When talking about a perfect vacation destination, most people think about a place that is warm and preferably includes a beach or pool, so Alaska is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. However, with its unspoiled wilderness and breath-taking sceneries, choosing Alaska over a sun-kissed beach for your next vacation is definitely not a decision you’d regret. Here are just some of the reasons why.
The Northern Lights
If you’re into romantic and mysterious sights, make sure to observe the Northern Lights (a.k.a. aurora borealis) at least once during your stay. You can see this natural phenomenon that Alaska is known for during the clear winter nights between September and April. It usually occurs after midnight. It’s a great late-night adventure and if you’re lucky, you might even hear the crackling sound that sometimes follows these amazing ribbons of colours. So, bundle up to keep the cold away, and enjoy the fantastic light show under the Alaskan sky.
The Glaciers
If you’ve ever wanted to see the true power of nature up close, exciting Alaska holidays can offer you just that. Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve stretches across 65 miles and includes more than 50 glaciers as well as many wild animals such as bears, sea lions, and whales. However, as astounding as it all sounds, what you really want to see there is an occurrence known as “calving”. Accompanied by a thundering sound, giant blocks of ice occasionally break loose from the glaciers and slide down crashing into the water below. Fun fact: a baseball-sized piece of glacial ice usually weighs about half a pound, so you can imagine how strong the impact is when a huge chunk of ice hits the water.
The wilderness and wildlife
The tall mountains, waterfalls, glaciers, and crystal-clear lakes are just some of the beautiful things that make the Alaskan wilderness, unlike anything you’ve seen before. You probably won’t have enough time to explore all of the untouched nature. But still, don’t forget to take as many photos as you can so you can show your friends why they should visit this heaven on earth as well.
If you love animals, you’ll be happy to know that you’re sure to encounter at least one magnificent wild animal in Alaska. If you love bears, you can sign up for a bear-viewing tour and see these gorgeous creatures (from a safe distance of course). There are also many opportunities to see whales, and not just below the surface – they love breaching out of the water, which is certainly something you can’t see every day. Another large animal you can easily spot, even in some of the cities, is moose. They are used to people and generally aren’t aggressive, but getting too close and feeding them is still not advisable.
The unique adventures
Alaska is full of adventures just waiting for you. If you’re not afraid of heights, you can zip-line through the rainforests, or you can fly in a comfort of a plane or helicopter over all the seemingly endless glaciers and mountains and observe the amazing peaks that nobody has ever conquered. If you’re a dog person, you can learn how to ride a dog sledge and race across the snow. Or, if you’re looking for something a bit more relaxing, consider fishing for tasty salmon or going on a road trip and enjoying the unforgettable landscapes. However, if the vast wilderness and exciting adventures just aren’t your thing, how about shopping? Alaska has no state-collected sales tax, which means that whatever you buy will be tax-free. Fast or slow, there is something in Alaska for everybody, so one thing you definitely shouldn’t worry about is being bored.
The feeling
There is a thing the locals call the “Alaska Factor” – the feeling you get when you’re driving on the highways for hours or hiking across the tundra and it seems like Alaska never ends. After all, it would take years to experience everything that Alaska has to offer. Long Alaskan days during summer also add to it as you might feel like you have all the time in the world to do whatever you want, yet you still can’t manage to do everything. For some people, it can really be overwhelming.
If you’re interested in visiting a place filled with natural beauty, adventures, wild animals and breath-taking sceneries, look no further than Alaska. You will see that you don’t need swimming and sunbathing in order to have the time of your life, as Alaska truly is an outdoor paradise that should be on everybody’s bucket list.
Author’s Bio:
Roxana is a Sydney based travel enthusiast with a passion for writing. She loves fashion and has an eye for anything visually appealing and aesthetical. She is all about the healthy lifestyle, loves to run with her husband and dogs and has fun cooking exotic meals for her family. You can find her articles on HighStyleLife.
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Wow!!! Sounds really exciting. Always thought of Alaska as a cold and desolate place where people store food in refrigerators to keep it warm!!!