In mid-July, the full mania of Alaska summer is on. Life feels like a wonderful frenzy during these long summer days, where night never seems to come and we’re going like gangbusters to harvest garden veggies, catch enough salmon to fill the freezer, and squeeze in the hikes and camping adventures we wait all year for. And did someone say work? Yes…there’s that too.
20 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the United States
From tropical oases and mountain hideaways to dude ranches and desert escapes, you don't need a passport to visit these all-inclusive resorts in the United States.From tropical oases and mountain hideaways to dude ranches and desert escapes, you don't need a passport to visit these all-inclusive resorts in the United States.
Stillpoint Lodge, Halibut Cove, Alaska
There’s so much to see and do in Southcentral Alaska (from whale watching and glacier lake kayaking to ocean fishing and bear viewing), so let the Stillpoint Lodge be your base camp throughout all your adventures. Located at the foot of Kachemak Bay State Park (and a short boat ride or floatplane flight from Homer), this seaside property offers ten comfortably appointed private cabins—each with views of the ocean and mountains this region is known for. Watch for puffins, sea lions, bald eagles, moose, bears, whales, and otters in between activities, and make sure you leave time for spa treatments, on-site water sports, yoga, ax-throwing, and evenings spent around the campfire. The all-inclusive package includes many of the aforementioned activities, plus locally sourced and sustainable meals, local well drinks, and craft beer and house wines.
Exploring Kachemak Bay’s rocky shores and tidepools is a singular experience when visiting Stillpoint Lodge. This part of the coastline is known as the intertidal, the zone of shore between high and low tides. And it is a world of extremes. As the tide comes and goes, the intertidal is sometimes drowned by the sea, sometimes parched. When exposed to the air, it can be baked by the sun or gripped by freezing temperatures. Sometimes it’s throttled by waves, other times slapped by the wind.
Each year we look forward to the first taste of fresh fish, a fish pulled right from the sea. The best food on Earth, I might add. All winter long, we eat salmon, halibut, cod, and other Alaskan seafood and meats out of our freezer. It is delicious and of course nutritious, but by spring, we are eager for fresh seafood and to feel the tug of a fish at the end of our line. And we’re lucky, because we live on Kachemak Bay, a 40-mile-long arm of the Gulf of Alaska that scientists think might be one of the most biologically productive ecosystems in the world.
Alaskans aren’t known for their fashion, unless you think about the gorgeous fur parkas that are part of traditional dress for numerous groups of Native peoples here—they’re known as atigi in Iñupiaq—or beautiful and practical mukluks, boots that keep your feet warm and dry in the winter while being light and flexible. In the area near Stillpoint Lodge, it is hard to tell the difference between some of the wealthy individuals that have million-dollar homes in the area from the coffee shop owner. Well worn jeans, quick dry pants, hiking or rubber boots, layered shirts, puffer jackets, vests and ball caps are the fashion of choice.
There’s no better time and place to eat than summer in Alaska. Perhaps I am slightly biased on this. Forgive me. But really, where else can you eat wild fish right out of the sea? Or clams and mussels fresh from the Alaskan ocean? Here, wild berries can be gobbled by the handful, still wet with temperate rainforest dew. Or you can enjoy flavorful garden greens made tender by Alaska’s chilly summer mornings. We grill wild meats sustained by miles and miles of pristine lands. And I haven’t even mentioned Alaska’s famous carrots. Perhaps it’s the minerals in the glacier-fed soils that make them so sweet and crunchy. Some of the most discerning eaters I know (ahem, my children!) find they’re best pulled straight from the soil.
Alaska lures visitors with its stunning scenery and opulent wildlife. Visitors come to experience the state’s blue glaciers and tall peaks, its wild coastline, and fish-filled rivers and ocean. But, Alaska’s varied communities have a lot to offer too. An excursion into Homer from Stillpoint Lodge can provide you with a glimpse into the lives of Alaskans and the workings of one of the state’s most important maritime communities.
Fat Bear Week just came to an end in Alaska. It's an annual celebration of the fattest brown bears in Katmai National Park and Preserve, a gloriously remote swath of mountains and salmon-filled rivers where there are more bears than people. Each summer, brown bears crowd into the region's frothy streams to claw salmon out of the eddies and waterfalls in order to pack on the pounds to sustain themselves for a long winter of hibernation. Many gather at the famed Brooks River falls where they compete for fishing spots while sockeye salmon leap through rushing water to upstream spawning grounds.
