Calypso45

We are planning a land tour of Alaska before we board cruise ship in Whittier. We decided nto to visit Denali and focus on the southern part because we enjoy the water and sealife. I welcome any feedback:
5/20/11- (Fri.) Depart Florida and fly to Anchorage arrive 8:30PM take shuttle service to Springhill Marriott Lakeside Hotel

5/21/11- (Sat.) Have breakfast, take taxi to Avis Car Rental downtown Anchorage. Drive rental car to Homer stopping at Beluga Point, Aleyska Resort to take tram ride up to top if a clear day. Stop for lunch somewhere?? Check into Alaska Beachouse B&B in Homer Spit.

5/22/11 (Sun) - Explore Homer, drive up to Skyline - maybe take ferry over to Seldovia or Halibut Cove

5/23/11 (Mon.) Drive to Seward check into Holiday Inn Express . Take in the Sea Life Center and drive to Exit Glacier (if open) ?

5/24/11 (Tues) Leisurely breakfast then take Kenai Fjords trip for the 6 hour cruise

5/25/11 (Wed) Drive back to Anchorage to return rental car and take a bus/shuttle service to Whittier to board Princess cruise ship.

Thanks,
Calypso45

dfrostnh

It's about a 5 hour drive to Homer but it will easily stretch out if you stop at Alyeska and other scenic points. No matter, it's the first day and you don't have to be anyplace by a certain time. It's too early in the year for salmon fishing so things will be quiet at the Russian River ferry area and there shouldn't be as much Saturday traffic on the hwy as there is when the salmon start running. There are not a lot a places to eat along the way. One idea would be to stop in Soldotna as you go through. After that it's about 1 1/2 hours to Homer.

While in Homer, don't miss the Pratt Museum. It's small but fascinating. I loved the short video interview with someone about homesteading in AK in the 50s.

It's pretty quiet in Seldovia. We did an overnight so took the nature cruise over and a flightseeing back. You might want to consider doing a short flightseeing trip over a glacier when you are in Homer since I didn't think the nature cruise was as interesting as the one out of Seward.

Calypso45

Thanks for your suggestions. We are in the early planning stages so I welcome the feedback.
Calypso45

Orlando_Vic

At the Alyeska resort, if you take the tram to the top, you can also have lunch there on a special combo ticket. So, you can take in the spectacular views while you eat. http://www.alyeskaresort.com/resort/...rial-tram.aspx

Be sure to bring your camera!

While driving to Homer, stop in Ninilchik and see the old Russian orthodox church. It's off the main highway, so it's best if you stop at a local store and ask for directions.
http://www.alaska-in-pictures.com/ni...9-pictures.htm

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

gail

Glad you are fitting in a day cruise - we did Kenai Fjords wildlife tour. At first we thought it would be redundant with regular cruise, but it was not. Saw glaciers up closer, lots of sealife - whales and otters - as well as animals on shore. If you do and have motion sickness issues, take drugs - I was quite ill, partially from extensive binocular viewing which really screws up ones equilibrium.

Best not to take in Denali at that time of year anyway - we were there 2 years ago mid-June and roads had just completely opened.

We also did Princess cruise - if you have a day or 2 to spend in Vancouver, it is a great city.