10 sometimes surprising facts about amazing Alaska

The Milepost is an annual publication that modestly calls itself The Bible of North Country Travel. It certainly is filled with facts about Alaska. Here are 10:

* The state's 20,320-foot Mount McKinley/Denali (it has two official names) is the highest mountain in North America. On a clear day, you can see the mountain from Anchorage, some 200 miles away, yet the mountain isn't visible inside Denali National Park until Mile 10 on the Park Road. Visit www.reservedenali.com.

* The access road to the town of Whittier passes through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. At 13,200 feet, it is the longest highway tunnel in North America as well as the longest combined highway/railroad tunnel on the continent.

* The White Pass & Yukon Route railway (oictured) is the farthest north narrow-gauge railroad and has one of the steepest railroad grades in North America.

* Glaciers cover about 5 percent of the state, and dozens are accessible for up-close viewing, by road or by water.
* Juneau is the only state capital in the continental United States that is not accessible by road from the rest of the state. You've got to take a boat or a plane to get there.

* On June 21 in Fairbanks, you can watch a baseball game at  midnight, without artificial lights. The summer solstice offers 22 hours of daylight.

* Anchor River Road on the Kenai Peninsula ends at the most westerly point on the North American continent accessible by a continuous road system.

* The state boasts the second greatest tidal range in North America from Beluga Point on the Seward Highway, just 16 miles south of  Anchorage. (The Bay of Fundy in Atlantic Canada has the greatest tidal range.)

* Alaska has more than 10 percent of the world's volcanoes, and one of the most recently active -- Mount Redoubt -- may be seen from the Sterling Highway on the Kenai Peninsula.

* Alaska has two of the largest islands in the U.S. (after Hawaii). Kodiak,  in the Gulf of  Alaska, is known for viewing the Kodiak brown bear. Prince of  Wales Island, which has the most extensive road system in    southeast Alaska, is a popular sport fishing destination.


For more about the 784-page Milepost, which is also published digitally, visit www.milepost.com.

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Trivial question

Where would you find the islets of Langerhans? (Answer somewhere below.)

Cherry blossom package proves spring is coming

This year marks the 99th celebration of the original gift of 3,000 cherry blossom trees from the city of Tokyo to the people of Washington, D.C., and the Mandarin Oriental is in there pitching with a exclusive Cherry Blossoms Bloom package. Included are overnight accommodations in a Deluxe room, a buffet breakfast for four in Sou’Wester restaurant,  overnight valet parking, cerry treats from the executive chef and a 20 percent discount on the Cherry Blossom Ritual in The Spa at Mandarin Oriental. Room rates are from $395 per night, and the package is valid from March 25 to April 10. Call 888-888-1778 or visit www.mandarinoriental.com/washington.

Here's more proof -- a Spring Fling offer in Florida

The Atlantic Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has a Spring Fling package available  through May 31. The  package, which requires a minimum three-night stay, begins at $249 per night, double occupancy, and includes accommodations in a  guestroom featuring a private balcony, a fully-equipped kitchenette and an oversized marble bathroom, a  $100 spa credit toward a treatment or service in the Spa Atlantic, 20 percent off any additional spa treatment or service, and two welcome drinks. If you stay five nights, you get a sixth night free. Call 954-567-8020 or visit www.AtlanticHotelFL.com and mention rate code PKGSSF.

Worth quoting

“I dislike feeling at home when I am abroad.” – George Bernard Shaw

Perillo adds culinary tours of Italy to its roster

In April, Perillo Tours will launch 12- and 13-day culinary and cultural tours of Italy  in cooperation with Slow Food Italia. There will be two itineraries to four regions in Italy: Piedmont & Italian Riveria, and Tuscany & Umbria.  The tours will focus on the local food and beverage products of each of the regions. Pricing for the two itineraries, which collectively have 12 departures between June 17 and Oct. 21,  ranges from $4,290 to $4,590 per person, double. Alternatively, individual trips can be booked through ItalyVacations.com for travel at any time of year. For more information, visit:www.perillotours.com/slowfood.

Fascinating fact

The world's southernmost flower can be found where else but in Antarctica. It is a cushion plant with the catchy name of Colobanthus quitensis and appears on a little-known archipelago called the Terra Firma Islands.

Trivial answer

OK, that was a trick question. The islets of Langerhans are found in the pancreas.

