Weekender Alicante North Issue 098

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FRIday 14th June 2019
27
by Yvonne Hollywood,
Worldwide Horizons
Its name was derived from Russia
word Alyaska, or ‘object to which the
sea is directed´and referred originally
to the Alaskan Peninsula.
It is the Northernmost state in
America, it is bordered by Yukon and BC
in Canada, whilst sharing a sea border
with Russia where the territories meet
in the Bering Strait. The state has a
longer Coastline than all of the other
US States combined – an impressive
estimated 55.000 KM of shoreline.
Surprisingly, there are many active
Volcanoes in the area, found in the
many small islands that make up the
State. Home to Mount Shishaldin, an
occasionally smoldering Volcano that
rises 3000 m above the North Pacific
and considered on the most perfect
volcanic cone on Earth due to it s perfect
´
symmetry.
Alaska is also home to millions of lakes
and also large glacial areas, including
the largest in North Aerica, the Bering
Glacier, measured around 5000 km2
however this is now diminishing at the
Glacier thaws with rising temperatures.
All of these natural conditions make
Alaska one of the most interesting places
to visit. Breathtaking scenery is blended
with adventure and luxury. Cruise ships
offer a unique way of getting close to
the Glaciers, departing from Seward in
Anchorage, cruising through the inside
passage via Glacier Bay and terminating
in Vancouver BC. On route, there is
every possibility of seeing wonderful
bald eagles and sea birds swooping over
the waters, humpback and orca whales
amongst others, Puffins, Sea Otters,
Porpoises, Sea Lions… these are just
some of the attractions of the area.
Many people combine a cruise with
one of the many train options that can
take you into the stunning countryside.
Alaska
Luxury companies such as award
winning Rocky Mountaineer offer an
elegant experience in glass topped trains
which travel through Alaska. This can
either be as a luxury tour, where the
train stops in overnight schedules hotels,
or you can take the train as a regular
scheduled departure to take you from A
to B. If you do take the package that they
offer, you are sure not to be disappointed.
With 4 main routes, these trains are the
last word in luxury, cuisine, culture and
adventure. Choose between 3 nights
and up to 19+, the train journey alone
lets you experience the wildlife, but also
offers added extras such as Gondola
rides to areas where you can see Grizzly
bears in their natural habitat, or for the
adventurous, Glacier walking in a guided
group. Prefer an aerial view? Helicopter
rides provide the perfect way to see the
area from a Bird’s Eye view. s best to
It´
speak to an expert when choosing your
package, as, with so many inclusions on
offer, it s easy to get lost in the choices!
´
With tours being on both sides of the
border, remember that both America
and Canada require Visas to be obtained
prior to your journey. Air Canada
have recently announced some new
routes to the States from Madrid, as
well as American Airlines offering a
superb service to Seattle, another of the
highlights on this coast. It ´ s also worth
planning a couple of nights extra pre
and post holiday/cruise/train journey as
the cities of Vancouver and Seattle have
much to offer too!