Archive for May 22nd, 2009

Gray Line of Alaska is offering travelers a $500 discount on tours six days or longer. This includes self-drive tours to Valdez or Homer, rail tours, escorted tours and more! Call Gray Line at (800)544-2206 for more details on this special program.

Choose from several rail/accommodations specials, too. I like the three-day/two-night option to Denali from either Fairbanks or Anchorage. From Anchorage, the package includes two nights at Denali Park, plus roundtrip train transportation. The cost is $399 per person, double. From Fairbanks, the cost is just $299 per person. Other options are available, including a one-way package and one-night packages, too.

You really cannot overstate how much fun you will have on the train! Gray Line travelers enjoy the full-dome treatment with McKinley Explorer train cars. Call now or visit online for more details.

Save 20 percent on your cruise to Kenai Fjords National Park with Renown Tours.

Kenai Fjords National Park really qualifies as a “must see” destination in Alaska. After all, on your six-hour cruise, you’ll see big glaciers. Huge! And you’re likely to see puffins, sea lions, porpoise, sea otters. eagles–bunches of them. When I traveled on this cruise, we saw two kinds of whales: Orcas and humpbacks.

It’s no surprise that it’s a national park! So take advantage of the 20 percent savings offered by Renown Tours. Go online and make your reservation.

It’s an easy drive to Seward from Anchorage, so make sure you have enough time to visit the Alaska SeaLife Center while you’re there. It’s Alaska’s biggest public aquarium. Don’t miss it!

Just touched down about an hour ago on Alaska flight #105. This was a three-leg journey through Chicago and Seattle. The actual mileage was around 6,000. But because of Alaska’s Double EQM (Elite Qualifying Miles) promotion, I received 12,000 miles toward my 2010 MVP Gold status. That’s HUGE for frequent flyers. It was a nice day for flying today. Here’s a shot down the “C” concourse at Sea-Tac, taken from the Seattle Board Room. One of Alaska’s “Disney” planes is in the foreground. The airline’s tribute to Boeing is in the background.

One of the great benefits of MVP Gold is the free upgrades to First Class. On this trip, I got lucky: three-out-of-three. I told my Aunt Sue that her angels were watching out for me!

There’s lots going on at Alaska Airlines. But don’t forget to register online for the double EQM promotion. Go to the home page, then click on the Mileage Plan tab. Check under “Mileage Promotions” to find the form! You’ll earn double EQMs through June 30, regardless of when you purchased your tickets.

Here today; Gone to Maui. It’s the theme-o’-the-day at Alaska Airlines. From Anchorage, the fare is $249 each way. From Fairbanks, it’s $269 each way. You have to purchase your tickets between now and June 3. Travel through Sept. 30.

New markets: Alaska Airlines will start service from Austin, TX to Seattle on Aug. 3. Flights from Houston start on Sept. 23. On Oct. 23, the flights from Seattle to Atlanta start. That’s good news for travelers to and from Alaska. Your Alaska miles are more valuable–and you can earn double miles for the first two months. Stay tuned for more details on these new destinations.

If you’re visiting Alaska, or even if you live here, you may know the Kenai River shows many faces in its journey from Kenai Lake to the sea. The lower river hosts commercial fishing boats–and it’s a great dip-netting spot for residents to harvest salmon as they enter the river from the ocean.

Between Skilak Lake and the mouth of the river, anglers from around the world come to fish for the mighty King Salmon.

But above Skilak Lake, the fishing picture changes. When the stream pours out from Kenai Lake, it’s more of a trout stream–although salmon abound. You’ll see more fly rods–and more folks floating down the river just to enjoy the scenery.  This is where the Kenai Princess Lodge stands guard.

With its bungalow-style accommodations, guests feel like they’re staying at their own cabin–there are fireplaces and decks. Each unit has a view–and it’s a short journey for activities including fishing, rafting or horseback riding. When you send a couple of days on the Upper Kenai River, you’ll understand why it’s such a popular playground for those of us in Anchorage.

Next week, there’s a great special going on: just $99 per night. In June, the rate goes up to $149 per night.  Soak in the hot tub. Sit out on the deck overlooking the river. Spy mountain goats on the side of the hill, or eagles riding the thermals in the valley. Just don’t let this special get away.

Up at Denali National Park, you’re right in the heart of things when you stay at the Denali Princess. Take the wildlife tour into the park. Choose a flightseeing trip or a raft trip on the Nenana River. There also are guided hikes in and around the park. Bring your camera and learn more about Denali National Park. The Denali Princess also has a great $99 rate in May, jumping to $149 per night in June. Don’t miss out on this deal.

Leave the driving to the pros at the Alaska Railroad when you take advantage of the 2-for-1 specials on Princess Rail Tours. Choose a package at the McKinley Princess Lodge near Talkeetna or the Denali Princess. Both options feature roundtrip train transportation, on-site transfers to/from your hotel and and accommodations. You can’t beat this for an all-inclusive experience. Learn more today when you click here.

Sushi, that is. Watch the chef from Wasabi’s restaurant in Homer do a sushi-rolling demonstration. Colt Belmonte is offering a one-night session for you to learn about the fish, rice and methods. Land’s End Resort is the place, on May 30. Also included: a special presentation on Sake. After the demonstration and tasting at Land’s End, you receive a $35 gift certificate to Wasabi’s for dinner following the event. The demonstration is Saturday afternoon, May 30 between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. Call (800)478-0400 for information and reservations. The package includes overnight accommodations in a Starboard Bay Suite, the demonstration, and a $35 credit for dinner at Wasabi’s. Cost is $224 for one, $299 for two! Learn more online. www.endofthespit.com