Caitriona

Hi. We are getting married on april 17th and hope to travel to Alaska for our honeymoon. We are from Ireland and plan to leave Dublin around the 19th of April and spend a few days in maybe Vancouver or Seattle before travelling to Alaska on the 22nd or 23rd of April and would like to stay til the week of May 10th to 14th.
We would appreciate any advice on where we should go at this time of year.
We both like the outdoors and hope to do a bit of cycling, lots of walking. visit hot springs. Maybe hire a car. Defintely would like to experience a train journey in Alaska and maybe a short cruise. - see the glaciers etc. We would like to try dog sledding. Like the idea of staying on a log cabin. Not into fishing.
Not sure how much is feasible in the few weeks.
We would really welcome any advice anyone has to give. this is a long journey for us but as it's our honeymoon we hope to have the trip of a lifetime!
Thanks for any advice,

BudgetQueen

You are going at a very "poor" time. Mud season. Too late for the winter activites and too early for the summer ones. If possible, can you wait a month?? Would offer you SIGNIFICANTLY more.

Caitriona

Unfortunately not as our wedding is booked for April 17th. Do yuo think we will be really retrictedas to what we can do and see end of April/mid May?

enzian

Unfortunately, yes, you will be restricted in April. That is the time known as "breakup" when the snow is melting, turning to mud. Spring has not started yet' the trees and shrubs do not yet have their leaves, and the walking trails are muddy or still snow-covered.

Cruises up to Alaska, along the coast past spectacular glaciers, start in May. I found a Holland-America cruise departing Seattle on May 3, but their should be others as well. Could you possibly spend your first week exploring Vancouver Island (lovely in late April, with opportunities for walking wild beaches, sea kayaking, cycling, and maybe even a log cabin stay) and then start the cruise? You would end up in Alaska May 10 and then could spend a few days exploring when conditions are much better---still early, but much better than it would be two weeks earlier.

Caitriona

Thanks for your suggestion. sounds like a good idea. Although we would then only have a couple of days in alaska. I'll take a look at the cruise. Thanks for your help

enzian

Another option would be to spend the first week or so around Seattle/Vancouver and the islands (San Juan Island and Vancouver Island). Then fly up to Anchorage and plan to spend your Alaska time on the Kenai Peninsula. Spring comes earlier to this coastal area, so end of April/early May should be OK there.

There are some lovely wilderness lodges on the water near Homer, across the bay at places like Halibut Cove and Kachemak Bay. Some of them are very pricey (like $800 a day), but I found a few that are more reasonable:

http://www.hideawaycovelodge.com/ala...ness_lodge.htm

http://halibutcovealaska.com/ (self-catering here)

http://www.stillpointlodge.com/

This last one takes bookings in April; I didn't check the other two.

Other places on the Kenai Peninsula that are popular are Seward and Whittier (dock for the glacier cruises, but as far as I can tell these do not start until mid-may). There is pretty good information about the weather and opportunities in April and May on this website (they rent cabins right on the beach which look pretty nice---but rread the warnings about wind and weather in the spring):

http://www.angelsrest.com/Visitor_Seasons.php

I couldn't find any multi-day small ship glacier cruises in May, apart from long (10+ days) and expensive wildlife cruises. You might be able to book a cruise into Glacier Bay from Juneau. Or you could take an Inside Passage cruise back to Seattle or Vancouver to complete your trip.

MichelleY

Dear Caitriona: Even if your wedding is April 17, a belated honeymoon to Alaska for late June or July would give you a much better experience and enjoyable trip.

Congrats and best wishes.

Caitriona

Thank you Enzian for all that information ( and to everyone else for their advice)
We have decided now to leave ireland on april 17th and then spend a few days to recover after the wedding in Vancouver, then go to Vancouver island for 4 or five days. Then we were thinking of flying to Juneau for a few days and hope to get the Alaskan Marine highway ship to Anchorage. we had hoped to get the train to Fairbanks via Denali, but i have just read that the road to Denali might not be open in early May, so perhaps we might concentrate on the Kenai peninsula as you suggest.
Do you or anyone else know of a scenic train journey we could tkae in late April/ early May?
Thanks to others for suggesting we defer the honeymoon but unfortnately due to work committments we need to travel in April. appreciate all the help

spirobulldog

I would make plans to go somewhere else.

