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Dia de los Muertos is a spiritual celebration, most common in Mexico. Imagine traveling to Oaxaca, Mexico, known for its rich culture, colorful markets, authentic and distinct foods, and elaborate celebrations, during this time to respectfully immerse yourself in the renowned Day of the Dead festivities. Spend your nights in locally owned and operated accommodations. Visit the local, artisan markets. Witness the sights and sounds of the celebratory parades. Observe the evenings’ gatherings and candle-lit vigils. Taste the local offerings. This once-per-year, 7 day small tour tour exists at roughly $2,000 per person, and it is booking for 2023. Is this on your bucket list? 
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 If you or someone you know has been to Alaska, there is a very strong chance that it was by cruise ship. I invite you to imagine new ways of experiencing this magical state. Cruise ships travel along the smallest and southernmost region, the Inside Passage. The adorable port towns are surrounded by fjords, glaciers, and the Tongass National Forest, make it well worth the trip. The landscape allows for few roads, so it makes sense to experience this region by boat. The larger cruise lines, with 2-5K passengers, tend to have very similar northbound itineraries from Vancouver or Seattle, southbound itineraries from Whittier or Seward, and closed-loop itineraries out of Seattle or Vancouver. May I recommend an expedition cruise instead? My favorite expedition cruise companies for Alaska have vessels that carry 12 - 100 passengers with unique itineraries that often concentrate on specific areas and activities. Since these boats are small and outfitted with their equipment: zodiac boats, kayaks, etc.., they don’t need to adhere to a strict schedule and can take time to appreciate an opportunity should it arise. I’ve heard reports of captains going slightly off course to follow a pod of orcas as well as passengers getting notified in the middle of the night to view the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). An expedition cruise itinerary might include:
Let us not forget the other regions of the state because with 17 national park units and 16 national wildlife refuges as well as 20 distinct native cultures, Alaska is very large with much to see and do. The Alaska Railroad travels from the southernmost stop in the port town of Seward through Anchorage in the Southcentral region of Alaska through Denali National Park and ending in Fairbanks in the interior region of Alaska. The classic Alaskan land tours, guided or self-guided, often include activities that encompass these regions such as:
 Late this summer, my host agency hosted a Seminar at Sea and Alaska FAM, travel professional lingo for “familiarization trip” to get to know a destination or understand the nuances of a supplier, through Holland America Line. Since Alaska is one of my highlighted destinations, I realized that this could be a valuable opportunity to get excited about a destination and its offerings. Understand that although most people see Alaska by medium-sized cruise ships that hold roughly 2-3K passengers, this is not the only way to experience Alaska, and you do not have to be a wilderness expert to have an unique, Alaskan experience. There are small group land tours of 12-16 travelers, rail and land-rail tours, as well as yacht and expedition cruises ranging from 12 - 300 passengers depending on the vessel.
Since I received a few inquiries for Alaska travel, I’ve continued to spend the past few weeks delving into more unique and sustainable Alaskan experiences, and needless to say that I became giddy when I recently stumbled upon an expedition cruise tour operator owned and operated by a native Alaskan family. I will post about some of my findings of unique ways to experience Alaska in a future post…. |
AuthorThis is my journey as I navigate the world of sustainable travel for myself and my business. Archives
April 2024
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Angela Barzizza-Young, CTA
Certified Travel Associate Specializing in Responsible Travel (330) 552-8945 |