A bleached moose skull in Nome, Alaska

Nome, almost on the Arctic Circle, burst into life in 1898 when gold was found on the beach and thousands came to pan for their fortunes. You'll still find recreational goldminers at work sifting the sands, and away from the waterfront, the region is scattered with the rusted-out hulks of enormous gold dredges marooned like beached galleons amid acres of tailings.

The only way to reach Nome is to fly, but once there you're free to explore the longest road system in 'Bush Alaska', all 300 miles of it. The highlight of the Council Road is the 'Last Train to Nowhere', a picturesquely decaying steam locomotive that was abandoned in grasslands after a failed attempt to build a railway to one of the mining camps.

Sybarites will prefer the Kougarok Road, which leads 60 miles to Pilgrim Hot Springs, just a simple wooden tub surrounded by wetlands and cottonwoods. Except at weekends you'll most likely have the place to yourself.