Travel in Juneau, state Alaska

Ah, scenic Juneau, Alaska — where the allure of lush forests, cascading waterfalls and majestic glaciers draws as many as 16,000 cruise passengers a day. The downside? The constant influx of visitors is putting a strain on local infrastructure.

Sun-seekers, meet Star Seeker. One of the cruise industry's most anticipated new high-end ships is set to debut at the end of next year, and you'll only have one chance to catch it in the Caribbean.

During her time as host of "Samantha Brown's Places to Love," Emmy-winning travel host Samantha Brown has sampled cheese and chocolate in Vienna, visited a turtle hospital in the Florida Keys and played rugby in Auckland, New Zealand, with a professional women's rugby team.

Happy Tuesday, folks! Welcome to a brand new week. 

With bald eagles and bears for neighbours, the mighty Mendenhall Glacier to the north and the Tongass National Forest — the largest national forest in the US — at its feet, Juneau may, at first glance, seem a daunting destination for hikers. Look closer, however, and the rugged wilderness of southeast Alaska reveals itself in stages. In the foothills and valleys just beyond the city, waymarked trails suitable for a wide range of abilities bring Alaska’s wild landscapes to life. Here are three to try. 

Juneau’s unusual geography has shaped its fortunes and honed its spirit. It’s wedged between glaciers, mountains, temperate rainforests and glossy tidal waters, all of which invite visitors to explore. Its historic centre hugs the Gastineau Channel, which fringes Southeast Alaska’s 300-mile-long Alexander Archipelago. Reachable only by aircraft or boat, this is a capital that’s breathtakingly remote.