Why Alaska Should Be on Every Traveller’s Bucket List: My First-Hand Experience

I’ve been fortunate enough to visit some incredible destinations throughout my 27 years in the travel industry, but Alaska had always been on my bucket list. I’d seen the stunning photos and helped many clients plan their own Alaskan adventures, but nothing prepared me for experiencing it firsthand. If you’ve ever wondered whether Alaska is worth the long journey from Australia, my answer is an absolute yes!

From stunning glaciers and unforgettable wildlife encounters to gorgeous coastal towns and experiences that pushed me well outside my comfort zone, Alaska exceeded every expectation I had.

An unforgettable start in Vancouver

Our adventure began in Vancouver, flying Qantas Business Class from Australia. After such a long journey, the comfort of the lie-flat bed, exceptional service and fantastic food made arriving refreshed so much easier.

As an unexpected bonus before our Alaskan adventure even began, we were lucky enough to attend the FIFA World Cup Final between Switzerland and Algeria from a private suite at BC Place Stadium, thanks to Qatar Airways. It certainly wasn’t your average first night overseas and made for a pretty unforgettable start to the trip.

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver, which I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to clients. The spacious rooms and fantastic central location made it the perfect base for exploring the city. To make things even more exciting, the Algerian football team was staying at the hotel during our visit, creating a real buzz throughout the property, complete with plenty of security and excited fans hoping to catch a glimpse of the players.

After spending another day exploring Vancouver and recovering from the long flight, it was finally time to head north and begin the Alaska adventure we’d been dreaming about.

We boarded Windstar’s brand new Star Seeker for our cruise through Alaska, and I couldn’t have been more impressed.

One of the things I loved most about sailing on a smaller luxury ship was the relaxed atmosphere. There were no crowds, the crew quickly learnt everyone’s names and the level of personal service was exceptional. The cabins were beautifully appointed and every morning we woke to another breathtaking view outside our window.

Cruising really is one of the very best ways to experience Alaska. Some of the most spectacular scenery simply can’t be reached any other way, and there is something incredibly special about standing on deck watching snow-covered mountains, waterfalls and glaciers slowly come into view.

Our itinerary included Ketchikan, Misty Fjords and Haines, and every destination had its own unique personality. Whether it was colourful waterfronts, dramatic mountain scenery or incredible wildlife, each stop gave us another reason to fall in love with Alaska.

One of the most memorable moments while cruising was witnessing Alaska’s magnificent glaciers. Seeing these enormous walls of ancient blue ice stretching into the distance was almost impossible to comprehend. Every so often you would hear a thunderous crack echo across the water before watching huge sections of ice break away and crash into the ocean. It’s one of those moments that no photograph or video can truly capture. You simply have to experience it for yourself.

Trading the cruise ship for an Alaskan road trip

Rather than heading straight home after the cruise, we decided to experience another side of Alaska by hiring a car and exploring inland.

Flying into Anchorage, we collected our vehicle and set off on one of the most scenic road trips I’ve ever experienced. The drive to Homer was simply breathtaking, with snow-capped mountains, turquoise rivers, forests and endless wilderness surrounding us for hours. It was a reminder that Alaska is every bit as spectacular on land as it is from the water.

We checked into the beautiful MooseTide Hotel in Homer, a gorgeous boutique property full of charm and character. The following morning we were up before sunrise for one of the experiences I’d been dreaming about the most.

A genuine bucket list moment

Before sunrise we boarded a floatplane bound for Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park. Even the flight itself was unforgettable, soaring over untouched wilderness before landing in one of the world’s most incredible wildlife destinations.

Despite the freezing temperatures, every minute was worth it.

Watching wild brown bears fishing for salmon only metres away was one of the most incredible wildlife encounters I’ve ever experienced. There were bears everywhere, patiently waiting in the river, wandering through the landscape and completely going about their day while we quietly observed from the viewing platforms.

It was one of those genuine bucket list moments I’ll never forget, and one I would recommend to anyone visiting Alaska.

Kenai Fjords National Park

After returning to Homer, we continued our road trip to Seward, which has such a relaxed coastal atmosphere and is the perfect base for exploring Kenai Fjords National Park.

Our wildlife cruise quickly became another highlight of the trip.

Within just a few hours we’d spotted humpback whales, porpoises, sea lions, puffins and countless seabirds, all surrounded by spectacular scenery. Every time we thought the day couldn’t get any better, another amazing wildlife encounter appeared.

It’s one of those experiences where you spend just as much time putting the camera down and soaking it all in as you do trying to capture the perfect photo.

The highlight of my Alaskan adventure

Without question, this became the highlight of our entire trip. After arriving in Palmer and spending two nights in a beautiful Airbnb surrounded by mountains, we were once again up early, this time heading to Knik Glacier.

Flying by helicopter across endless glaciers before landing on the ice itself was absolutely breathtaking. Then came paddleboarding amongst floating icebergs.

It was surreal. Peaceful.

Unlike anything I’ve ever done before.

Even now, it’s difficult to describe the feeling of standing in one of the world’s most untouched landscapes surrounded by nothing but ice and silence.

It truly was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Why Alaska surprised me

What surprised me most about Alaska wasn’t just its incredible scenery. It was the incredible diversity. One day you’re sailing past glaciers. The next you’re watching brown bears catch salmon. Then you’re spotting humpback whales before finishing your holiday paddleboarding on a glacier.

Very few destinations offer that level of variety, and every single day felt completely different from the last.

Having now experienced Alaska firsthand, my biggest piece of advice is to allow extra time before or after your cruise to explore inland. While cruising showcases Alaska’s spectacular coastline, venturing further into the state reveals a completely different side of this incredible destination. Pack plenty of layers, even during summer, book iconic experiences like Brooks Falls well in advance, and if your budget allows, include a helicopter flight or wildlife excursion. They’re the moments you’ll remember forever.

Every now and then you visit a destination that changes the way you look at travel. For me, Alaska is one of those places.

It’s wild, peaceful, breathtaking and unlike anywhere else I’ve ever visited. I came home with thousands of photos, but it’s the memories of standing beside ancient glaciers, watching bears in their natural habitat and paddleboarding on Knik Glacier that will stay with me forever.

As a travel advisor, there’s nothing more valuable than experiencing a destination firsthand. It allows me to confidently recommend the best cruise lines, hotels, touring options and hidden gems because I’ve been there and experienced them myself.

If Alaska has been sitting on your bucket list, I’d love to help you plan an itinerary that’s perfectly tailored to you. After experiencing it firsthand, I can honestly say it’s one of the most extraordinary destinations I’ve ever had the privilege to visit.