The Americas & Caribbean

Vancouver is a sophisticated coastal city located to the south of British Columbia, Canada. The city is linguistically and ethnically diverse as reflected in the fact that 52 percent of its inhabitants do not speak English as their first language. Ranked highly in worldwide ‘liveable city’ rankings for many years and being surrounded by nature’s scenery at its best, makes tourism its second largest industry. Read more about Vancouver, Canada

Astoria is Oregon's most northerly town and the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. Situated at the mouth of the Columbia River, it is a deep-water port, with fine old Victorian homes standing along well-maintained streets, and the beautiful 32 km long Astoria Bridge. It certainly offers a rich history. Read more about Astoria, USA

San Francisco, on the Californian coast, is one of America’s most attractive cities with its famous Golden Gate Bridge, steep streets that provide panoramic views of the beautiful San Francisco Bay and surrounding mountains, and its eclectic mix of Victorian and modern architecture. Perhaps also famous for the nearby Silicon Valley, this ‘City by the Bay’ has become even more international with large numbers of immigrants from Asia and Latin America. Explore the amazing Fisherman’s Wharf that offers great food, and the numerous boutiques. Read more about San Francisco, USA

Mediterranean-flavoured Catalina Island is a world removed from the bustle of LA, and has been a popular getaway since chewing-gum magnate William Wrigley Jr purchased the place in 1919. It is part of the Channel Islands, a chain of semi-submerged mountains off the coast of Southern California with a unique ecosystem. Most of the island’s interior of sun-baked hillsides, valleys and canyons is owned by the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy, which ensures that it will never become overly developed. Read more about Santa Catalina, USA

San Diego is a coastal Southern Californian city located in the SW corner of the United States. Founded in 1769, it is the oldest town in California and has an enchanting natural beauty and a pleasant, mild, climate with plenty of sunshine, which defines the city. Though it’s big, and growing fast, San Diego manages to ‘hang on to’ a resort feel, even amid the skyscrapers and brick facades of its revamped downtown. Read more about San Diego, USA