Tour 1 -South Central & Interior Alaska-The Great Land of the North-Self guided tour via rental car or RV.
Tour 2 -South Central- Anchorage & the Kenai Peninsula-Self guided tour via rental car or RV.
Tour 3 -South Central- Best of the Mat-Su Valley-Self guided tour via rental car or RV.
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This is Alaska: biking through rugged canyons; zipping through the rain forests on a harness hooked to a wire; dogsledding across frozen glaciers; wild-life spotting eagles, bears, moose, wolves and orca whales; fishing for salmon and Alaskan king crab; charging through the wilderness on the White Pass & Yukon Railroad; experiencing the raw power and beauty of nature.
In Juneau, a classic Alaskan tour is the “Four Glaciers By Helicopter & Dog Sled Adventure.” On this once-in-a-lifetime expedition for lovers of the great outdoors, you’ll soar over four real glaciers, which are the Taku, the Hole-in-the-Wall, Dead Branch and East Twin, while catching a bird’s eye view of moose, goats, bears and caribou. Then you will land on Norris Glacier where you’ll meet up with your Alaskan malamute and Alaskan husky dogsled team. Your guide will describe the 1,000-mile Iditarod Race that traverses from Anchorage to Nome. Your trip will include some hiking through crevasses and navigating streams for two hours of ethereal zen. This journey is for the fearless, the cold-insensitive, the adventurous and the athletic. If you are skier you will find plenty of ski slopes in Alaska.
The “Rainforest Canopy and Zip Line Adventure” is another Juneau Alaskan adventure. You’ll no longer have to imagine what it must feel like for a bird soaring through the trees. Starting on Douglas Island, you’ll zip by flora, fauna and the remains of an 1800s gold mining operation. Not only will you get a sensational view of Alaska, but you’ll experience a tremendous adrenaline rush. Two guides will saddle you up with a harness, gloves and helmet, instructing beginners and zip-line junkies alike.
The town of Sitka is well-known for its Russian heritage and pride. When you visit this Alaskan town, you may want to take the “Historic Russian America, Raptor Center & Russian Dancers” tour. The Alaska Raptor Rehabilitation Center is an amazing sight to behold, with many birds of prey (including bald eagles) circling overhead and swooping by. You’ll see America’s first Russian Orthodox cathedral, see where the 1804 Battle of Alaska was bought and where the first Alaskan flag was flown in 1867. The Russian Folk Dance troupe will also entertain visitors of all ages. Whether visiting for the nature, the heritage, the fishing or the adventure…this is the place you won’t soon forget.
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When thinking about vacation destinations this year, why not consider an Alaska Fishing Vacation? One of the most beautiful states in our country, and in addition to so many other fun activities, Alaska offers fantastic fishing! Trout, halibut and of course, the ever famous Alaskan salmon are just a few of the varieties you will be able to angle on your trip.
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Anchorage Alaska Vacation Trip
I applied to the University of Alaska Anchorage on a mood. To tell you the truth, I never imagined about what I will do if I got in. Anchorage Alaska was not on my small list of possible locations to live. Don’t get me wrong – I had often wanted to visit Anchorage Alaska. I understood that it was supposed to be a beautiful city in a beautiful state. Everybody I know who has gone to Alaska has returned saying about how lovely it is. I had eventually needed to get an Anchorage vacation trip or tour, but I had never thought about spending four years of my life there.
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Nevertheless, life has a way of challenging your expectations. I did not get into any of my top choice schools, and I began to actually seriously consider Anchorage Alaska. I didn’t understand very much about Alaska. Everybody pictures it as wild, desolate, and freezing cold – something that is true for a number of the state. However, Alaska is big and it has lots of different climates. Anchorage Alaska is naturally quite mild. You see, it gets great ocean currents, which help to maintain it warm and convenient all year round. Don’t get me wrong – it still gets cold, but not the bitter dangerous cold of the Alaskan interior.
Affordable housing in Anchorage Alaska
When I went to Anchorage Alaska, I was delighted to observe house hospitable it was. I learned already that the Anchorage Alaska population was substantial, so I wasn’t surprised to see people there, but I anticipated it to be a much more backward town that really was. There are great bars, good restaurants, and good music to hear. Whatever you talk about other portions of Alaska, Anchorage is a happening town.
I was so excited about watching that city that I even began to contemplate purchasing Anchorage real estate. It is pretty easier to look for affordable housing in Anchorage Alaska. You see, it is so far and so dark for much of the year that many people leave it as soon as they could. People are always happy to watch new folks move into Anchorage Alaska. Alaskans have a lot of civic pride, and they love to see their cities strengthened by the coming of new members. I was so struck, in fact, by the hospitality of individuals there that I opted to move to Anchorage Alaska. I am going there this fall, and I’m looking forward to the begin of my first semester.
