Monumental scenery surrounds you in this remote corner of the world, where glaciers calve and whales cruise through inky waters, before an immense mountain backdrop. Almost totally submerged by the colossal landscapes around it, Seward - and the wonders of Kenai Fjords National Park - offer some of astonishing Alaska's most thrilling scenery. Located in a deep gash in the Kenai Peninsula, Seward is a place to immerse yourself in nature's majesty. Fjords carve into the landscape, while the Harding Icefield - which caps Kenai Fjords National Park - reaches out its icy fingers, with glaciers spilling down between mountain peaks. Head to Holgate Glacier, to come face to face with a breathtaking stack of intense blue and white ice. Get up close in a kayak or boat ride, to slalom through the discarded confetti of ice chunks, and perhaps even witness the powerful spectacle of an ice ledge creaking and groaning, before plunging to the waters below. The city of Anchorage is easily within reach from here, offering an incongruous contrast to the wild wonders of Alaska. A place where deep-sea fishermen bump shoulders with businesspeople on the 9-5, it's a fascinating, remote city. Home to almost half of the Alaskan population, Anchorage and its humble skyline is dwarfed by the snowy peaks of the wilderness beyond. Don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique culture, traditions and heritage of the First Nation people of these lands too.

The serrated ridges of the snow-fleckedKenai Mountains - emerging across the water - provide a wild and wonderfullycinematic setting for the humble town of Homer. Reaching out into this vastwatery panorama is Homer spit, a narrow tongue of land, which bridges out intothe broad expanse of Kachemak Bay. A former gold-prospecting camp, Homer stillhas plenty of treasure to offer, sitting here amid Alaska's priceless wildlifeand landscapes. Almost five miles out along the spit, you suddenly chanceacross Lands’ End Resort - the perfect place to absorb the blockbuster viewsacross the water, and sink juicy oysters. Tiny planes scatter from Homer intothe Alaskan wilderness, on the hunt for grizzly bear watching opportunities.Encounter these most extraordinary creatures as they wade for fish, and playwith their young on the river banks. The bears are just scratching the surfaceof the wildlife that lives here, however, and you can take boat rides, orkayaks, out onto the marine estuary, to get close to the beautiful minke,beluga and humpback whales that patrol the waters. Hike to extraordinary views, or jump in ahelicopter for a pulse-raising ride above this wild, whitewash landscape - toskirt over glaciers draped between mountain peaks. If you’d rather staygrounded, relish the views of distant icy flows spilling down mountains, as youeat in the town's restaurants. Anglers can enjoy leisurely afternoons, tossingtheir hooks into the salty waters, and picking up rich rewards in monstroushalibuts and salmon in this fishing capital. Halibut Cove is, unsurprisingly,one of the prime fishing spots near Homer.

The domain of grizzlies, brown and black bears, Kodiak Island is a raw, wild, and utterly authentic Alaskan wilderness. The Emerald Isle is the USA's second-largest island, and with a wilderness stretching out over 3,670 square miles, it's a thrilling voyage into the Alaskan unknown. The weather may get a little cloudy at times, but the locals actively welcome a covering of cloud – perhaps partly because the clouds and fog are said to have deterred Japanese attacks during World War II's hostilities. Be sure to bring your camera with you; it's nigh on impossible to take a bad photo of these irresistible vistas - and you'll quickly see why Kodiak Island is the destination of choice for wildlife documentary producers. Cinematic setpieces regularly play out, as eagles soar over expansive sweeps of fir-tree forested mountains and still lakes, releasing occasional piercing calls. Some of the animal kingdom's most feared and revered creatures call Kodiak Island home, and your first sight of a bear reaching a massive paw into the water, or treading through a gently burbling stream, will live with you forever. Soar in a seaplane to track the bears with an expert guide. Masters of disguise, it often takes a trained eye to spot the bears in their natural habitats. Brush up on the skills you'll need in advance, with a read of our bear watching blog. [Insert blog: 7 tips for bear watching in Alaska]. The waters of Kodiak Island are also home to some of the world's most productive fishing. Try out your own skills, or accompany a seafaring fishing vessel, to witness life on the waves first-hand, as they plunder the depths of the ocean.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

For two hours of every day (between 10 am and 12 pm GMT), the world has three different dates. Planet Earth is divided into 24-different time zones, meaning that when it is 11.30 pm in Samoa (GMT-11), it will be 6.30 am in New York City (GMT-4) and 12.30 am in Kiritimati (GMT +14)! So, for those who travel east, time moves faster over the time zones, and you suddenly find yourself one day older! Just to confuse matters even further, the IDL (International Date Line) is arbitrary, and countries can request to move it as they please! However, regardless of where you are on the planet, the time and date always changes at midnight.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

Gaze down over Hakodate, from the heights of its namesake peak - Mount Hakodate - to see the city stretching out spectacularly, with back-to-back twin bays splitting the ocean. Hakodate port was one of the first to open Japan up to the world, and to international trade in 1859 - a fact reflected in the architecture, with its influences from the West and beyond. The port area is a redbrick wash of warehouses turned shopping malls, all observed by the onion domes of the city's Russian Orthodox church. Elsewhere, the star-shaped Goryokaku fortress glows with natural colours and a beautiful haze of cherry blossom during the season. Goryokaku Tower, which rises up beside it, offers a sweeping bird's eye view of the green fortress and mountain backdrop. Buses trundle up the 335-metre incline to the top of Mount Hakodate, but the best way to reach the views is to jump on the ropeway, which swings high above downtown's buildings, over a carpet of pine trees. Head up to the mountain's heights as sunset approaches. With darkness sweeping in, and the lights flickering to life, the panorama is one of Japan's most spectacular. Soak it all in, and look out to the horizon, dotted with the shimmering lights of ships hauling in harvests of the city's renowned squid. The plankton-rich waters attract a delicious variety of feasting sea life to Hakodate's coast, which is then plated up in the city's numerous, skilled restaurants. For an eye-opening, whirring morning, see the freshest produce being doled out at Hakodate Morning Market – amid a cacophony of noise and activity.

