any great travel agencies for alaska?
 

We are hoping to tour alaska this august.
Kids 8 to 11 years. Have 10 days .
I normally do a ton of research and plan my own trips, but am very short of time these next few months, and would love to use a fabulous travel agent. Has anyone used one they would recommend, and if so, please let me know why you liked them... thanks!

Skip the travel agent and purchase the latest copy of The Milepost. It's a tour book that's worth every penny.
Usually, your larger bookstore chains will carry it, or they can order it for you. You may also want to check your local library.
I think Fodorites make the best "travel agents." We have recieved very useful information from this site when planning a trip. You may want to give us a try. Where are you planning to go? Do you need help with an itinery, hotels, etc?

Thanks, egret. I had never heard of the milepost, and will look for it. I/m just worried that by the time I do my research, I won't be able to find great accomodations.I want the trip to be great for everyone, comfort and experience-wise.

I'll take any suggestions.
We have 9 full days. Fly into Anchorage.
Will rent a car there.
Want to see Denali, and as much wildlife
as possible, as safely as possible.

Seward, Homer look intriguing.

Thanks so much for your willingness to help!! It's my first time in this forum, and it sure seems wonderful.

Egret is right. Get the Milepost. Look thru Fodor's archives and pick an itinerary that someone else has used and go with that. Ten days is almost enough time for Denali, Seward and Homer but with kids 8-11 I would aim to include a great event, i.e. 4th of July in Kenai. Check out the festivals that are held in August. Also look into events held at visitor centers and libraries geared for children.

Agree with previous comments regarding the Milepost. Also, check out the Toursaver <http://www.toursaver.com/> which can save you a considerable amount of money.

However, if you want a travel agent, Explore Tours <http://www.exploretours.com/index.html> is recommended by my son who lives in Anchorage .

We are in a similar situation...initially looking at preplanned Alaska tours with ~ 10 day itinerary, now want to try and do it independently. Would appreciate the sharing of any 10-11 day itineraries people have done and enjoyed before; we are also flying into Anchorage in August and main interest in wildlife viewing and hiking. I am going to purchase The Milepost, but Fodorites firsthand recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

I have developed this plan for our 2008 Alaska trip -- this will be our second visit:

Day 1 - Arrive Anchorage
Day 2 - am pick up rental car, supplies, hike Eagle River, Ekulanta (?) then drive to Talkeetna for dinner and lodging.
Day 3 - morning am: Flightsee MtMckinley, lunch Talkeetna, pm:drive up to Denali, stop in visitor center, pick up current park info,lodging in Healy.
Day 4 - Early morning shuttle into DNP - full day activity
Day 5 - am: dog demo at DNP, hike trails around park enterance, pick sandwiches, drive to Byers Lake (Denali State Park) - rent canoe for an hour or two, lunch and drive down to Palmer for lodging. If time, visit Musk Ox Farm.
Day 6 - am: Visit Independence State Historical Park (Gold Mine), lunch Palmer, pm: hike Matanuska glacier (tour), drive down to Girwood for lodging, stop for dinner in Anchorage on the way
Day 7 - am visit Portage Glacier visitor center, drive through tunnel to Whittier for Prince William Sound glacier boat tour, return to Girwood for dinner and lodging.
Day 8 - am: Tram if nice, then lesiure drive to Homer, lunch at Kenai or Cooper Landing. Dinner and lodging Homer. (you can substitute Seward for Homer - we have been to Seward already).
Day 9 - Homer bear viewing - all day ($$$$).
Day 10 - Boat over to Halibut cove - lunch and browse the galleries.
Day 11 - Leave Homer and drive back to Anchorage
Day 12 - late afternoon flight home -- day enjoy the tent market (Sat/Sun) and walk the Tony Knowles trail.

If you sub in Seward for the Homer leg, then by all means skip the PWS boat tour and take the Kenai Fjords National Park cruise/tour. Also, visit Exit glacier (free) and skip the Matanuska Glacier hike tour. Consider a moderate hike to Tonsina point and tour the sea marine center in town.

On our first trip, we did a rafting trip in the Denali area, while it was very scenic and nice -- decided to pass on it this time for a canoe or kayak excursion in Byers Lake. Decide what you and your party would like to do -- then pick a couple of must do's and make a plan around that. You will love whatever you end up doing.