It is a little-known fact that, from time to time, an orca might swim up to a recreational boat, roll over so that the whale’s white undersides are facing the sky, and use the boat’s hull to get a good belly scratch. Biology textbooks won’t tell you about this sort of thing. But in Kachemak Bay, you might just be lucky enough to witness this phenomenon for yourself. When an orca needs a good belly scratch, and you’re on the boat that’s going to scratch that itch, you are lucky indeed.
Chances are, you and your partner have spent a lot of time at home this past year. From spicing up living room dates to exploring every corner of your community, it’s due time for a change in scenery—especially if your love life is feeling a bit same old, same old. After all, no matter how close you are with your S.O., stress can dull your spark—and sometimes date night just won’t cut it. So why not venture outside of your lovely abode?
"There is nothing like a vacation, away from work, family, and the stress of everyday life, to bring couples closer," Franklin Porter, Ph.D., a psychotherapist in New York told Women’s Health in a previous interview. "Sharing new experiences and adventures, or revisiting romantic places shared from the exciting days of the relationship, can go a long way towards reminding the couple what attracted each to the other." Not to mention, luxury hotel sheets can do wonders for your sex life. Sold.
Before you schedule those days off, chat with your beau about what you both need (and want!) out of a couples getaway. Looking to get back to nature? A glamping experience in Vermont could be in the cards. Craving time by the ocean? A tropical trip is just the ticket. Or maybe you want to reconnect with your own body—and each other's. A wellness couples retreat with lots of rejuvenating yoga could be exactly what the (love) doctor ordered.
Right this way for an assortment of romantic vacays to match the vibe of any kind of love birds, from the adventurous to the relaxed. These 15 best couple retreats will renew and light a flame under your relationship this year...
Stillpoint Lodge, Alaska
Cost: Package rates start at $2,200 per night, per person
Details: What’s more wild than a romantic retreat to Alaska? Stillpoint Lodge is located in secluded seaside village Halibut Cove, near Kachemak Bay State Park. If you’re looking to get right up into nature, this is the bucket list trip to end all bucket list trips. Spot whales, bears, and glaciers (oh my!), hike through the untouched and expansive forests, and spend afternoons kayaking along serene, pristine waters. Bet that everything from the outside world will feel like it falls away.
The all-inclusive resort offers rustic yet luxurious private cabin accommodations, locally sourced meals, customized itineraries, and assorted activities like helicopter adventures, deep-sea fishing, hiking, and yoga classes. Sustainable cuisine is a standout here—menus change daily by what’s seasonal and available from local farmers, fishermen, and hunters. A mix of wildlife, wellness, and adventure, these new, mind-boggling experiences are bound to create memories that will truly last a lifetime (cheesy, but true!).
We all need brain breaks. We all need to get away from screens and schedules. Spending time and taking a nature vacation in a remote and beautiful place in Alaska—like here at the edge of Kachemak Bay—can provide that deep break that few other life experiences can.
From lakeside hikes to fishing expeditions, Alaska is full of new adventures and scenes to explore! But further, it is a magical place for a child's imagination. Read about why Alaska is the perfect getaway for the whole family.
By Susan B. Barnes
For AFAR Magazine and Travel Guide
Many cruises may be on hold, but from train journeys to cycling trips, beautiful lodges to intimate expedition vessels, there are still ample ways to explore the Last Frontier this year.
More than half of Alaska’s visitors typically arrive aboard cruise ships. But this year, that won’t be the case with the majority of Alaska cruising effectively off the table due to the Canadian government’s cruising ban that lasts through February 2022.
For travelers who are eager to make the journey north this summer in search of sweeping mountain views, varied wildlife, and nature-filled serenity, there are still many enriching ways to experience Alaska, including on trains, bicycles, in lodges, and even on smaller cruise ships.
“Alaska is open for business,” Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy enthusiastically declared during a March 22 press conference. Those five words are music to outdoor enthusiasts’ ears, not to mention to the Alaskans who depend upon tourism for their livelihoods, many of whom are eager to welcome visitors back.
