Washington's largest city and the gateway to the state, Seattle, has a spectacular setting between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, with Mount Rainier in the background. With its prime location and enviable lifestyle it is one of America's most attractive cities.

If the iconic Space Needle is Seattle's heart, then Pike Place Market is its soul. Seattle Aquarium is one of the country's best, while the Seattle Art Museum has a permanent collection, ranging from Egyptian Reliefs and wooden African sculptures to Old Master paintings and contemporary American art. Trendy Belltown to the south of Seattle's centre has been compared to Manhattan's Upper East Side, thanks to the broad avenues lined with hip clubs, chic restaurants and eclectic shops.