I wish Budget Queen would put her "two cents worth" on a trip this early. Enzian gives great advice, I would just like another opinion. It may work out just fine, but I certainly wouldn't go 3rd week in April.

Gardyloo

I lived in Alaska for many years, have traveled all around the state, and return pretty often. I have to say that I think you're going through hoops and trying to make a silk purse out of a moose nugget by going up to Southcentral and interior Alaska at that time. Yes, of course you can go, and you can probably see some great sights and have great experiences, but you're also running a big risk of ending up feeling like you spent a lot of money on an itinerary that didn't deliver full value, compared with other options. But, if you must, with eyes wide open, and with a lot of cautionary advice already given, go for it.

But let me address a couple of issues and options.

The ferry ("Marine Highway" is advertising; "bouncy boat" is more apt) from Juneau to Whittier crosses really big water. If you're old sea dogs, fine; but if you think the Irish Channel is rough, hoo boy. And I don't think you have many options for getting from Whittier to Anchorage once you finish the trip; I don't think the AK railroad meets the ferries during the winter season (which April will still be.) So maybe you can arrange an (expensive) shuttle in a private car or van from Whittier to Anchorage, or maybe one of the car rental ("hire") companies' stations in Whittier will be open (doubtful) but just a note that the last 50 miles might be troublesome.

If you intend to fly into Juneau, then Seattle, and not Vancouver, is the required base of operations. There are no Vancouver - Juneau scheduled flights, only from Seattle or Anchorage. Of course you can fly from Vancouver to Juneau via Seattle, but at a considerable additional cost.

The road into Denali Park seldom opens before 15 May, often closer to the end of the month. I believe this year the bus doesn't even run before 20 May, and then only for a relatively short distance into the park. So for all intents and purposes, scratch Denali.

On the Kenai, I don't know when the first Kenai Fjords boats start running; however Phillips starts running the "26 Glacier" cruises out of Whittier on 1 May. I suspect the Seward boats start around the same time, or a couple of weeks later at the earliest.

For trains, the only route run by the AKRR is the "Aurora" service between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Not everyone may agree with me on this, but IMO it's far from the most scenic train ride going... actually I find it rather boring, except in the dead of winter (Dec - March) when it "flag stops" to pick up folks who come out of the hollers to go shopping for needles or calico, whatever.

However the White Pass and Yukon RR (Skagway to Whitehorse YT) starts on 1 May, so if you're in SE Alaska, that's an option for your scenic train ride, which it most definitely is. http://www.wpyr.com/

On the combined matter of timing, trains, and alternate itineraries, I should point out that there is train service from Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies out to Prince Rupert BC, where the Alaska Ferry connects to take travelers up to Juneau, Haines and Skagway (or to connect to Whittier through Juneau.) That might offer some interest to you, possibly combined with the BC ferry from Port Campbell on the north end of Vancouver Island, up to Prince Rupert. You could rent a car in Victoria, drive up the island to Port Campbell, drop the car, take the ferry to Prince Rupert, then the Alaska ferry to Skagway, ride the train to Whitehorse, then fly from Whitehorse back to Vancouver; or do a return trip from Prince Rupert up to Juneau/Skagway and back, then take the train from PR to Jasper and then Edmonton... lots of options if you're willing to limit yourselves to SE Alaska, instead of Southcentral Alaska.

Note too that the Canadian Rockies are pretty spectacular at that time of year, too.

I'll stop for air here.

BudgetQueen

Sorry, none of your priorities are doable in this timeframe. Unless you just want to go on your own, and find out, how limited you are??? You are best to perhaps accept, these first hand accurate reports. I still say, delay your trip a month so to have FAR better touring options, and NO Denali Park is NOT open early May. And I never recommend anything there before the END of May.

