Travel to Alaska with travel insurance from Essential Travel

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Information on Alaska with single trip travel insurance from Essential Travel

The largest state in the nation, Alaska is also the most sparsely populated and ecologically mostly untouched. It offers a landscape of pristine forests, lakes, mountains and tundra, making it a popular and unique tourist destination. Alaska boasts excellent opportunities for outdoor adventures. Denaili National Park is home of Mt McKinley, while Glacier Bay National Park is a popular place for hiking, skiing, dog sledding, hunting, swimming, fishing, biking, mountain climbing and much more.

Favourite Cities

Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska and boasts an array of cultural destinations. It is easily navigated with extensive bicycle paths. The Museum of History and Art has exhibits featuring artists from around the world, and the Native Museum contains historical artefacts and information on Alaskas native peoples. Nearby, Cugach State Park offers some scenic hiking trails, and the Flattop Mountain Trail offers a towering view of the city from the summit.

The picturesque capital of Alaska, Juneau, is home to St Nicolas Russian Orthodox Church, a reminder of Alaskas pre-American Russian history. Bordering the city are Mt Roberts and Mt Juneau, and nearby is the famous Mendendall Glacier, one of the only ones in the world accessible by car.

Alaska has many beautiful small cities as well, including Sitka on the Pacific coast. Here, the Sheldon Jackson Museum has an extensive collection of native artefacts. Scenically located between the ocean and the dormant volcano Mt Edgecumbe, Sitka is also the gateway to the Sitka National Historical Park, which offers plenty of hiking trails through lush forests and the mountains.

Getting There

visitors can fly to Anchorage, Juneau, Ketchikan and Fairbanks. Anchorage International Airport is Alaskas busiest. Alternatively, for those who have time, ferries and cruises are available to Alaska from a few cities on the Pacific in the US and from Vancouver. By car from the continental US or Canada, eventually you will find yourself on the Alaska Highway. The drive is very long but incredibly scenic.

Safety

Visitors should remain alert for potential dangers when travelling to an unfamiliar country. Driving across great distances can make you tired and you should stop frequently to rest and share driving with others. Additionally, outdoor pursuits can put you at risk of accidents. While visiting Alaska, we strongly recommend you take out travel insurance for you and your family

Weather in Alaska

The weather is extremely varied, with a mixture of damp, rainy and somewhat mild conditions in the south. The north, though, can be extremely dry with very cold (Arctic) winter conditions. Fall arrives early at these lattitudes so there are slightly fewer hours of sunlight in August and September.

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