Q: I am looking for good deals for lodging on the Kenai starting the 26th for a few days, including at least a half-day guided fly fishing and a bear/wildlife viewing excursion. Then we are heading to Denali for 2-3 days. We will probably take the tour bus in, but also want a flight around Mt. Mckinley with a glacier landing. We leave for our return trip home no later than Aug. 2. —Les

A: Les, Great choices on your itinerary. It's hard to find significant discounts this time of year. However, you can save money on your bear viewing tour by going with a quality operator located closer to the bears, like Natron Air in Soldotna. Janet there may have thoughts about good fishing charters down there as well. You should be aware that the next week or two are the prime red salmon weeks on the Kenai. Read more »

Q: I want to go to Alaska for a once in a lifetime trip. I like fishing. My wife just wants to be pampered and have a spa experience, and my 15-year old is a great athlete with energy to burn. Where can we go where we can all be together but get to do things we each want?

A: There's a company up here specializing in "multi-sport" itineraries, which would be perfect for you and your family. Tordrillo Mountain Lodge was started by big mountain heli-skiing guides, who built the lodge around their guiding mentality. You'll be able to fish, your teenager can go on big adventures and your wife can join you or enjoy the fine meals, wine cellar, massages and hot tub at the Lodge. Read more »

Q: I would like the relaxation of seeing some of Alaska from a cruise, but don't know if I could sleep in one of the cabins - I'm a real light sleeper. Would I get sea sick on this? I get motion sickness easily.

A: This is a big concern for many travelers. I wrote a page on Alaska.org about motion sickness that has some helpful advice.

As for whether you could sleep...we just took a Disney Cruise this spring, and I slept really well. I use a sound machine at home, and found the sound of the boat and the water incredibly relaxing and somniferous! Read more »

Q: I am considering visiting Alaska on my own, because I like to travel independently. But I also want to go on some tours. However, I don't care to spend several hours at a time on a tour, but I would be open to a few hours per day. Is this possible?

A: It’s great to travel independently in Alaska. But the same things that make this state unique and special (scale, wildness, terrain), make it hard to explore on your own. You need boats, planes, rafts, gear and expertise to see a lot of the best stuff up here. You might spot the Matanuska Glacier from the highway, but only experienced and intrepid travelers would walk on it without a guide. And your guides will make sure you do it safely, while teaching you a ton about glaciation. Read more »

Q: I want to see bears and whales on my trip to Alaska. I'll be in Anchorage June 13-16th, and then I board a cruise ship with ports of call in Sitka, Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. I was considering Redoubt Bay Lodge for bear viewing. Any other suggestions for where to go to see these animals? Thanks—Mike

A: Your best bet for bear viewing may be to depart from the Anchorage area. Redoubt Bay Lodge, which you asked about, may be the nicest bear viewing lodge in Alaska, less than an hour by floatplane from Anchorage. It's run by Within The Wild, a company known for their high-end service and cuisine. The bears typically show up there right around June 12-15, so you're probably safe—but no guarantees. The only drawback is that bear viewing day-trippers also use the area. However, they're only in the area for a few hours in the middle of the day. The rest of the time, the lodge has the bear viewing to itself. Read more »

Q: We are planning to visit Alaska, but we are not sure if we need visas to visit? —Kobus and Anna

A: Hi guys. Thanks for the inquiry. You need to have a tourism visa to visit the U.S (a B-2). If that is the valid USA visa you hold, you’re all set. If not, you’re going to need to start planning now. There are quite a few countries whose citizens are allowed into the U.S (and Alaska) without a visa. Unfortunately, South Africa is not on the list. Read more »

Q: Our family has made several road trips out of Anchorage in past years. We've gone south to the Kenai and north to Denali. This year, we'd like to go somewhere different, hopefully with less RV traffic and fewer tourists than the Seward or Parks Hwy. We also like hiking. Any suggestions?

A: Horace Greeley might have said "Go West, young man," but in this case, I suggest you head East out of Anchorage along the newly-designated National Scenic Byway Glenn Highway (Alaska Highway #1). Once feared for its narrow, treacherous curves, the road has seen vast improvements over the past 20 years. Originally built as a supply route for the military during the Japanese invasion of Alaska in the mid-1940’s, the Glenn Highway now serves as a major truck transportation route for goods shipped from the lower 48 to south-central Alaska. Read more »

Q: I’ve been told that the northern lights in Alaska are the best. It sounds like I need to go to Fairbanks to see the best, either in February or at the end of September. I have been looking for some sort of cruise that makes a stop close to Fairbanks and see these lights—and to propose to my girlfriend. How I can accomplish that? Thanks—George

A: Congratulations in advance! Aurora viewing is very strong here for the next few months, and your best bet is indeed out of Fairbanks. Not in Fairbanks itself, but Coldfoot, a few hours north. If you want a memorable proposal, take the poor girl up to Coldfoot in the dead of winter and propose there. I have some friends who run The Northern Alaska Tour Company, a great program up there, including transportation from Fairbanks, lodging, and guides. They could probably help you set up something clever for your proposal. Read more »

Q: Can you suggest the best way for us to see Fairbanks, Denali and the don’t-miss towns? We are trying to decide where to begin our journey, and whether to cruise first or last. We can travel anytime between May and end of August. Any ideas? —Jan

A: Jan, I have lots of ideas! Let me break it down, though:

• Consider cruising first. Most people actually take their land tour first, then their cruise—their logic being that it’s nice to relax on a cruise ship after a more strenuous week of land touring. I recommend the opposite: I would bet that the land tour will be the highlight of your vacation, if you do it right, so I would rather save that for last. This argues for cruising north to Alaska, taking your land tour, then flying south. Read more »

Q: I am planning a trip to Alaska in 2012 for a group of 15-20 people, mostly 50 and older. We'd like to spend about one week on the Kenai Peninsula to allow some folks to fish, while others want to sightsee. Then we'd spend perhaps another week seeing Denali.

We have lots of photography buffs and wildlife enthusiasts, and we're open to cabins or other types of lodging. None of us are wealthy so we are working with a middle-class, working-stiff budget! Any suggestions? —Janice

A: I would try to nail down your plan for Denali first. While most people stay outside the Park entrance, I would recommend Kantishna, deep inside the Park, for your group, depending on your budget.

In particular, look into staying at the Kantishna Roadhouse: It’s set on a river, with lots of historic structures and memorabilia around, great hiking nearby and friendly people. It’s also the kind of place where everybody can do their own thing—hike, bike, relax or even get a massage. Read more »