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1. It's a Panama Canal Fiesta with USTravel
2. My favorite ferry trip on Alaska's Marine Highway...
3. Alaska Airlines offers great fares to/from Lower 48!
4. Avis sells cars, too.
5. Fly Era with convenient commuter booklets!
6. Fun-filled month at Land's End Resort in Homer.
7. There's no kia like Nokia!
8. Pre-order Great Alaskan TourSaver for 2008
9. I succumbed to the ultimate Club Sandwich at Mixx Grill in Anchorage.
10. Watch the new video at Alaskapodshow.com
11. New Buy Alaska site offers Alaskans a local option.
Jamie sent this deal over last night: 16 days aboard the Regatta from Oceania Cruises. This ship sails from Miami to Los Angeles on Jan. 12, 2008. Plus, the reverse itinerary is available on Jan. 28, 2008.
Ports include Grand Cayman, Cartegena, Columbia, the Panama Canal (Wow!), Puntarenas, Costa Rica, Puerto Quetzel, Guatamala, Acapulco and Cabo San Lucas.
Oceania Cruises offer extra-special itineraries, with the intimate setting that these medium-sized ships can offer. Just 684 guests are aboard
Special prices are available for these trans-canal cruises: as low as $3299 per person. That's a savings of up to 40 percent. Ask Jamie about free air fare from Seattle. Ask her to plan your winter vacation in the tropics TODAY!
Call Jamie or Laura today: 907 561 2434 or 800 544 2217
www.ustravel.us
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was between Haines and Juneau. We drove through Canada from Anchorage to Haines--just 787 miles. Then, we drove our car on the Columbia for the ride to Juneau. We spent a fun week with friends--and we had our own car to tool around in.
The kids love the ferry--and you will, too. Between November and March, there is a 30 percent discount, plus the driver goes free! That's a great deal if you're headed from Anchorage or Homer over to Kodiak. Or, it's a great deal if you're traveling through Southeast Alaska. Really--the ferry is a wonderful asset. All of us should plan a couple more ferry rides this year. Heck--I've sailed from Juneau to Ketchikan and back. Stops in Wrangell and Petersburg.
Enough about my fun times, though. Save 30 percent between November and March! That applies to your adult or child passenger fare and vehicle fare. Tickets may be purchased any time on line at FerryAlaska.com, by calling toll free to (800) 642-0066, at your local ferry terminal or at your favorite travel agent.
Another beautiful day on the Ferry!
Make plans now to cruise on the ferry!
www.ferryalaska.com
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Oh, today Alaska started flying from Seattle to Kauai non-stop. For many travelers in Southeast Alaska, it's a great way to get to Kauai RIGHT NOW! Anchorage-Honolulu service starts Dec. 9, 2007.
These low fares are part of the airline's PFD sale! Check 'em out:
Between Anchorage and:
a. Washington, Oregon or Idaho destinations: $179 ea way
b. California, Nevada, Arizona or Montana: $209 ea way
c. Colorado, BC or Alberta: $229 ea way
d. Mexico: $229 ea way
e. Chicago or Dallas/Ft. Worth: $249 ea way
f. Hawaii (beginning Feb. 2, 2008): $249 ea way
g. Boston, NYC, Miami, Orlando, Wash., DC: $259 ea way
Between Fairbanks and:
a. Washington, Oregon or Idaho: $219 ea way
b. California, Nevada, Arizona, Montana: $249 ea way
c. Colorado, BC, Alberta: $269 ea way
d. Mexico: $279 ea way
e. Chicago or Dallas/Ft. Worth: $289 ea way
f. Honolulu: $289 ea way (beginning Deb. 2, 2008)
g. Boston, New York, Miami, Orlando, Washington, DC: $299 ea way
Between Juneau and:
a. Washington, Oregon or Idaho: $159 ea way
b. California, Nevada, Arizona, Montana: $179 ea way
c. Colorado, BC or Alberta: $199 ea way
d. Mexico: $229 ea way
e. Chicago or DFW: $229 ea way
f. Boston, NYC, Miami, Orlando, Wash., DC: $239 ea way
g. Honolulu: $249 ea way
FUNNY! Check out Horizon Air's new service between Seattle and Portland. Alaska's sister carrier runs planes every half-hour. It's a shuttle service and they're positioning it as an alternative to "The Slog" along Intersate 5. Slog is right. FUNNY! Check it out: www.i-5slog.com
Learn more:
Smooth sailing at 37,000 feet
Love this shot as we fly over Glacier Bay National Park. A glorious, sunny day!
