Archive for February 11th, 2008

Starting May 5, Era Aviation will be flying between Anchorage and Fairbanks six times each day. That’s a big jump from the current schedule. The folks at Era are e-x-c-i-t-e-d. And why not? Era’s Dash-8s are swift and sleek. The counters and the gates are just steps from the curb.

That means you spend less time at the airport and more time doing what you want to be doing.

So, the quickest curb-to-curb service (with an actual Flight Attendant on board!) between Anchorage and Fairbanks is on Era Aviation. Here are the flight times for the summer schedule:

Anchorage-Fairbanks:

856  ANC-FAI  dep 745A  arr 850A

818  ANC-FAI  dep 1200N arr 110P

858  ANC-FAI  dep  200P  arr 305P

860  ANC-FAI  dep 510P  arr 620P

866  ANC-FAI  dep 815P arr 925P              

816  ANC-FAI  dep 1000P arr 1110P

Fairbanks-Anchorage:

857 FAI-ANC  dep 910A arr 1020A 

819 FAI-ANC  dep 130P arr 240P

859 FAI-ANC  dep 325P arr  435P

861 FAI-ANC  dep 640P arr 750P 

867 FAI-ANC  dep 945P arr 1055P  

817 FAI-ANC dep 1130P arr 1240A+1 

We love to take our visiting friends on the Alaska Railroad! The railroad runs from Seward to Fairbanks. And the best way to ride the rails is aboard the McKinley Explorer private rail cars! Right now there are some early-bird specials from Gray Line of Alaska. They include rail, accommodations and transfers between Anchorage and Denali National Park. Special packages are available for up to 40 percent off, as little as $349 per person for four days/three nights.  

 Look at these nice people having a lovely time on the McKinley Explorer! Sign me up!

Our new “blog” format allows us to update travel deals and specials as they happen. Thanks for your comments! Of course, we still send out the weekly email newsletter–there’s a “subscribe” box over in the right-hand margin. Just enter your email address. 

Watch the website for new deals as they appear! That includes fare specials, cruise deals, early-season bargains and more! 

Oh, have you seen the new Seattle TourSaver? It’s hot. It’s happenin’. And it’s loaded with deals on attractions, activities and accommodations in Seattle, the San Juan Islands and Victoria, BC! Here are some of our favorites:

a. 2-for-1 Cooking and dining experience with Diane’s Market Kitchen

b. 2-for-1 Wine tasting at Taste of Washington

c. 2-for-1 Victoria Clipper from Seattle to Victoria

d. 2-for-1 Flightseeing tour with Kenmore Air

e. 2-for-1 Argosy Cruises at Seattle’s waterfront

f.  2-for-1 accommodations in Victoria, BC

g. 2-for-1 accommodations in downtown Seattle

h. 2-for-1 accommodations in Redmond, Cle Elum and Poulsbo

i.  2-for-1 admission to Museum of Flight, Museum of Glass, Burke Museum and more!

….plus LOTS MORE! 

The Seattle TourSaver offers travelers $3,000 in travel savings. Everything is 2-for-1 or free. The cost? Normally the book costs $79.95. Now, it’s on sale if you purchase before Feb. 15: Just $59.95.

It’s the perfect Valentine’s Day present for your sweetie!  

“The best things in life are free,” said my mother. “It’s the next-best things that are very expensive.”

Around Valentine’s Day, I remember precious quotes like that from my mom. It’s one of the reasons we love the Great Alaskan TourSaver, of course. Because when you have this coupon book, the person you’re traveling with goes free!

Here’s how it works: purchase the book online. Cost is $99.95. Then, start making your reservations. Remember, your travel companion goes FREE. Everything in the book is 2-for-1 or free. Here are some favorites:

a. Kenai Fjords Tour in Seward: $129 (companion goes free)

b. Dimond Center Hotel in Anchorage: Second night free

c. Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage: $19 (companion goes free)

d. Princess rail/loding package from Anchorage to Mt. McKinley Princess: $407 (companion goes free)

e. Denali flightseeing: $205 (companion goes free)

f. Riverboat Discovery in Fairbanks: $39.95 (companion goes free)

g. Alpine Lodge in Fairbanks: Second night free

h. Kennicott Glacier Lodge in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park: Second night free

i. King Salmon fishing on the Kenai River: $175 (companion goes free)

j. Halibut Fishing in Kodiak: $279 (companion goes free)

k. Columbia Glacier Cruise in Valdez. (companion goes free)

l. Nikolski Wilderness Lodge 7d/6n adventure: $2,500 (companion goes free)

m. Bettles fly-out lodge near Gates of the Arctic National Park: $1,100 (companion goes free)

n. Valley of the 10,000 Smokes Tour in Katmai National Park: $99 (companion goes free)

…and many more.

There are more than 140 2-for-1 offers in this year’s Great Alaskan TourSaver, with more than $22,500 in 2-for-1 travel deals. Don’t miss out. Order yours today and start making your reservations!