Little wonder Seattle bills itself as "the most liveable city in the world." Every hilltop offers an incredible view: the towering Olympic Mountains to the west and the Cascades to the east; plus stunning Mt. Rainier and Puget Sound, a fisherman's paradise for everything from king salmon to steelhead trout.

Cloistered in the rocky recesses of Alaska, Glacier Bay is a world still emerging from the Ice Age. Sixteen dazzling tidewater glaciers creep back and forth by millimeters, chiseling great masses of moraine onto their pristine surfaces.

For years Juneau's livelihood, like that of many cities in Alaska, was tied to mining. The city itself is built on tailings from the A-J mine whose shafts perforate the hillside above town. Because it is Alaska's capital, Juneau prospers through government work and tourism. This is a great place to sample salmon baked over an alderwood fire, pan for gold, and hike the massive Juneau Icefield. If you feel the need for speed, hop on a sled and let a dog team pull you across the surface
of a glacier.

Sitka, Alaska

Russian Alaska is represented by the Orthodox Cathedral. View holy icons of the czarist days and hear the amazing story of the cathedral fire and Sitka's mad flurry to save the church's icons and religious treasures. Attend a lively performance of Russian dance by the New Archangel Dancers. Bald eagles perch in the spruce and cedar trees of Sitka--often several to a branch--and you can visit recuperating eagles at the rehabilitation center.

In the heart of the Tongass National Forest, learn about Tlingit Indian culture and view the world's largest collection of totem poles; kayak the colorful waterfront and stroll the boardwalk.

High tea can be taken at the Empress Hotel if you really want to discover what Victoria is all about. Then walk over to the breathtaking Museum of Natural History or stroll through the charming downtown that lives up to its British-flavored name with double-decker buses, turreted castles, fine British woolens, and delicate china. A coach-ride away, the Butchart Garden earns its impeccable reputation for glorious blooms and fragrant scents.