Alaska & South Pacific Gems

Vancouver is a sophisticated coastal city located to the south of British Columbia, Canada. The city is linguistically and ethnically diverse as reflected in the fact that 52 percent of its inhabitants do not speak English as their first language. Ranked highly in worldwide ‘liveable city’ rankings for many years and being surrounded by nature’s scenery at its best, makes tourism its second largest industry. Read more about Vancouver, Canada

Alaska’s ‘first city’ Ketchikan is situated along the shores of Alaska's Inside Passage within the heart of the Tongass National Forest. Evergreen mountains rise out of the water, the lush green landscape nurtured by the abundant rainfall of the temperate rainforest environment. Visitors are presented with a remarkable array of activities and attractions that highlight the town's history, industry and culture, and bring them up close to resident wildlife. Read more about Ketchikan, USA

Built on a narrow shelf between Mt. Juneau and the deep waters of Gastineau Channel, Juneau is Alaska's state capital and a rewarding destination for glacier viewing. Juneau is a blend of fishermen and teachers, legislators and artists, homemakers and lawyers, union workers and frontier entrepreneurs, students and Native elders, all sharing an active port city within an inspiring wilderness setting. Read more about Juneau, USA

Skagway in Alaska, USA, is an historical city where the past lives on, and a place where the romance and excitement of yesteryear linger around every street corner as well as in every bend of the trail. Gateway to the Klondike and the Gold Rush, visitors can still ride the antique White Pass and Yukon narrow-gauge railway up through silvery-purple rock faces, past Deadhorse Gulch, to see what it was like back then. While in Skagway you can easily walk around town, see all of the historical sites along the back streets and stroll down historic Broadway. Read more about Skagway, USA

Sitka, the fourth largest city by population in Alaska, is nestled on the west side of Baranof Island, and is thought to be the most beautiful of SE Alaska cities. The flora and fauna of Sitka and its surrounding area are notable attractions. Residents and visitors alike enjoy fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, and simply experiencing all this dynamic town has to offer. Read more about Sitka, USA

Hilo is the largest settlement on The Big Island of Hawaii, the southernmost of the Hawaiian islands, in Polynesia. It overlooks Hilo Bay, at the base of active Mauna Loa (4169m) and dormant Mauna Kea (4207m) volcanoes. Hilo is an impressively beautiful town overlooking beaches, caves, rivers, and waterfalls within its limits. Read more about Hilo, USA

The Island of Maui, the Magic Isle of Hawaii, is surrounded by 48km of beautiful beaches that are known for quiet waters in the summer, and being a whitewater playground for the surfing elite in winter. An ideal way of seeing the island is to travel by car or bus and visit such places as Paia, a small town on the island with a collection of quaint shops, along with art galleries and great local food at casual restaurants. Here, natural wonders set your spirit free and the warm ‘aloha’ of Maui's people fills your heart with a sense of belonging. Read more about Maui, USA

The Island of Maui, the Magic Isle of Hawaii, is surrounded by 48km of beautiful beaches that are known for quiet waters in the summer, and being a whitewater playground for the surfing elite in winter. An ideal way of seeing the island is to travel by car or bus and visit such places as Paia, a small town on the island with a collection of quaint shops, along with art galleries and great local food at casual restaurants. Here, natural wonders set your spirit free and the warm ‘aloha’ of Maui's people fills your heart with a sense of belonging. Read more about Maui, USA

The birthplace of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the Unites States, Honolulu is the cultural, industrial, commercial, and governmental centre of Hawaii, with Waikiki Beach the epicentre of the tourist industry. It is a thriving world-class city, with nearly one million people in its metropolitan area. Oahu is the most popular of the Hawaiian Islands, and as the city is packed with sights, activities, and tourist attractions, it is easy to understand why there is so much to do in this southernmost major U.S. Read more about Honolulu, USA

Nawiliwili is a large beach park and port on the SE of the island of Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands. One of the wettest spots on Earth, with an annual average rainfall of over 11 meters, it is located on the east side of Mount Wai'ale'ale. The high annual rainfall has eroded deep valleys in the central mountains resulting in canyons with many scenic waterfalls. Read more about Nawiliwili, USA

Hilo is the largest settlement on The Big Island of Hawaii, the southernmost of the Hawaiian islands, in Polynesia. It overlooks Hilo Bay, at the base of active Mauna Loa (4169m) and dormant Mauna Kea (4207m) volcanoes. Hilo is an impressively beautiful town overlooking beaches, caves, rivers, and waterfalls within its limits. Read more about Hilo, USA

Nuku Hiva is the largest of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France. The Marquises lie 1400 km NE of Tahiti. The island is about 25 km across, with a high inland plateau and the highest peak Tekao at 1224 m. Read more about Nuku Hiva, French Polynesia

Rangiroa, also known as The Endless Lagoon, is a coral atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago of French Polynesia. It lies 325 km to the NE of Tahiti. The lagoon is 80 km long and rather narrower, with two main sea passages to the ocean at the northern end. Read more about Rangiroa, French Polynesia

Raiatea is a South Pacific island in the west of French Polynesia. It is the second largest of the French Polynesian Archipelago. The same coral reef encloses both Raiatea and the smaller island of Tahaa just 4 km south. Read more about Raiatea, French Polynesia

Huahine is an island located among the Society Islands, and is arguably the most picturesque island in all of French Polynesia. It actually consists of two islands, Huahine-Nui (big) and Huahine Iti (little) interconnected by a bridge. With steep mountains descending into protected bays of azure blue and emerald green colours, the island is also one of the more geographically diverse of the Society Group. Read more about Huahine, French Polynesia

Bora Bora is an island in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia. The mysteries and romance associated with the words Bora Bora bring an almost mystical presence to the island; it is arguably the most famous island in the world. Part of the allure has to be its almost unbelievable beauty. Read more about Bora Bora, French Polynesia

The city of Papeete (Tahitian Pape'ete; pop. 27,000) is the capital of Tahiti, the largest of the French Polynesian Islands. With its pleasant warm tropical climate, city-lovers will enjoy Papeete's chic shops, specialist stores and boutiques, together with the lively mix of French, Polynesian, and Chinese cultures. Read more about Papeete, French Polynesia