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.
If you're still on the fence about staying at a luxury lodge in Alaska and are not sure about what to do there, we're here to help. Below are a few things to consider!
Are you planning on visiting Alaska for your vacation? Consider all-inclusive vacations to make the most out of your family trip within the time you're there.
When most people think about Alaska, they tend to think about the grizzly bears and frozen tundra. However, when it comes to breathtaking natural landscapes, jaw-dropping scenery, majestic mountains, clear lakes, glaciers, and unspoiled nature, The Last Frontier has it all.
This piece will show you why Alaska with its awesome lodges is the perfect family trip or vacation destination, provided you stay in the right place. Hopefully, after reading this article, you’ll start planning your Alaska trip right away.
As you approach this festive winter season, you might be wondering about the best vacation spot for your family. Winter is not the most entertaining period, which makes you highly tempted to head to the Caribbean to enjoy some warm sandy beaches.
If you have settled on Alaska as your vacation spot, then first, congratulations on making the right decision. Next, there are a couple of things you might want to get acquainted with to make your vacation smooth and your travel as memorable as possible. Here are a few things you should know before going to Alaska for your vacation.
Alaska is an amazing state to vacation in. Boasting over 75 parks, including national parks, refuges, preserves, and monuments, Alaska isn’t lacking in beautiful sights to see. In addition to that, it also contains numerous historical sites and parks, as well as national forests and state parks. For a truly unforgettable nature experience, no other state in the Union provides quite as much as Alaska.
