salmon capital of the world’ started as a summer fish camp on the shores of Ketchikan Creek used by the Tlingit natives, and slowly became a major salmon canning centre. Native Inuit heritage plays a large role in the touristic appeal of Ketchikan, which boasts the largest collection of totem poles in the world in the Ketchikan Totem Bight State Historical Park, Saxman Native Village and the Totem Heritage Center Museum. Ketchikan has more cultural sightseeing opportunities than most cities and towns in Alaska, making it the perfect Alaskan getaway for those keen to experience indigenous culture as well as the stunning natural landscapes of Alaska.

Rustic Creek Street, with its picturesque wooden boardwalks and stilts, was once the town’s red light district, and today the houses have been converted into restaurants, shops and galleries. Ketchikan is located on Revillagigedo Island, 235 miles (378km) south of Juneau. If staying in the capital, Ketchikan is a popular excursion from the city; in fact, the quaint old town feels much more authentic and traditional than the larger city. The town is a popular cruise destination and is the starting point for most Inside Passage tours. Excursions into the surrounding wilderness include air or boat trips to nearby Misty Fjords, an area of pristine, spectacular scenery with soaring cliffs, waterfalls, lakes and glaciers. 

Nicknamed Hollywood North for the ever-present film crews, Canada’s west coast gem of Vancouver is young, thriving and diverse, boasting the perfect combination of wild natural beauty and all the modern conveniences. Named after Royal Navy sea captain George Vancouver, who sailed into the Burrard Inlet on the British Columbian coast in 1792, Vancouver was barely even a town 100 years ago. Today, more than two million people call it home, and the shiny futuristic towers of Yaletown and the downtown core contrast dramatically with the snow-capped mountain backdrop, providing ample beauty among the bustle of Canada’s third biggest city.

Approximately the same size as the downtown area, the city’s green heart is Canada’s largest city park, Stanley Park, covering hundreds of acres filled with lush forest and crystal clear lakes. Visitors can wander the sea wall along the exterior of the park, catch a free trolley bus tour, a horse-drawn carriage ride or visit the Vancouver Aquarium housed within the park. The city’s past is preserved in historic Gastown with its cobblestone streets, steam powered clock and quaint feel, though this is combined with expensive souvenir shops and galleries aimed at tourists. Neighbouring Chinatown, with its weekly market, Dr Sun Yat-Sen classical Chinese gardens and restaurants adds an exotic flair. For some retail therapy or celebrity spotting, there is always the trendy Robson Street.

During the winter months snow sports are the order of the day on nearby Grouse Mountain, perfect for skiing and snowboarding, although the city itself gets more rain than snow. Vancouver’s incredible ethnic diversity and combination of mountains, sea and city, offers visitors an endless supply of things to see and do, no matter the budget.