From breathtaking natural beauty to amazing outdoor activities, there’s something for everyone in Alaska. A good travel agent can help you select the perfect itinerary that suits your needs, budget, and interests.

Denali

Mt. Denali is North America’s highest peak and a must-visit for an Alaska dream trip. Denali National Park is vast, it’s America’s largest national park and is larger than the entire state of New Hampshire! There are tons of tours and excursions available. The Park Service even offers free sled dog demonstrations in the summer. “Flight-seeing” is a wonderful way to see incredible views you will always remember.

Finally, check out our guide to National Park passes.

Kenai Fjords

Another very popular area is Kenai Fjords. Almost 40 glaciers flow from the Harding Icefield. A Kenai Fjords boat tour is one of the very best ways to see Kenai on your Alaska dream trip, and you might spot a whale or two!  You can also hike, mountain bike, take a “flight-seeing” trip and more. There are many great boat trips from Seward or even Anchorage. Some excursions include a dinner cruise or whale-watching. And from May to mid-June, orcas can be spotted.

Glacier Bay

One of the highlights for an Alaska dream trip is a cruise of Glacier Bay, but sadly, many visitors miss this incredible experience entirely. Glacier Bay as part of the U.S. National Park Service is strictly controlled. Only two ships per day from a few cruise lines are permitted.  You may even see seals perched on chunks of ice. You can still have a fabulous time without visiting Glacier Bay, but we always recommend it.

Fantastic Towns

All along the coast are towns with great history and character. Are you are fascinated by fishing, the Gold Rush, or Native American culture? There is something for you!

Juneau is a great place for a helicopter tour to walk on a glacier during your Alaska dream trip. It’s the state capital yet you can only get there by air or boat. The Mendenhall Glacier is the only glacier in Southeast Alaska accessible by road. We have experienced fantastic whale-watching in Juneau.

Charming Ketchikan has a wealth of native culture and a visit to the Totem Heritage Center is memorable. There is an abundance of salmon and eagles. You can fish, kayak, or take a tour and perhaps see seals, sea lions, and whales. Or snorkel with a ton of underwater sea life.

Sitka may be the most beautiful of the Southeast Alaska communities. Its Russian history is fascinating as evidenced by St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral.

Check it out Sitka’s official tourist site. You are almost certain to see bald eagles. Interesting facts about Sitka: No mosquitos or rats or mice.

Skagway is Alaska’s top tourist destination. The White Pass and Yukon Route railroad, is a traveler favorite.

On your Alaska dream trip, you can ride the rails on a real gold-rush era railroad from Skagway into the heart of the Yukon. And, yes, the area is, in part, a national park.

Finally, most visitors will visit Anchorage. It may not seem like it, but it’s a big city by Alaska standards.

There are day-long tours to the Kenai area that are very worthwhile. However, closer, and very popular places to visit are Chugach State Park and the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge is a bird-lover’s paradise. For your convenience, we have compiled a list of some popular Anchorage area tours.

Planning Your Alaska Dream Trip: All the Ways to Visit Alaska

There are several ways to visit Alaska.  The simplest is to fly there and back. No passport required. You can rent a car, take guided vacations, ride the famous trains, or some of each! You can even stay at some cool Alaska Wilderness lodges and take the domed trains with their magnificent views. However, you won’t see the cool towns and beauty of the Inside Passage.

The Most Affordable Way to visit Alaska is an Ocean Cruise.

Generally, you can take cruises out of Seattle, Vancouver, Whittier, or Seward. Cruises also run from San Francisco. Your transportation, accommodation, meals and entertainment are covered. We recommend one-way cruises as you will spend more time sightseeing than on a round-trip cruise. Almost every major cruise company has Alaska cruises available.  It can be confusing choosing the best one but we’re here to help.

Other ways are to take ferries from Seattle or to drive yourself through Canada.

We think the best Alaska dream trip is to pair a one-way cruise with a cruise tour. You cruise from Vancouver to Alaska and then the cruise line transports you to fabulous Alaskan lodges.  They usually include the famous glass-domed trains and guided tours. There are many multi-day options available. If you have the time and the money, it is the best!

