| Looking for just one more adventure to round out your | | | | ferry schedule, lodging nature and glacier observation |
| Alaska Vacation? Prince William Sound is a great | | | | options in the Prince Williams sound visit: |
| addition to an Alaska vacation package that will likely | | | | Alaska Adventure Travel |
| be the highlight of your Alaska Vacation. Incredible | | | | Cordova is a jumping off point for some incredible |
| marine life, stunning mountain vistas, glaciers and three | | | | adventure. You will definitely want to spend a couple |
| port cities that offer an array of visitor services, make | | | | of days here, before moving on to the next port city. |
| this an attractive add on. And the Alaska Marine | | | | A small fishing port Cordova is quaint, picturesque, and |
| Highway has new and improved ferry service to and | | | | so Alaskan. There are National Forest Trails with giant |
| from the port cities of Whittier, Cordova and Valdez | | | | rainforest trees, road accessible glaciers, sea otters |
| so trip planning just became easier, faster and more | | | | and other marine life. It is a friendly town too. There |
| affordable. | | | | are outfitters like the experts at Alaska River |
| Alaska is so large and so diverse that it is often | | | | Expeditions offering everything from river rafting and |
| difficult to see it all in one trip. But a trip through Prince | | | | sea kayaking to glacier trekking, ice climbing and |
| William Sound, with a stop-over in each of the three | | | | mountain biking. |
| communities will allow you to experience much of | | | | Choices for lodging vary from a standard hotel or |
| what makes Alaska special. And with the Alaska | | | | motel with ocean views, to those with great Alaskan |
| Marine Highway it's possible to make a loop so as not | | | | appeal. An old cannery is the site for a new adventure |
| to repeat any part of your trip, always seeing | | | | lodge; there are nautical inns and wonderful B&B's. |
| something new and different. | | | | Although there are no 5 star luxury resorts, most |
| In less than an hour, you can drive south from | | | | lodging choices offer great hospitality and all amenities |
| Anchorage to the port of Whittier. Whittier, an eclectic | | | | as well as charm not found in large hotels. There are |
| relic of a WWII army base is the gateway city of | | | | also several great restaurants offering local cuisine |
| western Prince William Sound. Numerous charter | | | | including the famed Copper River Salmon, Mexican, |
| operators large and small and expedition companies | | | | Italian, and Chinese entrees. |
| leading trips into the Sound can be found in Whittier. | | | | Cordova, Alaska - the "Little Switzerland" of Alaska |
| Small shops line the harbor offering food and gifts for | | | | From Cordova, you can board the "Marine Highway" |
| visitors. | | | | once again for the Port of Valdez. This is the terminal |
| Alaska Marine Highway offers 30% off New High | | | | city for the Alaska Pipeline. You can see tankers |
| Speed Ferry | | | | loading and view the pipeline. It has cruise ships that |
| There is also a terminal office for the state's Marine | | | | dock so there are several shops that cater to visitors. |
| Highway system in Whittier. With its new high speed | | | | Valdez is often referred to as "little Switzerland" |
| ferry, the M/V Chenega it is now possible to take a | | | | because of the tall mountains surrounding the city. |
| half day cruise across the Sound from Whittier to | | | | You can complete your loop by driving north on the |
| Cordova. This is called the Marine Highway because | | | | Richardson Highway. Waterfalls, glaciers and tall |
| you can take your car (or your rental car) on board | | | | mountains surround you on your drive north through |
| (highly recommended). And during the summer of | | | | Thompson Pass. As you drive over the mountains to |
| 2006, the state is offering some great specials with | | | | the other side, you will leave the coastal influence and |
| 30% off all sailings to and from the port of Cordova. | | | | enter another world. The evergreen forests give way |
| The Chenega is a brand new ship offering full | | | | to mixed deciduous forests with more birches and |
| amenities. Once on board you'll feel like you are on a | | | | aspens, just two hours north of Valdez. The next |
| luxury cruise ship with beautiful local art hanging on the | | | | bigger community north of Valdez is Glennallen. Here |
| walls and its tasteful nautical décor. | | | | you will turn west onto the Glenn Highway. This |
| The state ferry also has National Forest Interpreters | | | | winding highway takes you through the northern edge |
| on board to provide a wealth of information on the | | | | of the Chugach Mountains, eventually giving way to |
| marine and terrestrial environments of Prince William | | | | the farmland of the Mat-Su Valley. Picturesque farms |
| Sound. Besides the fantastic scenery, you can often | | | | dot the countryside before entering the more urban |
| see humpback and killer or orca whales, sea lions, sea | | | | areas. Then its south onto the Parks Highway back to |
| otters, seals and other marine mammals. Look for | | | | Anchorage, completing a great 3-7 day add-on loop |
| puffins, arctic terns and other marine birds as well. For | | | | for your Alaska vacation. |