11 Nights Alaska

Whittier is nestled at the base of mountains that line Passage Canal, a deepwater fjord of western Prince William Sound with tidewater glaciers that calve before your eyes. The surrounding peaks are snowcapped much of the year and a glacier hangs above the town to the west. Just across from Whittier is the Kittiwake Rookery, the largest of its kind in the world. Fishing is a favorite pastime with salmon and halibut derbies every summer. Whittier is a gateway to wildlife, glacier-viewing, sea kayaking and fishing charters.

Valdez is located on the north shore of Port Valdez, a deepwater fjord in Prince William Sound. It originated as a disembarkation point for men seeking a route to the Klondike gold fields. Known as "Alaska's Little Switzerland", Valdez's frosted mountains, towering glaciers and pristine lakes, rivers and inlets are a photographer's paradise.

This massive glacier sprawls over 1,300 square miles, and it is the longest river of ice in North America. Intimate inlets, mysterious ice caves and blue ice slabs are some of the incredible natural wonders of this gargantuan formation. Also known as the "Galloping Glacier", it once advanced 47 feet in a single day.

Icy Strait Point is one tiny port that's big on Alaskan wilderness and Native culture. Opened a decade ago by the Huna Tlingit Native Alaskans, it's easily one of the best spots in the region for fishing and whale watching. Dive into Native Alaska culture at a tribal dance show or pay a visit to Hoonah, Alaska's largest Tlingit village. If you want to venture over to the wild side, go on a guided nature hike through nearby rainforests or hop into an ATV and explore the backroads of Chichagof Island. At the end of the day, you can take in forest views while soaring high above the trees on the longest zip line in the world. No matter what kind of Alaska adventure you're craving, you'll find it in Icy Strait Point

Sitka's past is a unique blend of Tlingit culture and Russian history. It lies at the heart of the largest temperate rain forest in the world, the Tongass National Forest. Island-studded waters and stately spruce forests make Sitka perhaps the most beautiful seaside town in Alaska.

Nestled on an island at the mouth of the mighty Stikine River, this veiled Alaskan frontier port offers encounters with sea lions, calving glaciers, bald eagles and snow-dusted peaks. Its mysterious petroglyphs offer insight into thousands of years of fascinating tribal life.

Located in the Tongass National Forest and close to Misty Fjords National Monument, Ketchikan is the "Salmon Capital of the World" and Alaska's 1st City. The town's colourful past is evident in the Indian villages and totem poles that grace its land.

Nanaimo, British Columbia, is a bastion of outdoor exploration and wildlife sightseeing. Also known as Harbor City, this rests on Vancouver Island in the protected waters of the Straight of Georgia, directly across from Vancouver.

The capital of British Columbia is an intimate, sophisticated seaside city that is situated on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Located in one of Canada's mildest climates, it is the sunniest spot in the province. This one-time colonial outpost alive with cosmopolitan dining, superb shopping and a colourful nightlife.

Dramatic mountains and soaring skyscrapers kiss the sea in this booming British Columbian metropolis. Known as the "Hollywood of the North," Vancouver is stunningly beautiful and richly diverse - highlighted by dense forests, verdant parks, intimate coffeehouses and seaside markets.