THINGS TO BE WARY OF...

If you're booking your vacation in the winter and making phone calls, be sure you're speaking to someone in Alaska, not someone out of the state that has never been to Alaska. Be sure to ask the people you're getting information from if they are year-round residents that know first hand what they're talking about.

Beware of misleading websites and internet fraud. If you're suspicious about a business, look for reviews about them in places such as TripAdvisor®. Negative reviews are almost always true. Positive reviews could be true but are often written by management or friends to help counteract the negative ones! If a company has repetitive negative reviews spanning over a number of years, they're more than likely accurate.

Get prices in writing so you don't get surprises later - ask if there are any additional charges applicable. Often, businesses will quote you a base price and tack other fees onto your credit card once you arrive, or even worse, once you're back home!

If you're booking a kayak trip into the wilderness, check with the operator how many other people will be in the same group - some tours have 20 or more people in the group. You won't have much fun traveling in a herd. This often occurs with businesses that advertise that they offer everything imaginable for your vacation. They end up doing everything - but nothing good. Look for businesses that specialize in a few activities - they usually offer a better service.

Don't pay for a water taxi until they pick you up. That way you'll be sure they'll come and get you - we often have to pick up people that the other businesses left behind.

Take heed with booking agencies - although they may book you some great tours, many don't have any ethical requirements for the companies they book. They need only to receive commission from the businesses to recommend them. Most often, you can get a better deal by contacting the business directly.

BEST WAYS TO TOUR ALASKA

Firstly, do your homework - research the web and other resources such as the Alaska Milepost and local Chambers of Commerce, to get ideas of what you would like to see and do.

Secondly, pick out the activities and destinations you most want to do and see, bearing in mind that the distances between towns and places are vast - the State of Alaska is the size of 1/3 of the lower 48 so try to avoid doing more driving than anything else. You can spend all the time you want in traffic at home, but when you're in Alaska, you should try and spend more time in the wilderness. In the summer, the long days will wear you out, especially if you have been traveling long distances just to get here! Be sure to allow enough time in your itinerary to get some rest.

Flying into Alaska and then renting a car is the best way to get around the state. It allows you to be an independent traveler and get off the beaten track. You can get to meet the locals and find the small locally owned businesses that you won't find through the booking agencies. Don't be afraid to ask the locals which are the best restaurants and which are the best tours to take - they'll have up to the minute information for you. Alaskans want to see you have a good time while you're here.

Riding to Alaska on a cruise ship and being herded around like cattle by cruise ship companies who determine what you will see and which tours you'll be allowed to take, at the same time as milking you for every penny you have - is the worst way to visit Alaska. You will also not get to see the REAL Alaska this way nor will you be allowed to mingle with year round Alaskans. The only tours you'll be directed to are cruise ship owned or those where they can double the price. If you have already booked a cruise, never book at tour while you're on the cruise ship - wait till you get to shore and book direct for a fraction of the price.

bEST TIMES TO VISIT SEWARD, ALASKA

MAY: This is when millions of birds migrate through parts of Alaska, including the coast of South Central Alaska which is where Seward is located. Waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds abound and this is also the time that the adorable and highly popular puffins and other seabirds arrive for their breeding season. The Gray whales are also moving through the Gulf of Alaska at this time.

JUNE: The days are so long, you'll have to stay up till the wee hours of the morning to see twilight. Wildflowers will be starting to bloom. Seabirds will be nesting and Humpback and Minke whales will be prevalent. Fishing will be picking up including Halibut, salmon and rock fish. All businesses will be open and in full swing. The snow will be melting off the glaciers.

JULY: Generally the warmest weather and smoothest seas prevail and the wildflowers are in full bloom. Many species of birds are hatching and rearing their young resulting in a frenzy of activity and excitement. Fishing is at it's peak with large Halibut, an abundance of salmon and ferocious Lingcod being the catch of the day! Whales, including Orcas are very active in Resurrection Bay at this time. The salmon start to spawn which attracts black bears, Bald Eagles and river otters. The Mount Marathon race which takes place on the 4th of July is a spectacle to behold - or to take part in for the bold! Lodging in Seward at this time is premium so you NEED to reserve your rooms well ahead of time!

AUGUST: Silver Salmon fishing is hot - the Seward Chamber of Commerce hosts the largest Silver Salmon Derby in the state at this time. Blueberries, salmonberries and watermelon berries are ripening. Glacier viewing is nearing its peak - most of the snow has melted off revealing the blue ice below. Many birds are fledging their chicks and teaching them to feed before the fall migration. This is great time for hiking the mountain trails. The salmon spawning is at its peak, making for great bear viewing at most of the streams and rivers. The Fireweed blooms are almost spent, indicating to Alaskans that the summer is almost a thing of the past.

SEPTEMBER: The numbers of visitors start to decrease and a lot of businesses start to offer end of season specials and discounts. The leaves on the trees start to turn and birds are flocking together, building up their reserves for the migration. There is great fall kayaking and hiking in the cooler weather with fewer bugs. Blueberries and cranberries are at their peak. Attracted by the spawned out salmon, bears are still common along shores and river banks.

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