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!

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.

Arriving by ship in the misty port city of Prince Rupert, on the coast of British Columbia, is a memorable experience. This is an important cultural site for the Tsimshian people, one of Canada’s aboriginal First Nations, and it’s also a wildlife hotspot, home to a grizzly bear sanctuary and the highest concentration of humpback whales in North America.

Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and Canada’s westernmost city, with a distinctly English feel that occasionally borders on the twee. It’s a very walkable city, with handsome 19th century architecture, verdant parks and a lively harbour, and, this being Canada, the great outdoors is never far away.

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.

Los Angeles is an energetic, creative place with cultural riches to match any world city, home to Hollywood glamour, the iconic beaches of Venice and Santa Monica, and affluent, image-conscious Beverly Hills.

Sunny Santa Barbara is one of the loveliest cities on the Californian coast, with a beautiful stretch of beach against the backdrop of the Santa Ynez mountains. Architectural highlights include the 18th century Spanish Mission church, and there are plenty of excellent bars, restaurants and shops.

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.