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September 28, 2024 16 mins
In this episode, we’re taking a different approach to visiting Alaska—no cruises here! Instead, we dive into the excitement of Land Tours and why this unique adventure might be your perfect way to explore the breathtaking Alaskan wilderness. Plus, we're introducing a brand-new segment called “Hey Steve!” where I answer your burning travel questions.
Got a travel question or ready to book your dream trip to Alaska (or anywhere else)? Reach out to me at scohen@curatedtravelcollection.com.
Adventure awaits!

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Episode Transcript

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Speaker 1 (00:03):
Hello, travelers and adventure seekers. Welcome to Magical Destinations by Steve,
a podcast that takes you on a journey around the
world without ever leaving.

Speaker 2 (00:13):
The comfort of your headlines.

Speaker 1 (00:15):
I'm your host, Steve Cohen, and I'm feel to be
your guide through the exciting realms of travel, culture and exploration.
Whether you're a seasoned traveler or an armchair explorer, this
podcast is your passport to a world of fascinating stories,
hitting gems, and the cultures that make our planets are
rich and diverse. I'm here to ignite your boat charting

(00:36):
and inspire your next adventure. Join us as we navigate
the twist in terms of travel, offering practical tips, firsthand experience,
and expert insights to help you make for most of
your own journeys. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or
a dreaming of an epic expedition, Magical Destinations by Steve

(00:57):
is here to be your trustee compass.

Speaker 2 (01:01):
Coming from the Magical Destinations by Steve podcast Studios in Ferndale, Washington,
It's another episode of this great travel podcast.

Speaker 1 (01:10):
Hi.

Speaker 2 (01:11):
I'm the host, Steve co and you can reach me
at s Cohenet Curated Travelcollection dot com. Please subscribe to
this podcast, follow me on Facebook and Instagram, as well
as my TikTok page. I want to send my best
wishes to all those that have been affected by the
hurricane that went up the East coast and hit western
North Carolina. As some of you might know that I

(01:33):
spent nineteen years in North Carolina on the Central North
Carolina in the Ralegh area. But I have a lot
of friends and colleagues that are working in public safety
in the western part, especially at Ashville. So my heart
goes out to them, and I hope the recovery is
speedy and no more loss of life happens. Well, it

(01:56):
is definitely fall here in the Pacific Northwest. We've seen
a lot of time temperature drop of us. We've seen
some rain as well. There was actually an earthquake that
was in the San Juan Islands that happened on Friday morning.
No damage here, but it was felt from the San
Juan Islands to Bellingham area. Up here in Ferndale, I

(02:18):
did not feel anything, but one of my colleagues at
work said that she did feel it. Our rainy season
usually does not hit until end of October early November.
I still remember my first fall in winter here in
the Pacific Northwest. I started work at Wakham County on
November ninth. It started raining November ninth, and it rained,

(02:39):
and we hit a couple of snowstorms, but it rained
every day until probably the end of March then, and
that's when I learned that it was important for us
to maybe travel in February to get some sun because
it does get dark here around four o'clock in the afternoon.
It was very difficult to adjust to, but I have
adjusted to that. But the trade off is that our

(03:02):
summers are fantastic, no humidity, and usually the sun doesn't
set until around ten or ten thirty from mid June
till usually the first week in August. Over the past
couple of weeks, we've been talking a lot about Disney,
and we're not going to be talking about Disney today.
What we're going to do is going to talk about Alaska.

(03:24):
And if you've never been to Alaska, I encourage you
to find a travel advisor like myself and Magical Destinations
by Steven Head to Alaska. Cruise business in Alaska has
always been booing for I don't know how many years now,
and I decided when we first came here that I
would like to go to Alaska. But when I was
living on the East Coast, I never thought about traveling

(03:47):
to the state of Alaska. But moving out here, I said, well,
let's give it a shot. All you hear about is
the cold weather and the snow in Alaska. Well that
is true during the winter months, but during May September
the weather changes a little bit. Yes, there's snow in
certain parts of the area of Alaska, but otherwise it

(04:08):
is a very popular place to visit. The cruise lines
have multiple ships that go to different destinations, especially through
the Inside Passage. Again, when I first got here and
got into the travel business, I thought about going to Alaska,
and I actually did. I did a lot of research
and decided to go on a Princess cruise and it

(04:28):
was fantastic. I will definitely talk about that cruise and
our first trip to Alaska somewhere down the line in
another podcast. But what I really want to do is
I want to talk about Alaska and if you don't
want to go on a cruise, there are multiple land offerings,
and that's what we're going to talk about in this podcast.
In today's travel landscape, more adventures are seeking a return

