Vancouver, between the Pacific and Coast Mountains, blends urban sophistication with outdoor adventure. One of Canada's most diverse cities, it reflects Asian, Latin American and Aboriginal traditions. Highlights include historic Gastown, Granville Island, and Stanley Park's trails, totem poles and waterfront views. Nearby, Grouse Mountain offers hiking or a tram ride, and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park showcases rainforest walkways and cliffside views.

In Ketchikan, explore Tongass National Forest's fjords and lakes by kayak, canoe, or Zodiac. Known as the "Salmon Capital of the World," it also offers fishing for halibut, rockfish, and Dungeness crab. Take a seaplane or helicopter for stunning views, ride an ATV to Mahoney Lake, stroll Creek Street, and visit totem poles, museums, and Saxman Native Village.

Sitka blends Alaska Native and Russian heritage. At Sitka National Historical Park, see the restored 19th-century Russian Bishop's House and a coastal trail lined with Tlingit and Haida totem poles. Other highlights include St. Michael's Cathedral and Baranof Castle, where Alaska was transferred from Russia to the U.S. in 1867. Beyond town, explore Tongass National Forest by hiking, kayaking, flightseeing, or boat trips to spot whales, sea otters, sea lions, bears, deer, and to fish Sitka Sound.

Seward is a picturesque coastal town shaped by Alutiiq and Athabascan heritage. It offers stunning views in Kenai Fjords National Park, with glaciers, fjords, whales, and sea lions, plus the Alaska SeaLife Center, a marine aquarium and research facility. Visitors can enjoy fresh seafood like salmon, halibut, and crab, along with smoked salmon and chowder. Hiking, kayaking, and wildlife viewing make Seward unforgettable.

Dutch Harbor in Alaska's Aleutian Islands offers rugged beauty shaped by Aleut and Russian heritage, seen in its arts, crafts, and architecture. Visitors can hike, watch wildlife, and take boat tours. Highlights include Fort Schwatka, with panoramic views of the islands and Bering Sea, and the Museum of the Aleutians, which showcases Aleut history and culture. Nearby Unalaska adds colorful houses and sea views. Seafood is also a draw, including crab, halibut, salmon, smoked salmon, and king crab legs.

Hakodate, on southern Hokkaido, blends Japanese and Western influences from its early role as one of Japan's first open ports. Visit the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse district, now full of shops, restaurants, and galleries, and the star-shaped Goryokaku Fort with its moat and cherry trees. Don't miss the Morning Market for fresh seafood and local products. Hakodate is known for squid dishes like ikameshi and kaisen-don. For great views, ride up Mount Hakodate, especially beautiful at night.

Located only 45 minutes from Tokyo, the scenic port of Yokohama merges a cosmopolitan history with modern attractions, creating a waterfront district that's as relaxing as it is entertaining. Walk Yamashita Park and visit the Nippon Maru and Hikawa Maru, museum ships that detail centuries of Japan's maritime heritage. Tour the country's largest Chinatown for delicious flavors and make time for world-class shopping in this city that's a contrast to Tokyo's intensity.