This year more than any since 911 has people wanting to sticker closer to home on their vacations. Thankfully there are many wonderful places to see and things to do just a short flight from our central USA location.

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have Alaska on their bucket list. You all know there are some great cruises that will introduce you to Alaska, but did you know there are some amazing land packages that you might actually prefer? Even better, we can usually combine these great land packages with a cruise if you want to experience both.

My favorite is a 7 day adventure that features the best of the best in Alaska. We are offering this as a personally escorted tour in 2019, but if you want to go in 2018 here’s the gist of it.

Your trip begins with a gorgeous drive from Anchorage to Prince William Sound. You’ll board your vessel and travel across the magnificent Prince William Sound exploring the three mile face of Mears Glacier while listening to tales of the region from your native Alaskan crew. Be sure your eyes are open and your cameras are ready, the region is teaming with marine life such as otters, whales and seals. You’ll end your day one adventure in Valdez, snuggled between the waterfront and mountains, nicknamed Alaska’s Little Switzerland.

The next morning it’s up and over the top of Thompson Pass, where the views during the summer months are simply unforgettable. You’ll continue deep into the Alaskan interior across the Denali Highway. This leg of the journey will introduce you to the true wilderness and offer frequent wildlife sightseeing and amazing views of the Alaska Range. You’ll arrive in Denali National Park where you’ll spend the next two nights.

Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley) dominates Denali National Park’s 6 million acres. You’ll have a free day for independent activities such as hiking along the many wilderness trails. You might prefer a wildlife sighting adventure watching for moose, grizzly bear, caribou and Dall sheep. Maybe raft trips down the Nenana River or a helicopter ride of the park. Your tour conductor will have plenty of suggestions.

You’ll relish your last views of Denali as you head to the quaint community of Talkeetna, the model for one of my favorite TV shows, Northern Exposure. You’ll have several hours to investigate this wonderful town on foot, then board the Alaska Railroad for an unforgettable train journey through untamed wilderness to Anchorage.

Your final day of the trip includes a visit to the Anchorage Museum, where you will see a wide variety of artifacts of the native people of Alaska. Of course this doesn’t have to be the end of your journey. We can arrange for you to board a southern bound cruise ship where you’ll experience the Inland Passage and the fascinating sights and towns along the way.

Believe it or not this incredible offer is only $1819 per person in 2018. That includes your ship travel, train travel, motorcoach travel and the inclusions I mentioned. That price does not include your flights or travel insurance, but even when you add in those details the cost for this trip of a lifetime is just irresistible.

There are many other amazing adventures waiting for you in Alaska. Contact your friends and family and invite them to join you. These tours are available only during the summer months, which will be upon us quickly. These tours are also usually full within 6 months from the dates of travel, so expediency is the key to grabbing these while there is space available.

Alaska is our last great frontier, we need to experience it while it’s still a true wilderness.

Joy Gawf-Crutchfield owns and operates The Joy of Travel. Contact Joy at 918-339-4805

Travel Close to Home, Best of Alaska