Alaska: snow-capped mountains, pristine lakes and spectacular views

It may not be a country, but from the snow-capped mountains to rippling waterfalls, the US state of Alaska is rich with beautiful views. With the clearest air I'd ever breathed and breathtaking scenery, Alaska is a place where nature thrives.

Cruising through icy estuaries, on one particular day with perfect blue skies and sunshine, we visited the beautiful College Fjord. Surrounded by waterfalls and icy glaciers, the views were mesmerising.

On another day in the secluded state capital of Juneau, I was on a nature walk with my family and everything about it felt so peaceful. Walking through areas of greenery, we stopped every so often to learn from our guide about the mosses and tiny insects that surrounded us and it was just amazing.

Standing at the waters' edge admiring the impressive Mendenhall Glacier, we watched as broken nuggets of crystal ice lapped up onto the pebble beach. It was a crazy feeling to be surrounded by so much natural beauty and have the time to take it all in.

In the words of naturalist and author John Muir, 'To the lover of wilderness, Alaska is one of the most wonderful countries in the world'. He's not wrong.