Day 1: Vancouver

“Gassy Jack” Deighton saw a chance to make money from the miners on their way to the Yukon and the saloon he built became the focus of the shanty town known as Gas Town. From here, modern Vancouver was born - Canada’s third largest city. The government persuaded the settlers to change the name of the town to Vancouver, after Captain George Vancouver, who sailed the area’s waters in 1792. Today Vancouver offers travelers tram rides to the top of Grouse Mountain, the lovely Ming Dynasty Gardens, historic Gas Town and picturesque Stanley Park.

Day 2: At Sea

Day 3: Ketchikan

Ketchikan, on the southwest side of Revillagigedo Island, grew up around salmon canneries and sawmills. Ketchikan's name supposedly comes from the native term "Katch Kanna", which roughly translates: "spread wings of a thundering eagle." At one time Ketchikan was proclaimed the “Salmon Capital of the World.” An outstanding collection of totem poles make a visit to Ketchikan essential for anyone interested in Native art. Travelers flock to Ketchikan for their first look at the North Country, and are rarely disappointed.

Day 4: Icy Strait Point

Discover the frontier town of Icy Strait surrounded by nature in its unspoiled glory. Pine trees as tall as skyscrapers, humpback whales, eagles, wild salmon, black bears and more, form the harmonious tapestry of life in this Alaskan hinterland. Visit the Native Theater and Heritage Center to see Tlinglit tribal members enacting their history through song and dance. Also worthy of attention are the elaborately carved totem poles. Stroll over to the Cannery Museum and find out how this staple of the Alaskan diet is processed. Shop for locally made preserves, jewelry, wooden carvings, clothing, and bath products. Take a walk along the well-marked nature trail to Hoonah. Enjoy delicious and abundant seafood, Dungeness crab, salmon, shrimp and cod in this remarkable natural environment.

Day 5: At Sea

Day 6: Seward

Seward was originally founded in 1903 as the southern terminus for the Alaska Railroad, a distinction it still holds today. The picturesque harbor with its colorful wood-frame houses and background of soaring cliffs looks out on Resurrection Bay, so named by a band of Russians explorers who found this calm spot along the storm-tossed Gulf of Alaska on Easter Sunday. From downtown Anchorage you can view two active volcanoes, the highest point on the continent of North America (Mount McKinley), and six major mountain ranges.

Day 7: Kodiak

About 30 miles off the southeast coast of the Alaskan peninsula is Kodiak, encompassing around 5,000 square miles of dense forests, jagged peaks and bays teeming with wildlife and natural beauty. Nicknamed "Alaska's Emerald Isle" by its residents, is described as a place to leave civilization behind as you brave the sometimes unrelenting elements to truly rediscover nature in its purest state. Endless outdoor activities range from hiking through the forests to watching the Kodiak bears foraging for food. Fishing enthusiasts find Kodiak Island offers great salmon, halibut and trout fishing.

Day 8: At Sea

Day 9: Dutch Harbor

Located on the Aleutian Chain, approximately 900 miles southwest of Anchorage, Dutch Harbor is a destination full of breathtaking scenery. From windswept volcanic peaks surrounded by the sea, to green valleys dotted with the vibrant colors of wildflowers in the summer. Hike on trails, some of which were established thousands of years ago by the indigenous Unangan people whom have continuously inhabited these islands for roughly 9,000 years. Go beach combing for glass at Front Beach, berry picking for wild salmonberries and blueberries or Watch the salmon spawn in the Iliuliuk Creek.

Please be advised that due to a lack of organized land touring infrastructure in this destination, shore excursions will not be available. We invite you to explore this port on your own.

Day 10: At Sea

Day 11: Crossing the International Date Line

Day 12-13: At Sea

Day 14: Petropavlovsk

The city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is the industrial, scientific and cultural center of Kamchatka. The city and its extremely large harbor are well-protected from all storms, and even from dreaded tsunami tidal waves. The city is surrounded by incredible natural beauty with the Avacha and Koryak volcanoes to the north, and huge Avacha Bay to the south. There is breathtaking beauty and heritage of this unique city, surrounded by mountains, volcanoes and geysers.

Day 15 - 16: At Sea

Day 17: Hakodate

Hakodate abounds with natural beauty, historical buildings and delicious food. It is also famed for its abundance of hot springs, particularly the Yunokawa Onsen for a full body experience and the Ashiyu footbaths that are miniaturized hot spring baths designed for soaking one's feet. Also of interest is the Goryokaku fort. Enjoy a bird's-eye view of the huge star-shaped fortress and surrounding moat from the adjoining Goryokaku Tower Observatory. Shop along the Bay Area facing Hakodate Port, its row of old red-brick buildings have been converted into a unique mall. After browsing, have a tea break while taking in the harbor views.

Day 18: Sendai

Nature, cuisine, samurai history, this city has a little bit of everything. Stroll down Jozenji-dori Avenue, a tree-lined street which perfectly symbolizes Sendai's nickname: The City of Trees. Visit the giant Daikannon Statue, this Goddess of Mercy is one of the world’s tallest. Find groups of temples behind Sendai Station along ShinderaStreet, as well as in Kitayama. Find relaxation and peace at the shrines of Osaki Hachimangu and Rinno-ji Temple. Sendai is also famous for its cold Chinese noodles, miso and traditional sweets, visit the Asaichi Street Market to savor the flavors.

Day 19: Hitachinaka

Day 20: Tokyo

Because it is the seat of the Japanese government and the home of the Imperial Family, Tokyo is the de facto capital of Japan. The firebombings of WWII in 1945, with 75,000 to 200,000 killed and half of the city destroyed, were almost as devastating as the atomic bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki combined. After the war, Tokyo was completely rebuilt. Today, Tokyo is one of the three world finance "command centers," along with New York and London.