Spectacular Fire & Ice

Hawaii’s state capital, home to Waikiki and Manoa Falls, is as authentic as it gets. The best beaches, the finest restaurants and a multitude of historic museums, cultural and scenic attractions are all here to showcase Hawaii with plenty of sunshine for good measure.

Points of Interest

Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona Memorial 

A top tourist destination, this historic harbour features five sites, each honouring the crewmen who lost their lives during the Japanese attack on 7 December 1941.

Pali Lookout

A favourite amongst those flocking to Oahu, this breathtaking vantage point offers up incredible panoramic views of the island’s windward side.

Diamond Head Crater

Formed more than 100,000 years ago and once used as a strategic military lookout, this state monument was so named by 19th-century sailors who thought they’d discovered diamonds. The reality is they weren’t so lucky, but this still remains a real Hawaiian gem.

Queen Emma Summer Palace

A beautifully persevered Hawaiian-Victorian Palace that was previously the summer retreat of the Hawaiian monarchy, this special museum now houses a collection of royal antiques and Queen Emma’s belongings.

Still a relatively young city, Seattle may be a kid by some standards, but its rich history, unashamed uniqueness and future-forward growth mean it’s more than ready to hang with the older crowd. Here’s what you can find while you’re here…

Points of Interest

Space Needle

The city’s most iconic structure, the Space Needle stands at 605 feet. Head and shoulders above the rest of Seattle, you’re in for some spectacular view up here. 

Pike Place Market

The oldest open-air farmers’ market on the West Coast, if you eat at a restaurant in Seattle, chances are it’s come from here. Go for a wander around its maze of arcades, before sampling the unbelievable local produce that’s on offer. 

Pioneer Square

A 17-square block found in the southwest corner of downtown, the city’s oldest neighbourhood is full of architectural masterpieces and plenty of well-worn charm. Go for a walk here and you’ll definitely have a story to tell everyone back home.

Hiram M. Chittenden Locks

Seeing how fish are caught might not sound like much of a visitor attraction, but this is Seattle after all. Underwater glass panels let you view jumping salmon, while the nearby botanical gardens and bird houses add plenty of whimsical charm to your jaunt. 

Chihuly Garden and Glass

A standout example of Seattle’s arty side, this collection of curated glass art is without comparison. A showcase of local sculptor Dale Chihuly’s finest work, you’ll even be able to witness live glassblowing demonstrations, and trust us, they’re well worth staying for.

Seattle Great Wheel

A 175-foot Ferris wheel that’s 12 minutes from start to finish, the Great Wheel is the biggest of its kind here on the West coast. You’ll share the experience with others, but the views are all your own to savour once you’re at the top.

There’s gold in them there Juneau hills – or at least there was back in the day. Away from the prospectors of the past, Alaska’s capital is more about breath-taking glaciers and stunning views of its surrounding water and mountains.

Points of Interest

Mendenhall Glacier

Juneau’s most popular attraction, the mighty Mendenhall Glacier stretches 12 miles from the Juneau Icefield to Mendenhall Lake. Get your boots on and leave some footprints on it of your own!

Mount Roberts Tramway

A tram ride away, Mount Roberts offers up some stunning panoramic views of the channel and city below. While you’re at the top, be sure to check out its trails, shops and nature displays before heading back down.

Whale Watching

Explore the clear blue waters of Alaska’s inside passage, where you can keep a watchful eye out for whales and orcas frolicking in their watery playground.

Macaulay Salmon Hatchery

Witness the hundreds of adult salmon swim their way up a 450-foot fish ladder, before exploring the interior aquarium, a showcase of Juneau’s local marine life in their natural environment. 

Alaska State Museum

Ready for a bit of education, Alaska-style? Recently renovated to the tune of $140 million, this museum-library-auditorium has just about everything you need to know about the region’s history and geography. A treat for both trivia fans and curious minds. 

Old Glacier Highway

Running along the Inside Passage, you won’t find any places of business on this highway. As for roads that lead to the outside world, they don’t exist either. Instead, 45 miles of ice, stuffed between ocean and mountain, are waiting to wow you all from the convenience of your ship’s deck.

The Salmon Capital of the World, Ketchikan’s fishing prowess is matched only by its native heritage, and it’s this same blend of cultures that combines with jaw-dropping wilderness to create a truly one-of-a-kind location.

Points of Interest

Totem Bight State Park

An 11-acre park home to 14 totem poles – each with its own story to tell – this stretch of greenery offers a glimpse into the Tlingit and Haida cultures that colour the culture of Ketchikan far and wide. 

