Follow Me North to Alaska

Provided by: Diane Burda

THE ALASKAN EXPERIENCE

It cannot be captured in one single image or moment. The journey north is a nonstop odyssey of glorious landscapes, majestic wildlife and exploration of some of the most remarkable points on the planet.

Alaska is a grand American Vacation destination you don't want to miss! It's beauty and magnificence overwhelmed me. It's a place where you can see and feel time standing still. Your brief existence on this planet will never be more obvious. These constant sights were so emotionally moving that it is burned into my memory forever.

My first recommendation is to take time to plan your trip. This is not the Caribbean. For many Alaska is a one time experience. It is so big and has so much to see that I would strongly recommend that you devote the time it deserves. Start by choosing the right ship. For large ship cruising we suggest Princess Cruises ®, Holland America Line and Celebrity Cruises. If you are looking for a more intimate and casual setting, try Cruise West and explore Alaska in an up-close and personal way. Yet for some, luxury cruising to Alaska is the only way go. Surround yourself with elegance and style aboard Regent Seven Seas or on Silversea .

If you have 3-7 days to spend before or after the cruise you might consider spending it on the Kenai Peninsula. Here Resurrection Bay holds the perfect opportunity to see humpback whales, orcas, seals, sea lions, otters, porpoises, and puffins. Blue-green Kenai River is perfect for trophy-size fishing. The drive from Anchorage is about 2 1/2 hours, it's highway driving and an easy do. If you prefer you can take the train to Seward and just sit back an watch the beauty pass you by.

Denali National Park is one of the most visited parks in Alaska. There Mt. McKinley (Denali to the locals) keeps a watchful eye on the caribou, moose, bear and gray wolves that roam this 6 million acre wilderness. Take a full-dome private rail car pulled behind the Alaska Railroad's daily train. This is not your normal train ride. The cars are custom-designed for great views of Denali almost from the minute you pull out from the station in Anchorage.

Try to select a cruise that includes Glacier Bay National Park. Spread across an impressive 3.2 million acres in southeast Alaska, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve offers an inspirational glimpse of what Mother Nature does best. Try to select a cruise that includes this area. The brilliant blue glow of a calving glacier and the thunderous roar of ice crashing into the water below are sights and sounds to remember for the rest of your life.

Whenever and wherever you travel in "The Great Land," clothing is always a primary consideration. Emphasis should be based on comfort because the dress code is informal and casual. A layered technique is extremely good here.

Temperatures in Alaska during the summer range from 60°F-80°F. Nighttime and early mornings are cooler, from the 40's - 50's. Late August and September departures could encounter cooler temperatures and slightly fewer hours of sunlight, as fall arrives early at these latitudes.

Let me help you make it a trip to remember contact Diane.

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