Hot Deals

From the mountains to the sea, the Great Alaskan TourSaver, with more than 135 2-for-1 offers, lets you see the best of Alaska for less.

Think about it: you get your Honey to buy the book for $99.95 (He loves you, right??). Then, he pays for his cruise, his flightseeing trip, his hotel, his train ride and his admission to the cool attractions all around the state. Here’s a shot of the 2-for-1 train ride up to Denali Park from Anchorage:

Here comes the great part: you go for free, when you have the Great Alaskan TourSaver. 

Love it? We do. We thought you would, too. Here are some of the top picks on the 2-for-1 list around Alaska:

Let’s be clear: EVERY one of these offers is TWO-FOR-ONE!

a. Flightseeing to Denali, with Glacier Landing from Talkeetna Air Taxi! Check it out:

b. Whale-watching in Juneau!

c. A cruise on “Deadliest Catch’s” Aleutian Ballad in Ketchikan!

d. An expedition to an adventure lodge at Ailik Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park from Alaska Wildland Adventures.

e. A week-long wilderness adventure into Lake Clark National Park. Folks–this is an INCREDIBLE trip from Alaska Alpine Adventures. Check the site: www.alaskaalpineadventures.com

f. Helicopter flightseeing in Denali National Park from Era Helicopters.

g. Bear viewing/flightseeing in Kodiak with Island Air. Here’s a preview:

h. Glacier cruise from Renown Tours in Seward into Kenai Fjords National Park. Check it out:

i. Fishing in Juneau, Kodiak and along the Kenai River.

j. Sail on the Riverboat Discovery in Fairbanks.

k. Hike on a glacier with St. Elias Guides in Wrangell National Park.

l. Accommodations near Denali, in Kennicott, in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Valdez, Juneau, Kenai, Seward, or on the Kenai River.

m. See the Valley of the 10,000 Smokes in Katmai National Park!

n. Stay and sail to see the glaciers in Glacier Bay National Park! Oh–air fare from Juneau is 2-for-1 as well!

o. 2-for-1 air fare between Anchorage and Fairbanks on Era Aviation! Here’s a shot of one of their Dash-8s:

Don’t miss out on Alaska’s best travel deal. Order between now and Nov. 15 for FREE shipping to U.S. Addresses. Just $99.95 for more than $20,000 in 2-for-1 travel deals.

Am I excited about the new edition of the Great Alaskan TourSaver? OMG! Truly, Madly, Deeply! HAHA!

Order now: www.toursaver.com

It’s a rough-and-tumble time in the airline business. We’ll try and strip away some of the veneer to let you see where the bargains are. These days, it really does make a difference where you fly–and it makes a difference which airline you employ to haul you there. 

Anchorage-Newark on Alaska Air: $476rt  includes tax (compare with ANC-Philly for $537 on Delta)

Anchorage-Hartford on Delta, NW or Alaska: $472rt includes tax (compare with ANC-Boston for $621 on Delta)

Anchorage-Washington, DC on NW: $515 includes tax (compare with ANC-Richmond for $803 on Delta)

Anchorage-Santa Barbara on USAir: $475 includes tax (compare to ANC-LAX for $838 on Delta). Here’s a shot of the pool at the Hotel Viceroy in Santa Monica. We had breakfast there on the way to my flight at LAX:

The advance-purchase requirement on these fares vary. But the point is this: you’d better shop around. Check with the professionals at USTravel and let them map out the best rates. They charge $38 to track down the best fares. But as you can see in the fares we’ve listed, it can make a BIG difference if you know where the bargains are. 

Just for reference–compare the aforementioned rates  with the lowest price Anchorage-Seattle: $442rt including tax on Continental.

Call USTravel today in Anchorage: (800)544-2217. Remember to ask them about their great “Buy Today, Fly Today” fares. There’s no advance purchase, although you do have to buy a couple of nights’ hotel accommodations to qualify.

Stay tuned for more specials.

