21-night Pacific Passage & Jewels Of Japan Cruise

Vancouver is a thriving metropolis surrounded by natural beauty. With parks, beaches, gardens, museums, art galleries and the second-largest Chinatown in North America, Vancouver lives up to its promise of offering something for everyone. With modern buildings set against green, rolling hillsides, this city is breathtaking; no location offers a more spectacular view than Stanley Park - with a zoo, aquarium, totem poles and honking geese. A short walk from the park leads to Robson Street, which offers the town's best window-shopping. Stores with European flavor share the avenue with delicatessens and tea rooms ready to serve. As architectural heart of the city, Robson Square features a central plaza with a food fair and an old provincial courthouse, which now houses Vancouver Art Gallery. Be sure to stop at 8 Pender St. - "the narrowest building in the world." Other points of interest include the Museum of Anthropology; Japanese-style Nitobe Memorial Garden; and VanDusen Botanical Garden. Capilano Canyon is site of the world's longest and highest suspension footbridge.

Seymour Narrows is as a segment of the Discovery Passage in British Columbia.  This section is well known for its strong tidal currents which can reach a velocity of up to 15 kn. The Seymour Narrows is well known for the infamous Ripple Rock, which was removed by an explosion back in 1958, and is known to Canada as being one of the countries National Historic Events.

The drowned river-valley of Queen Charlotte Sound winds through a natural labyrinth of scenic forested islets, with calm waters ideal for sailing and kayaking. In 1770, Captain James Cook discovered this passage from the Pacific to the Tasman Sea, and it has since been known as Cook Strait. It was in Queen Charlotte Sound that he chose as a base from where to further explore the rest of the region. The Queen Charlotte Track snakes along the coast through the hills and along the shores to Keneperu Sound, offering a uniquely adventurous and active way of experiencing the area by bike or on foot. Along the Track, explore coves, hiking and biking trails, local culture and dramatic panoramic views from the summit.

Ketchikan is known as "Alaska's First City" because it's the first major community travelers come to as they travel north. The city is built on steep hillsides and is billed as salmon capital of the world. A quaint village, the town is three miles long and three blocks wide. With fishing boats sailing in and float planes ascending from the water, this seaside town is bustling with activity. With the world's largest collection of totem poles, Totem Bight State Historical Park offers insight into various native cultures of the Pacific Northwest. These wood-carved creations tell colorful, intricate tales – often showing a family history or depicting a local legend. Ketchikan has many options for adventure of relaxation, including mountain bike tours, sea kayaking, seaplane riding, or strolling down the boardwalk of Creek Street, Ketchikan's most famous section with a historic cable car and quaint boutiques. Blessed with an abundance of hiking trails, Ketchikan offers many breathtaking vistas, including the panoramic, 360-degree view from the top of Deer Mountain.

Resting between snowcapped mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Sitka is one of the most beautiful seaside towns in Alaska and the biggest city in America - encircling 4,710 square miles on Baranof Island. No symbol shows Russian influence more than the landmark St. Michael's Cathedral. Original artifacts and icons, including the Sitka Madonna, were saved from fire and are on display. Visit Castle Hill, once site of a two-story log mansion known as Baranof's Castle, which overlooked Sitka Sound during the town's fur trading days. Only stone walls and mounted cannons remain from Russia's bloody battles against native Tlingit. Sitka National Historical Park offers information and artifacts relating to the Tlingits, including totem poles as a chronicle of early life on this fertile ground. Alaska Raptor Rehabilitation Center cares for as many as a dozen bald eagles and other birds at a time. The facility caters to rare wildlife recovering from injuries incurred in the wild. Among the more popular trails is Indian River Trail, which parallels a salmon stream, and the three-mile-long Gaven Hill Trail.

Seventy-five miles long and covering over 1,350 square miles in area, the Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in North America. It is also one of the most impressive, a 300-foot wall of ice rising sheer and jagged from the ocean. You may hear the rumble and see the monumental splash as the glacier breaks off in great ice chunks, known as "calves."

Kodiak, home to Alaska's largest fishing fleet, offers a taste of Alaska's Russian heritage. Visit Russian Orthodox Church, and the Baranof Museum (located in Alaska's oldest wooden structure, a historic fur storehouse). Over 200 species of birds have been recorded in the Kodiak Archipelago, and bird watching is a main attraction. Special wildlife viewing is found at Miller Point within Ft. Abercrombie State Historic Park. During the early summer, gray, humpback, and minke whales can be spotted as they migrate through nearby Whale Passage. Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge was established to protect the habitat of the brown bear. Kodiak is home to extensive fishing, hunting and photographic opportunities.

Dutch Harbour is a port in the Aleutian Islands. Geologically, the archipelago is a continuation of the Aleutian Range, which is on the Alaskan mainland, and contains a number of volcanic peaks. Few trees, all of stunted growth, are found, but grasses grow in abundance. Although a few good harbours are found in the archipelago, navigation is dangerous because of almost perpetual fog and numerous reefs.

Travel across the International Dateline and step forward or backward in time one day.

Kushiro offers visitors a variety of attractions to enjoy including the Fisherman's Wharf MOO. It's unique architecture and location make it a perfect place for photos. The complex also houses many restaurants and excellent shopping. Kushiro also has one of the largest zoo's in Japan, a Wetland, and Marsh Observatory with luscious walking trails.

This island has an excellent reputation for its beauty. Miyako is the main island among a chain of eight islands, with its main city located in Hirara.  Visitors will enjoy the coral sand beaches, and emerald green sea, perfect for swimming. The island also has a beautiful coastline fringed with the coral reefs.  The scale of coral reefs far outshines others. Travellers will also enjoy visiting the many historical sites symbolizing the life of the island.

Sendai is known nationwide as a modern city that has developed a beautiful landscape in harmony with nature. The Hirose-gawa River runs through its center and lush zelkova trees line its streets. The center of the city, especially, is so full of greenery, with its trees and parks that it is called “City of Trees.” Sendai has many universities and is also well-known as an academic city with contributions to the development of the high-tech industry. Sendai also values history and culture. In Sendai, many traditional events, including the Tanabata Matsuri Festival, continue to this day. In addition, Sendai International Music Competition and Street Jazz Festival, are also popular artistic performances.

Shimizu is located on the northwest coast of Suruga Bay on the island of Honshu. Protected by a sandspit, it is a major commercial port and fishing centre. Places of scenic and historic interest include the Pine Groves of Miho, the Ryuge Temple, containing a fern palm believed to be more than 1,000 years old, and the nearby Nippon-Daira plateau.

Tokyo, Japan, presents a different view at every turn. It's one of the world's main economic centers and its most populous agglomeration. The business of Tokyo is business, but you can still find harmony and small-scale gardens on back streets. Around the corner from neon and concrete, you may find the bonsai-lined courtyard of a traditional inn.

Tokyo was nearly destroyed by bombs and fires during World War II, and by earthquakes at other times, but it has always rebuilt itself. As a result, there is little left of Old Japan in the city, but there's plenty of New Japan to take its place.

The streets are a confusing maze, so a map is essential. The transit system is excellent, however, and there are kobans (police boxes) throughout the metropolis, as well as a populace generally willing to answer questions.

Visitors to Tokyo represent both business and leisure travelers. And despite its past reputation, Tokyo is no longer fearsomely expensive. It's relatively easy to visit Tokyo on a budget.