If you are intent on end of April, you are still taking a big risk with an Alaska cruise out of Seattle. I don't recommend before mid May. Increased risk of cold damp weather.

Caitriona

Thank you so much Gardyloo,spirobulldog and Budgetqueen. We really appreciate your advice. we are now looking at Canada for late April and maybe southeast Alaska in May. I think we have accepted that further north is not an option. Canada sounds like it has a lot to offer too and the climate might be better. I had a look at the train ride to whitehorse and it looks fantastic.
We might spend a few days in Juneau the first week in May. Thank you all again.

spirobulldog

I think that you have made a wise move. I know it was something that you wanted to do, but I feel like the odds were against you.

For that time of year, almost all of the High Desert area would be good. Have you seen Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Arches, Mesa Verde??? I always try to plan my trips according to which area is at its peak weather wise etc. Can't always be done, but I try. This is just a suggestion.

enzian

Good choice, Caitriona. I tried to make it work for you, with suggestions for the Kenai, but that is still not the best time.

On the other hand, the San Juan Islands, which extend from Washington State into British Columbia, are generally very nice in April, offering pleasant weather, beautiful scenery, romantic B&B's, sea kayaking, whale watching, cycling, and lots more. Same with the southern coast of Vancouver Island.

Then into May, you could take the ferry up the Inside Passage to Juneau, maybe ride the train from Skagway to Whitehorse (where we enjoyed with dubious pleasure the strangest square pizza), explore the glaciers in Glacier Bay, and see a bit of this wild country.

It sounds to me like Alaska holds some fascination for you, and I hope you can experience at least a bit of it. But with advice from here, at least you will have your eyes open, and can plan a visit that might match your dreams.

Caitriona

thanks spirobulldog and enian. aven't looked into your suggestion yet spirobulldog. Have spent a few hours looking at schedules as am snowed in and couldn't go to work today--first time that has ever happened that i remember in ireland! anyway here's the plan thus far--
fly to vancouver 19th april, head to Victoria on 22nd.
Drive to port Hardy and get ferry to Prince Rupert on 24th or 28th april. Then a couple of days later get ferry to Juneau. Spend a few days in Juneau and then head up to skagway in early May. (the train to whitehorse starts on may 5th).
Then head back down to juneau by ferry.
Fly then from juneau to seattle and back to dublin a couple of days later.
Would appreciate people's views on this itinerary.
Also wondering if 2 days is enough on vancouver island..arriving on Aprill 22nd and can leave on april 24th or 28th. would 6 days be better?
would love your opinions again please-thanks to all, caitriona

Caitriona

thanks spirobulldog and enzian. aven't looked into your suggestion yet spirobulldog. Have spent a few hours looking at schedules as am snowed in and couldn't go to work today--first time that has ever happened that i remember in ireland! anyway here's the plan thus far--
fly to vancouver 19th april, head to Victoria on 22nd.
Drive to port Hardy and get ferry to Prince Rupert on 24th or 28th april. Then a couple of days later get ferry to Juneau. Spend a few days in Juneau and then head up to skagway in early May. (the train to whitehorse starts on may 5th).
Then head back down to juneau by ferry.
Fly then from juneau to seattle and back to dublin a couple of days later.
Would appreciate people's views on this itinerary.
Also wondering if 2 days is enough on vancouver island..arriving on Aprill 22nd and can leave on april 24th or 28th. would 6 days be better?
would love your opinions again please-thanks to all, caitriona

enzian

Snow in Ireland---imagine that! In which county do you live?

Here are a couple of thoughts:

I would definitely spend more time on Vancouver island---6 days insttead of 2. It sounds like you love nature and outdoor activities, and the island abounds with them. A couple of options along the southern coast of the island, around Sooke:

The Galloping Goose trail for cycling:

http://www.gallopinggoosetrail.com/

The Juan de Fuca marine trail for hiking:

http://www.juandefucamarinetrail.com/

Of course you wouldn't hike the whole thing, but it is well-suited to doing short sections on daytrips. The western end at Botanical Beach is particularly stunning.

