Bucket List Moments in Alaska

Posted on by Lucky n Love

With staggering mountain peaks, enormous wildlife, and remote wilderness lodges. Alaska offers jaw-dropping experiences that every traveler should have on their bucket list. Read on for some of the most quintessential (and mind-blowing) bucket list moments in Alaska.

bucklist moments in Alaska, alaska vacation planning

Flightseeing over Denali National Park & Preserve

One of the best ways to experience Denali is by air, soaring hundreds of feet over the diverse landscape. Take in everything from rolling meadows and fields of flowers to jagged peaks and glaciers. If you do take to the skies, keep your eyes peeled for moose, wolves, and Dall sheep.

Fancy an adventure? Your trained bush pilot can gently land on a glacier, in a meadow, or riverside for a picnic. Giving you anything from an impromptu fishing trip to a private hiking experience. 

A Stay at Sheldon Chalet

Accessible only by helicopter, Sheldon Chalet is the only five-star hotel inside Denali. Resting on the magnificent Ruth Glacier. What began as a homesteading project turned into a family’s labor of love. A five-room luxury property at 6,000 ft of elevation.

There’s no wifi and no cell service. What there is, however, is gourmet food courtesy of Chef Dave Thornhill. Chef Thornhill has cooked for the likes of Barack Obama, Justin Timberlake, and Neil Young. There’s also the mind-blowing Aurora Borealis, delivering a nightly show hosted by Mother Nature herself. If that’s not enough, you can enjoy mini mountaineering rope courses. Trek across the glacier, go sledding or snowshoeing or warm up in the sauna.

Cruising the Kenai Fjords

Rising from the water like something out of a science fiction movie. The tall moss-covered fjords and narrow rocky outcrops dot the waterways of the Kenai Fjords National Park. This national park contains the Harding Icefield. Outflowing glaciers, coastal fjords, and islands. Visitors to this region may spot black or brown bears, moose, gray wolves, or even porcupines.

Touring this region by boat is truly magnificent. A unique vantage point with which to explore Alaska. During a boat tour of the Kenai Fjords, spot seals, Steller sea lions, orca, gray whales, humpback whales, or even harbor porpoises. If you are really lucky, you’ll get to witness glaciers calving. Watch in awe, as pieces of ice crumble from the massive glaciers into the frigid waters below.

bucket list moments in alaska, alaska vacation packages

Dogsledding Across an Icefield

Dogsledding is embedded deep in Alaskan history. The famed Iditarod race was created to preserve and promote the sled dog culture in Alaska. 

Today, visitors to Alaska don’t have to compete in a grueling race across the great state. You can simply board a helicopter and touch down on the Juneau Icefield. A team of friendly pups will be waiting. Expect kisses, cuddles, and an enthusiastic jaunt across the ice field by a team of friendly (and furry) locals. This is an experience you will never forget.

Want to learn more about exploring The Last Frontier and experiencing these and more bucket list moments in Alaska? Contact me here.

Splurge vs Save-Invest Wisely In Travel

Posted on by Lucky n Love

It’s easy to get carried away when planning your vacation, from luxurious resorts and five-star restaurants to once-in-a-lifetime tours in places you’ve only dreamed of. If you’ve ever wondered where you should splurge and where you should save, this is for you. Invest wisely in travel when planning your next big adventure.

invest wisely in travel

Upgrading to Business / First Class

Maybe you’ve always wanted to be on the other side of the curtain aboard your plane, and you think now is your chance. While it is tempting, paying thousands more for a business class seat can drastically eat into your overall travel budget. An option that straddles the line between splurging and saving (although leans heavily towards a splurge) is checking last minute at the gate if there are any seats available in business class at the time of departure. If there are empty seats, some airlines will sell them off for less than what they sell them for online – although it can still end up being a hefty sum. Instead of stretching your budget to reserve business class, consider asking your travel advisor to book you bulkhead seats with extra legroom, or in the premium economy section.

Verdict: Save

Direct Flights

Unless you enjoy layovers and transfers and sitting on tarmacs for any length of time, splurge for the direct flights. A splurge can almost always be seen as worth it if it significantly reduces your hassle while traveling, or if it gives you back your time.