Alaska Souvenirs and Art

On our past visits, we bought have some great Alaskan art that we cherish. Certainly you will want to explore and shop. Although there are countless shops, you should also consider the museum shops as great places to buy something to bring home.

Alaska has over 60 museums and cultural centers covering its history: the Russian occupation, gold booms – and busts as told in art and artifacts. Of course, the art of the Alaska native cultures is especially interesting. Beadwork, masks, carving, and basketry are some of the favorite collectable items. 

Tip: When you shop in Alaska, be sure to look for the silver hand logo which denotes the object was created by an Alaskan native artist using local materials.

More to Read

Visiting Seattle

Visiting Victoria

If you need help with airfare, check out our 6 Insider Secrets to Getting the Best Price for Airfare.

Visiting National Parks? Here’s our Guide.

The post Planning Your Alaska Dream Trip 2025 appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Nowadays, for the most part, the best prices and choices of cabins come to those who book a year or more ahead. Just ask someone who tried to book a cruise for this summer a few months ago. Nowadays Alaska cruise cabins fill quickly.

Cruise lines are announcing their 2026 Alaska sailings now and they will start filling quickly.

If you haven’t visited Alaska, you’re missing out! We have visited Alaska several times and can attest to its incredible natural beauty. Pictures are fantastic, but they do not let you experience the vastness you witness in person. So, we created our guide for planning your Alaska visit. We share the best time to visit Alaska and the best places to visit in Alaska.

Alaska Trains are very popular for good reason

From breathtaking natural beauty to amazing outdoor activities, there’s something for everyone in Alaska. A good travel agent can help you select the perfect itinerary that suits your needs, budget, and interests. For the best prices and itineraries, start planning now.

Best Places to Visit in Alaska: Denali

Mt. Denali is North America’s highest peak and a must-visit for an Alaska dream trip. Denali National Park is vast, it’s America’s largest national park and is larger than the entire state of New Hampshire! There are tons of tours and excursions available. The Park Service even offers free sled dog demonstrations in the summer. “Flight-seeing” is a wonderful way to see incredible views you will always remember. Denali is certainly one of the best places to visit in Alaska.

Finally, check out our guide to National Park passes.

Best Places to Visit in Alaska: Kenai Fjords

Another very popular area is Kenai Fjords. Almost 40 glaciers flow from the Harding Icefield. A Kenai Fjords boat tour is one of the very best ways to see Kenai on your Alaska dream trip, and you might spot a whale or two!  You can also hike, mountain bike, take a “flight-seeing” trip and more. There are many great boat trips from Seward or even Anchorage. Some excursions include a dinner cruise or whale-watching. And from May to mid-June, orcas can be spotted.

Best Places to Visit in Alaska: Glacier Bay

One of the best places to visit in Alaska is a cruise of Glacier Bay, but sadly, many visitors miss this incredible experience entirely. Glacier Bay, part of the U.S. National Park Service, is strictly controlled. Only two ships per day from a few cruise lines are permitted.  You may even see seals perched on chunks of ice. You can still have a fabulous time without visiting Glacier Bay, but we always recommend it.

Best Places to Visit in Alaska: Fantastic Towns

All along the coast are towns with great history and character. Are you are fascinated by fishing, the Gold Rush, or Native American culture? There is something for you!

Juneau is a great place for a helicopter tour to walk on a glacier during your Alaska dream trip. It’s the state capital yet you can only get there by air or boat. The Mendenhall Glacier is the only glacier in Southeast Alaska accessible by road.

Charming Ketchikan has a wealth of native culture and a visit to the Totem Heritage Center is memorable. There is an abundance of salmon and eagles. You can fish, kayak, or take a tour and perhaps see seals, sea lions, and whales. Or snorkel with a ton of underwater sealife.

Sitka might be the most beautiful of the Southeast Alaska communities. Its Russian history is fascinating as evidenced by St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral.

Skagway is Alaska’s top tourist destination. The White Pass and Yukon Route railroad, is a traveler favorite. On your Alaska dream trip, you can ride the rails on a real gold-rush era railroad from Skagway into the heart of the Yukon. And, yes, the area is, in part, a national park.