Creek Street

This historic boardwalk, found along the banks of Ketchikan Creek, was once the area’s Red Light District. Remnants of its debauched side remain over at Dolly’s House, but for a more innocent jaunt, there’s plenty of local art and culture to enjoy here too!

Misty Fjords National Monument

A natural mosaic of sea cliffs, steep fjords and rock walls jutting 3000 feet out of the oceans, Misty Fjords is rife with varied wildlife including mountain goats, black bears, killer whales and harbour seals, who all call this nature-crafted area their home. 

Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show

Ever wanted to watch mountain men battle it out by showing off their chopping, sawing, tree climbing, axe throwing and log rolling skills? Now you can! Be warned, this show of skill and strength is as burly as it gets. 

Saxman Village

A Tlingit village home to 475 residents, this historic location lets visitors explore at their own pace, or you can pay extra for a guided tour from a native – complete with a drum-and-dance performance and a visit to the totem carving shed. It’s well worth forking out for!

Tongass Historical Museum

Centred around Ketchikan’s fishing industry, there are plenty of local historical and Alaska Native artefacts to be found here, all of which connect the city’s storied past to its colourful present.

Said to be one of the most beautiful cities in southeast Alaska, Sitka is a picturesque gem famous for its fishing, annual summer music festival, and unusual Russian heritage from days gone by. 

Points of Interest

Sitka National Park

Alaska’s smallest park houses some pretty huge history: it’s where the Tlingits were defeated by the Russians in 1804. Let its Totem Trail tell you the story of battle before you arrive at the site of the fight itself near Indian River. 

Russian Blockhouse

A recreation of a Russian guardhouse used to protect their stockade from both Tlingit natives and surrounding wilderness, history comes alive in this blast from Sitka’s incredible past. 

Princess Maksoutoff’s Grave

The spot where the wife of Alaska’s last Russian governor is buried, this tiny grave site might be small but it’s a fascinating glimpse into Sitka’s history, centuries before the Cold War heated up. 

Castle Hill & Totem Square

The same location where Alaska was transferred from Russia back to the USA, Castle Hill was also once home to the governor of Russian America. Nearby, Totem Square houses Russian cannons and a totem pole featuring a two-headed Russian eagle carved into it. 

Fortress of the Bear

This fearsomely named facility is actually a site for rescued brown bears who were abandoned as cubs. While they’re not in their natural habitat, the bears here get plenty of playtime, and it’s well worth seeing them have fun with their furry pals. 

St Michael’s Cathedral

Alaska’s finest Russian Orthodox cathedral for over 100 years, the St Michael’s of today is actually a replica after a fire destroyed the original in 1966. The good news is the treasures within, saved by Sitka’s residents, are very much the real deal.

Once the starting point for more than 40,000 gold rush pioneers back in 1897, the Skagway of today is more Mild West than Wild West – and that’s definitely for the best. Laid-back and colourful, it remains an authentic piece of Alaska whichever way you slice it. Here’s what to expect…

Points of Interest

White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad

Linking Skagway with Yukon, Canada, this 41-mile round trip offers up some truly spectacular scenery, a tempting teaser ahead of the main course: the summit of the White Pass. 

Red Onion Saloon

Once Skagway’s most exclusive bordello, the Red Onion Saloon is now a historic brothel museum showcasing its more sordid past. Your very own Madam will be on hand to show you around, but remember: just like any other museum, you can look but you can’t touch. 

Yukon

A true playground of the wilderness, Yukon features an extensive network of waterways, all backdropped by sprawling mountains. A 65-mile drive from Skagway, this lush coastal landscape, giving way to the rugged wild, is worth the ride. 

Haines

Skagway isn’t exactly hustle and bustle, but Haines, the sleepy nearby town, is one for travellers who like things as tranquil as they come. Laid back and lush, there’s plenty of wildlife to be on the lookout for and – psst – its drinking scene is pretty impressive in its own right. 

Emerald Lake

So called because of the colour, this blue-hued body of water is a real sight to see. It’s a 75-mile drive from Skagway, but for a trip less travelled, it’s perfect for letting your inner explorer break free for the day. 

Yakutania Point

An easy-going two-mile loop, Yakutania Point was once said to be used by rumrunners during Prohibition. Nowadays, it’s a lot more innocent, but for a tranquil trail hike, it’s a great place to go for a stroll.