(04:51):
to the basics, immersing themselves in the woud, embarking or
breathtaking treks, and experiencing the raw beauty of nature. Sure
that has become so popular over the last few years.
As well. One destination that is climbing to the top
of everyone's list, as I said earlier, is Alaska, known

(05:11):
for its unspoiled, authentic beauty. Alaska offers an unless variety
of experience that are truly one of a kind. Picture
this in your mind. Tiring fords along the southern coast
bursting with wildlife, charming towns with an onion dome, churches
which is a nod to the state's Russians routes. Sitke,

(05:32):
for instance, is a mussy known for its incredible collection
of totem poles nestled within Sitgud National Historical Park. Over
in Glacier Bay National Park, you can encounter the Marchwi Glacier.
Here you can watch a massive twenty five story wall
of ice calve off into the sea. It's a dramatic

(05:53):
moment as nature's power takes center stage. But the ultimate
Alaskan wildness adventure then National Park stands in a league
of its own, with over six million acres of pristine landscapes.
The nlli's home of Alaska's fame, big five moose, caribou,
doll sheep, wolves, and grizzly bears, making it a wildlife

(06:16):
lover's paradise. Alaska does have a wide range of outdoor
activities the shores, there's something for everyone. Hiking and biking
trails crisscross the state, offering plenty of ways to immerse
yourself in the vast beauty of the state. For a
coastal adventure, kayaking along the Aleutian Islands, where the combination
of wildlife and stunning views is nothing short of magical.

(06:39):
Want to see it all from scenic cruises to bus
stores to thrilling helicopter rides, and you can also jump
on a mountain cable car and ride up to see
the Eagle in Juneo. Alaska offers endless ways to soak
in the sites. Whatever your adventure of choice, Alaska will
reconnect you with nature un forgettable ways. Well, like I

(07:02):
said at the beginning of this podcast, you can take
a cruise, you can take anything I just mentioned, but
we're going to talk about Alaska land tours. Alaska land
tours are an incredible way to experience the vast, untamed
beauty of the Last Frontier. Unlike cruises, which gives you
a glimpse of coastal Alaska, land tours dive deep into
the heart of the state, offering more immersive experiences of

(07:25):
its rugged landscapes, wildlife, and culture heritage. Whether you're hiking
through pristine wilderness, visiting remote towns, are standing in awe
at the foot of a towering mountain, Alaska land tours
are for a more personal connection to this wild and
stunning destination. So now you're asking yourself why choose an

(07:45):
Alaska land tour. Number One Explore the interior of the land.
Land tours take you beyond the coastline into the vast
interior of Alaska. Places you can't easily reach by a
cruise ship. The Nuli National Park, Fairbanks, and even the
Arctic Circle become accessible, offering adventures you won't find anywhere else.

(08:08):
Number two reason to take a land tour wildlife encounters.
On an Alaska land tour, the chance to see wildlife
is unparalleled. Your venture into natural habitats to catch a
glimpse of Alaska's Big Five as I mentioned before, which
is moose, caribou, doll sheep, wolves, and grizzly bearers. Also,

(08:30):
bird watchers can enjoy spotting bald eagles, puffins, and other
unique species. The Rich Cultural Experiences number three. You'll have
the chance to visit small towns and indigenous communities which
you can learn about Alaska's native heritage and Russian influences,
from native crafts to totem poles. There's a rich history

(08:50):
and culture waiting to be explored. Now, let me talk
about some of the highlights. Remember, if you're interested in
any kind of travel, you can reach out to me
Steve Cohen at Magical Destinations by Steve at s Cohen
at created travel collection dot com. Let's talk a little
bit about some of the highlights.

Speaker 1 (09:11):
Now.

Speaker 2 (09:11):
I visited the Nali National Park and I can't wait
to go back. We did a bus tour that was
supposed to be just a couple hours and it took
about four hours. It was fun to explore. We got
off different locations, got to see some of the old
fashioned cabins that the park rangers would stay in, didn't
see any wild animals, and now, I could be because

(09:32):
of the season we were in. We went in June,
but some people say they saw a moose. I actually
did not see it, but who knows. But the Nali
National Park is one of the crown jewels of Alaska.
The park is a must see land. Tours off often
include extended stays here, allowing you to immerse yourself in
a six million acre wilderness. That's right, I said six

(09:56):
million acres for you to explore. Whether it's through a
guided wildlife viewing, hiking, or seating bus rides, the Nale's
grandeur is best appreciated up close. Talkita. This quirky little
town is a gateway to Donali and offers a charming,
laid back experience. Many tourists stop here for scenic flights
over Donali's peaks. Now, if you want to head further north,