Finally, most visitors will visit Anchorage. It may not seem like it, but it’s a big city by Alaska standards.

There are day-long tours to the Kenai area that are very worthwhile. However, closer, and very popular places to visit are Chugach State Park and the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge is a bird-lover’s paradise. For your convenience, we have compiled a list of some popular Anchorage area tours.

Planning Your Alaska Dream Trip: All the Ways to Visit Alaska

There are many ways to visit Alaska. Of course, the best time to visit Alaska depends on what you want to see. The simplest way is to fly there and back. No passport required. You can rent a car, take guided vacations, ride the famous trains, or a bit of each! You can even stay at cool Alaska Wilderness lodges and take the domed trains with their magnificent views. However, you won’t see the cool towns of the Inside Passage, which we think are some of the best places to visit in Alaska. For that, you should take a cruise.

Consider a Special National Park Visit

Recently, we wrote about a special way to visit Glacier Bay National Park. You can enjoy peace, tranquility, hiking, and wonderful wildlife viewings.

The most affordable way to visit Alaska is an Ocean Cruise.

Generally, you can take cruises out of Seattle, Vancouver, Whittier, or Seward. Cruises also run from San Francisco. Your transportation, accommodation, meals and entertainment are covered. We recommend one-way cruises as you will spend more time sightseeing than on a round-trip cruise. Almost every major cruise company has Alaska cruises available.  It can be confusing choosing the best one but we’re here to help.

Other ways, much less frequently-used, are to take ferries from Seattle or to drive yourself through Canada.

We think the best Alaska dream trip is to pair a one-way cruise with a cruise tour. You cruise from Vancouver to Alaska and then the cruise line transports you to fabulous Alaskan lodges.  They usually include the famous glass-domed trains and guided tours. There are many multi-day options available. If you have the time and the money, it is the best!

If you want to take a cruise, the best time to visit Alaska is May through September. The weather can always be iffy, but even more so in May and September. On the other hand, the crowds and the prices are lower. June, July, and August are considered the prime months to cruise.

Alaska Souvenirs and Art

On our past visits, we purchased some great Alaskan art that we still cherish. Certainly you will want to explore and shop. Although there are countless shops, you should also consider the museum shops as great places to buy something to bring home.

Alaska has over 60 museums and cultural centers covering its history: the Russian occupation, gold booms – and busts as told in art and artifacts. Of course, the art of the Alaska native cultures is especially interesting. Beadwork, masks, carving, and basketry are some of the favorite collectable items. 

Tip: When you shop in Alaska, be sure to look for the silver hand logo which denotes the object was created by an Alaskan native artist using local materials.

The Aurora Borealis 

Want to See the Northern Lights?

The best time visit Alaska to see the Northern Lights is September through mid-April. For the best chance, head north to Fairbanks or beyond. Check out this great guide for planning a visit.

More

If you need help with airfare, check out our 6 Insider Secrets to Getting the Best Price for Airfare.

Visiting National Parks? Here’s our Guide.

Truly Visit Glacier Bay National Park

Ready for More Great Travel Tips?

Every week we share our favorite travel secrets and tips. You can view them all here.

The post Book Alaska Now for 2025 and Beyond appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

From breathtaking natural beauty to amazing outdoor activities, there’s something for everyone in Alaska. A good travel agent can help you select the perfect itinerary that suits your needs, budget, and interests. You can still plan an Alaska trip for 2024 but know it is filling quickly.

Denali

Mt. Denali is North America’s highest peak and a must-visit for an Alaska dream trip. Denali National Park is vast, it’s America’s largest national park and is larger than the entire state of New Hampshire! There are tons of tours and excursions available. The Park Service even offers free sled dog demonstrations in the summer. “Flight-seeing” is a wonderful way to see incredible views you will always remember. Denali is certainly one of the best places to visit in Alaska.

Finally, check out our guide to National Park passes.

Kenai Fjords

Another very popular area is Kenai Fjords. Almost 40 glaciers flow from the Harding Icefield. A Kenai Fjords boat tour is one of the very best ways to see Kenai on your Alaska dream trip, and you might spot a whale or two!  You can also hike, mountain bike, take a “flight-seeing” trip and more. There are many great boat trips from Seward or even Anchorage. Some excursions include a dinner cruise or whale-watching. And from May to mid-June, orcas can be spotted.