www.alaskaair.com
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I know--big surprise. Honestly, though. I just got off the phone with my friend Andrew Halcro. He runs the statewide franchise and every fall they have a big fat sale on late-model cars. Here's the kicker: they sell these cars all over the state. So here are some of my favorites:
Anchorage:
2007 Toyota Highlander. 10,000 miles. $27,490
2007 Chevy Suburban. 26,410 miles. $34,290
2006 Honda Pilot LX 27,000 miles $22,990
2007 Toyota Camry SE 17,000 miles. $20,290
Fairbanks:
2007 Toyota Highlander. 18,000 miles. $26,690
2004 Toyota Matrix. 25,000 miles. $14,990
2006 Toyota Corolla 23,000 miles. $15,190
Juneau
2006 Toyota Corolla. 28,000 miles. $13,990
2006 Chevy Impaler 18,000 miles $15,990
2007 Toyota 4Runner SR5, 8,500 miles $31,990
Other cars are available. Shop in Kenai, Kodiak, Sitka and other cities. New rural shipping program also available!
Check the latest deals here:
www.avisalaska.com
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You've gotta love these commuter books. Just buy one book with eight one-way coupons. The coupons are completely transferable. Anyone can use them on any flight.
Oh, these prices include all those pesky taxes and fees, too. Do the math. These coupon books are the best value. Are you a high-volume traveler? Era will give you a 10 percent volume discount when you purchase 10 or more coupon books. You have a whole year to use the coupons, too!
Coupon booklets are available for travel between:
a.Anchorage and Kenai: eight one-way tickets for $665.
b. Anchorage and Homer eight one-way tickets for $894.
c. Anchorage and Valdez eight one-way tickets for $1,029.
d. Anchorage and Cordova eight one-way tickets for $1,029.
e. Anchorage and Bethel eight one-way tickets for $1,560.
f. Anchorage and Fairbanks eight one-way tickets for $1,120.
g. Anchorage and Kodiak eight one-way tickets for $1,459.
Also, Era always offers GREAT web specials for weekend travel (even LOWER PRICES!). Learn more:
Finally flew the Beech 1900D
Nice plane. Swift, too. We flew down to Kodiak on this bird. Plenty of headroom in the cabin. Sleek paint job too! That's Mike LeNorman in front of the plane. Hamming it up, as usual!
www.flyera.com
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November is a busy month at Land's End Resort. Don't worry--the beachfront hot tub is up and running. But they're busy in the kitchen. On Nov. 2, the "Uncorked" dinner features Vanilla from Madagascar as the theme. Chef Maggie Burns designed an entire menu around vanilla, including:
a. Champagne Scallops-- Seared Alaskan scallops on a bed of Haricots Verts and served with a vanilla champagne cream.
b. King Crab Bread Pudding. A savory blend of King Crab, cremini mushrooms and leeks tossed with tender brioche cubes and baked to a golden brown. Topped with a vanilla chive sauce.
Oh, that's just the half of it. There's a special wine to go along with every course! Cost is just $70 per person (that includes tax and gratuity). Make reservations by calling the Chart Room: (907)235-0406.
The next weekend, it's the sixth annual Murder Mystery Weekend, Nov. 9-11! Bring your best CSI and Sleuthing skills to Land's End Resort for a weekend of Murder and Mayhem!
The weekend includes two night's accommodations, all your meals from Friday night's appetizer buffet and cocktail party reception to Sunday's brunch buffet.
It's all about unsolved mysteries! Plus, of course, you'll enjoy the comfy beachfront accommodations at Land's End! Book your weekend before Oct. 31 and get a third night free!
The plot thickens at each group meal throughout the weekend. There are prizes at the end of the weekend-- There is plenty of time between mystery events to shop get a massage at the Spa! Also, the oceanfront hot tub is open until Midnight!
Learn more:
Homer is right on the beach!
Don't forget! Homer--and Land's End--offers Alaska's coolest beachfront resort!
www.endofthespit.com
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That's the Nokia 6126, of course. Part phone. Part camera. Part MP3 player. Oh, it's got all sorts of Bluetooth and IM-compatible stuff. I wish I knew what it means! But it all fits nicely into your pocket. Great deal.