Verdict: Splurge

Travel Insurance

Since COVID19, we’ve all heard horror stories of non-refundable trips gone wrong. Never before has travel insurance been so important, with rules and regulations changing rapidly from country to country.

Verdict: Splurge

High-End (read: overpriced) Souvenirs

It can be tempting to want to pick up beautiful ceramics, local pieces of art, or even tasty treats from your favorite destinations. But think again. The run-of-the-mill tourist shops that feature these goods get them in bulk from a fraction of what they’re selling them to you for, without any real story behind them. Visit a local market for artisan-made goods, and snag local delicacies at-where else? The local grocery store! While the treats won’t be as delicately packaged, they’ll be extra authentic, after all – they’re what the locals eat!

Verdict: Save

Hotel

This is a tough one to call, and ultimately really comes down to your travel style. For some, a vacation includes 1,000 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and prompt room service, while others simply want a place to rest their head after a day of explorations and adventure. Ultimately what matters most is location, location, location. Wherever you choose, make sure it’s accessible to attractions you’d like to visit and activities you’d like to partake in.

Verdict: It’s a Tie

Bucket-List Experiences

I’m talking about the stuff travel dreams are made of. A hot air balloon ride at sunset in Cappadocia, a private driver on the Amalfi Coast, and a private safari experience in Kenya. Whatever is on your dream list, if your budget can allow it – definitely make it happen. Life is short, you’ll never regret a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.

Verdict: Splurge.

Whether you’re splurging or saving, I’d love to help make your travel dreams come true, and help you invest wisely in travel! Get in touch with me here.

How A Travel Advisor Can Save You Money

Posted on by Lucky n Love

Travel Advisors Cost More Money… And Other Lies – Debunked Below

Some people still sadly associate using a travel advisor with paying more money, when in actual fact – it’s quite the opposite. From getting you the best seats on the plane to working behind the scenes to ensure your vacation goes off without a hitch – after using a great travel advisor once I personally guarantee you’ll be hooked! Read on to see how a travel advisor can save you money.

how a travel advisor can save you money

Time & Money

Ask yourself, how much is your time worth? Expedia’s research indicates the average American spends 22.95 hours booking a trip in the 6 weeks before departure. That’s one hour a night for nearly three weeks or nearly three entire workdays. Is this time you can afford to lose?

Travel advisors often have access to wholesale rates and exclusive deals that the general public does not. As such, they can pass these savings on to you – their client. Travel advisors may charge a fee for the trip planning process – remember those 22.95 hours I referenced in the paragraph above? They’re working, researching, and customizing the perfect journey for you, and some charge fees for this type of work.

Planning travel has never been more complicated than in 2021 and beyond. From quarantine restrictions to PCR testing, an expert agent will save you countless hours in research and logistics alone – that’s worth its weight in gold.

Hassles

Booking with a third-party site may feel like the obvious choice, but websites like Expedia can’t connect the dots. Sure, you could book a few nights at a hotel, but can you arrange the car service, the late-night check-in, and the adjoining rooms next door to each other? Travel advisors take the hassle out of the trip planning process and can make it fun again.

By now we’ve probably all heard horror stories of trips booked immediately before Covid, and cancellations or refunds that went awry. When you book with a travel advisor and (for whatever reason) you’re unable to go on your trip – you don’t have to lift a finger. It won’t be you waiting on hold with the airline, or trying to argue about a credit vs a refund. Your travel advisor has your back and is looking out for your best interests every step of the way. That includes when things go sideways.

Check into your hotel and your room is not to your liking? Your travel advisor often has special relationships with hotels. They can (hopefully) rectify the situation seamlessly, without you having to get on the phone and ask for the manager. Look for a travel advisor that has relevant industry certifications so your experience will be smooth.

Upgrades & Connections

Everyone loves a good upgrade. From complimentary breakfast to room upgrades, most travel advisors can score their clients great perks when they book with them. In addition, travel advisors are well connected. A travel advisor’s job is to be the expert. This means traveling to countless destinations, and building relationships with hoteliers, tour operators, and even restauranteurs. Don’t discount their ability to score you that hard-to-book seat at a new restaurant. Surprise you with an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience while on a tour.