Glacier Bay

One of the best places to visit in Alaska is a cruise of Glacier Bay, but sadly, many visitors miss this incredible experience entirely. Glacier Bay, part of the U.S. National Park Service, is strictly controlled. Only two ships per day from a few cruise lines are permitted.  You may even see seals perched on chunks of ice. You can still have a fabulous time without visiting Glacier Bay, but we always recommend it.

Fantastic Towns

All along the coast are towns with great history and character. Are you are fascinated by fishing, the Gold Rush, or Native American culture? There is something for you!

Juneau is a great place for a helicopter tour to walk on a glacier during your Alaska dream trip. It’s the state capital yet you can only get there by air or boat. The Mendenhall Glacier is the only glacier in Southeast Alaska accessible by road.

Charming Ketchikan has a wealth of native culture and a visit to the Totem Heritage Center is memorable. There is an abundance of salmon and eagles. You can fish, kayak, or take a tour and perhaps see seals, sea lions, and whales. Or snorkel with a ton of underwater sealife.

Sitka might be the most beautiful of the Southeast Alaska communities. Its Russian history is fascinating as evidenced by St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral.

Skagway is Alaska’s top tourist destination. The White Pass and Yukon Route railroad, is a traveler favorite. On your Alaska dream trip, you can ride the rails on a real gold-rush era railroad from Skagway into the heart of the Yukon. And, yes, the area is, in part, a national park.

Finally, most visitors will visit Anchorage. It may not seem like it, but it’s a big city by Alaska standards.

There are day-long tours to the Kenai area that are very worthwhile. However, closer, and very popular places to visit are Chugach State Park and the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge is a bird-lover’s paradise. For your convenience, we have compiled a list of some popular Anchorage area tours.

Planning Your Alaska Dream Trip: All the Ways to Visit Alaska

There are many ways to visit Alaska. Of course, the best time to visit Alaska depends on what you want to see. The simplest way is to fly there and back. No passport required. You can rent a car, take guided vacations, ride the famous trains, or a bit of each! You can even stay at cool Alaska Wilderness lodges and take the domed trains with their magnificent views. However, you won’t see the cool towns of the Inside Passage, which we think are some of the best places to visit in Alaska. For that, you should take a cruise.

The most affordable way to visit Alaska is an Ocean Cruise.

Generally, you can take cruises out of Seattle, Vancouver, Whittier, or Seward. Cruises also run from San Francisco. Your transportation, accommodation, meals and entertainment are covered. We recommend one-way cruises as you will spend more time sightseeing than on a round-trip cruise. Almost every major cruise company has Alaska cruises available.  It can be confusing choosing the best one but we’re here to help.

Other ways, much less frequently-used, are to take ferries from Seattle or to drive yourself through Canada.

We think the best Alaska dream trip is to pair a one-way cruise with a cruise tour. You cruise from Vancouver to Alaska and then the cruise line transports you to fabulous Alaskan lodges.  They usually include the famous glass-domed trains and guided tours. There are many multi-day options available. If you have the time and the money, it is the best!

If you want to take a cruise, the best time to visit Alaska is May through September. The weather can always be iffy, but even more so in May and September. On the other hand, the crowds and the prices are lower. June, July, and August are considered the prime months to cruise.

Alaska Souvenirs and Art

On our past visits, we purchased some great Alaskan art that we still cherish. Certainly you will want to explore and shop. Although there are countless shops, you should also consider the museum shops as great places to buy something to bring home.

Alaska has over 60 museums and cultural centers covering its history: the Russian occupation, gold booms – and busts as told in art and artifacts. Of course, the art of the Alaska native cultures is especially interesting. Beadwork, masks, carving, and basketry are some of the favorite collectable items. 

Tip: When you shop in Alaska, be sure to look for the silver hand logo which denotes the object was created by an Alaskan native artist using local materials.

The Aurora Borealis 

Want to See the Northern Lights?

The best time visit Alaska to see the Northern Lights is September through mid-April. For the best chance, head north to Fairbanks or beyond. Check out this great guide for planning a visit.

