Seattle, Washington

Seattle: Stay in Seattle long enough, locals tell you, and you won’t tan - you’ll rust. However, calling Seattle ‘rainy” can be a bit of a misnomer. Overcast skies and fog can give the impression of rain. Truth be told, Seattle receives less rain than many major American cities – even New York, Chicago and Miami, and it summers are some of the most temperate in the Pacific Northwest. Encased by the glorious mountains of the Olympic and Cascades ranges and bordered by the craggy shoes of the Pacific Ocean, Seattle celebrates the natural exquisiteness of the outdoors.

Seattle, like Phoenix, AZ, seems to have more transplants of people from other states than actual residents. The University of Washington, a hip music scene rooted in the rhythms of Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, and Puget Sound’s majestic outdoors draws students, next-generation hippies and rugged naturalists alike. Conversely, over 2,500 software development firms including giant Microsoft, biotechnology firms and healthcare companies attract professionals from across the world.

Seattle has developed from a quiet port into a cosmopolitan giant. Despite its popularity and reputation as one of America’s most livable cities, it remains unpretentious, even laid-back, and backpacks and briefcases make its scene a highly eclectic one. Fashion, arts and architecture lend to its sophistication, and major sports teams, a renowned performing arts community and a state-of-the-art convention centre attest to its metropolitan magnitude.

From caffeine-laced espresso and painstakingly prepared microbrews to culturally rich street corners and breathtakingly lush settings, Seattle delights and fascinates.