alaskatours

2008 Holiday Introduction & Overview of Alaska

To really discover Alaska you have to experience it by travelling through it - here the great National Parks, tall mountain ranges, wildife sightings and panoramic vistas help create a lifetime of memories. Alaska stands alone in North America as one of the truly unique destinations. It's just that nowhere else quite manages to combine the extraordinary visual experience of vast unspoiled wilderness, wildlife and natural beauty - with the same ease of access.

Making all this possible is a good highway network (connections with Canada), Alaska Railroad's passenger service (Seward-Anchorage-Denali-Fairbanks) plus scheduled airline and air charter services - meaning you have Alaska covered. Logistically speaking it is the most sophisticated destination in the North of North America. It is in this environment that skilled tour operators like All Alaska Tours blend coach, car and rail transportation to offer attractive, multi-day itineraries for both group and independent travellers.  

Accommodation in Alaska varies in capacity and quality according to region; typically in key cities like Anchorage and Fairbanks many top brand hotels are in the 3 to 4 star category and with significant room capacity. While in Denali National Park or popular wildlife and recreational areas - comfortable resorts and lodges offer quality accommodation. Keep in mind with high summer demand, room inventory is under pressure - so don't leave booking to the last moment! In many of the picturesque coastal communities like Juneau, Skagway, Homer and Valdez where activities as diverse as whale viewing, glacier flightseeing or fishing are popular, you will find small and friendly boutique hotels offering guests a memorable Alaska experience.

To discover the warm and outgoing friendliness of Alaskans all you have to do is arrive! Once your holiday starts - wherever you go, people are just plain nice! It is safe and in our experience the most comments we hear reflect Alaska's famous 'friendliness factor'. In today's world this is not a bad thing!   

So what does all this mean for a visitor from overseas? Travel in Alaska is easy, comfortable and sensible choices of transportation are available. Exciting options include group travel by rail or motor coach, independent (FIT) custom self drive holidays. Exclusive family travel or small group opportunities include limousine with private driver or chartering Alaska Railroad's deluxe "Presidential Railcar" for a journey through the heartland of Alaska.

The key to Alaska's remarkable success and worlwide popularity is the perfect mix of reliable transportation, good accommodation plus it's stunning natural beauty. Alaska has got it right - as an international vacation destination this place really works! By all means take an Alaska cruise - but to really see it at it's best, you need to travel through it!     

Skagway's Famous White Pass & Yukon Route

The WP&YR - one of the truly historic railroads of North America operates daily summer service from Skagway to the White Pass Summit and Fraser, British Columbia. Railroad cars are similar to those of the 1898 period with outside viewing platforms and large windows. At Fraser the train connects with direct bus service to Whitehorse, Yukon. Climb aboard the White Pass & Yukon Route this summer - relive part of the goldrush era.Download wpyr_the_epic_railroad_story_of_1898.mp3

Top of the World - Eskimo Ice Cream

'Akutak' is the word you'll need on a hot summers day in arctic Alaska - that's Yupik Eskimo for ice cream. Now you are a fluent speaker - all you need do is hop on a plane to Barrow or Deadhorse and experience the real thing. What with global warming you may find this new word comes in real handy on your next vacation trip to Alaska's arctic. But have you ever thought of making your own Eskimo Ice Cream at home? It's so easy you could go ahead and invite friends and family to drop round your place next weekend for a taste! However should you live in cities like Tuscon, Miami or San Diego the only snag in July might be snow! But as they say, all great chefs love a challenge. Here is the recipe. Download top_of_the_world_eskimo_ice_cream.mp3

Colorful Characters of the Far North

Of the many things we enjoy about Alaska, one is the wonderful collection of larger than life characters. Often lovable and extroverted these are the personalities you bump into in the most unlikely places and oddest of times. How do you find them? Well, likely they will find you first! Coffee shops, gas stations or bars are a good place to start - particulary those old saloons that look like western movie sets in remote, off the beaten track locations. Look for the ones with a sawdust floor, scattered peanut shells - and the all important broken furniture --- it'll be like striking gold - you'll have Bonanza on your hands. With any vacation it's often the memories of people that linger longest. It's true to say that on any of our vaction routes chances are good you'll meet one or two. Alaska is that kind of place. From the saloon in the tiny village of McCarthy, deep in the St Elias Mountains to a gas station in Tok Junction or The Roadhouse in Manley. It's part of what makes Alaska tick. Combined with an invigorating sense of freedom it makes our neck of the woods a true quest for today's savvy travelers. To discover the heart of it - just step off the beaten path occasionaly - well, to be honest you needn't go that far! Our downtown location on G Street is a magnet for colorful characters what with 'Darwin's Theory' bar and 'Side Street Espresso' coffee shop we see them every day. Download colorful_characters_harley_rider_dog.mp3    

AlaskaTours - Our Family Behind The Screens

In the digital world of 'online everything' seeing and hearing from real people can be quite reassuring. The team at AlaskaTours are more than real - they are the company. The ones who keep the flag flying behind the computer screens.! Without them we wouldn't be here. Meeting our crew is almost like meeting the neighbours next door. A fine group of people who enjoy living in Alaska and who bring their own personalities and interests to making other people's vacations the most memorable. I know this all reads a bit biased but that's us - and if we don't write it, who will? Should you wish, you can meet the online version of us all here. Of course if you had a free moment in Anchorage do come in and say hi. And (if that's not enough) listen now to this handy mp3 file for more on our invaluable team.Download alaskatours_family_faces_behind_the_screens.mp3

Bear Viewing In The Wild

One has to say that bear viewing in the wild is one of the truly great experiences of any Alaska visit. When you see these magnificent animals on their home turf - roaming freely along the coastline, catching salmon at Brooks Falls, eating berries in the mountains or against the extraordinary backdrop of Kodiak Island - it's a moment when you forget everything else and just soak in nature at its best. Alaska offers many different locations to view bears and each varies in quality, experience and cost. Like nature itself there are no gurantees. Yet there is nowhere better in North America to study the bears in their element. Perhaps it's as simple as how Alaska frames the picture - the rugged terrain, scenic grandeur and mystique are the icing on the cake. The site posts a well reserched selection of choices and you can always get more information directly from the office. Like to hear about our passion for bear viewing?Download alaska_bear_viewing_experience.mp3      

You & Your Friends in Alaska Together

Visiting Alaska is a lifelong dream for many and yet perhaps not surprisingly quite a number of people delay the trip for a variety of reasons. Why? Well, young families growing up, jobs and careers, mortgages and money are just a few. The great thing about Alaska is that it's always there - way up there in the North West corner of North America. Safe and secure - like a bank vault - there when you need it. So maybe, just maybe this is your year?  If you ask around at home it's very likely you will discover other friends all with the same idea - and before you know it, there is a group of you keen to make a trip to Alaska. Just imagine sharing this vacation experience with friends, traveling through some of the most beautiful nature anywhere, having fun on a route that includes everything you ever wanted to see in Alaska. All the fine details are taken care of, the accommodation is comfy and cozy, food is great and the scenery beats all expectations. If you would like to listen to this audio clip we'll explain just how easy it is. Download alaska_group_travel_2.mp3