Right here in Anchorage, we’ve got a travel accessories shop for the international voyager! Proprietress Tina Baugher has all sorts of goodies to help you look good, feel good and smell good while you’re on the road! 

Above, Tina hangs out at “Bangle Island” near the front of her store. What’s at the top of her list for travelers? “Sarongs, bikinis and all sorts of beach throws and cover-ups when you’re headed to the sun,” she said. 

“Plus, lots of our prettiest and most popular patterns are on sale for 50 percent off,” she said. 

Speaking of sun, it’s important to take care of your skin when you’re traveling. Tina made me try some “Skin Love”, manufactured by her friend, the Swamp Sister, in Homer. I am not making this up! Choose from several fragrances, including Lavender and Vanilla. 

Mermaid Imports is located across from Costco on Dimond Blvd. here in Anchorage, at 209 W. Dimond Blvd. You can’t miss it. It’s the little store with all the colorful flags out in front of the shop! 

Tina travels the world in search of all the cool, eclectic things that Alaskans can use in their home. Drapes, furniture, candles, accessories and just a whole bunch of great knick-knacks from the Far East, from India and the Pacific Islands. Stop in today. Tell Tina that Scott sent you! While you’re there, ask Tina about her Seaside Cottages in Homer. Suh-weet.

If you travel to or from Fairbanks, Alaska you know the story: not only is the fare through-the-roof. Typically, the restrictions also are onerous–particularly a 14- or 21-day advance purchase.

Our friends at USTravel are solving the problem of the advance purchase with new “contract” fares from Alaska Airlines. Here’s the scoop:

Take advantage of lower fares for last-minute travel when you purchase at least two nights’ hotel at the same time. Hey–the money you save typically will pay for the hotel. Let’s review:

Fairbanks-Denver $760rt (plus two nights hotel) 

Fairbanks-Dallas $642 (plus two nights hotel)

Fairbanks-Las Vegas $809 (plus two nights hotel)

Fairbanks-LAX $780 (plus two nights hotel)

Fairbanks-Orange County: $816 (plus two nights hotel)

Call Glory or Tesa at (800) 622-6449 to make all your Fairbanks travel arrangements. Remember, there is NO ADVANCE PURCHASE–truly “buy today, fly today” fares. But there’s no refund and no changes. So make sure you REALLY want to go before you buy.

Just FYI, it’s -8F in Fairbanks right now. The expected high temperature in San Diego, CA today? 78F (above!). Y’know, if you want to warm up in Fairbanks–I mean REALLY warm up, head out to Chena Hot Springs. It’s a local favorite: the hot springs, the restaurant, the Ice Museum and of course, the owner, Bernie Karl. Ask for Bernie. Have him tell you about the geothermal power he uses to heat the resort, power the generators and grow a bunch of fresh produce in his greenhouses. Incredible. Tell him Scott sent you. Here’s a shot of the interior of the Aurora Ice Museum:

Did I mention that Boeing is on strike? As if to drive that point home, Qantas, formerly an all-Boeing carrier, now is offering a special to celebrate the delivery of their first Airbus 380! 

This is one big, honkin’ jet. My friend Johnny Jet took the double-decker for a spin the other day with Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta. Yeah. Uh-huh. No, really. First off, Travolta has his own Qantas jet that he flies hither and yon. That’s right–he’s a regulation four-striper. Well, maybe not exactly regulation–but he’s checked out on the aircraft.

And Olivia? Well, that’s another kettle of fish. Anyway, click through to Johnny’s page and see the new Qantas airplane. W-a-a-a-y cool.

Here’s a nice pic of the big bird:

Fly from San Francisco or L.A. to Brisbane or Sydney for $380 each way. That’s $900 roundtrip with taxes. Your package price includes 4d/3n at a nice hotel, airport transfers and some day tours. Of course, you can add on some additional trips to the Great Barrier Reed, Ayers Rock or Perth. Even wine country!

You have to lock this deal in by Oct. 31, so call USTravel right now: (907)561-2434 or toll-free: (800)544-2217.