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.

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.

Sitka was founded by Russian fur traders in 1799 as the city of New Archangel, and there is still a discernible Russian influence here, including the distinctive St Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral. The town also enjoys spectacular natural surroundings, facing the Pacific Ocean and dramatic Mount Edgecumbe.

The port at Icy Strait Point was created to ensure that indigenous communities benefit from cruise tourism in Alaska, and the facility is owned by the local Tlingit people. Here you can learn about Alaska’s native culture and enjoy guided nature walks, whale watching trips or shopping for local crafts.

Alaska's state capital is isolated and remote, accessible only by plane or by boat thanks to its dramatic hillside location. The wild hinterland is thick with forest, sculpted by the glaciers of the Juneau Ice Field, while down at the water's edge the harbour bustles with fishing boats and seaplanes.

Ketchikan is a great introduction to Alaska’s natural attractions, situated at the foot of towering Deer Mountain and within easy reach of the Misty Fjords. The colourful wooden buildings of Creek Street, the old red light district, are a reminder of Ketchikan’s former status as a rough and ready frontier town; these days, things are rather more civilised!