More

If you need help with airfare, check out our 6 Insider Secrets to Getting the Best Price for Airfare.

Visiting National Parks? Here’s our Guide.

Ready for More Great Travel Tips?

Every week we share our favorite travel secrets and tips. You can view them all here.

The post Visit Alaska 2024 appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

As travel advisors, we know that there is no shortage of travel deals and sales out there. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! We take the time to sift through all the offers and select only the best deals that we think are worthy of your consideration. These sales offer the best vacation values and provide amazing experiences at unbeatable prices. So if you’re looking for an unbeatable deal on your next getaway, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be more than happy to help you find the perfect travel sale for you.

Read on for this month’s travel specials:

• The Best of Italy Guided Vacation for under $1200
• Princess cruises for under $100 per day
• Fantastic small ship expedition cruising all over the world for half price
• You can cruise Alaska this summer at some amazing prices

Amazing small ship expedition adventures

Half Price Expedition Cruises

Are you looking for an unforgettable experience that will last a lifetime? Look no further than an expedition cruise on a small ship! We know the perfect line that can make it happen. Plus, for a limited time you can take advantage of an exclusive offer – two can share a cabin for the price of one, and single travelers can still get a 50% discount!

You can choose sailings in Antarctica, Alaska, the Canary Islands, the Galapagos, Greenland, Iceland, or West Africa. Naturalists and expedition crew will be there to make your trip both educational and unforgettable. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to make lifetime memories – contact us today for more information on this exclusive offer!

This sale is not being advertised to the public. This amazing travel deal is only available through select travel advisors. The offer ends June 25.

Princess sails the Panama Canal

Princess Cruises Travel Deals For Under $100

Sail away to breathtaking beaches in the Caribbean, embark on a journey through the Panama Canal, explore the vibrant colors of Canada & New England in the fall, and much more—all for as little as $100 per person per day! In fact, some sailings are less than $60 per person per day.

Cruise with Princess for unbeatable prices, and enjoy accommodations, food, and entertainment all included in the price. Don’t miss out on this incredible offer, available only until July 5th! Contact us to see which voyages are included in this great travel deal.

See the Collosseum, the Vatican, the Tower of Pisa and ride a Venetian Gondola

A Great Vacation Value: A Week In Italy: Rome, Pisa, Florence and Venice

This is the perfect way to explore Italy without having to worry about the details! Starting at just $1,182 per person, this incredible tour package includes 6 nights’ accommodation, 6 breakfasts, 2 dinners, and transportation. Plus, you’ll get to experience a canal cruise in Venice, one of the world’s most romantic cities! You can also opt to add optional excursions or explore on your own – the choice is yours. Don’t miss out on this amazing value – book your dream Italian vacation today!

While you are thinking about all the best travel sales, don’t forget to check out our advice on getting the best deal on airfare, our tips on ocean cruising and more cruising tips. Thinking of a river cruise? Don’t miss our Value Guide to River Cruises.

Alaska On Sale

If you can cruise this summer, there are some amazing last minute Alaska cruise specials available. You can sail Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth for ten nights, including Glacier Bay, for just $899 per person. Or try a seven-night Celebrity cruise for a crazy $299 per person. Princess also has sailings for as low as $299 per person.

What’s the catch? These fares are for interior cabins, based on two people in the cabin. The fares do not include port fees or taxes, air, insurance, shore excursions, etc. However, they are great deals. There are sailings in July, August and September.

And here’s our favorite–On September 6, you can sail the Sapphire Princess with Jeff Corwin on board as your guide for $299 per person.

Be sure to contact us for more information on these great specials.

Ready For More Great Travel Tips?

We share our favorite travel tips and information every week. You can see them all here.

The post Travel Deals We Love in June 2023 appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Regent Seven Seas

Regent Seven Seas just might be it the most all-inclusive luxury cruise line in the world. Currently they offer several great travel discounts.

First, on select voyages worldwide, you can sail for up to a 40% discount.

Destinations such as Alaska, the Mediterranean, Asia, South America, Canada, and New England are available. Looking for a family journey to Alaska? Book by May 31 and kids under 17 sail free.

