Culture, Cuisine and Conservation Voyage to Alaska – June 2019

As host of the 2010 Winter Olympics, snowy adventure is never far away. In fact, you can hit the slopes in the morning and be on the beach by afternoon. Bus to the Whistler Valley on the scenic Sea to Sky Trail and mountain hop via PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, taking the time to ski, ATV, snowmobile, zipline, or wildlife watch along the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Tour Whistler Village—a distinctly European looking alpine town—and browse local shops, the Olympic grounds, and hike nearby forest trails. Immerse yourself in the areas rich aboriginal heritage at the Aboriginal Cultural Center and Museum before heading back to lower altitudes in Vancouver’s North Shore. Here you’ll find warmer outdoor adventure at Stanley Park, a vast 1000 acres of urban-greenspace that includes ancient cedar rainforest, sandy beaches, and lush flora and fauna. Bike along the 17-mile long Vancouver Seawall, visit the Vancouver Aquarium, or peruse the park’s many monuments and totem art.

Home to a large community of Asian immigrants and Asian-Canadians, Vancouver’s dining scene is bursting with Eastern influence, from Japanese pubs and Chinese fine dining to fragrant Indian cuisine. The culinary capital of Canada, this claim is bolstered by an unending supply of fresh, locally sourced seafood, a strong farm-to-table movement, and a booming craft beer scene. Tool around North America’s largest Chinatown, discover the indie bars and restaurants of the Gastown neighborhood, or grab a bite in one of the trendy shopping areas like Yaletown, Robson Street, or Kitsilano. Tucked between mountains, sea, and cool eateries, you’ll find the mid-century inspired Museum of Vancouver and an impressive collection of classic and contemporary art at the Vancouver Art Gallery—including permanent collections by Emily Carr and the Group of Seven. The Museum of Anthropology offers an in-depth look at Aboriginal and Asian culture, while the city’s many conservatories and botanical gardens offer a peaceful respite from a busy day of sightseeing.

Surrounded by lakes, rivers, and streams, the “Salmon Capital of the World” is an angler’s paradise. Cast a line on your own, or hop on a charter to reel in salmon, halibut, red snapper, even trout. Keep an eye out for Ketchikan’s other marine residents, which include orca and humpback whales, sea lions, seals, otters, and porpoises. Zipline between cedars over a lush forest of Sitka spruce, hike Married Man’s Trail to surrounding waterfalls, kayak the twist of waterways along the Misty Fjords, or board a seaplane for a bird’s eye view of it all.

The city’s downtown is built around a network of waterways and includes the infamous Creek Street. Once a red-light district during the area’s logging days, this waterfront promenade built high on pilings is now a bustling commercial area filled with quaint restaurants, bars, gift shops, and incredible scenic views. Home to 350 registered artists—including many native Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian artists—Ketchikan also boasts a number of galleries. Visit the world’s largest collection of standing totem poles at the Totem Heritage Center, or immerse yourself in native culture and art at the Saxman Native Village Totem Park. After an exciting day of taking in Ketchikan’s beauty, head back to the boardwalk, grab a beverage and catch some live music.

Historic South Franklin Street offers plenty of spots to cozy up with a cup of locally roasted coffee or cheers over a pint of local brew. Visit the Juneau Douglas City Museum and Last Chance Mining Museum to learn about the city’s gold mining history. Watch salmon climb upstream to spawn at the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery, or soak up the sun at Marine Park. For the best view of downtown Juneau, board the Mount Roberts Tramway and ride to the top for great dining, shopping, native art, and easy access to premium hiking trails.

Sitting at the edge of a residential neighborhood is the famous Mendenhall Glacier and the Tongass National Forest. Watch a glacier calve into the water below, hike sprawling forest trails, or catch a helicopter tour and glacier trek or dog sled. By boat or kayak, you’re guaranteed a sighting of one of the 60 humpback whales that frequent the waters, or Juneau’s other marine residents including Steller sea lions, Dall’s porpoise, orcas, and salmon. For a real feast for the senses, paddle the calm waters of Mendenhall Lake and feel the icy rush of paddling amongst icebergs. It’s hard to believe you can experience so much in one place.

