Vancouver, Sitka, Anchorage, Kodiak, Valdez, Cruising Sawyer Glacier, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Prince Rupert

Cosmopolitan Vancouver, British Columbia, a natural harbour at the most southern part of Canada on the Atlantic, near the Coast Mountains, is the capital of the verdant British Columbia, characterized as the most livable city for 2014. It spreads along a peninsula and is divided in 3 zones: Downtown commercial and financial district, including the historic area of Gastown, Stanley Park, with 1,000 acres of forests, gardens, lakes and lawns and vibrant Chinatown), Westside Vancouver (which includes Kitsilano and South Vancouver) and East Vancouver, with the Punjabi Market. Enjoy one of the mildest climates in Canada, pass a day strolling in the amazing Butchart Gardens near Victoria or do some winetasting at the province's wine country Okanagan Valley. Last but not least, follow in the footsteps of the millions of visitors who have crossed Capilano Suspension Bridge since 1889, the biggest suspending pedestrian bridge which connects the two sides of Capilano bridge, in North Vancouver.

Sitka, one of the most beautiful seaside towns in Alaska, was once capital, cultural and political hub of Russian America, seat of the bishop of Kamchatka and the most important port on the West Coast for the first half of the 19th century. A living proof of the town's key position as a Russian settlement, is St. Michael's Cathedral, an active Russian Orthodox Church with the distinctive onion- shaped domes. You will be greeted by native Tlingit people, who have lived continuously in Sitka for over 50 centuries, you will see totems carved by the masterful hands of Tlingit and Haida Indians at Sitka National Historical Park and you can enjoy a performance by the New Archangel Dancers, who preserve the heritage by delivering spirited dance renditions that represent the cultures of Russia and surrounding areas.

Anchorage is Alaska's most populous city, in its southcentral part. The city lies on a strip of coastal lowland and extends up the lower alpine slopes of the Chugach Mountains, while the rest of the scenery is water: to the west, it is bounded by the Cook Inlet and to the north and south by the inlet's two major branches: the Knik Arm and Turnagain Arm. Anchorage hosts a greek community of around 75 families, most of which from the Peloponnese. They have their own school, greek restaurants serving mediterranean cuisine and lately, the first Greek Orthodox church of the Holy Transfiguration. You will find plenty of restaurants, saloons, museums and galleries but you can also choose one of the many optional tours that spotlight Alaska's history, culture and outdoor lifestyle.

Kodiak island is the largest in Kodiak Island Archipelago, a large group of islands about 30 miles from the Alaska Peninsula and 158 miles across the Gulf of Alaska from Homer, Alaska. Downtown, picturesque St. Paul Harbor is active with fishing and sightseeing boats. Three museums, the Baranov Museum, a history museum with emphasis on southwest Alaska’s Russian era (1741-1867) and early American era (1867-1912), the Alutiiq Museum, dedicated to exploring 7500 years of Kodiak's cultural history and Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, which provides habitat for brown bear, salmon and other wildlife, are also in the heart of downtown Kodiak. The shopping square is lively with visitors looking for treasures at Kodiak’s unique gift shops or dining at one of Kodiak’s great restaurants.

The massive ice chunks of Sawyer Glacier offer a glimpse into a time so very long ago, when huge chunks of ice the size of continents swallowed up whole countries during the Ice Ages of the past. The glaciers along Tracy Arm are also home to black and brown bears, wolves, deer, moose, seals and whales make their home in the fjord’s icy waters.

During the gold rush period, in 1898, Skagway was the gate to Klondike and it was known as the harshest city in the world, boasting more than 80 saloons. By the end of the 19th century it had become the largest city in Alaska. Today, the small Gold Rush town of Skagway is the favorite stop on an Alaskan cruise. Ride the antique White Pass & Yukon narrow-gauge railway, step into the historic Red Onion Saloon (1897) or peruse the restored buildings and wooden boardwalks of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.

Juneau is the capital city of Alaska, one of America’s most beautiful capital. There’s also a wealth of cultural attractions, including museums (Juneau-Douglas City Museum), historical sites (the house of Alaska's Pioneer Judge, James Wickersham, built in 1898 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places), art galleries, events, festivals and plenty of local shopping. Visitors can also experience incredible outdoor activities, like
glacier flightseeing, whale watching, fishing and kayaking amidst the stunning Alaskan landscape. Don't miss a photo with Patsy Ann, a Bull Terrier, born i 1929 stone deaf (from birth), but she somehow "heard" the whistles of approaching ships -long before they came into sight- and headed at a fast trot for the wharf, to welcome them. Hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit Juneau from cruise ships are encouraged to "greet her and touch her and in leaving, carry with them the blessings of friendship through their life's journey".

Ketchikan, the Salmon Capital of the World, clutches the shores of the Tongass Narrows, with many shops and houses, which are built on stilts, right out over the water. The main attractions are Creek Street, the Tongass Historical Museum, Totem Bight State Park and Saxman Native Village. Of the popular activities is the flightseeing trip to Misty Fjords National Monument, home of the indigenous Tlingit Indians and the largest totem collection in the world. In the land of the legends, you can watch totem pole carvers and get an idea of their rich culture.

Located on Kaien Island, Prince Rupert's sheltered harbour is the deepest ice-free natural harbour in North America and the 3rd deepest natural harbour in the world.  It is visited by many cruise ships during the summer en route between Alaska to the north and Vancouver to the south. Prince Rupert is also the starting point for many wildlife viewing trips, including whales, eagles and grizzly bears. 

Cosmopolitan Vancouver, British Columbia, a natural harbour at the most southern part of Canada on the Atlantic, near the Coast Mountains, is the capital of the verdant British Columbia, characterized as the most livable city for 2014. It spreads along a peninsula and is divided in 3 zones: Downtown commercial and financial district, including the historic area of Gastown, Stanley Park, with 1,000 acres of forests, gardens, lakes and lawns and vibrant Chinatown), Westside Vancouver (which includes Kitsilano and South Vancouver) and East Vancouver, with the Punjabi Market. Enjoy one of the mildest climates in Canada, pass a day strolling in the amazing Butchart Gardens near Victoria or do some winetasting at the province's wine country Okanagan Valley. Last but not least, follow in the footsteps of the millions of visitors who have crossed Capilano Suspension Bridge since 1889, the biggest suspending pedestrian bridge which connects the two sides of Capilano bridge, in North Vancouver.