(10:20):
go to Fairbanks, where you can cross the Arctic Circle
and even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights depending
on the season. The Northern Lights made an appearance a
few times this summer in the area I live in.
One time I was away. The second time I got
up went looking for him, could not find them. But
the Northern Lights are definitely on my bucket list to

(10:41):
see getting back to Fairbanks. Fairbanks is also rich in
gold Rush history and offers so many opportunities to visit
to visit gold dredges, pan for gold, or learn about
the area's mining history. Now, you can't go to Alaska
on land without hitting the Alaska Railroad. For many, the

(11:02):
journey is just as exciting as the destination. The Alaska
Railroad is a highlight of any land tour, offering scenic
rides through Alaska mountains, valleys and forests. The glass dome
railcars give you panoramic views, making it an unforgettable part
of a trip. One of the great things about customizing
your land tour with Magical Destinations by Steve. Whether you're

(11:25):
an active traveler looking for hiking and kayaking adventures or
prefer a more relaxed pace with guided nature walks and
scenic drives, there are tours to shoot all styles. Just
remember many travelers are for multiday, multi day tours, combining
the best of wilderness adventures with the stays and remote
lodges and local communities. Now you're thinking to yourself, when

(11:50):
is the best time to book this land tour? I say, right, now.
The ideal time actually for these land tours during Alaska's
warmer months from May to September. These months offer the
best weather, long daylight hours, and peak wildlife activity late

(12:10):
summer into early fall, meaning August. The September offers the
chance to catch the northern lights as the lights begin
to lengthen. Whether you're drawn by the chance to see Denali,
learn about Alaska's rich cultural history, or witness its diverse wildlife,
Alaska lanteurs provide a truly immersive way to experience everything

(12:33):
the state has to offer. Are you ready to plan
your next great adventure? Reach out to Magical Destinations by
Steve at es Con at Curated Travel Collection dot com
and let's head to Alaska. I want to offer a
new segment with this podcast that will pop up every
once in a while. It's called Ask Magical Destinations by Steve.

(12:55):
A travel question. As a travel advisor, I often get
a variety of questions. Here are a few I received
often enough that I thought I would share with you
and offer my expert advice. First question is, hey, Steve,
what are the best destinations for a family vacation. That's
a tough one, but there are so many family destinations.

(13:16):
Popular choices include theme parks like disney World, tropical resorts
in Hawaii, a trip to Alaska, to the Caribbean, and
family friendly cities like San Diego. Whether your family is
looking for adventure, relaxation, or entertainment, there is a perfect
destination for everyone. Hey Steve, When is the best time

(13:38):
to book a trip to get the best deals? Well,
for cruises, you'd like to book twelve to eighteen months
in advance for the best rates. Resorts and hotels usually
offer discounts three to six months out. Off season and
shorter season travel can also yield great savings. I will say,
if you're looking for a cruise the cruise and it
offers deals on a pritturregular basis. Just check with me

(14:01):
and I can help you find a cruise deal. When's
the best time to book an Alaska cruise? I would
say anytime. The further out the better. Usually the cruise
industry runs big sales between January and March. I can
tell you Alaska books up extremely fast, So if you're
thinking about an Alaska trip, email me and I'll be

(14:24):
happy to book that trip for you. Hey Steve, here's
another question for you do, I need to protect my
trip with a travel protection plan or travel insurance. As
travel advisor, we use the word travel protection. You'll see
travel insurance written everywhere else on travel sites. So the

(14:44):
answer to that is absolutely. Travel protection is a must
for trip cancelations, medical emergencies, trip interruption, and lost luggage
and much much more. It's especially crucial for international trips
where healthcare costs can be high, and if you you
are from America and have American medical insurance, it will

(15:04):
not cover you internationally. Trust me, A peace of mind
is priceless. Hey, Steve, what about jet lag? What are
the best ways to avoid that? Adjust your schedule before traveling,
Stay hydrated and avoid caffeine and alcohol during the flights.
Try to sleep on the plane if it's nighttime at
your destination. Well, I flew the red Eye to Orlando

(15:28):
just a couple of weeks ago, got in at eight
o'clock going from West coast to East coast time. The
other thing I will tell you to do if you
are changing time zones and you are tired, find something
to do that day. Have your travel advisor find a
tour for you, and stay up as much as you can.
Try not to nap during the day. Well, that'll do

(15:48):
it for the segment of Ask Steve. I hope you
enjoyed this podcast and I will talk to you soon.

Speaker 1 (16:23):
Yeah.
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