Alaska

Alaska is a true wonderland. It is a state of such spectacle that over and over you will stop and gaze in wonder at the majesty of the mountain ranges and the dramatic beauty of the fiords. Combine this breathtaking scenery with a wealth of natural wildlife, unique Native cultures, Russian heritage, and the legacy of the Gold Rush days and you have a truly epic destination.

Anchorage, the largest city in the state, is a great starting point. It’s a perfect base for a range of excursions and is also home to one of the country’s finest attractions – the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Riding the Alaskan rails is an unforgettable experience. Frequent wildlife, sparkling streams, stands of birch and spruce all rise up to fill the ever-changing panorama.

You can see some of Alaska’s most famous sights at Denali National Park. Inhabitants include moose, caribou, grizzly bears and wolves. Mt. McKinley, North America’s highest peak, looms above the vast, unspoiled wilderness of glacial rivers, arctic flowers and bare mountains.

Down on the panhandle, Juneau, the state capital, cannot be accessed by road. Perhaps the best way to visit these communities dotted among the inlets and islands of the south-east is by cruise ship. Towns like Skagway used to be the gateway to the Yukon goldfields thronging with gunslingers and gold diggers, madams and marshals. Those days are long gone but there’s still no shortage of colorful characters in the town.

If you arrived by sea then the other ‘locals’ you’re almost certain to meet are the white-cowled bald eagles, breaching humpback whales and playful sealions, plus the impressive glaciers, which drop straight into azure-bays dappled with ice floes.

5 Wild Things To Do

1. Broaden your horizons! Alaska’s grand wilderness lends itself to flightseeing so take to the air for a different perspective.

2. Savor some of Alaska’s amazing wild bounty. This part of the world is famous for its salmon and crab, caught in pristine waters.

3. A river runs through it! The Denali National Park that is, and whitewater rafting is available for all ages, and for all levels of ability, from mild to wild.

4. Get mushing behind a team of friendly huskies. For a uniquely Alaskan adventure, experience the thrill of dog sledding.

5. Glimpse what it was like to seek your fortune in the wilds of Alaska more than a century ago. Try your luck at panning for gold in Juneau or Skagway.

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