Alaska Vacation and Travel Information

Affordable Alaska Thanks To Sourdough Bread

2009-02-20T12:07:00.001-05:00

We really do appreciate the ubiquitous travel deals, but the constant reminder of the economic situation sort of ruins our travel buzz. Sometimes we just want to escape from it all, and luckily, big ol’ Alaska has served as an escape for many years. As recently as the 1890s people searching for a better way of life fled to Alaska in search of a new life, open spaces, and gold. At this point, we’re thinking that all the good gold is picked over, but the state still has a lot of beauty to share.
In honor of Alaska’s frontier heritage, there are several vacation packages that can get you out to Denali National Park to experience all the wonder for only a few nuggets.

Denali Park Resorts are offering a sourdough special, in honor of all those escapees that survived on sourdough bread as they moseyed out west—they carried the bread starter around their necks—delicious. Apparently, to this today, old time Alaskans are still known as “sourdoughs.” Thanks to the special lodging deal, staying in the middle of the action won’t cost you too much bread (ha). Rates start as low as $128 a night during the summer season.

Spring break: Have it your way

2009-02-13T09:32:00.001-05:00

With its 18-year-old drinking age, yard-long margaritas and buckets of beer, Mexico's hedonistic side trumps the country's scenic, cultural and historical virtues for spring break appeal, but an alternative spring break movement has also taken hold in recent years. Here's a look at options for students who want to party 'til they drop, mix revelry with digestible doses of history and culture, or try to make a difference.

Note: Rosarito Beach, traditionally popular for its lively clubs and proximity to California, is currently off our list because of northern Baja's escalating drug battles. Similarly, we skipped up-and-coming Puerto Peñasco, a.k.a. Rocky Point, both because this congenial town on Mexico's northern Pacific coast is essentially a driving destination and because we recommend staying away from border areas at this time.

Find more California information at http://www.thecaliforniazone.com

Wary of Summer Indicators, Alaska Rolls Out Incredible Travel Deals

2009-02-13T08:45:00.000-05:00

The Alaska Travel Industry Association is launching an emergency campaign to market Alaska travel values heavily this winter and spring in hopes of bolstering what is shaping up to be one of the state's slowest travel seasons on record. The association predicts visitation will be off anywhere from 10 to 30 percent during the state's high season -- May to September of 2009.
The worldwide economic crisis is at the heart of the expected decline in visitation to Alaska, and is affecting the travel industry nationwide. With more and more people choosing "staycations," the state's travel industry is working hard to demonstrate to consumers that an Alaska trip is a better deal this year than ever.

"The reports we're hearing from our members are alarming," said Ron Peck, president and COO of ATIA. "Bookings are coming in very slowly right now. We're hoping this campaign will change some minds and convince people that a vacation to Alaska is really more affordable and accessible than they may think."

Alaska Airlines adds Maui flight

2009-02-13T08:42:00.001-05:00

Alaska Airlines will start thrice-weekly service between Portland and Maui on Aug. 7, the airline announced Tuesday. The flight will depart Portland at 9:50 a.m. Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and arrive at Kahului Airport at 12:45 p.m. Hawaii time. The return flight will depart Maui at 1:45 p.m. Hawaii time the same days and arrive in Portland at 10:15 p.m.

The airline is offering an introductory one-way fare of $169 for tickets purchased by Feb. 12, 2009. Travel must occur between Aug. 7 and Dec. 13 on select days of the week.
The airline is also offering a vacation special for $723 per person which includes round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations for three nights.

Alaska to go after the few tourists that remain

2009-02-13T08:37:00.001-05:00

As recent months have made clear, the global economic crisis is presenting Alaska with the potential for a devastating loss of visitors this summer. Our initial research and intuition tell us that many Americans just aren't traveling. We're worried about our savings, our children's college tuition, our mortgage payments and, in many cases, our jobs. Unless this worry abates, Alaska could see a double digit drop in visitors this year.