Here's the best thing: it's free with a GCI plan. Stop in at a GCI store today to get your phone and your cell service. This deal also is available online. You have to get a two-year plan--but hurry in. This offer is good only as long as the cell phones last.
Get a friend to sign up for GCI cell service and you'll land 5,000 Alaska Airlines miles! Just downloard the "cellular referral card" on the GCI website.
www.gci.com/forhome/cellular/gsm-promotions.htm
Remember, only GCI offers you Alaska Airlines miles on all your cable.internet/phone plans! GCI Cellular service available in the following Alaskan communities:
Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai/Soldotna, Palmer/Wasilla, Homer, Kodiak, Nome, Seward, Sitka, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Wrangell & Valdez. Up, up and away!
Free Cable TV-for Keeps
Here in Alaska, we're all connected. Wireless. Internet. Local phone service. Long distance. Cable TV and music. And one company offers the whole package--for $49 per month. The fine print? Well, here's what you get:
a. 19 tv channels in Anchorage (18 in Juneau, 15 in Fairbanks).
b. 47 music channels.
c. 320Kbps high-speed cable modem internet access.
d. Digital local phone service.
e. 150 free out-of-state long distance minutes (add 850 add'l minutes for $10)
f. Alaska Airlines miles.
This is a GREAT package from GCI. Currently, it's available only in Anchorage/Eagle River, Fairbanks and Juneau.
Learn more:
www.gci.com
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The Great Alaskan TourSaver is the 2-for-1 travel discount coupon book. You pay $99.95 for the book and there are more than $25,000 in travel goodies. Everything is 2-for-1. We'll be shipping the book around Thanksgiving. It's at the printer now!
Here are some of the great offers we'll have next year:
a. Historic Van Gilder Hotel in Seward.
b. Helicopter flightseeing at Denali National Park (from Era Helicopters).
c. Halibut fishing in Seward at Miller's Landing.
d. Salmon and halibut fishing in Kodiak (from Kodiak Island Adventures).
e. Whale watching in Glacier Bay National Park on a fabulous dinner cruise!
f. Kennicott Glacier Lodge, in the middle of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Plus, ice-climbing with St. Elias Wilderness Guides!
g. Flightseeing and lodge package at Bettles Lodge, the gateway to Gates of the Arctic National Park!
h. Bear Viewing at AnAn Bear Observatory near Wrangell, Alaska (from Alaska Waters).
i. Car rentals in Juneau, Ketchikan and Anchorage.
j. Hotels in Kenai, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Denali, Seward, Juneau, Wrangell--and more!
As you can see, we're going to have a busy summer! So much to see! Check out the all-new site:
www.toursaver.com
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Stop in at the Inlet Tower (IT) hotel in Anchorage. Chef Mick Hug is Mixxing things up (HAHA!).
Based on his recommendation, I opted for the Ultimate Club Sandwich. Whoo-boy. Smoked bacon, turkey, fried egg, avocado, cheddar, ripe tomato and romaine. Luckily, I have a big mouth, so I could OPEN WIDE and get a big bite. But you've got to be COMMITTED.
Start with a cup of famous tomato soup. It's really good. The sandwich is served with some house-made potato chips. You won't be disappointed--and for SURE you won't be hungry.
Come by after work and check out the "Bar Bites". We talked about King Crab Flapjacks. But how about "Lamb Lollipops"? "Beef short rib sliders"? "Wild mushroom cheesecake"? Folks, I can't make this stuff up. But everyone loves this stuff!
You will, too! Stop in at the Inlet Tower Hotel. 12th and L St. in Anchorage. Free parking (Yea!!). Learn more:
www.inlettower.com
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Scott Slone and Kevin Kastner are busy hiking all over Alaska! Check out their two new "summit hikes" to Bear Mountain and the Nike Missile Site near Anchorage.
Really, these guys do a great job dressing up their wilderness adventures. You can tell Scott has a radio background, too. Great music!!
Go to the website, then sign up to get the new episodes as they're produced. It's an "iTunes" deal. Don't worry. I have no idea how it works. Ask your kids. They'll explain it to you. Or your grandkids. HAHA!
www.alaskapodshow.com
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Check out the new website, featuring almost 1,000 Alaskan businesses. Lots of travel businesses, retail stores, service businesses and manufacturers. This is a completely revamped site--easy to search for businesses in a specific community.
Business owners can add their listings at no additional charge.
www.buyalaska.com
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