Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - (Page 44)

DESTINATIONS ALASK A Glacier Gardens offers hiking trails in a scenic landscape JUNEAU WHETHER IT’S HIKES OVERLOOKING A GLACIER, rainforest nature walks, specialized photography tours, wildlife watching or a ride by Tramway to the alpine trails high over Juneau, southeast Alaska offers something for the nature lover in everybody. Gastineau Guiding (www.stepintoalaska. com; www.gguiding.com) features a number of interactive shore excursions scheduled to coincide with your clients’ ship port call. (The company’s expert guides have won Princess Cruise Line’s “Juneau Guide of the Year” honor time and again.) Among these are: PHOTO SAFARI BY LAND & SEA: A naturalist photography guide leads clients to local “photo hot spots,” while sharing photography tips and techniques. The first part of the tour takes place on land, with visits to such prime destinations as the Mendenhall Glacier. Participants walk an easy trail through the glacial moraine as they take great landscape, nature and wildlife shots. Next they will board a 32-foot exploration vessel for a journey through the waterways of Juneau’s Channel Islands, where they can photograph marine wildlife and shoreline activity. 44 | TravelAgent November 10, 2008 Clients can experience a day of adventure in the Alaskan wilderness BY MICHAEL BROWNE GUIDE’S CHOICE ADVENTURE HIKE: Before leaving downtown, a guide will select the trail best suited for the day’s hiking conditions. Weather will be of particular consideration; conditions can change quickly and dramatically. Clients may find themselves hiking high above a shimmering glacial lake or along a historical trail that once was the first road in Alaska, or learning more about the secrets of the Tongass National Forest. TOWN, TRAM & TREK: This trip offers the best of Juneau’s history with a downtown tour, a ride on an aerial tram with dramatic views and an alpine trek in the wilderness on Mount Roberts, Juneau’s peak attraction. RAINFOREST & SEA COAST NATURE WALK: An expert naturalist will share the hidden stories of the Alaska Rainforest’s plants, animals and people that call this place home. A short bus ride takes passengers away from the bustle of downtown Juneau to tranquil forested Douglas Island, where some of Alaska’s most interesting animal species live. As they walk the trail, a naturalist will help them search for signs and watch for wildlife, as well as share lore from local Tlingit Indian practices and information on plant uses from other traditions. ALASKA’S WHALES & RAINFOREST TRAILS: The abundant wildlife of Southeast Alaska—both on land and sea—is featured on this ecotour. Participants will combine a unique marine exploration with an easy hike on a remote rainforest trail. Prices and length of excursions vary. Agents interested in learning more about these tours for their cruise-bound clients should contact Jeremy Geiser at 907-586-8231, or e-mail tour@ gguiding.com. Gastineau Guiding works with all of the major cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Lines (www.carnival.com); Celebrity Cruises (www.celebrity.com); Holland America Line (www.hollandamerica.com); Norwegian Cruise Lines (www.ncl.com); Princess Cruises (www.princess.com); Regent Seven Seas Cruises (www.rssc.com); Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (www.royalcaribbean.com); and Silversea Cruises (www.silversea.com). I CONNECTING YOU To see a video of the Alaskan wilderness, visit www.travelagentcentral.com/video PHOTO BY BRIAN ADAMS http://www.stepintoalaska.com http://www.stepintoalaska.com http://www.gguiding.com http://www.carnival.com http://www.celebrity.com http://www.hollandamerica.com http://www.ncl.com http://www.princess.com http://www.rssc.com http://www.royalcaribbean.com http://www.silversea.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/video

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Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 Reality Check Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 Hawaii: Art Lovers will Appreciate the Islands’ Offerings Europe: Barcelona is Blooming with Terrific Hotels Pacific/Asia: French Colonial and Asian Styles Blend in Hanoi Alaska: Adventure Abounds In and Around Juneau Canada: Edmonton is Canada’s “Festival City” Las Vegas: Where to Find Inner Peace in Sin City Central & South America: Buenos Aires Brings European Flavor to Argentina Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: Romance and History Meet in St. Kitts The Slot Spot River Cruises: European Itineraries Offer Convenience and Value Cover Story: Selling Mexico Car Rentals: Tapping an Underappreciated Revenue Source Consortia Profile: Ensemble Travel Group Launches New Initiatives and Tools Luxury Travel Expo WESTA Offers Growth Opportunities for Agents Hawaii Gets New Inter-Island Service Caribbean, Mexico Ramp Up Resort Plans Classified Marketplace In the Spotlight Agent Access Editorial Index Advertising Index

Travel Agent - November 10, 2008

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