Alaska

Alaska, the last frontier... While there may be a huge number of snow-capped mountains, sparkling lakes and pristine glaciers, these aren't the only cards Alaska has to play. If you've got a bit of time on your hands (it’s not exactly a small state), you can explore an ancient rainforest, kayak between icebergs, cycle through national parks and much more.

The largest state in the USA - the size of California, Texas and Montana combined - there are few places that could match the splendour of Alaska. Due to its relative isolation - getting to and from Alaska can take a while - you may think it’d be expensive, but it's not if you're careful.

The state capital of Juneau is located in the south-eastern region, and has a population of around 30,000 people. Points of interest in the city are scarce, although the Alaska State Museum and Alaskan Brewing Company are worth a look. Just outside of Alaska however there is an abundance of sights. If you're the adventurous type, nearby Admiralty Island has a wide variety of wildlife ranging from porpoises and sea lions to the brown bear.

Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska, is perhaps at its best between May and early September. Well known for its winters, its actually during the warmer months that it truly comes to life. Points of interest include the Alaska Native Heritage Centre, Museum of History & Art, and Anchorage Zoo. The Anchorage area is home to moose, brown and black bears.

On March 30 1867, Alaska was purchased from the Russian Empire for a price of about two cents per acre ($4.74/km²). Today you can still see reminders of its former life, such as the onion domes atop St. Innocent Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Anchorage.