region

On the edge of a peninsula on the island of Okinawa, the town of Motobu offers a wealth of natural and cultural attractions within minutes of the port. You easily spend an entire day exploring the expansive Ocean Expo Park that stretches along the coast. Here the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is renowned for its enormous Kuroshio Sea tank where you can observe whale sharks and manta rays up close. The park also includes tropical botanical gardens and arboretums, a re-creation of a native Okinawan village from the Ryukyu kingdom era, and the white sands of Emerald Beach.

Tucked away in Japan’s subtropical Ryukyu Islands, the beautiful coastline and lush rainforests of the isle of Amami-Oshima are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site valued for its many endemic and rare species and rich biodiversity. The crystal-clear waters of this hidden gem are filled with vibrant coral reefs, and the white sand beaches are so far off the beaten path that you may well find your own private stretch of secluded shoreline.

While it is the largest island in the Yaeyama archipelago, Ishigaki is small enough to traverse in about an hour, giving visitors ample time to explore its tropical beauty. One of the island's most famous attractions is Kabira Bay, renowned for its emerald waters and white sand beaches. Glass-bottom boat tours offer an up-close look at the bay’s colorful coral reefs and tropical marine life.

One of the most important industries in Aberdeen becomes apparent as soon as you lay eyes on the distinctive gray façades of its buildings constructed from locally quarried granite. Discover other sources of the city’s wealth in the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, which reveals a rich seafaring history of shipbuilding, whaling and oil drilling in the North Sea. Old Aberdeen transports you even farther into the past with the medieval architecture of King’s College, the 12th-century Church of St. Nicholas, and the 7th-century St. Machar Cathedral.

A picturesque town on Norway's southern coast, Mandal is known for its charming wooden houses, sandy beaches and rich maritime heritage. Start your day with a stroll through the narrow streets of the Old Town, where you can admire the well-preserved 19th-century homes and one of the largest timber churches in Norway. The Mandal Museum not only illuminates the history of the town’s fishing industry but also showcases the work of the many great artists born here.

Situated between the Pacific Ocean and the soaring Coast Mountains, Vancouver is equal parts urban sophistication and outdoor adventure. The city is one of Canada’s most ethnically diverse, reflecting Asian, Latin American and Aboriginal traditions in its rich cultural tapestry. A national historic site, Gastown is a lovely neighborhood of Victorian architecture, local boutiques, art galleries and world-class restaurants, while nearby Granville Island offers an eclectic mix of farmer’s markets, artisanal shops and street performances.

Prince Rupert is a vibrant coastal city located on Kaien Island at the edge of the Great Bear Rainforest. The area is steeped in native history, having served as the traditional territory of the Tsimshian Nation for thousands of years, and the Museum of Northern British Columbia showcases this heritage in a remarkable collection of artifacts and exhibits. More recent history is revealed on a tour of the restored North Pacific Cannery, a world leader in the sockeye salmon industry in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Situated on its namesake island, Wrangell is a charming and historic town surrounded by the lush Tongass National Forest and the pristine waters of the Inside Passage. The area has been home to the Tlingit people for thousands of years, and their influence is evident in the town's art, traditions, and ancient petroglyphs found along the shoreline. Wrangell’s layered history includes time as a Russian and British outpost, as well as a boom during the Gold Rush era, and the Wrangell Museum offers a glimpse into this storied past.