Located in southwestern Hokkaido about 130km south of Sapporo Muroran runs along the coast and takes up most of the peninsula area. The southwest coast of the peninsula is formed of huge 100 m cliffs and faces Uchiura Bay while southeastern coast of the peninsula meets the Pacific Ocean. The large deep water port dates from 1872 made the city an industrial hub and the town’s nickname “the city of steel” gives you more or less a feel for what one can expect. Despite not being a tourist hotspot visitors can expect an authentic taste of Japan that is undiluted. Natural splendour abounds 5 km from the port will find you at the foot of Cape Chikyu. Hike the 147 metres to the observatory on to witness some stunning vistas across the arching Pacific Ocean or travel to the Jigoku-Dani Hot Springs. Known as “Hell Valley” because of the bubbling sulphuric waters the 24-acre natural park is also home to the famous Jacuzzi loving snow monkeys. Lake Toya said to be 110 000 years old is also a must for nature lovers with its lava domes and pyroclastic cones that make up the Nakajima islands at the centre of the Lake. So lovely is the lake that it is considered one of the 100 Most Beautiful Scenes of Japan. Unsurprisingly gastronomy is centred around fresh seafood with sushi and sashimi being high on the list of offerings. However meat eaters should not despair as the town offers some fantastic Teppanyaki options so make sure you visit hungry!

Set on the eastern coast in Japan’s Iwate prefecture, Miyako promises stunning scenery and Jorman history in equimeasure. The coastal city of around 50,000 inhabitants is around 600 km from Tokyo, but boasts one of the finest beaches in Japan, as well as a treasure trove of succulently fresh seafood restaurants. While travellers to Miyako might arrive expecting the usual amalgam of cultural attractions and high tech wizardry, they will leave with memories of one of the greatest garden cities they have ever experienced. During the Edo period (1603-1868) the town was considered as Japan’s main seaport. Today this is no longer the case, perhaps due to Miyako’s precarious placement and underwater seismic activity; four tsunamis have engulfed the city since 1700, with waves reaching almost 40 metres in some cases. Thus, local attractions tend to be of the natural kind, as historical buildings have been all but wiped out. Luckily, Mother Nature really does come into her own in Miyako. The city is bordered by the Sanriku Fukkō National Park, one of the National Parks of Japan. Sanriku Fukkō stretches for 180 km along the coast and homes a wonderful variety of flora and fauna, including groves of Japanese red pine, rhododendrons and Rosa rugosa. Numerous bird species, including the black-tailed gull and shearwater call the park home. What’s more, bird lovers will undoubted love that the nearby Hidejima Island and Sanganjima Island are the only breeding grounds in Japan for the band-rumped storm-petrel.

Sendai City, situated in the center of Miyagi Prefecture, is the largest city in the Tohoku region with a population of one million and is the political and economic center in northwest Region. Although Sendai is a large city it is known throughout Japan as modern city in harmony with nature. The city possesses beautiful sceanery such as the Hirose-gawa river that runs through central Sendai and the lush zelkova trees that line its streets. Greenery is especially abundant in the center of the city which has tree-lined and parks. As a result, Sendai is called the "City of Trees". The dominant figures in Sendai's history is Date Masamune (1567-1636), the first lord of the Sendai Clan, established the foundation of Sendai in 1600. Masamune started to build his castle in Sendai and implemented new plans regarding the layout and development of the city. The city became so prosperous that a Spanish Ambassador described it as being busier than Tokyo. Unfortunately, there's not much evidence of high culture these days. During World War II, Sendai was demolished by Allied bombing and the city was later rebuild with wide street and boulevards laid out ingrid pattern Sendai has many universities and is also well known as an academic city. Its universities and research institutes have been contributing to the development of the high-tech industry.

Dense and delightful, there’s nowhere else like Japan’s kinetic capital - a city where ancient traditions blend seamlessly with a relentless pursuit for the future’s sharpest edge. See the city from above, as elevators rocket you up to towering viewing platforms, from which you can survey a vast urban ocean, interspersed with sky-scraping needles. Look out as far as the distant loom of Mount Fuji’s cone on clear days. Futuristic – second-accurate - transport seamlessly links Tokyo’s 14 districts, while the glow of flashing advertisement boards, clanks of arcade machines, and waves of humanity flowing along its streets, adds to the sense of mesmerising, dizzying and glorious sensory overload. One of Tokyo’s most iconic sights, don’t miss the flood of people scrambling to cross Shibuya’s famous intersection. Join the choreographed dance, as crowds of briefcase-carrying commuters are given the green light to cross at the same time – bathed in the light of massive neon advertisements. The culture is immensely rich and deep, with 7th-century, lantern-decorated temples, stunning palaces and tranquil scarlet shrines waiting below cloaks of incense and nestling between soaring skyscrapers. Restaurants serve up precisely prepared sushi, and wafer-thin seafood slivers, offering a unique taste of the country’s refined cuisine. Settle into traditional teahouses, to witness intricate ceremonies, or join the locals as they fill out karaoke bars to sing the night away. In the spring, cherry blossom paints a delicate pink sheen over the city’s innumerable parks and gardens.