Ketchikan is a great introduction to Alaska’s natural attractions, situated at the foot of towering Deer Mountain and within easy reach of the Misty Fjords. The colourful wooden buildings of Creek Street, the old red light district, are a reminder of Ketchikan’s former status as a rough and ready frontier town; these days, things are rather more civilised!

Back in its 19th century heyday Wrangell was a lawless gold rush town, and it's still a little rough around the edges, but it's also a very welcoming place, ideal for exploring the surrounding Alaskan wilderness. Take a trip to the nearby Anan Wildlife Observatory for the chance to see black and brown bears at close proximity.

Founded by a Norwegian in the 1800s, the fishing town of Petersburg still wears its Scandinavian heritage with pride, and is known as ‘Little Norway’. Out in Frederick Sound you can often see icebergs that have broken off the LeConte Glacier, and the waters are an important summer feeding ground for humpback whales.

Kupreanof Island is a prime spot for whale watching and bear spotting, and there are a number of excellent hiking trails. The main settlement on the island, Kake, is a great place to learn about the culture of the indigenous Tlingit people, who make up 70% of the population here.

Kodiak is known as Alaska’s ‘Emerald Isle’ thanks to the lush green countryside, a landscape crisscrossed by gushing salmon-filled streams that provides a home to around 3,000 Kodiak bears, the world’s largest. Ships dock in Kodiak city, an important fishing port with a fascinating Russian heritage.

The little town of Homer is situated on the beautiful Kenai Peninsula, surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery. The town has something of a counter-cultural vibe, and is also known for the unusual geological feature known as the Spit, a sliver of land that stretches 4½ miles into Kachemak Bay.