Alaska

You’ll discover a myriad of delicious dishes to sample in Alaska, with reindeer sausage, yak meat, king crab and fresh oysters among the gastronomic delights you’ll discover. The northernmost and westernmost state in the United States is home to an incredible 3 million lakes and a lengthy coastline, so it’s no surprise that fish figures prominently on many Alaskan menus. Rainbow trout, chinook salmon, ling cod, yelloweye rockfish and Pacific halibut are among the catches available.

Alaska’s rich glacial soils are also perfect for growing delicious vegetables and fruits, with blueberries and cabbage among the highly-regarded produce. Reindeer dogs are the Alaskan take on traditional hot dogs, while Akataq (also known as Eskimo ice cream) is made by whipping the fat from hunted animals and mixing it with wild berries and snow.

The Alaska Cocktail is a popular drink featuring gin, chartreuse, orange bitters and lemon twist. You’ll also discover many craft breweries which produce top-quality beer.

Alaska is open for travel all year round but a great time to visit is in the summer months between mid-June and mid-September when the days are long and warm. The warmest month is July when the average daily high is 20°C. It is also the time when wildlife has emerged from winter hibernation and most of the national parks and major attractions are open to visitors. Alaska is a vast expanse where the weather is very unpredictable and can vary significantly between the coast and interior, and north and south. .
This spellbinding destination is also home to the Midnight Sun from April to August when you can gaze in awe at the sun setting at midnight – wearing sunglasses, of course! Alaska’s cold season lasts from November to March, with the coldest month being January which has an average low of -10.56°C and high of -4.44°C.

There’s never a dull moment during a cruise holiday in Alaska, with a multitude of fabulous things to see and do. Head off on a whale-watching adventure aboard a jet boat in Auke Bay, view the jawdropping sights below you on a chartered helicopter tour or enjoy a rainforest, waterfalls and glaciers trek in Juneau. Another great idea is to join the Skagway Yukon Discovery and Dog Tour where the huskies will transport you around the vast wildernesses. Denali National Park is a fascinating 6-million-acre attraction which is home to spruce forests, glaciers, grizzly bears, wolves, caribou and North America’s tallest peak.
You can also consider kayaking down the icy waters of Glacier Bay National Park or ziplining across the treetop canopy in Gulf Islands National Park. Alaska also offers the opportunity to witness the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), a phenomenal natural light display in the sky. The Alaskan city of Fairbanks is regarded by many as the best place in the United States to view this amazing natural marvel. Other key attractions include Alaska’s largest city Anchorage, Denali Star Train, Alaska Zoo, Hubbard Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park and Aurora Ice Museum. Popular outdoor pursuits in Alaska include ice fishing, hiking, canoeing, river rafting, hunting, skiing, snowboarding, sea kayaking, glacier walks and snowmobile riding.