Synopses & Reviews
Spend Less and See More in AlaskaIf you'd like to get the most out of your dollar and your trip, this is the guide for you. I put a fresh spin on budget travel, showing you the best for less and how to see it in a more authentic way—the way the locals do.
Instead of spending $300 a night for a chain hotel, why not sleep in a cozy waterfront apartment in Kodiak for as little as $85 a night, or take over an entire lighthouse in Cordova for the week . . . for free!?
I'll take you on self-guided treks to see glaciers calve and highlight the best places to spot bears (safely and cheaply) in the great Alaskan wilderness. That way you can save enough to splurge on the best whale-watching tours (we rate 'em all), take a flightseeing expedition to Mt. McKinley, conquer the rapids on a whitewater rafting tour, or learn how to reel in Pacific salmon from a master.
Let me show you the "other" Alaska—the one only insiders know about. Catch a lumberjack and gold panning competition in Juneau or volunteer on an archaeological dig in Unalaska in search of the state's earliest history. These are only a few of the great ways to get closer to the culture of Alaska. Read on for more!
Synopsis
The most authentically Alaskan accommodations: family owned hotels, unusual B& Bs, rustic cabins by the sea or high in the mountains, or lighthouses on their own private islands. In depth info on all your touring options— whether you’ re traveling by car, by cruise ship or via the state ferry system. Where to get authentic Alaskan souvenirs for less: musk-ox wool garments, fossilized wooly mammoth parts, native crafts, even smoked salmon. Plus, how to visit glaciers by bus or on foot, where to see bears, native cultural celebrations, panning for gold, river rafting, kayaking, getting to the arctic and more.
Synopsis
* Total visitors to Alaska in 2006 hit 1.56 million
* The range of accommodations includes B&Bs, rustic cabins by the sea or in the mountains, and lighthouses
* In-depth info on traveling by car, cruise ship, or the state ferry system
* Where to see glaciers, bears, or native cultural celebrations
* Where to pan for gold, kayak, river raft, and more
Synopsis
Spend less, see more. This is the philosophy behind Pauline Frommer’s guides. Written by travel expert Pauline Frommer (who is also the daughter of Arthur Frommer), and her team of hand-picked writers, these guides show how to truly experience a culture, meet locals, and save money along the way.
• Industry secrets on how to find the best hotel rooms
• Details on alternative accommodations, great neighborhood restaurants, and cool, offbeat finds
• Packed with personality and opinions
- Total visitors to Alaska in 2006 hit 1.56 million
- The range of accommodations includes B&Bs, rustic cabins by the sea or in the mountains, and lighthouses
- In-depth info on traveling by car, cruise ship, or the state ferry system
- Where to see glaciers, bears, or native cultural celebrations
- Where to pan for gold, kayak, river raft, and more
About the Author
Freelance writer David Thompson lives in the Hawaiian Islands. He is one of the authors of the Pauline Frommer’s Hawaii guide.
Table of Contents
List of Maps.A Note from Pauline.
1 Alaska, from Folly to Fantastic.
The Regions of Alaska.
Top Experiences.
Suggested Itineraries.
2 Cruising Alaska’s Coast.
Weighing Your Cruise Options.
The Best Cruise Experiences in Alaska.
Booking Your Cruise.
Cruise Lines Profiles.
3 Anchorage & Environs.
Don’t Leave Anchorage Without.
A Brief History.
Lay of the Land.
Getting to & Around Anchorage.
Accommodations, Both Standard & Not.
Dining for All Tastes.
Why You’re Here: The Top Sights & Attractions.
The Other Anchorage.
Active Anchorage.
Attention, Shoppers!
Nightlife in Anchorage.
Get Out of Town.
4 Southcentral Alaska.
Don’t Leave Southcentral Alaska Without.
Lay of the Land.
Getting to & Around Southcentral Alaska.
Valdez.
Whittier.
Cordova.
Seward.
Soldotna/Kenai.
Homer.
Kodiak.
5 Southeast Alaska.
Don’t Leave Southeast Alaska Without.
Lay of the Land.
Getting to & Around Southeast Alaska.
Ketchikan.
Wrangell.
Petersburg.
Sitka.
Juneau.
Glacier Bay National Park.
Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness.
Admiralty Island.
Skagway.
Haines.
6 Alaska’s Interior.
Don’t Leave Interior Alaska Without.
Lay of the Land.
Getting to & Around Inner Alaska.
Fairbanks.
Interior Driving Tour #1: The Steese Highway.
Interior Driving Tour #2: The Elliott Highway.
Interior Driving Tour #3: The Dalton Highway.
7 Denali National Park & Preserve.
A Brief History.
Lay of the Land.
Getting to & Around Denali.
Accommodations, Both Standard & Not.
Dining for All Tastes.
Why You’re Here: The Top Sights & Attractions.
Active Denali.
Nightlife in Denali.
Talkeetna: Back Door to Denali.
8 The Bush.
Don’t Leave Bush Alaska Without.
Lay of the Land.
Getting to & Around the Bush.
Unalaska & Dutch Harbor.
Nome.
Barrow.
9 The Essentials of Planning.
When to Visit.
Entry Requirements.
Customs Regulations for International Visitors.
Getting to & Around Alaska.
Saving Money on Accommodations.
Outdoor Adventures/Tours.
Travel Insurance—Do You Need It?
Money Matters.
Health & Safety.
Tips on Packing.
Specialized Travel Resources.
Staying Wired.
Recommended Reading.
Appendix: Alaska on the Wild Side.
Whale Spotting 101.
Index.