Washington’s ‘Emerald City’, so named after its abundance of evergreen forests (28% canopy cover and counting), has Puget Sound to its west and Lake Washington to its east. A cutting-edge metropolis with plenty of local flair, Seattle shines as America’s fastest-growing tech hub with the headquarters of industry giants like Amazon, Microsoft and Boeing all stationed here.

Make use of the superb transport system to explore the foodie haven of Pike Place Market, the animated bars of Capitol Hill and the striking Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit, filled with the blown glass sculptures of local artist Dale Chihuly. Don’t leave without ascending the Space Needle, a relic of the 1962 World’s Fair, for a comprehensive view of the downtown area and, on clear days, the frosted peak of Mount Rainier.