Regent also offers another great travel sale: free land excursions in Tokyo, Singapore, Buenos Aires, and Lima before or after your cruise.

Regent’s 2 for 1 pricing includes, airfare, unlimited shore excursions, unlimited beverages, unlimited wi-fi, valet laundry service, pre-paid gratuities, all specialty restaurants, and transfers between airport and ship. It is truly all-inclusive. Also, Regent offers solo travelers 0% single supplements on select cruises.

Most these specials expire May 31, 2023.

AMAWaterways

If you have ever considered a river cruise, now is the time.

We consider AMAWaterways to be the best river cruise experience. They offer several terrific travel discounts right now.

First, if you book select sailings in Europe or Egypt by June 30, you can receive a free land tour pre or post cruise. With a variety of travel sales, you can stay extra nights, with free tours in Paris, Barcelona, Zurich, and a lot more. Certain Christmas Market sailings qualify for this great travel sale.

Even better, you can combine this offer with excellent airfare rates on select 2023 Europe sailings through AMA: Economy Air at a fixed rate of $899 per person, Premium Economy Air at $2,299 per person, Business Class Air for $4,299 per person.

Do You Know A Front Line Hero?

AMAWaterways offers FREE cruises on select sailings to active medical professionals (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, hospital staff, lab technicians) and active first responders (Emergency Medical Services/paramedics) with valid ID. This limited time offer is valid through December 31, 2023. Contact us to take advantage of this incredible offer.

Oceania Cruise Line

Oceania Cruises is highly regarded for great food and luxury experiences. If you book by June 30, there are travel sales with prices are as low as $899 per person for select cruises around the world.

With the over 600 sailings with OLife Choice, you enjoy 2 for 1 Cruise Fares, Free Roundtrip Airfare with Airport Transfers plus one free amenity: up to 8 Shore Excursions, Beverage Package, or up to $800 Shipboard Credit.

Finally, solo travelers have not been forgotten with reduced single supplement rates.

In Conclusion

Don’t forget to check out our advice on getting the best deal on airfare and our tips on ocean cruising and more cruising tips. Thinking of a river cruise? Don’t miss our Value Guide to River Cruises. And need luggage recommendations? We’ve got them.

The post Current Travel Sales We Love – May 2023 appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

From breathtaking natural beauty to amazing outdoor activities, there’s something for everyone in Alaska. A good travel agent can help you select the perfect itinerary that suits your needs, budget, and interests.

Denali

Mt. Denali is North America’s highest peak and a must-visit for an Alaska dream trip. Denali National Park is vast, it’s America’s largest national park and is larger than the entire state of New Hampshire! There are tons of tours and excursions available. The Park Service even offers free sled dog demonstrations in the summer. “Flight-seeing” is a wonderful way to see incredible views you will always remember.

Finally, check out our guide to National Park passes.

Kenai Fjords

Another very popular area is Kenai Fjords. Almost 40 glaciers flow from the Harding Icefield. A Kenai Fjords boat tour is one of the very best ways to see Kenai on your Alaska dream trip, and you might spot a whale or two!  You can also hike, mountain bike, take a “flight-seeing” trip and more. There are many great boat trips from Seward or even Anchorage. Some excursions include a dinner cruise or whale-watching. And from May to mid-June, orcas can be spotted.

Glacier Bay

One of the highlights for an Alaska dream trip is a cruise of Glacier Bay, but sadly, many visitors miss this incredible experience entirely. Glacier Bay, part of the U.S. National Park Service, is strictly controlled. Only two ships per day from a few cruise lines are permitted.  You may even see seals perched on chunks of ice. You can still have a fabulous time without visiting Glacier Bay, but we always recommend it.

Fantastic Towns

All along the coast are towns with great history and character. Are you are fascinated by fishing, the Gold Rush, or Native American culture? There is something for you!

Juneau is a great place for a helicopter tour to walk on a glacier during your Alaska dream trip. It’s the state capital yet you can only get there by air or boat. The Mendenhall Glacier is the only glacier in Southeast Alaska accessible by road.