All of this you could do from a base near Sooke (just west of Victoria). Take a look at this romantic little treehouse, set up for light self-catering:

http://www.frenchbeachretreats.com/pic02a.html

The drive up Vancouver Island to Port Hardy is supposed to be very scenic, but what would you do with the car? You don't want to take it one the ferry. If you can turn it in at Port Hardy, then that will be fine.

A couple of days at Prince Rupert? I don't know that this is a particularly scenic place. I would try to co-ordinate the ferries so you have at most an overnight there. Add the time to Vancouver Island---or use some extra days around Juneau, to include a trip to Glacier Bay.

I'll post more on Seattle later---this is where I live.

Gardyloo

I think the revised itinerary is okay. I might make a couple of additional suggestions however.

First, the drive from Victoria up to Port Hardy is not as wonderful as one would hope; there are a lot of areas where timber clear-cuts have left some nasty scars, and the road is not especially close to the water for a good bit of the distance. Combine that with the need to rent a car on a one-way itinerary (doable, around C$100 per day) plus accommodations on the island, plus (probably) not the best weather in the world in late April... well, meh.

And Enzian's right - PR is not especially scenic, but with a couple of days there you could get a car and drive around through Stewart BC to Hyder, Alaska (not connected by road to anywhere else) with a couple of decent glaciers near the road. But then you'd have to come back to PR to resume the trip.

But here's an alternative. Fly into Seattle, which may well be cheaper than Vancouver in terms of airfare. Rest for a day. Then take the (very scenic and affordable) train from Seattle up to Vancouver OR take the Victoria Clipper from Seattle to Victoria for an excursion.

Regardless, skip the drive up Vancouver Island, and instead return to Bellingham WA (just south of the border - train and bus access from Vancouver) and take the Alaska ferry all the way to Juneau. No car needed, no unpacking and motel yoga, no windshield (aka windscreen) wipers, just 3 nights and 2 days of scenic, serene cruising up the Inside Passage. So what if it's raining or misty; it makes the trip all the better.

Get to Juneau, do your exploring, run up to Skagway when it's train time, then fly back from JNU to SEA and off you go.

The cabins on the AK ferry are somewhat institutional, and there are no midnight buffets or cruise ship casinos, but it's very relaxing and IMO beats the Hades out of driving up Vancouver Island.

I might also point out that you could spend a delightful couple of days in mid-April in the area between Seattle and Vancouver, in particular the Skagit Valley, where you'll find acres and hectares of tulips in bloom, as well as daffodils - truly spectacular. The contrast between the flowers in Washington and lower mainland BC and the landscape up in Juneau and Skagway is quite dramatic at that time of year. http://www.tulipfestival.org/

I know, more and more confusing. That's what we're here for.

Caitriona

Thanks again for that advice. We will forget the ferry from Prt Hardy to Prince Rupert and look at the ferry from Bellington instead. It seems to go once a week so April 30th is a good option-gives us 11 days between Seattle/Vancouver and Vancouver islandand maybe skip Prince Rupert altogether. The tree house looks great!
My husband to be is keen that we drive some of the way from Skagway to juneau-but from my research idon't think this is possible??
By the way Enzian I live in county Wicklow--we're experiencing the worst weather in 47 years and boy are we not prepared for it. The councils are running out of sand to grit and salt so travelis difficult. We are not used to snow at all! By i leave 5 miles from the nearest town so enjoying great country walks in the snow! thanks to all again

Gardyloo

My husband to be is keen that we drive some of the way from Skagway to juneau-but from my research idon't think this is possible??

Nope, not possible.

Apply the what you'd spend on the car to a flightseeing excursion from Juneau or Skagway to Glacier Bay or some other scenic fly-over location. Money very well spent.