Mexican Riviera & Pacific Coast

San Diego is a sun-blessed Southern California city of extraordinary beaches, world-class craft beer, and a border-city food culture that produces some of the finest Mexican cuisine in the United States. Must-dos include snorkeling at La Jolla Cove, exploring Balboa Park's seventeen museums and the San Diego Zoo, and tasting fish tacos at a beachside taquería. The climate is excellent year-round, with September–November offering the warmest, clearest days.

Cabo San Lucas is a lively port town at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, renowned for its stunning beaches and vibrant atmosphere. Must-do experiences include exploring the iconic El Arco rock formation and indulging in local delicacies like tacos de pescado and ceviche. The best season to visit is from November to April when the weather is pleasantly warm and ideal for outdoor adventures.

Mazatlán is a historic Pacific port city on Mexico's western coast, renowned for its restored nineteenth-century Centro Histórico, one of the Americas' longest oceanfront promenades, and an extraordinary seafood culture centred on aguachile and smoked marlin tacos. Visitors should not miss the clifftop El Faro lighthouse walk at sunset and the vibrant Mercado Pino Suárez for an immersive culinary experience. The ideal season to visit is November through April, when dry skies, gentle Pacific breezes, and peak cruise schedules align perfectly.

Puerto Vallarta, a picturesque port on Mexico's Pacific coast, is celebrated for its charming cobblestone streets, stunning architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. Must-do experiences include savoring local dishes like tacos al pastor and exploring the lively Malecon. The best time to visit is during the dry season from November to April, when warm weather and clear skies create perfect conditions for beachside relaxation and exploration.

San Diego is a sun-blessed Southern California city of extraordinary beaches, world-class craft beer, and a border-city food culture that produces some of the finest Mexican cuisine in the United States. Must-dos include snorkeling at La Jolla Cove, exploring Balboa Park's seventeen museums and the San Diego Zoo, and tasting fish tacos at a beachside taquería. The climate is excellent year-round, with September–November offering the warmest, clearest days.

Founded by Greek sailors in 600 BC, Marseille is France's oldest and most viscerally alive city — a Mediterranean port where the catch is still sold from fishing boat decks at the Vieux-Port each morning beneath the golden Madonna of Notre-Dame de la Garde, gleaming on her basilica above the city. The bouillabaisse served at harbourside institutions such as Chez Fonfon is not merely a dish but a rite, its saffron-stained broth tying Marseille to its Hellenic roots. Explore the dramatic Calanques national park, a coastal labyrinth of turquoise coves just south of the city. Spring and autumn are the finest seasons.

Victoria, British Columbia, is a charming port city known for its British-inspired architecture, vibrant food scene, and rich cultural heritage. Must-do experiences include indulging in afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress and exploring the lively Victoria Public Market. The best time to visit is in the summer, when the city's gardens and outdoor attractions are in full bloom.

Pressed between the Pacific and the Coast Mountains, Vancouver is the natural gateway to Alaska's Inside Passage — a city where temperate rainforest meets glass towers and where Dungeness crab and wild sockeye salmon define a Pacific Rim cuisine that rivals any in North America. Walk the 22-kilometre Stanley Park seawall, lose yourself in the Granville Island market, then ferry across to Victoria's Edwardian splendour. Alaska cruise season peaks from May through September, making Vancouver an ideal starting point for one of the world's great ocean journeys.