Reasons To Visit Alaska

Reasons To Visit Alaska

I keep getting requests from folks who have been to Alaska and those who have not. I'm reasonably confident that they have heard about our Travel Factory Gang trips for the past 25 years to that beautiful state and want to get on with us in 2020.

The reason I decided not to take a group on that itinerary is because they decided to shelve that itinerary we've been on for 20 years.. One of the experiences they cut out was the train ride to Anchorage, the other was cutting the stay at the beautiful 5-star Captain Cooks Hotel. In addition they eliminated the stop at the Alaska Wildlife Preservation Center in Anchorage on our way to the ship.

I've been on this schedule many times and considered that excursion one of the best in Alaska.

But.....it really doesn't matter; the other land excursions for you to consider are top drawer.

In my opinion, the best way to have a truly Alaska experience is to do both the interior and cruise. Most folks won't go up there but once, so plan on doing it right. Also, in my opinion, it is best on your body to do the land first, and the cruise last. That's a 12-night vacation: 5-night land, 7-night cruise.

One of the things I look at when someone is interested in Alaska is to steer them on an itinerary that includes Glacier Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Some cruise lines do not go into that site because the entrance to that location is limited, and only a few lines have access, Princess is one of them..

Some folks are interested in going to Alaska because of the possibility of wildlife sightings. On land, traveling through the National Park by a Park bus and Park driver/guide. They are always looking for animals plus there is a bus full of passengers who have their eyes open. We've seen bear, moose, snowshoe hare, eagle, wolf, and others, but not on the same trip. Sometimes we have seen every mammal in the Park, sometimes only a snowshoe hare.....we never know, but are grateful to see the beauty of God's creation in that location.

On many of the trips, Princess designs the opportunity to hear and see Alaska culture by bringing on the ship native instructors who talk about the history of the native population. They talk about the popular Iditarod 1,000-mile race, the Gold rush history, the Lumberjack show in Ketchikan. Many times they have puppies who they are raising to be sled dogs for the race brought on board.

Another experience that I try to schedule is the opportunity to take an Alaska rail car that has been designed by Princess. It's a great way to see that countries beauty by traveling through on a rail car that has windows all around you, plus an outdoor section that you can take pictures or just enjoy the scenery.

So, even though I don't have a Travel Factory Gang this year, Princess has been doing this for over 40 years, so you don't have to worry about a thing; just follow the itinerary they send and you don't have worry about getting left behind. Call us as 698-1421 or come by our office at 4150 Southwest Drive, located between Rosa's and Chick-Fil-A. Call us for a fantastic, forever memorable vacation experience in our 49^th state.