One of the most enjoyable aspects of our work at Alaska Tour & Travel is receiving many letters from clients who have traveled to Alaska and later send us letters about their experiences.   We’re also receiving more and more photos from clients  as well, some of which they submit to our Alaska Travel Photo Contest.   These photo’s really highlight the diversity of the experiences that visitors and residents have while traveling in Alaska.  Alaska Cruises are a popular way to travel to Alaska, and Richard Bell sent us a photo he took this June while on board Holland America’s Ryndam.  Richard said that the guide books said “get up early, and don’t miss College Fjord” and they were right!  The photo of one of many glaciers in College Fjord is beautiful and reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend of mine who just came off a cruise from Vancouver, BC to Seward, Alaska and he told me that he was surprised to find that he enjoyed College Fjord even more than the day cruising Glacier Bay National Park. (more…)

Comments(0) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post

Dear Alaska Tour & Travel,

I wanted to take a moment and THANK YOU for palnning a fantastic trip to Alaska for my family. Everything was well planned out.  We had absolutely no problems with getting to or from our transportation, lodging, or excursions. All of the excursions that were prepared for us were wonderful! And they were kid friendly which was nice when traveling with a 7-year old.  We were able to see the most breathtaking scenery and see all of the wildlife in Alaska wilderness (grizzlies, moose, wolf, caribou, eagles, sheep, orca, sea lions, etc).  All of our lodging was nice and a few were exceptional.  I highly recommend this company to anyone interested in “experiencing” (not just seeing it!) Alaska.  I am already planning on going back to AK and using you again.  Thank you for providing us a WONDERFUL Alaska experience.

A. Reynolds

Athens, Georgia

Comments(0) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post

Just wanted to take a moment and than everyone involved in making our reservation for our recent trip to Alaska.  Everything went so smooth.  We enjoyed our trip very much as well as learning about the different culture that exists in Alaska. 

Thanks again!  

Carol and Nick Maximovich

Comments(0) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post

My family and I were fortunate enough to sneak in a quick camping trip over the recent Fourth of July weekend. By way of disclaimer, or perhaps confession, I should elaborate on my family’s idea of “camping”. First we load up the RV with roughly half of the contents of our Anchorage home and head south on the Seward Highway towards our favorite “camping spot” in Cooper Landing. Even with holiday traffic, and the obligatory stop at the Girdwood “Y” bakery for apple fritters, we made the trip in right around two hours. Okay, another confession, this “camping spot” I am talking about is really in the driveway of my brother-in-law’s house who manages and lives next door to the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge. (more…)

Comments(0) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post

This summer, the Alaska Native Heritage Center is hosting some unique artists for a very rare project funded by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. In the next few months, the creation of four carved house posts as part of the Southeast village site completion, are to be installed on the existing posts inside the house. Traditionally in Southeast Alaska, carved house posts were inside many houses to tell stories of the clan. In recognizing that the Southeast house represents many clans throughout Southeast Alaska, each of the four cultural groups (Eyak, Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian) will have one post to carve a story that best defines the culture though a central theme.  Interns, students, visitors and the general public can witness the entire process of traditional Alaska Native carving that will give each of the four cultural groups equal representation inside the house. Each carved house post will tell its own story through traditional Southeast artistry. Each post will exhibit a different aspect of Respect, the core Alaska Native value this exhibit will express. The separate posts will reflect Respect for the Environment, Respect for the Culture, Respect for Family and Respect for Self as were chosen by each group. (more…)

Comments(0) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post

Many Alaska bound travelers find themselves looking for a hotel near the SeaTac airport as part of their vacation plans. Some are beginning or ending an Alaskan cruise in Seattle or Vancouver, others opt for a stopover in route to or from Alaska. With this in mind I am happy to share with you a hidden gem of a hotel my family and I recently discovered near the Seattle Tacoma airport.

Our family is heading south from Alaska this week for a vacation with friends down in Georgia and Florida. We decided break up our flight down from Anchorage to Atlanta with a stopover in Seattle, and what a great idea that turned out to be. We had a pleasant flight down with Alaska Airlines arriving mid afternoon. We made our way to the hotel courtesy transportation area, now located across the sky bridge in the parking garage. After a quick call to our hotel and short wait, a gray Ford Flex car arrived and took us on the five minute ride to the Cedarbrook Lodge. The lodge has a real green commitment and using smaller vehicles when possible is just one of their efforts to keep it green. (more…)

Comments(0) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post

We’re giving away Gold this summer! Alaska Tour & Travel is celebrating this summer’s travel season by giving away an 1-Ounce, 24k Gold Official State of Alaska Medallion to the photographer who submits the winning photo to photos@alaskatravel.com depicting Alaska’s spectacular wildlife, scenery, people or adventure.  The 24K Gold Medallion, currently valued at over $1500, is made in Anchorage, Alaska at the Alaska Mint, owned by life-long Alaskan Michael Robuck and his family.  The Alaska Mint is located at 429 W. 4th Avenue, just a block away from the Egan Convention Center and the Anchorage Visitor Center Log Cabin, is worth a visit.   The northern most Mint in the world, The Alaska Mint produces its own art work and hand makes the medallions in their Anchorage shop.   The Alaska Mint is open every day, but if you visit the shop Monday through Friday, you can observe the craftsmen as they work on the Alaska State Medallions as well as other collectable items.  The Alaska Mint also has unique historical mining displays for viewing.

Last year, we celebrated Alaska’s 50th Anniversary of Statehood by giving away Sydney Laurence’s print “Legacy of Alaska” depicting Alaska’s Mt. McKinley.  In selecting the Gold Medallion as this year’s  photo contest award, we’re satisfied that we’ve chosen a high quality, unique, Alaskan made item that is symbolic of Alaska, The Last Frontier.  Last year’s winning photographer was Jim Allen from Dover, Florida for his photo entitled “The Fisherman”, an incredible photo of an Alaska Brown Bear.  For complete details and rules, as well as to view many of last year’s photos, rules visit www.alaskatravel.com/photo-contest.

Comments(0) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post

The most common question we get regarding travel to Alaska is what will the weather be like?  If only we could tell you for sure, but weather is difficult to predict.  Alaskan summers are cooler than many visitors are used to but it is still summer – a winter parka is not necessary!  Many travelers revel in the cooler temperatures.  Alaska is a big state so the weather does vary from region to region. Alaska is a great place to visit anytime of the year although most visitors come from mid-May to mid-September.  Mid to late May is a great value time to visit Alaska – the weather is warming up, the trees are blooming and the grass gets greener every day.  June is the driest time to visit Alaska and offers the most hours of daylight – June 21st is the longest day of the year.  July is peak season in Alaska and is the warmest month of the year.  August may be a little rainier but it is generally warmer than June and the bugs have decreased.  September offers cooler temperatures but beautiful fall colors. (more…)

Comments(0) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post