The 40,000 jobs and billions of dollars of economic activity generated by Alaska's visitor industry depend on persuading travelers to choose Alaska over competing destinations. No doubt large and small businesses will attempt to attract visitors through dramatic price-cutting. This will hurt their bottom lines; many businesses may not survive without specialized efforts to encourage visitors to come this year.

Heli-ski in Alaska at least once

2009-02-04T08:46:00.000-05:00

Alaska offers skiing so good it’s almost otherworldly. Skilled skiers with a little coin to throw around find nirvana here from late February all the way into June on smooth, long, wilderness slopes devoid of other skiers. From the Chugach Mountains around Cordova and Valdez, to the Kenai Mountains south of Anchorage, to miles-long runs in the fabled Alaska Range, helicopter skiing operations open the door to powder and corn-snow opportunities every skier should experience at least once.

All it takes is thousands of dollars in cash. Two of the main operators are Chugach Adventure Guides in Girdwood, about a 40-minute drive south of Anchorage, and Points North, based in Cordova.

Women’s Only Alaska Bear Viewing and Wildlife Safari Adventure

2009-02-04T08:44:00.001-05:00

Alaska - Women’s Only Alaska Bear Viewing and Wildlife Safari Adventure BOZEMAN, Mont.— AdventureWomen, Inc., a pioneer in women's vacations and adventure travel since 1982 and the oldest adventure travel company for active women over 30, is now offering solo women travelers an Alaska vacation to rival none; this adventure in America’s “last great place” is a wildlife aficionado’s and photographer’s dream trip. During this Alaska Bear Viewing and Wildlife Safari, AdventureWomen, Inc. offers an incredible value based in the all-inclusive nature of the trip.

Best of all, traveling in a small group with AdventureWomen, Inc. gives travelers access to remote areas of Alaska where most travelers don't have the opportunity to venture. The playground is Alaska's National Parks: the Kenai Peninsula and Kenai Fjords National Park and Wildlife Refuge, and hundreds of square miles of bountiful Alaskan wilderness areas. Adventurous women will discover endless expanses of rolling forests, mountain meadows, hidden lakes, whispering streams, and turquoise glaciers, all teeming with rare species of North American wildlife.

Wave season offers a tsunami of deals for Alaska cruisers

2009-02-04T08:42:00.000-05:00

Cruise deals abound during "Wave Season," the travel industry's yearly January through March sales extravaganza. This year's season is kicking off with major savings for cruisers looking to sail the chilly waters of Alaska with major discounts, free upgrades and onboard credits galore.
The downturn in the U.S. economy has Alaska's major cruise ship operators slashing prices in hopes of filling ships with discounts of up to 40 percent.

"I'm so glad I waited to book my cruise," said Carole Pohler, a retired postal worker from Catonsville. "Cruising to Alaska has always been a dream of mine, and I've saved over half the amount I would have paid last year."

Find more Alaska information at http://www.alaska.thevacationzone.net

Cruise lines slash rates on Alaska voyages to fill ships

2009-02-04T08:39:00.001-05:00

Always wanted to take a cruise to Alaska? This is the year to do it. Cruise lines are slashing rates to rarely seen levels. Pricing is down "across the board (on) all cruise lines throughout the season," says Matt Cervone, president of Michigan-based Just Cruises & Vacations. "There are pockets of peak departure dates where pricing is not as low, yet (even these departures are) still much less expensive than in previous years."

Cervone adds that while prices for Alaska cruises are significantly lower than in past years, rates for Alaska cruise tours -- packages that include both a cruise and an add-on land tour -- are even better. "Unprecedentedly lower," he says. "You have 50% off (deals), two-for-one (deals) and on occasion additional shipboard credits."

Alaska Airlines to launch Seattle-Austin flights in August

2009-02-04T08:38:00.000-05:00

Alaska Airlines said today it will start new service between Seattle and Austin in August, filling a gap created when American Airlines stopped its Seattle nonstops last year.

