Crystal Serenity - August 13, 2024

This metropolis is Canada's fastest growing city. Visit Gastown, a restored turn-of-the-century district where Vancouver's first saloon still stands. See trumpeter swans at Lost Lake, contemplate the ducks at Beaver Lagoon, or watch exotic aquatic creatures at the Stanley Park Aquarium. Climb the Lookout for a 360-degree view of the city.

The first cruise ship appeared in Ketchikan 114 years ago, and it has been a favorite port ever since. You can tour the area by boat, bus, horse-drawn trolley, or even a restored 1955 Chevy. The most famous part of town is Creek Street. The homes once comprising the red light district are now filled with arts, crafts and gift shops. Totem poles are everywhere, with 24 at Saxman Native Totem Park.

Tracy Arm, a classic fjord, has it all: snow capped peaks, shear rock palisades, rainbows and tidewater glaciers. Drift among icebergs and waterfalls that cascade 1,000's of feet for the most close-up view of Sawyer Glacier. You'll see incredible mountains and emerald green water, and be able to watch for whales, bear, eagles and mountain goats, and seals

The picturesque town of Skagway is famous for it's hospitality, sightseeing and recreational opportunities. Visitors can enjoy scenic views of Laughton glacier and Parsons Peak, or take an evening walk across the swinging foot bridge to Yakatania point, where bald eagles and harbor seals fish for supper. No matter what you decide to do, you will be amazed with the sights and activities in and around Skagway.

Sitka is considered Alaska's most beautiful seaside town, with views of island-studded waters and stately spruce forests reaching to the water's edge. Sitka offers a combination of Native culture, Russian history, and Alaskan wilderness which provides a diverse and unequaled Alaskan experience. The mild climate and dense forests make Sitka one of the best places to view wildlife in Alaska.

Alaska's Inside Passage is awash with pristine water mountain views. A cruise among the fjords and islands takes you into prime habitat for bald eagles, sea lions, and whales. The Inside Passage is home to the totem poles of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian Indians, and Russian setters, as well as prospectors, lumberjacks, and fishermen. All have added to the tapestry of this area's history.

Founded as a fur-trading post by the Hudson Bay Company, Victoria is home to an interesting mix of cultures. There are English pubs, East Indian restaurants, and Japanese sushi bars. Chinatown features great buys at Market Square. Spend a pleasant afternoon among the flowers and waterways of world-famous Butchart Gardens.

This metropolis is Canada's fastest growing city. Visit Gastown, a restored turn-of-the-century district where Vancouver's first saloon still stands. See trumpeter swans at Lost Lake, contemplate the ducks at Beaver Lagoon, or watch exotic aquatic creatures at the Stanley Park Aquarium. Climb the Lookout for a 360-degree view of the city.

As the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies, Astoria offers a rich history for exploration. It was first visited by Captain Robert Gray in 1792, and by the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery in 1805. Within a 20 mile radius, one can see dozens of exciting attractions including Fort Clatsop National Memorial, Fort Stevens State Park, Fort Astoria, and the Columbia River Maritime Museum.

With breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and a spectacular bay, San Francisco is one of the U.S.'s most beautiful cities. Visitors have a wide range of things to see, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Nob Hill, Alcatraz, and Chinatown. And no trip to this city is complete without a ride on the cable cars. The restaurants are excellent, with a rich diversity of cuisine.

With breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and a spectacular bay, San Francisco is one of the U.S.'s most beautiful cities. Visitors have a wide range of things to see, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Nob Hill, Alcatraz, and Chinatown. And no trip to this city is complete without a ride on the cable cars. The restaurants are excellent, with a rich diversity of cuisine.

Hollywood discovered this little fishing village back in the 1960's, and since then luxury resorts and bougainvillea-covered villas have flourished in the delightful seaside climate. Yet hints of past tranquility remain: cobbled courtyards where the locals hold their markets, and superb sport-fishing just offshore.

Huatulco is made up of the bays of Huatulco, which are lined with quaint villages. Huatulco is made up of three areas: La Crucecita, another town on the beach; Santa Cruz, a prime destination for beach-lovers; and Tangolunda, home to a number of upscale resorts. Recent reconstruction of Huatulco, lovely beaches, and waters full of interesting species hace created an environment very friendly to visitors.