Sharing an equally important historical connection for the native Tlingit people and Russian settlers, Sitka is both the ancestral homeland of the Tlingit and the former capital of Russian America. A walk around the city’s downtown brings you closer to its history with views of the Blockhouse, Russian Bishop’s House, St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral, and the storied Castle Hill. Sitka’s many museums, art galleries, and cultural centers all offer a more in-depth view of the city’s past and present. Stop into the Sitka Historical Museum, Sitka Cultural Center, and Shee-tka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Community House to see photographs, artifacts, traditional art, and native dance performances. Nearby, Harrigan Centennial Hall showcases regular performances by the New Archangel Russian folk dancers.

Aside from its eclectic history, Sitka offers a fantastic variety of outdoor adventures for the nature lover. Its narrow passages and broad bays are a haven for an incredible array of marine life that includes humpback whales, sea lions, and of course, salmon. Take a boat cruise around Sitka’s coast, or rent a kayak to experience each rocky nook and cranny. On land, you’ll find plenty of opportunity to bike, hike, and explore the beautiful mountains and tall spruce of the Tongass National Forest. Visit the Fortress of the Bear and the Alaska Raptor Center to get an up-close look at orphaned brown bear cubs, injured bald eagles, and other birds, and learn about both centers’ commitment to serving Alaska’s wildlife. With so much to see and do, the only thing you have to worry about is taking it all in.

At Icy Strait Point, there’s no need to fight between your inner adventurer and laid-back vacationer. You can experience the heart-pumping heights of the world’s largest zipline or sit-back with an Alaska Crabby Bloody Mary, garnished with a fresh-caught snow crab leg. Take a chartered boat ride to see the region’s magnificent marine life, including orcas, Steller’s sea lions, seals, and porpoises. There are also plenty of opportunities to participate in the region’s favorite pastime—fishing. Try your hand at catching the five species of salmon that frequent these rivers and streams, as well halibut and the other saltwater varieties.

Just beyond Icy Strait Point, the rest of Chichagof Island offers an abundance of things to see and do. From birding to kayaking, four-wheeling down old logging trails to hiking amongst tall Sitka spruce, you’ll be sure to have more than a few bucket-list worthy moments on your trip to Icy Strait Point.

While many of the world’s glaciers are retreating, the 8-mile-wide Hubbard Glacier continues to “gallop” across the Russell Fjord, at times temporarily damning its passage. The longest ice river in North America, this 76-mile stretch of glacier water begins at Mount Logan in Canada’s Yukon and meanders its way through Alaska to the Russell Fjord Wilderness. Witness this awe-inspiring phenomenon from onboard as you cruise through the misty, chilled air of the Gulf of Alaska. See whales, harbor seals, and otters hunting as your ship turns from Yakutat Bay into the narrow Disenchantment Bay to come face-to-face with the towering Hubbard Glacier.

Encounter the 350-foot-tall blue-lit wall of ice, and watch the mighty glacier calving giant icebergs into the icy waters below. Known as “white thunder” to the Tlingit, witnessing these icy chunks crash into the water from the glacier’s face is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Cruise alongside the longest tidewater glacier in the world, watch as seals use the ice floats to hide from predatory whales, and spot brown bears and Sitka deer in the distance as they roam ashore near the snowy mountains framing the glacier. This is the Alaskan adventure you’ve been dreaming of.

Founded in the early 20th century as settlers plotted the construction of the northbound rail line, Seward’s ice-free port and crowning Harding Icefield quickly established the city as an important shipping terminal on the Kenai Peninsula and the southern terminus of the Iditarod National Historic trail. Temperate rainforest climate and active glaciers combine to offer countless tidewaters, marine-rich waters, lush forest trails, and a variety of wildlife.

Travel to the Kenai Fjords National Park to hike or ski amongst its beautiful mountains. Kayak the tide pools along the fjords, and explore the Exit Glacier while mushing your own dog sledding team. A boat excursion or flightseeing tours offer an up close glimpse of the Harding Icefield’s glaciers, the majesty of the dramatic Kenai Fjords, and the dense greenery of the Chugach National Forest. Tour the rich waters of Resurrection Bay, join local anglers to fish for Coho salmon and halibut, or keep a look out for bright-billed puffins, friendly otters, sea lions, humpback whales, and much more. Take a coffee break in Seward’s quaint downtown, or find a mount and explore areas of the shoreline only accessible on horseback, including the old town of Seward, which was leveled by the Good Friday Earthquake. Shaped by time, earthquakes, and ocean storms, Seward’s unfolding beauty is yours to explore, any way you choose.