Alaska Airlines said the daily flights will leave Seattle at 9:45 a.m. and arrive in Austin at 3:40 p.m. The return flight will leave Austin at 4:40 p.m. and arrive in Seattle at 6:45 p.m. local time.
“Austin represents a great opportunity for Alaska Airlines, filling in a gap in our route map and fitting in our strategy of increasing capacity in markets where we can grow,” said Steve Jarvis, Alaska’s vice president of marketing.

Women’s Only Alaska Bear Viewing and Wildlife Safari Adventure

2009-01-20T09:58:00.000-05:00

AdventureWomen, Inc., a pioneer in women's vacations and adventure travel since 1982 and the oldest adventure travel company for active women over 30, is now offering solo women travelers an Alaska vacation to rival none; this adventure in America’s “last great place” is a wildlife aficionado’s and photographer’s dream trip.

During this Alaska Bear Viewing and Wildlife Safari, AdventureWomen, Inc. offers an incredible value based in the all-inclusive nature of the trip. Best of all, traveling in a small group with AdventureWomen, Inc. gives travelers access to remote areas of Alaska where most travelers don't have the opportunity to venture.

Find more Alaska information at http://www.alaska.thevacationzone.net

Incredible Alaska trip deals available now; more will come

2009-01-06T07:38:00.001-05:00

For travelers, 2008 went out with a whimper, with missed connections, lousy weather and stubbornly high prices in the face of falling costs to suppliers.

Take advantage of the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. There are three components to the plan that add up to make it a good one: the Visa Card with the $50 companion certificate, the MVP benefits and the easy redemption process.

Find more Alaska information at http://www.alaska.thevacationzone.net

Alaska Fjordlines Whale Watching

2009-01-01T21:02:00.000-05:00

Looking for a whale watch cruise for your family or group? Charter the Fjordland! We offer great rates for groups up to 48 passengers. Our 65 foot, custom-built catamaran is the perfect vessel for viewing wildlife up close.

You'll see humpback and orca whales, sea lions and other marine life in action on our two-hour, narrated tour.

Find more Alaska information at http://www.alaska.thevacationzone.net

Douglas, Alaska Vacation Home Rentals

2008-12-31T20:45:00.000-05:00

Douglas, Alaska offers great vacation house rental and home rental-by-owner deals for the knowledgeable traveler.

No matter what budget or level of comfort you seek in your holiday to Douglas, AK, there's surely a great local vacation home rental available to meet your needs. Browse the list below for information on Douglas cabins, condos, bed & breakfast inns, luxury suites, corporate apartments and vacation packages.

Find more Alaska information at http://www.alaska.thevacationzone.net

Alaska Ski Vacations

2008-12-27T21:34:00.001-05:00

Alaska, which has always been a source of awe and mystery, has some of the best skiing in the world, and the Alyeska Resort is one of the finest resorts in the state. With a top elevation of 2751 feet and a 2501 vertical drop, the area gets an average of 631 inches of snow annually.

Although 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 line. There are 68 trails for beginners, intermediates, and experts, with the majority of the trails designed for intermediate skiers.

Find more Africa information at http://www.alaska.thevacationzone.net

Bleak tourism year forecast for Alaska

2008-12-26T21:02:00.000-05:00

FAIRBANKS - State tourism officials are warning that 2009 could be a bleak year for Alaska's tourism industry, with some projecting decreases in business of about 30 percent. If that scenario plays out, Alaska businesses could suffer severely, they projected.
"Certainly, it is looking to be a very potentially scary summer," said Dave Worrell, spokesman for the Alaska Travel Industry Association. "Optimistically, I would like to believe we would be down slightly. Pessimistically, we could be down dramatically. It really depends on what the economy does."

A 10 percent decrease wouldn't surprise him in the least, but declines could be as high as 25 to 30 percent, he said. That doesn't bode well for the state economy, with the average visitor spending almost $1,000 while in Alaska, enabling 40,000 full-time equivalent jobs. In 2008, that spending translated to a $1.7 billion boost to the state economy.

Find more Africa information at http://www.alaska.thevacationzone.net

Sea bass fishing in

2008-12-26T20:59:00.001-05:00