The tropical city of Puerto Caldera provides access to San Jose, Costa Rica. Most tourists in San Jose come to visit the Opera House. Other excursions include Paos Volcano National Park, and Sarchi, known for its beautiful crafts. You can also go on a tour of the wildlife preserve and see tropical birds, alligators, and more.

Spend an unforgettable day cruising the Panama Canal, a fifty-one-mile waterway through the rainforest that is one of the world's engineering masterpieces. The ship glides down the canal with inches to spare, through locks that raise and lower it like a toy. Along the way it crosses enormous Gatun Lake, and the amazing Gaillard Cut, blasted out of a solid mountainside.

Once the port where the wealth of the New World flowed back to the Old, Cartagena also served as a notorious base for privateers and pirates. Today, you can stroll the tree-lined Spanish colonial artistry of old in the streets and see the works of the Gold Museum. The port is also a great place to find bargains on emeralds.

George Town is the capital of the Cayman Islands, and is situated directly on Grand Cayman. Once a center of turtle fishing, the area is now a popular tourist destination. Snorkeling and diving are especially popular, and the opportunity to swim with and feed the giant, graceful stingrays should not be missed. Don't worry--it is said that no one has ever been stung.

Explore all that Miami has to offer, from the magnificent Port of Miami, to the world famous Everglades and Biscayne National Parks, historic Coconut Grove, and trendy South Beach. Other attractions include the Miami Seaquarium , Miami MetroZoo, and sports teams the Dolphins, Heat and Marlins. No wonder so many celebrities, such as Gloria Estefan, Madonna and Ricky Martin, call Miami home.

The question is never What will I do in New York? but rather, What won't I do in New York? With over 18,000 restaurants, 150 world-class museums, and more than 10,000 shops filled with brand names and bargains from around the world, New York City has something for everyone. And that's not including the shows, landmarks and history that make New York one of the finest cities in the world.

Newport, RI is one of the USs oldest towns. Eat quahogs and clamcakes until you burst and wash them down with Del's famous lemonade. Newport has always liked to party and is home to the oldest tavern in the nation, the White Horse Inn (1673). It's the perfect balance of big-city excitement and New England small-town living.

Portland has a thriving waterfront in the heart of downtown that is a hodgepodge of condos, fish markets, and ferry docks. Bordered by Maine's rocky coast to the north, and miles of white, sandy beaches to the south, the city offers hiking, sailing, kayaking, snorkeling, and fishing, and to the west and north lies some of the best skiing in the world. This is Maine, "the way life should be".

Saint John is a spectacular commerical port at the intersection of the St. John River and the Bay of Fundy. Visitors will be exhilarated by the pounding surf and sounds of the world's highest tides, best viewed at Reversing Falls. Saint John features a climate-controlled pedway system, allowing the utmost comfort as you visit attractions including the Canada Games Aquatic Centre and Old City Market.

Saint John is a spectacular commerical port at the intersection of the St. John River and the Bay of Fundy. Visitors will be exhilarated by the pounding surf and sounds of the world's highest tides, best viewed at Reversing Falls. Saint John features a climate-controlled pedway system, allowing the utmost comfort as you visit attractions including the Canada Games Aquatic Centre and Old City Market.

Halifax is perfect for exploring on foot, with tree-lined streets, inviting sidewalk cafes, and museums in a park-like waterfront setting. Discover historic dockside vessels at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Stroll lazily through one of the finest Victorian city gardens in North America. Experience the charm of Peggy's Cove, as ships from every corner of the globe sail by in the background.

Quebec City is the capital of Canada's province of the same name. Most of the city's residents speak French and are Roman Catholic. Important cultural institutions in the city include Laval University, the concert hall, and the Grand Theatre. Winter sports are popular, especially ice hockey and skiing. Popular events include the 3-week-long Winter Carnival and the Provincial Exhibition.

Quebec City is the capital of Canada's province of the same name. Most of the city's residents speak French and are Roman Catholic. Important cultural institutions in the city include Laval University, the concert hall, and the Grand Theatre. Winter sports are popular, especially ice hockey and skiing. Popular events include the 3-week-long Winter Carnival and the Provincial Exhibition.