Orlando KOs Las Vegas for spring break championship

Orlando has dethroned Las Vegas as the top spring break destination, according to a new survey from Orbitz on consumer travel habits. Not only that, but Florida holds four of the top 10 spots, based on customer booking patterns. The leading 10 destinations, in order, are:


1) Orlando
2) Las Vegas
3) Cancun
4) Phoenix
5) Fort Lauderdale
6) Fort Myers
7) Tampa
8) New York
9) Los Angeles 
10) Denver

Guess what? Average hotel rates are up in all the top 10 except Los Angeles and Denver. Nonetheless, half the destinations -- Orlando, Fort Myers, Tampa, Los Angeles and Denver  -- offer average daily hotel rates under $100 per night. Other survey highlights:
* Beaches (29%), cruises (25%) and city escapes (24%) were of interest to most travelers booking a spring break trip.
* An overwhelming 88% of travelers will avoid destinations that are thought to be college party destinations, opting for a more relaxing, family-friendly atmosphere.
* Indicating that the destinations' images are recovering from last year's oil spill, over half of  travelers would consider the Florida Gulf Coast and surrounding beaches for their getaway.
Orbitz also offers three savings tips: Consider visiting a big city, such as Chicago or Boston, in the off-season. Look for packages that offer deals when flights, hotels and assorted amenities are booked together. And  search for hotel promotions such as "fourth night free" or "kids stay free."

Trivial question

What is the world's largest island country? And Australia doesn't count. (Answer somewhere below.)

A tasty shuttle trip with a Big Island chef
All  aboard the new Chef Shuttle at Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on Hawaii's Big Island for a unique foodie weekend. Guests who book the Chef Shuttle Package wil be escorted by by the resort’s sous chef,  Jayson Kanekoa,on a trip to the farmers' market in Waimea on the first Saturday of the month. Together they will talk story (as they say in Hawaii) with farmers and vendors as fresh produce and seasonal items are purchased and taken to the resort to be prepared and enjoyed that Saturday evening at Hawaii Calls Restaurant & Lounge.  On Sunday, guests will  partake in the Royal Luau, which features traditional and contemporary Hawaiian cuisine, an open bar and Polynesian entertainment. The package starts at $289 per room night and is offered the first weekend of every month. A Friday-Monday stay is required.
Visit www.waikoloamarriott.com or call 808-886-6789 and use code D60.


Worth quoting
“Why buy good luggage? You only use it when you travel.” – Yogi Berra

Vacation in France and (probably) get a tax deduction

For A Cause organizes week-long cycling and walking vacations that raise money for nonprofit organizations. According to the organizers,  participants get a tax deduction equal to the cost the trip. This year's event,  France Walk or Ride on Sept. 11-17, lets participants cycle, walk or combine both both for their favorite charity.They will spend the week in an 11th-century castle in the Western Loire Valley, and make day trips, visiting towns, wineries and castles.
The registration fee is broken into three options: $500, $1,650 or $2,500, each with its own minimum fund-raising requirement. All expenses are included while on the event, such as accommodations, meals, snacks, and route support. Not included are transportation to and from the event, personal expenses and incidentals. The tax deduction comes into play because this is a fundraising event and a substantial part of the participant's day is dedicated to the fundraising activity. Participants, however, are encouraged to consult with a tax advisor or the IRS for their specific tax situation. Visit www.rfac.org.

Fascinating fact

Every day about 3,000 euros are thrown into the Trevi Fountain in Rome. The money is collected at night and goes to charity.

A six-night Irish idyll starting at $699 with air

Dooley Vacations is promoting an Ireland 3-City Package for six nights beginning at $699 per person, including round-trip air, two nights each hotel in Dublin, Galway and Killarney and a  rental car for the week. This package, Dooley says, saves travelers over $600 per person compared to the cost of booking air, accommodations, and car separately. The $699 (plus fees and taxes) is from New York City. It's $719 per person from Boston, $789   from Chicago, and $769  from Orlando. The price is based on two people traveling, on select Monday and Tuesday departures from April 1 to May 31. Other days of the week and departure cities are also on sale for slightly more. Discount pricing is also available for 1 and 3 travelers. Call 877-331-9301 or click here.

Trivial answer

Indonesia, with  an area of 1,919,440 km sq. (735,355 sq miles) is considered the largest island country.