My Name is Arammat Drof, I caught the travel bug many years ago when I was just 16 years old. I now travel the world earning a living writing about the places I visit. If you enjoyed this article take a peek at another article I have written about Arizona Golf Vacations.
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Have you visited Alaska yet? The largest state in the union is home to some amazing sights. Folks that visit Alaska can’t imagine how much there is to see and do. A week of vacation just doesn’t seem long enough to take in the gorgeous views. So, visit often.
Alaska is home to the tallest peak in North America, Mount McKinley. This mountain can be found in Denali National Park. Yes, that’s where the name of the SUV comes from. Denali is Alaska’s first national park and the only one in the country that uses sled dogs as guard dogs. These dogs help to provide security in the park.
One main road leads to Denali for bus or shuttle access. The biggest attraction is not the tree-lined hills or the clean air but the animals. Tourists hope to catch a glimpse of moose, caribou, grizzly bears, sheep, and wolves. In any other setting, these five would send us scurrying for our lives. But these attractions in Alaska and many others are a welcomed sights.
Between May and September is the tourist season for Denali National Park. The summers here are short and the winter much, much longer. When the temperatures drop to dangerous levels, visiting is not such a good idea for the average sightseer.
Alaska and Denali are visited by tourists who are specifically looking for personal challenges. Every climber wants their chance at Mount McKinley. Not even fifty percent of those that attempt the journey make it to the top. I guess the triumph is in the trying not necessary reaching the summit. On their way up, climbers can take a gander at several glaciers floating by: Muldrow Glacier, Traleika Glacier, and Peters Glacier.
Ever see that movie, Snow Dogs? It brings to mind the next point of interest, the Iditarod dog sled race. This famous race, run each year, is a 1,150 mile trek from Anchorage to Nome. Teams consist of twelve to sixteen dogs with a human leader called a musher.
The trip could take as long as two and a half weeks to complete along icy and treacherous terrain. No wonder people are attracted to it. The race draws people from all walks of life to try their hand at leading a dog sled team. Mushers must have a good command of their dogs and their survival skills in order to complete the race at all. The Iditarod travels along a trail that was once a supply route in Alaska. Instead of ponies, the mail and gold was hauled by mushers and their trained sled dog teams.
Catching the largest fish of their lives is what draws avid fishermen to Alaska. Alaska is known for their salmon, but did you also know that they are famous for halibut as well? Some can be as big as 250 pounds. What a fish! Here, it’s not about the number, but the weight of the catch that rules the day. Planning any fishing trip to Alaska would be the adventure of a lifetime for sport fishermen and weekend fishermen alike.
If you plan on fishing in Alaska, take along an experienced guide. A guide can show fishermen where the best salmon and largest halibut are found. A guide worth his salt can keep fisherman unfamiliar with Alaskan waters from getting lost or going around in circles trying to find what they are looking for. The best salmon are found along Ketchikan and Sitka.
Folks that live in Alaska will travel almost 400 miles to see this next attraction. It is the Aurora Borealis, which is more commonly known as The Northern Lights. The further north you are, the better the light show. The best time to see this phenomenon while on your Alaska travel is between August and April.
After a few days of bright sunshine, the lights seem to grow brighter than ever. Some see the lights as a flowing ribbon of electric light traveling across the sky. Others see it as a shower of bright colors. The important thing is to catch a glimpse of heaven in all its glory.
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The following extract is from a series of travel articles and videos about Alaska tours …
Picture yourself as a resident of Alaska in a town of 900 and observing thousands of travelers unloading off six huge cruise ships. Back in the late 19th Century, the Gold Rush brought a similar wave of settlers to what was a virgin tract of land containing mountains, frozen volcanoes, forests and glaciers. If you love history and the wilderness, then an Alaskan experience is a “must.” Not only will you see leftover historic mines, but you can also learn about the native Alaskan people, who bared the elements and lived off whales and moose.
In Juneau, a highly memorable Alaska tour is the “Four Glaciers By Helicopter & Dog Sled Adventure.” On this once-in-a-lifetime experience, you’ll fly over four genuine glaciers, which are the Taku, the Hole-in-the-Wall, Dead Branch and East Twin, while catching a bird’s eye view of moose, goats, bears and caribou. Then you will descend onto Norris Glacier where you’ll hook up with your Alaskan malamute and Alaskan husky dogsled team. Your Alaskan tour guide will describe the 1,000-mile Iditarod Race that traverses from Anchorage to Nome. Your tour will include some hiking through crevasses and navigating streams for two hours of pure bliss. This journey is for the daring, the cold-resistant, the adventurous and the athletic.
