Vacation Reviews

All About Alaska

When I think of Alaska I think of a cold barren place with lots of ice and snow, and maybe some igloos. Apparently there is more to Alaska than I thought.

Located in the upper northwest region of the North American continent, Alaska is the largest U.S. state by area (larger than the combined area of the next 3 largest states: Texas, California, and Montana) and one of the wealthiest and most racially diverse. Go figure!

Alaska is actually quite a beautiful place with 17 of the top 20 highest peaks in the United States. The icy state also boasts natural wonders like the Yukon River, the third longest river in the U.S. and glaciers like Malaspina the largest in the state.

According to the official state website there are three big misconceptions about Alaska.

Weather is the #1 misconception. Over a third of all vacation/pleasure visitors found the weather better than expected. During the summer, average daytime temperatures throughout the state range from the 60s to the 90s.

Road conditions are usually better than expected. Almost the entire length of the Alaska Highway is asphalt-surfaced, and approximately half of the roads in the state’s highway system are paved.

The third misconception is price. Contrary to popular belief, prices throughout Alaska are generally quite reasonable.

Who knew Alaska could be so pleasant? Next time, I take a vacation I just go to Alaska. It sure sounds a like a great place with plenty of natural wonders to take in.

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Travel Tips

Travel Auction

By now you’ve probably used an online booking site like Expedia or Travelocity. These sites are easy to use and often offer great deals on travel packages, hotels, car rentals, and flights. But, there is an even more fun and easy way to book your travels online! Consider participating in a travel auction! Online travel auction sites allow users to bid on a variety of travel deals and may offer greater savings than other online travel sites. Just like any other auction site, users search for and then bid on specific “items” during the bidding period, when the bidding period ends the user with the highest bid wins the item. Typically, travel details are entered after a winner is chosen.

Here are some helpful tips for using a travel auction site:

· Be patient. Travel auction sites are getting very popular and some people are bidding way over cost but deals can still be found if you are patient.

· Read all the fine print, as there may be taxes and fees that can increase the price. Sometimes the increase can be quite significant so you should consider the total cost (after tax and fees) when bidding for an item.

· Be flexible. Travel auctions are not ideal for travelers that require traveling on specific dates. Sometimes you may purchase the item and then chose dates at a later date.

· It may be helpful to know on average what the cost would be through a travel agent or other site. If the bids get too high, it may be easier to go elsewhere.

· See if there are any auction alert systems available on the site. Use this function to track your auctions. If available, it may be beneficial to see how items have been selling in the past. This can help you establish a maximum bidding price.

Sometimes booking travel and planning may be boring and tedious but with travel auctions, you can have fun while getting a great deal. To get started check out skyauctions.com!
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Featured Business

SpringHill Suites by Marriott

The SpringHill Suites by Marriott are known worldwide for spacious, comfortable rooms that make you feel right at home. Each suite is stylishly decorated with designer linens and quality furniture designed to put you right at ease. Launched in 1998, the rooms are organized into separate eating, relaxing, and sleeping areas.

The Marriott knows that each guest has unique interests. You can get work done with free high-speed Internet and the self-serve business center while your children watch movies in the relaxation area. Guests will pleasantly awake to the smell of complimentary Suite Seasons Breakfasts each morning and the free weekday newspaper. Choose from the temperature-controlled indoor pool, whirlpool/spa, or full-service exercise room to keep the day headed in the right direction. No need to worry about midnight snacks or quick meals because SpringHill Suites provides 24-hour food and snacks at The Market and in-room microwave, mini-refrigerator, and coffee service for your every need. The top-quality valet and guest laundry services are only two of the many ways SpringHill works to take care of the details so that you can focus on the fun. With 142 SpringHill Suites by Marriott to choose from your home away from home is just a click away.
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