Once described by Jacques Cousteau as 'the world's aquarium', Mexico's amazing Sea of Cortez is rich in marine life including sea lions, dolphins, mobula rays and numerous species of whale, with countless opportunities for snorkelling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, hiking and more.

The sister towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo sit at the tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. The towns themselves are mostly given over to luxury hotels and boisterous nightlife, but the surrounding landscape is characterised by arid arroyos, bristly cacti and rocky coastal outcrops.

Situated on the west coast of the Baja California peninsula, Magdalena Bay is sheltered from the Pacific by islands just off the coast, and the calm waters provide the perfect conditions for the gray whales that mate and give birth here between January and March.

Laid-back, friendly and blessed with near-perfect weather all year round, San Diego is one of America’s most likeable cities. Enjoy a stroll through Balboa Park, dotted with beautiful Spanish Renaissance-style architecture, take a whale watching trip along the coast, or sample the nightlife of the trendy Gaslamp Quarter.

Sunny Santa Barbara is one of the loveliest cities on the Californian coast, with a beautiful stretch of beach against the backdrop of the Santa Ynez mountains. Architectural highlights include the 18th century Spanish Mission church, and there are plenty of excellent bars, restaurants and shops.

The seaside city of Monterey is famous for its aquarium, and was originally California’s state capital. The historic quarter is home to some lovely Spanish and Mexican colonial architecture, and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is rich in sea life including dolphins, seals, sea lions and whales.

Renowned for its food, its misty mornings and its vertiginous streets, cosmopolitan San Francisco is quite unlike any other American city. Highlights include the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the delightful waterfront and the bohemian quarter of Haight Ashbury.

Astoria is the oldest city west of the Rockies, situated on the picturesque Oregon coast where the Columbia river meets the Pacific Ocean. This bustling port town is sometimes known as ‘Little San Francisco’, with handsome Victorian architecture, a proud fishing heritage and a buzzing, creative vibe.

Situated in the northwest corner of the USA, eclectic Seattle is a jumble of different neighbourhoods, each with its own distinctive character, and the city enjoys a stunning natural setting, surrounded by forests, mountains and the broad sweep of Puget Sound.

Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and Canada’s westernmost city, with a distinctly English feel that occasionally borders on the twee. It’s a very walkable city, with handsome 19th century architecture, verdant parks and a lively harbour, and, this being Canada, the great outdoors is never far away.