Calling all fishermen! Sitka offers a day-long excursion you won’t want to miss! It’s no secret that Alaska produces some of the most delicious seafood, especially salmon, halibut and Alaskan king crab. This great state is a mecca for any serious fisherman looking to fish the best of the best. The captain will steer you to proven spots where you can troll for king, silver or chum salmon or anchor-and-jig a halibut. You’ll even be treated to lunch and snacks on this trip.
Finally, you won’t want to miss the “White Pass Scenic Railway” that takes you through the narrow escarpment and gives you a glimpse at the Alaska that Yukon gold prospectors may have seen. You’ll ride an old-fashioned parlor car up the 2,800-foot mountain, past Bridal Vein Falls, Inspiration Point and Dead Horse Gulch. You can take a three hour journey round-trip or choose to book a bus ride on the Klondike Highway. The rich history of Alaska can’t be ignored on this tour, which is why it’s one of the most recommended tours of Alaska.
For more information on adventure destinations, visit: Alaska Cruise
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Alaska, also known as “The Last Frontier”, is the largest US state in terms of land area with a total of 664,267 square miles. It is also one of the richest US states with a median income of approximately $54,627. Alaska is located on the western region of Canada and eastern side of Russia. The state has many glaciers and fjords which makes sailing in Alaska very exciting.
It is such a cliché to stereotype that this area is as a very cold place. Many people think that the state has no warm weather at all. But fact is, Alaska has one of the warmest summers in the United States. In fact, the state recorded the warmest temperature in the US on June 27, 1915. That day, Fort Yukon’s heat went up to 38 degrees Celsius. This temperature can be compared to the weather of Africa.
If you want to explore the inner passages and magnificent fjords of Alaska, you must direct your sailing towards Tracy and Endicott Arms. This 28-mile inlet is part of the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness Area. Apart from the big icebergs and beautiful mountain peaks, you can also catch a glimpse of some of Alaska’s beautiful waterfalls.
If you are into nature tripping, you must visit Glacier Bay National Park. It is located just hours; west of Juneau. The 3-million acre park was instituted in 1980 to demonstrate Alaska’s exquisite flora and fauna. The Glacier Bay National Park is one of Alaska’s most renowned tourist spots. If you want to see some of Alaska’s protected brown bears, come and visit the Admiralty Island. Sailing in Alaska is an adventure to experience. Aside from its marvelous glaciers and beautiful fjords, the state has plenty of wildlife to offer to its visitors. The Katmai National Park and McNeil River Falls, as an example, has hundreds of brown bears. If you are interested in polar bears, sail your way around St. Matthew and Kuskokwim Delta.
Find more information on sailing in Alaska and Caribbean sailing here. In this website you can find information on yacht charter from other parts of the world.
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Looking for the perfect luxury trip for your vacation? Why not consider taking the Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise tour? Perhaps you didn’t know that this famous and fabulous cruise line ventured outside the tropics, but they offer many wonderful other locales as cruise destinations, and Alaska is a terrific one.
A Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise tour features both times at sea in the beautiful west coast waters and times ashore for a truly spectacular land tour component. Tours can be as short as seven nights or as long as thirteen days and you can do the land portion before or after the sea cruise in most options.
The choices are extensive with 19 different tours to Alaska alone and six more to Whistler and to the majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains. You will see spectacular scenery, wildlife ashore and at sea, and awesome natural features such as glaciers and even a volcano.
Alaska is a bold state with exciting cities and charming natural preserves with something to meet every taste and expectation. On the ship, there is fabulous cuisine and the usual cruise activities in pure but affordable luxury. A Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise tour can cost the same or less as a much more mundane visit to an expensive city where costs can really add up. On a cruise tour, your expenses are completely predictable for lodging and most meals and activities.
Some of the points of interest on a Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise tour may include the enormous Mendenhall Glacier, the active Hubbard Glacier and the sparkling Juneau ice fields. Juneau also has much to remind you of the romance of the great gold rush.
Some of the experiences your tour may include are boating while at sea, fishing, and other water activities. Ashore, you can experience the thrill of a dogsled, hike among incredible scenery, or see the sights on a mountain bike. Your days can be active wilderness experiences while your nights are formal cocktail parties and dances. There is a little of everything.