Charming Ketchikan has a wealth of native culture and a visit to the Totem Heritage Center is memorable. There is an abundance of salmon and eagles. You can fish, kayak, or take a tour and perhaps see seals, sea lions, and whales. Or snorkel with a ton of underwater sealife.

Sitka might be the most beautiful of the Southeast Alaska communities. Its Russian history is fascinating as evidenced by St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral.

Skagway is Alaska’s top tourist destination. The White Pass and Yukon Route railroad, is a traveler favorite. On your Alaska dream trip, you can ride the rails on a real gold-rush era railroad from Skagway into the heart of the Yukon. And, yes, the area is, in part, a national park.

Finally, most visitors will visit Anchorage. It may not seem like it, but it’s a big city by Alaska standards.

There are day-long tours to the Kenai area that are very worthwhile. However, closer, and very popular places to visit are Chugach State Park and the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge is a bird-lover’s paradise. For your convenience, we have compiled a list of some popular Anchorage area tours.

Planning Your Alaska Dream Trip: All the Ways to Visit Alaska

There are several ways to visit Alaska.  The simplest is to fly there and back. No passport required. You can rent a car, take guided vacations, ride the famous trains, or a bit of each! You can even stay at some cool Alaska Wilderness lodges and take the domed trains with their magnificent views. However, you won’t see the cool towns of the Inside Passage.

The most affordable way to visit Alaska is an ocean cruise.

Generally, you can take cruises out of Seattle, Vancouver, Whittier, or Seward. Cruises also run from San Francisco. Your transportation, accommodation, meals and entertainment are covered. We recommend one-way cruises as you will spend more time sightseeing than on a round-trip cruise. Almost every major cruise company has Alaska cruises available.  It can be confusing choosing the best one but we’re here to help.

Other ways, much less frequently-used, are to take ferries from Seattle or to drive yourself through Canada.

We think the best Alaska dream trip is to pair a one-way cruise with a cruise tour. You cruise from Vancouver to Alaska and then the cruise line transports you to fabulous Alaskan lodges.  They usually include the famous glass-domed trains and guided tours. There are many multi-day options available. If you have the time and the money, it is the best!

Alaska Souvenirs and Art

On our past visits, we bought have some great Alaskan art that we cherish. Certainly you will want to explore and shop. Although there are countless shops, you should also consider the museum shops as great places to buy something to bring home.

Alaska has over 60 museums and cultural centers covering its history: the Russian occupation, gold booms – and busts as told in art and artifacts. Of course, the art of the Alaska native cultures is especially interesting. Beadwork, masks, carving, and basketry are some of the favorite collectable items. 

Tip: When you shop in Alaska, be sure to look for the silver hand logo which denotes the object was created by an Alaskan native artist using local materials.

More

If you need help with airfare, check out our 6 Insider Secrets to Getting the Best Price for Airfare.

Visiting National Parks? Here’s our Guide.

Ready for More Great Travel Tips?

Every week we share our favorite travel secrets and tips. You can view them all here.

The post Planning Your Alaska Dream Trip appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

We know how important it is to keep your devices topped-up, so we put together what we think are the best travel power strips to bring with you on the road. Want the best travel strip for international travel? Then keep reading!

What We Look For In The Best Travel Power Strips

Build Quality

Many manufacturers churn out power strips and adapters these days. This means that looking for build quality is more important than ever. Knowing how to spot the difference between a good value and a cheap product is tough, but it often comes down to the materials used.

Reputation

Certainly every company has to start somewhere. Customers will take a chance on an unproven company to see if they’ve found a gem of a product. But that doesn’t mean you need to be that customer.

From time to time we’ll try out a totally new company, and we’ve been pleasantly surprised a few times. More often than not though, we wish we hadn’t bought it.

These days, we look for companies that have a good track record.

Customer Experience

Even when we’ve had a great experience with a product, that’s only a sample size of one. Before we recommend it to you, we take our time and see what other customers say about it. We take time to read through negative reviews and cross reference different websites gives us a clearer picture of how well a product is performing.

Best Travel Power Strip for Apple Users

Right out of the gate we want to confess that we are not Apple users. We don’t have iPhones or iPads and we don’t use MacBooks for our laptops. We are Android fans. However, just about all of our family members do use Apple products.

