Archive for June, 2008

I got a nice note from Ellen in Anchorage asking about airlines. “Should I buy a ticket on a bankrupt airline–or pay more for another carrier?”

It’s a good question. The stigma about airlines in bankruptcy is gone, since all but a couple have taken a twirl through the doors of the Federal Bankruptcy Court.

This brings up an important point, though. More folks are pushing through the veil to act as their own travel expert. Sometimes the magic works. Sometimes it doesn’t. 

Face it: there are tricks to every trade. And your travel agent knows most of them. Remember travel agents? I know–so retro. But they can save you a ton of money. More importantly, they can save you time and aggravation trying to line up all the details of your trip.

Of course, there are good travel agents and bad ones. I use my friends at USTravel here in Anchorage. Call them: (907)561-2434 or toll-free (800)544-2217. Specifically, my agent is Laura. But Giovanni also is available in this office–and he’s getting great reviews from my readers. 

Laura and I talk all the time about great fares where there are no flights. About how airlines “batch” flights. About extra charges that are not disclosed in hotel prices, car prices or airline fares.

We also discuss the best destinations, the best cruises, the best vacation experiences–the whole banana. 

These days, your travel agent charges a fee for service–just like everyone else. That adds up to $38 for an airline ticket. But the aggravation of getting the right flight, the right seat, the right connections–heck, let your agent handle it.

I hear about all sorts of horror stories: booked flights that don’t exist, false claims from a hotel and prices that are nothing less than bait-and-switch.

Most travelers use the internet and the online options to research their vacations or business trip. But the travel environment is increasingly littered with land mines: cancellations, delays, up-charges, changes and surprises. 

Let our friends at USTravel help you plan your next trip. They’ve got offices in Anchorage, Kodiak (907)486-3232, Dutch Harbor (907)581-3133Prudhoe Bay, Juneau (907)463-5446, Ketchikan (907)228-8900 and Fairbanks (907)452-8992. Their sister company, Doug Fox Travel (800)368-4369, has offices throughout the Seattle-Tacoma area. Tell Laura or Giovanni or one of the other fine professionals that Scott sent you.

Wow. I’ve been watching this hotel from the ground up–and the 169-room property now is open. Carol Chandler, the GM, gave me a tour this afternoon. Pretty fancy! The “standard” room is a two-room suite with leather-trimmed sofas and an oversized work area–plenty of space for your laptop, your notebook and your cell phone! Free wireless internet service is available for HHonors members. (You have to sign up before making reservations at www.hilton.com) . Here’s a snap (of course, you have to move the flowers!):

All the rooms have the big flat-screen tvs, a refrigerator, a microwave, a coffee maker, hair dryer–all the basics so you can move right in. In fact, you’re right across the street from Carrs at the Sears Mall, so you can stock up! 

Everyone gets a complimentary, full cooked-to-order breakfast–and there’s free parking, too. There’s even a free airport shuttle! 

Check out the Pi Kitchen + Bar. It’s just off the lobby–and features healthy “global fusion” cuisine.  Dishes include “Hawaiian Sliders”, “Ponzu-Lemon Grass Scallop-and-Shrimp Brochette”, and “Crab Mac and Cheese”. Over at the bar, order one of the Pomgranate Patron Mojitos! 

There’s an indoor pool, a big whirlpool and a fitness center. In fact, there are some suites which feature a Jacuzzi tub! 

Check out the hotel, including the expansive lobby, complete with a stainless-steel whale water feature:

Located at 600 E. Benson Blvd., it’s close to BP, Alyeska, the Moose’s Tooth and the Sears Mall. Dial direct at (907)332-7000 or visit the website. 

Jump on this great deal from Denali Park Resorts. Just go to their website and book a two-night stay. You’ll receive 50 percent off the rack rate, 50 percent off rafting on the Nenana River and a $100 VISA cash card. You can use the card for gas–or for anything else. It’s a great way to visit the Great One this summer. Don’t miss it. Of course, restrictions apply. And, since it’s the height of summer–space is limited. Denali–you can’t miss it!

For details, call (800) 276-7234.  Check the website for online reservations. Wait! There’s more. While you’re at Denali National Park, be sure and see the great show at the Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theater (20 percent off the 8:30pm show!). See the sled dogs at Iditarod Champion Jeff King’s kennel. Go flightseeing. It’s all happening at Denali National Park. 

It’s another glorious day in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. From Anchorage, it’s an eight-hour drive to McCarthy, gateway to the park. We took our Honda Pilot (see below).

It has some extra clearance for the gravel road between Chitina and McCarthy. Take it slow on this portion of the road, since you’re driving on an old railbed. 

Just before you arrive at the footbridge to McCarthy (no cars are allowed to cross into town), there’s a parking lot and a phone to call Kennicott to come pick you up.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the nation’s largest park–and includes the historic mining district around Kennicott, which once was the largest and richest copper mine in the world. Kennicott Glacier Lodge sits in the midst of the old company town of Kennicott–and it’s a great base camp for your adventure. 

You have to take a tour of the old Mill Building (pictured here) and learn more about the area from the park rangers–they offer several other historical tours of the area.

But then it’s time to strike out into the wild country surrounding the town. (more…)

I’ll be off the grid for a few days with our friends from Alaska HDTV. In fact–check the post below for some great shots of the Fly-In from Valdez!! Headed out to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park for some ice climbing and flightseeing with our friends at Wrangell Mountain Air and St. Elias Alpine Guides. Here’s a shot from the air looking down on the Kennicott Glacier.

We’ll be visiting the historic mining district at Kennicott. And, of course, checking out the comfy accommodations at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge. This is the view from the deck of the lodge.

So watch for some live reports from the road!