My husband and I will be flying to Anchorage end of Aug. and driving car for about 8 days. We lived overseas, travel to Europe each year, and have traveled in U.S. a lot, but this is our first trip to "what I know"is beautiful Alaska.
Does this itinerary sound doable?
Arrive Anchorage evening, spend next day Sunday in Anc, (2 nights there), then to Homer for 1 night, Seward for 2 nights Valdez 2 nights,back through Palmer ??1 night,and on to Talkeetna (1 night , back to Anchorage for a night. Fly out!
We just want an overview, and it's not necessary to take boat trips (vertigo???)..but experience the countryside, and view of the inlets etc, and because of the oil history my geologist husband wants to see Valdez.
Should we cut out Talkeetna? ..stay longer in Homer and maybe take a take a 1/2 day tour there or out of Seward.
Thanks for the info.
Also...what's your favorite hotel in Anchorage.,,except the Captain Cook.
Is the Sunday Market in Anchorage interesting?
We Would even appreciate ideas and reviews of accommodations in the other towns I mentioned.
Thanks for any information!

I would put 2 nights in Homer, a night in Seward (if you can, do the day cruises out of Seward--if you're worried about it, they have 2.5 hour bay cruises, but they're wonderful)
Go to Exit Glacier if you get a chance, and although small, the Sealife Center in Seward.
We started our trip from Anchorage to Valdez. We didn't think Valdez was all that great, but the drive was wonderful. One hint, make sure you have a full tank of gas before you leave Glenallen, there are NO gas stations between there and Valdez.
If you want to stay at a place between Anchorage and Valdez, I'd hightly recommend the Copper River Princess Lodge. This is owned by Princess Cruiselines, (you don't have to cruise to stay there) and it was wonderful.

ttt

fit talkeetna in, you don't need all day, the town isn't that big but i HIGHLY recommend that you spend the money for a full flight around Mt. McKinley,

if you want to understand the vastness of alaska, this will start to give you an idea. it was worth every penny and at the outset of the trip i had no idea this could be on the agenda....

I would add one more night to Homer. There is just so much to do. IMHO, it is not worthy to drive there just to spend a night. Instead of staiyng in Palmer stay in Talkeetna for 2 nights. It is a long drive from Valdez to Talkeetna but we did it without any problems and we had enough time for a guided hike on Matanuska Glacier with NOVA guide.

What time your flight leaves on your last day in Alaska? You could drive to the airport from Talkeetna. As hard as it is you have to make some choices

This is what I would do
Anchorage 2 nights
Homer 2 nights
Seward 2 nights
Valdez 2 nights
Talkeetna 2 nights

I suggest renting your car also for your Anchorage stay. I hope you are making your reservations NOW. I too recommend flight from Talkeetna.

If you are taking a ferry from Whittier to Valdez make your reservations as soon as possible.

In Anchorage we always stay in Marriott but there are zillion B&Bs if this is your preference. What is your budget for accommodations and what are you looking for? Hotels, cabins, B&Bs? It is hard to recommend anything without knowing what you are looking for. I hope you have your car rental booked. In Valdez area you could hike along a couple sections of pipe line if this is your interest

I enjoyed the Saturday market in Anchorage. Although I missed it last year when we visited, I saw that it was being held on both Sat and Sunday. Some vendors offer food samples, there are crafts people, music and food concessions. Some of the other towns also have farmers markets on Saturday. You can get fresh oysters at the one in Homer, for example. BTW the Pratt Museum in Homer has an exhibit about the oil spill and its effects. At the visitors center at Portage Glacier (near Whittier) you can hear a recorded interviews of people who experienced the '64 earthquake. I believe one of them was with a survey party and really lucky to survive. I agree to add a second night to Homer and cut back Seward by one night, esp if you don't take a boat trip. We were in the car headed to Talkeetna when there was a small earthquake. We didn't notice but the shopkeepers were still talking about it when we got there. Your husband might also enjoy a visit to Independence Mine and Hatcher's Pass. Some of the old equipment is still in the collapsed buildings but there is a good display of the mining process in a renovated building. This was a thriving community prior to WW2. Have a great trip!

Many, many THANKS for the wonderful ideas! We appreciate them and will no doubt use many of your suggestions.
Any info is welcome!!!

Mari5...........