Maybe you'll meet this fellow on your next vacation.
(Photo/ Austin-Lehman Adventures)

Ten tips to help you plan a better vacation

Sure, it may be snowing where you are, but it's summer vacation planning time.  Here, from Austin-Lehman Adventures, are 10 tips:

Build Files -- Organize brochures, maps, and notes, from conversations to website links.

Google is Your Friend -- Ninety-six percent of all travel research is now done online. Use “long tail” search terms to hone in on your questions such as: “Best family adventure vacation to Yellowstone.” Bookmark the better sites you visit.

Shop for Information off-line -- Pick up travel magazines and regional guides reflecting your interests. Talk to friends and co-workers. Visit your local travel counselor for input.

Create a bucket list -- Put together a list of dream destinations and activities; cut it to a short list. Use logic. Is Mexico too hot in summer? Then consider fall travel. 

Who Gets Your Business? Seek tour operators specializing in the kinds of vacations on your short list. Again, Google is your friend. For example, search for “best bike tour operator in Italy” and note results. Pore through travel magazines that often list the “best of the best” in annual editions. Look for them online.

Work Your Short List -- With your A-list of destinations/activities and tour operators, begin e-mailing or calling. Track all interactions. If a company fails to get back to you in a timely manner and/or fails to answer your questions accurately and thoroughly, do you really want to trust your vacation to them? The best will rise to the top.

Ask Questions -- How long has the tour operator been in business? Is the owner involved in day-to-day operations? Does the company run its own tours or outsource? What are deposit/cancellation/trip insurance/satisfaction guarantee policies? What happens to a small group trip if nobody else signs up? Who takes these trips, what is average group size and guide-to-guest ratio?

Ask About SpecificTours/Itineraries -- How long has the tour operator been running a particular trip? What is/isn’t included? Where does trip begin and end and how do you get there? What’s the best time of year to visit? What’s a typical day and how many miles daily, on average, of biking, hiking, paddling? Describe the accommodations, amenities and food? Why is your trip so special and why are you the best tour operator to travel with?

Digest and Summarize -- Digest and quantify everything learned. Narrow it down to a couple of options. Review final concerns, make some final calls, remove all doubt.

Book Em! Make sure everyone agrees, pick up the phone and confidently book the trip.

 

Austin-Lehman Adventures, which  provides adventure vacations on five continents, wouldn't have provided this list if it didn't know it would rate high. For a catalog, call

800-575-1540, or e-mail info@austinlehman.com.  The website is www.austinlehman.com. 

Search Amazon.com for travel planning   

Trivial question

What is Europe's highest capital city? (Answer somewhere below.)

Sarasota welcomes early spring with 15% off

Well, the groundhog did not see his shadow this morning, which means an early spring. (Yeah, right.) To celebrate, the Gulf Coast destination of Sarasota is offering 15 percent off select accommodations now through March 21, the first day of spring, as part of its Phil's 15 promotion. Guests should mention the Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau Phil's 15 promotion when booking by phone.  The discount is available at the following places: Wingate By Wyndham, Bradenton, 941-755-0055, www.wingatebradenton.com; Comfort Inn, Sarasota, 941-351-7734, www.comfortinn.com/hotel/fl758; Lido Beach Holiday Inn, Sarasota, 941-388-5555, www.lidobeachholidayinn.com; and  Rolling Waves Beach Cottages, Longboat Key, 941-383-1323, www.rollingwaves.com.

And speaking of Florida ...

B Ocean Fort Lauderdale, the flagship property of the newly-launched, upscale  brand B Hotels & Resorts, is offering  a Snow Day rate of $149 per night, for bookings made between now and Feb. 28, for travel through April 15.   Call 888-66-BHOTEL or visit www.boceanfortlauderdale.com.

Fascinating fact 

The Netherlands has 4,971 miles of canals -- the last time I counted them, at any rate. 

They're outta there!

Viking River Cruises moved swiftly to transport its 91 passengers who were in Cairo to Frankfurt, Germany, and then onto the United States.  It was a lifelong dream for me to travel to Egypt,” said 80-year-old Betty Stein of Lafayette Hill, Pa., a Viking guest. “While I didn’t get to see the Pyramids, I did get the opportunity to experience history in the making. The Egyptians were great, Viking was great and our program director was a doll."

Trivial answer

At about 2,000 feet high, Madrid is the highest capital city in Europe. Some say the honor goes to Andorra La Vella. at 4.622 feet, is higher but  Andorra is technically a principality,