|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
![]() |
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
| Anchorage (Whittier), Alaska | |||
|
|
|||
| At the base of the Chugach Mountains in the shadow of a towering glacier and surrounded by snowcapped peaks, the tiny town of Whittier is the gateway to the spectacular Prince William Sound and the city of Anchorage. Whittier exists on thriving fishing and tourism industries. Its 290 residents enjoy a near wilderness state, as it was inaccessible by road until 2000. | |||
|
![]() |
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
| College Fjord, Alaska (Scenic Cruising) | |||
|
|
|||
| Some of the best glacier viewing in the state can be seen tucked into the northwest corner of Prince William Sound at College Fjord. Winding down from mountains and through valleys and fjords, these massive rivers of ice are often on the move, periodically dropping their bounty into the sea. | |||
|
![]() |
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
| Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska (Scenic Cruising) | |||
|
|
|||
| This spectacular national park and preserve displays massive glaciers that stretch 3.3 million acres from the St. Elias and Fairweather mountain ranges to the ends of the fjords. It is home to an amazing world of marine life, including humpback whales, sea otters, porpoises and harbor seals. It also possesses the highest concentration of tidewater glaciers on the planet. And access is extremely limited. | |||
|
![]() |
|||
|
|
|||
| Haines, Alaska | |||
|
|
|||
| Cradled at the base of the Chilkat Peninsula, this picturesque town of Haines is located on America's longest fjord and boasts the largest annual gathering of American bald eagles. Home of the Tlingit people, this area was settled and renamed by missionaries in the late 1800s. | |||
|
![]() |
|||
|
|
|||
| Icy Strait Point, Alaska | |||
|
|
|||
| Icy Strait Point is 22 miles southeast of Glacier Bay National Park and down the road from the traditional homeland of the Huna Tlingit people. Its premiere location allows for spectacular wildlife viewing as well as a unique glimpse into the history and culture of Alaska. | |||
|
![]() |
|||
|
|
|||
| Juneau, Alaska | |||
|
|
|||
| Perched on a thin strip of land at the mouth of Gold Creek, Juneau is arguably one of America's most beautiful state capitals, with the looming summits of Mt. Juneau and Mt. Roberts providing a gorgeous backdrop. | |||
|
![]() |
|||
|
|
|||
| Ketchikan, Alaska | |||
|
|
|||
| This southern-most Alaskan port city is known as Alaska's First City because it was the first major community travelers came to heading north. Founded as a fishing camp, Ketchikan is built on steep hillsides and is billed as the salmon capital of the world. A quaint village, the town is just three miles long and three blocks wide. | |||
|
![]() |
|||
|
|
|||
| Kodiak, Alaska | |||
|
|
|||
| Known as Alaska's Emerald Isle, Kodiak explodes in lush greenery every summer. Its many islands feature rocky cliffs, marshlands and forests that play host to an abundance of wildlife, including the famous Kodiak brown bear. And Kodiak's sport fishing rivals that of any place in the world. It's also one of the largest commercial fishing ports in the nation. | |||
|
![]() |
|||
|
|
|||
| Prince William Sound, Alaska (Scenic Cruising) | |||
|
|
|||
| With its 3,000 miles of shoreline and islands that form a natural breakwater between the Sound and the Gulf of Alaska, Prince William Sound is one of the most scenic archipelagoes in the world. Surrounded by the Chugach Mountains, it hosts the largest gathering of migratory birds in America. | |||
|
![]() |
|||
|
|
|||
| San Francisco, California | |||
|
|
|||
| One of America's most attractive cities, San Francisco differs from other metropolitan areas in many charming ways. You'll find plenty of picture-perfect moments in this "City by the Bay," with its hilly streets, famous bridges and historic cable cars. | |||
|
![]() |
|||
|
|
|||
| Seattle, Washington | |||
|
|
|||
| Situated on Puget Sound, surrounded by the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges, the Seattle city skyline is impressive with shimmering glass high-rises and 100-year-old buildings standing side by side. This beautiful port city came into its own after gold was discovered in the Klondike and 100, 000 people passed through the Northwest in 1897 and 1898 on their quest for wealth in Alaska. | |||
|
![]() |
||
|
|
||
| Seward, Alaska | ||
|
|
||
| Founded in 1903, Seward was the southern terminus of the Alaska Railroad. In 1964, an earthquake caused a tidal wave over 100 feet tall to wash away much of the waterfront, devastating the town. But its residents, embodying Alaska's famous spirit and fortitude, rebuilt. Today, the town of Seward is a thriving port for commercial fishing, tourism and the rail system. | ||
|
![]() |
|||
|
|
|||
| Sitka, Alaska | |||
|
|
|||
| Resting between snowcapped mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Sitka is easily one of the most beautiful seaside towns in Alaska, and has a unique blend of Russian history and Tlingit culture. It's also the biggest town in Alaska, encircling 4,710 square miles on Baranof Island. | |||
|
![]() |
|||
|
|
|||
| Skagway, Alaska | |||
|
|
|||
| Few one-time boomtowns retain the flavor of the gold rush days like Skagway. This gateway to the Klondike is preserved as a national historic park with its rustic boardwalk and frontier-style storefronts. Due to its geographic location, Skagway enjoys a drier climate compared to the rest of southeastern Alaska, with an average annual precipitation of only 22 inches. | |||
|
![]() |
|||
|
|
|||
| Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska (Scenic Cruising) | |||
|
|
|||
| Located 50 miles southeast of Juneau, this spectacular glacier-carved fjord has sheer vertical walls that clearly showcase nature's artistry. Linger in this magical place to watch blocks of ice calving off the glaciers towering faces. | |||
|
![]() |
|||
|
|
|||
| Vancouver, British Columbia | |||
|
|
|||
| Often thought of as Canada's most beautiful city, Vancouver is a gorgeous thriving metropolis that's fortunate enough to be flanked by the ocean and mountains. With its numerous parks, beaches, gardens, museums, art galleries and ethnic diversity, Vancouver is one of those rare places that actually lives up to its promise of offering something for everyone. | |||
|
![]() |
|||
|
|
|||
| Victoria, British Columbia | |||
|
|
|||
| At one time, a British colonial post, Victoria is full of historic sites, public parks and groomed gardens. Due to its location, this quaint yet sophisticated little seaside city boasts the mildest climate in Canada. | |||
|