From time to time these family members forget their charging cables and ask us if we have Apple chargers, which we don’t.

Once Apple finishes switching to using USB-C for all its devices in the long run, it finally means that we can say yes to our Apple using friends and family when they ask for a charge.

Our Recommendation for Apple and Android Users

With the MacBooks already switched over and the iPhones and iPads switching very soon, we really like the Anker 647 for our future travels.

Although this particular product is very new, we’ve been using Anker products for years. We’ve used and recommended their USB hubs and power stations to all our friends and family.

Also, Anker tends to focus on Apple brands, so we have no doubt for us that this is going to be a great item.

Features

• Designed for multiple users to plug into at once.
• Multiple USB charging ports.
• Active device monitoring to protect from thermal damage.

Pros

• 2 Built in and retractable USB-C cables to power devices.
• 6 standard power outlets to accommodate all sorts of non-USB devices.
• A sleek design
• A flat-back wall connector means that it can be set up almost anywhere.

Cons

• Expensive. Although we often feel the quality has justified Anker’s prices.
• It is new and needs more field-testing.
• Current Apple users with older devices will need to plug in using their cables through the standard power outlets.

Pick it up on Amazon

Best Compact Travel Power Strip

Yes, this is more of a cube than a strip, but it’s still amazing. Without reservation, we think that it is easily one of the best travel power strips.

I’ve had this little beauty in my suitcase for a while now and I won’t leave home without it. At least if leaving home involves and overnight stay.

As we said above, Anker has a great track record.

What’s more, the best part of this little guy is how small it is. I mean, look at it!

It’s barely bigger than a credit card and it has three power outlets and 3 dedicated USB charging spots including Power Delivery (PD). You can even get one with a 10 ft. wall connection.

With all the concerns about “juice-jacking“, we recommend that you take this with you through the airport to protect you from data thieves. And if you are flying, check out our tips to get the best price on a flight!

Features

• Compact design that saves you space when packing.
• 3 Power outlets and 3 USB charging ports with PD.
• Lots of safety features to protect devices including short circuit, temperate, and over-voltage protection.

Pros

• Long cables for wall connection with 5 and 10 ft. options.
• Stunningly small! This could almost fit in your pants pocket.
• That voltage monitoring is a real important safety feature on a cruise or in a hotel.

Cons

• It slides around on a table top and is best used on a floor.

Pick it up on Amazon

Best Travel Power Strip For International Travel

If you’ve never traveled abroad, you might not realize other countries have their own power outlet design. They operate on different voltages and use different connection pin configurations. Check out this really useful site to get an idea of what we’re talking about!

Finding the best power strip for international travel can be quite a challenge. Worst of all, people think they can get by with just a wall adaptor. If you want to protect your hair dryer or laptop or CPAP from burning out you need to get a power converter.

That’s where a universal power adapter comes in handy and our favorite is the Bestek Universal Travel Adapter. It’s fairly compact and it has a lot inside it.

You might not have heard of Bestek, but they’ve been quietly making quality products for years now and we’ve got a few of their products.

This model will safely step up or down the voltage from the wall and convert it into U.S. friendly electricity. It comes with a type C wall cable and adapters for types A, D, G, and I.

Type A is used in the US and Japan. While type C is used in most of continental Europe and Iceland. Type D is used in India and many parts of Africa. Type G is used in The United Kingdom and Ireland.

We wish this adapter came with type E, which is used in France, and type F, which is used in Germany. To be fair, the type C adapter will fit into both types E and F, but it fits loosely and can fall out easily.

Still this power adapter can be used almost anywhere. It protects your devices from incompatible voltage, which can wreck your electronics.

Features

• Is both a voltage and outlet adapter in one.
• Outlets for multiple devices, including 4 USB outlets.
• Small size that does a lot of work to keep your devices safe.

Pros

• Comes with the most common and widely used plug styles.
• Well-reviewed for years.
• Wall cable is almost 5 ft. long. We like a longer cable, it gives you wiggle room to position it.

Cons

• Type E and F adapters are not included.
• Only 3 AC outlets on it.

Pick it up on Amazon

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