While it is the largest island in the Yaeyama archipelago, Ishigaki is small enough to traverse in about an hour, giving visitors ample time to explore its tropical beauty. One of the island's most famous attractions is Kabira Bay, renowned for its emerald waters and white sand beaches. Glass-bottom boat tours offer an up-close look at the bay’s colorful coral reefs and tropical marine life.
One of the most important industries in Aberdeen becomes apparent as soon as you lay eyes on the distinctive gray façades of its buildings constructed from locally quarried granite. Discover other sources of the city’s wealth in the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, which reveals a rich seafaring history of shipbuilding, whaling and oil drilling in the North Sea. Old Aberdeen transports you even farther into the past with the medieval architecture of King’s College, the 12th-century Church of St. Nicholas, and the 7th-century St. Machar Cathedral.
A picturesque town on Norway's southern coast, Mandal is known for its charming wooden houses, sandy beaches and rich maritime heritage. Start your day with a stroll through the narrow streets of the Old Town, where you can admire the well-preserved 19th-century homes and one of the largest timber churches in Norway. The Mandal Museum not only illuminates the history of the town’s fishing industry but also showcases the work of the many great artists born here.
Situated between the Pacific Ocean and the soaring Coast Mountains, Vancouver is equal parts urban sophistication and outdoor adventure. The city is one of Canada’s most ethnically diverse, reflecting Asian, Latin American and Aboriginal traditions in its rich cultural tapestry. A national historic site, Gastown is a lovely neighborhood of Victorian architecture, local boutiques, art galleries and world-class restaurants, while nearby Granville Island offers an eclectic mix of farmer’s markets, artisanal shops and street performances.
Prince Rupert is a vibrant coastal city located on Kaien Island at the edge of the Great Bear Rainforest. The area is steeped in native history, having served as the traditional territory of the Tsimshian Nation for thousands of years, and the Museum of Northern British Columbia showcases this heritage in a remarkable collection of artifacts and exhibits. More recent history is revealed on a tour of the restored North Pacific Cannery, a world leader in the sockeye salmon industry in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Situated on its namesake island, Wrangell is a charming and historic town surrounded by the lush Tongass National Forest and the pristine waters of the Inside Passage. The area has been home to the Tlingit people for thousands of years, and their influence is evident in the town's art, traditions, and ancient petroglyphs found along the shoreline. Wrangell’s layered history includes time as a Russian and British outpost, as well as a boom during the Gold Rush era, and the Wrangell Museum offers a glimpse into this storied past.
Set amid dramatic mountains and glaciers at the head of Prince William Sound, Whittier is an excellent launching point for exploring Alaska’s pristine beauty. A boating or kayaking expedition through the icy fjords provides scenic views of the glaciated inlets and may also offer glimpses of sea otters, seals and breaching whales. Hikes along the local trails lead into the surrounding mountains and to waterfalls cascading from the icefields into the sound.
Valdez is nestled on the shores of Prince William Sound, surrounded by the towering peaks of the Chugach Mountains. Known for its dramatic landscapes and vibrant history, Valdez is both a gateway to outdoor adventure and a testament to resilience. The town’s history is shaped by its role in the Gold Rush, its recovery following a catastrophic earthquake in 1964, and its importance as the southern terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. The Valdez Museum provides insight into these events, highlighting the community’s pioneering spirit.
Sitka's history is deeply rooted in its Alaska Native heritage and influenced by its time as a Russian colonial outpost. The two stories meet in Sitka National Historical Park, where you can explore the restored 19th-century Russian Bishop’s House and walk a scenic coastal trail lined with Tlingit and Haida totem poles. Other notable landmarks include St. Michael’s Cathedral, an outstanding example of Russian Orthodox architecture, and the Baranof Castle State Historic Site, where Alaska was officially transferred from Russia to the United States in 1867.
Positioned on narrow Frederick Sound and accessible only to small yachts and fishing vessels, Petersburg is truly one of Alaska’s hidden gems. Known as “Little Norway,” the town was founded in the early 1900s by Norwegian immigrants who established a thriving fishing industry here, and Peterburg’s rich Scandinavian heritage is evident in its architecture, cultural festivals and time-honored traditions.