Prepandemic, an estimated 2.25 million visitors traveled to Alaska between May and September 2019, but it is likely that Alaska’s visitation numbers will remain drastically lower this year compared to those 2019 figures due to the falloff in cruise visitors and those still staying closer to home because of the pandemic.
That is not to say, however, that interest in traveling to Alaska is waning. It is among the top five states Americans want to visit, according to a February 2021 survey of 4,500 U.S. travelers conducted by travel research firm MMGY Travel Intelligence. (The other four states that topped the list were Hawaii, Florida, California, and Colorado).
Airlines have answered travelers’ renewed interest in Alaska by adding flights to meet the recent uptick in demand. Last month, Delta Air Lines added new flights to Anchorage and Fairbanks from across the United States, and Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and United Airlines have all followed suit with added service to Alaska as well.
When travel reopened to Alaska last year in the midst of the pandemic, the state required all inbound travelers to either produce a negative COVID-19 test result procured within 72 hours of departure for Alaska or take a test upon arrival and quarantine (at travelers’ expense) until a negative test result was reported. COVID testing is no longer required for entry into Alaska, but a negative test result prior to arrival in Alaska is still strongly encouraged by Alaska state authorities. Travelers should always check with local public health officials for any requirements or recommendations that could be in place at the community level as well.
In addition, the state advises that all visitors follow the CDC’s recommendations for traveling safely, including wearing a mask and practicing social distancing.
For those who are ready to experience Alaska, we have compiled some truly unique ways to do so, with an emphasis on outfits that support local communities and are dedicated to greener travel initiatives.
With wildlife, mountains, lakes, and breathtaking views, Alaska is known as the great outdoors. So, it makes sense that there would be peace, reflection, and mindfulness meditation found there.
The Alaska Stillpoint Lodge, Halibut Cove, near Homer, offers wellness retreats that focus on guided reflection and rejuvenation to nurture your soul. Wellness retreats are available in three, four, and five-day packages that include wilderness hikes, feasting on local, organic cuisine, silent meditation spaces, and yoga. Plus, you can participate in in guided kayak tours, boating, guided meditation, massage, mindfulness classes, and journaling.
You also have the option to ditch the technology and make this retreat a digital detox. Request limited or no access to phone, TV, and Wi-Fi in your meditation cabin, and you will really experience the true meaning of a silent meditation.
Because of the harsh Alaska winters, meditation retreats are only available from May through September.
How to See Whales, Bears, Eagles and More Incredible Wildlife in Alaska
No trip to Alaska is complete without seeing one of these majestic animals.
By Brad Japhe
Alaska exists on a wholly different scale than the rest of the US. It is the biggest state in the union — nearly 2.5 times the size of Texas. The final frontier is home to Denali, highpoint of the North American continent. It holds 34,000 miles of coastline, more than half of all the other states combined. You’ll also find the country’s highest volcano, its largest glacier, as well as the four largest national parks. Throughout this grandeur resides an animal population as diverse and abundant as anywhere on the planet. It attracts another sort of beast, altogether. Wildlife viewing is a primary draw for the 2 million tourists that make their way to Alaska in a normal year.
This is not a normal year, of course. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start mapping out your next Alaskan adventure now. In fact, with 663,000 square miles to cover, you can’t start soon enough. If it’s wildlife you’re after, this place will deliver like no other. The only question is, what do you want to see? Depending on your answer, here’s a list of where exactly to go. And even though it might be a while before you’re actually on your way, many of these destinations maintain webcams so you can enjoy a virtual sneak peak in the interim.
So you’ve decided on your next vacation destination: Alaska. You are not alone. Over 1.8 million visitors book a trip to the lush landscapes of towering mountains with glistening glacial tips. Alaska is not short of breathtaking locations that will make the journey up north worthwhile.
Alaska is home to some of the most rugged landscapes around the globe. Exploring these landscapes guarantees you the best experience there can be. This is evident as Alaska has been experiencing a boom in the number of visitors every year. There are many ways to experience these pristine landscapes; one of the best ways is through a luxury lodge experience. This experience guarantees you an array of good things to enjoy. Read on to learn more.