When you pack for your wonderful Alaskan adventure, you need hiking shoes and clothing as well as more formal attire for nightlife and on board activities. Women need cocktail dresses and men need suits or tuxedos. You can even rent your formal wear right on the ship. Most days are quite casual. Remember how far north you are and bring some warm things even in the summer.
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Southwest Germany is a region of outstanding beauty with numerous forests, lakes and waterfalls. Tourism is the chief industry in the Black Forest in Baden-Wurttemberg on the edge of the Rhine river. The wooded, mountainous area has several tall peaks, the tallest of which is the Feldberg, standing at 1,493m. The trees are mainly pines and firs, some of which are grown on a commercial scale. Unfortunately, the forest has been depleted due to mass logging and the effects of acid rain. The Lothar Cyclone in 1999 also did its share of damage, destroying acres of trees on the tops of mountains.
Five rivers, including the River Danube and its source, run through the Black Forest. There are paths to cater for hikers, mountain bikers and cross country skiers. The area is a haven for wildlife, including owls and eagles. Other more unusual animals are to be found due to commercial enterprise. Visitors can ride a camel at Rotfelden and ostriches are reared on a farm at St. Peter.
There is a tradition of regional cuisine in the area and some food items have become internationally famous. Black Forest Gateaux is still on the menus around the world. The original chocolate cake recipe is still adhered to in the land of its birth with ingredients including whipped cream, cherries and liqueur. Black Forest Ham is also popular at home and abroad. The smoked ham is seasoned with pepper, juniper berries, coriander, garlic and other spices.
Culture and history are celebrated in the region. This can be seen at the open air museum named Vogtsbauernhofe. It re-creates the life of 16th and 17th century farmers with replica farms. There is a long history of making timepieces in Germany and the German Clock Museum at Furtwangen traces the history of clock making and watch making. The collection includes cuckoo clocks, musical clockworks and mechanical musical instruments.
One of the most popular towns in the Black Forest is Baden-Baden. The 83m telecommunications tower, known as the Fremersberg Tower dominates the skyline. The view can be taken from the observation deck and there is an adjacent restaurant. The town contains the Festspielhaus, which is the largest opera house and concert hall in Germany. Major opera and ballet productions are staged there. The town has a fascinating history, as can be seen at the ruins of the Roman Baths and the Hohenbaden castle ruins dating back to 1102.
To take advantage of deep discount resorts in the Black Forest and around the world, you may want to join Global Resorts Network. The membership offers deep discount luxury ski, wilderness, golf, beach, and year round resorts without the troublesome maintenance fees, exchange fees and blackout weeks associated with timeshare ownership. We will even pay you a referral for telling a few friends about our luxury resort membership. Click on F.A.Q. to find out what our membership offers, and take your time to review the audios and videos on the rest of our website as well.
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Alaska has always been a source of awe and mystery and has some of the best skiing in the world. One of the finest resorts in the state is the Alyeska Resort with a top elevation of 2751 feet and a 2501 vertical drop. The area gets an average of 631 inches of snow annually.
Even though this is some of the best skiing in the world, you won’t find the slopes overly crowded, and there are no long lift lines. There are nine lifts, including six chair lifts and two surface lifts, and one cable car. There are 68 trails for beginners, intermediates, and experts, with the majority of the trails designed for intermediate skiers.
Night time skiing is allowed, which will make your ski experience more adventurous and thrilling. You will discover snow capped mountains, hanging glaciers, and of course, the famous Northern Lights. Skiing Magazine has ranked this resort number nine of the top twenty-five killer ski trips.
The season begins at the Alyeska Resort in mid November, and runs through mid April. This area of Alaska boasts the longest daytime areas in the United States, with approximately sixteen hours of daylight each day during April. In December, however, there are only about seven hours of daylight – which makes night time skiing necessary if you are going to get in the time that you want to spend on the slopes.
The Alyeska Prince Hotel is the place to stay where you will enjoy elegant rooms and fine dining. Nightly entertainment is available as well. There are other nightlife spots in the area as well, that are not associated with the Hotel.
If tubing interests you, then visiting the Glacier Tubing Park is an absolute must! Featuring two lanes of terrain and a surface lift, everyone in the family will enjoy spending time at the tubing park. The Alyeska Terrain Park is a must for snowboarding enthusiasts. Other winter activities that can be enjoyed in and around the Alyeska Resort include flight seeing, helisking, ocean cruising tours, dog sledding, ice climbing, back country skiing, mountaineering, and polar bear viewing.
Get a taste of what Alaska is really like, and what skiing is meant to be! There are activities for the entire family to enjoy, and there are many area sights and attractions to be enjoyed. This really is an awesome winter family ski vacation!
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