Destination Alaska
Destination Alaska is the audio-only version of a series of videos that you can also find on my Valerie & Valise YouTube channel. Also called the ”Alaska Summer Travel Summit” (2021) or ”Alaska Seminar Series” (2023 & 2025), these episodes will help you learn about visiting Alaska – and any specific information you need to visit in the coming year. Featured destinations include Anchorage, Fairbanks, Denali National Park, Seward, Homer, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Juneau, Sitka, Skagway, and many more!
Episodes

Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
2026 Series: Wrangell // What You Need to Know to Visit
Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
Planning to visit Wrangell, Alaska, in 2026? Not to be confused with Wrangell-St. Elias in Southcentral Alaska, this Southeast Alaskan community has the best of the region in one small, almost entirely crowd-free place.
Join me as I sit down (virtually) with JR, Marketing & Community Development Coordinator with Travel Wrangell, and Jillian, local radio host and community member, to discuss what visitors need to know and updates for visitors this coming year.
🗞️ Here are some extra resources to help you plan your trip to Whittier:
Travel Wrangell (official site)
Travel Wrangell on Facebook
@TravelWrangell on Instagram
📚 Plus here are some of my own resources to help you plan your trip:
The Best Things to Do in Wrangell
Where to Eat in Wrangell
Where to Stay in Wrangell
🤑 Save on your Alaska trip by visiting my Community Discounts page
🙌 Be sure to join my Alaska travel tips Facebook group and follow me on Instagram for more Alaska travel inspiration

Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
2026 Series: Whittier // How to Visit & What's New
Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
Planning to visit Whittier, Alaska, in 2026? Prince William Sound is waiting – but you wanna watch this first, I promise! Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Kelly, president of the Whittier Chamber of Commerce and co-owner of Whittier-based Lazy Otter Charters to discuss what visitors need to know and updates for visitors this coming year.
We also specifically discuss two important developments in Whittier: the re-opening of the Inn at Whittier and the opening of the new cruise dock last year.
🗞️ Here are some extra resources to help you plan your trip to Whittier:
The Greater Whittier Chamber of Commerce (official website)
The Greater Whittier Chamber of Commerce on Facebook
@CityofWhittierAK on Instagram
Lazy Otter Charters on Facebook
@LazyOtterCharters on Instagram
📚 Plus here are some of my own resources to help you plan your trip:
The Best Things to Do in Whittier
Where to Eat in Whittier
Where to Stay in Whittier
🤑 Save on your Alaska trip by visiting my Community Discounts page
🙌 Be sure to join my Alaska travel tips Facebook group and follow me on Instagram for more Alaska travel inspiration

Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
2026 Series: Valdez // What You Need to Know to Visit
Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
So you wanna visit Valdez, Alaska, in 2026? Looking to escape the crowds – or maybe you're on one of the few, lucky cruise ships that will make port there this year? Whatever the reason, this video is essential info for traveling to Valdez this year.
Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Faith from Discover Valdez to discuss what visitors need to know and updates for visitors this coming year. In addition to essential travel info (good for any year), you'll learn about some exciting new developments around town in 2026.
🗞️ Here are some extra resources to help you plan your trip to Valdez:
Discover Valdez (official website)
Discover Valdez on Facebook
@DiscoverValdez on Instagram
📚 Also, here are some of my own resources to help you plan your trip:
The Best Things to Do in Valdez
Where to Eat in Valdez
Where to Stay in Valdez
🤑 Save on your Alaska trip by visiting my Community Discounts page
🙌 Be sure to join my Alaska travel tips Facebook group and follow me on Instagram for more Alaska travel inspiration

Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
2026 Series: Unalaska // Deadliest Catch, WW2 & Much More!
Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
Want to visit Unalaska or Dutch Harbor, in 2026 – or, well, ever?! This one's for you! Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Katherine from the Unalaska Visitors Bureau to discuss everything you need to know to visit, including how to get there, main attractions and experiences, and much, much more!
🗞️ Here are some extra resources to help you plan your trip to Unalaska:
Unalaska Visitors Bureau (official website)
Unalaska Visitors Bureau on Facebook
@UnalaskaCVB on Instagram
As I have never been to Unalaska 😱 I don't have any resources from my blog... yet!! (Will 2026 be my year?! 🤞)
🤑 Save on your Alaska trip by visiting my Community Discounts page
🙌 Be sure to join my Alaska travel tips Facebook group and follow me on Instagram for more Alaska travel inspiration

Monday Dec 15, 2025
2026 Series: Talkeetna // Don't Skip this Small Alaskan Town!
Monday Dec 15, 2025
Monday Dec 15, 2025
Want to visit Talkeetna, Alaska, in 2026? This tiny community has something for everyone – not the least of which are insanely good views of Denali! Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Marne from the Talkeetna Chamber of Commerce to discuss what visitors need to know to plan a visit – and what you need to know specifically about visiting Talkeetna this year.
🗞️ Here are some extra resources to help you plan your trip to Skagway:
Talkeetna Chamber (official website)
Talkeetna Chamber on Facebook
📚 Plus here are some of my own resources to help you visit:
Things to do in Talkeetna
Where to Eat in Talkeetna
Where to Stay in Talkeetna
🤑 Save on your Alaska trip by visiting my Community Discounts page
🙌 Be sure to join my Alaska travel tips Facebook group and follow me on Instagram for more Alaska travel inspiration

Monday Dec 15, 2025
2026 Series: Skagway // What to Know & What's New!
Monday Dec 15, 2025
Monday Dec 15, 2025
Want to visit Skagway, Alaska, in 2026? This Southeast Alaska community has something for everyone, from history and culture to hand-crafted spirits and adventure. Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Wendy from Explore Skagway to discuss what visitors need to know to plan a visit – and what you need to know specifically about visiting Skagway this year.
🗞️ Here are some extra resources to help you plan your trip to Skagway:
Skagway.com (official website)
Skagway Visitor Department on Facebook
@ExploreSkagway on Instagram
📚 Plus here are some of my own resources to help you visit:
Things to do in Skagway
Where to Eat in Skagway
Where to Stay in Skagway
How to Spend One Day in Skagway
Best Skagway Shore Excursions
🤑 Save on your Alaska trip by visiting my Community Discounts page
🙌 Be sure to join my Alaska travel tips Facebook group and follow me on Instagram for more Alaska travel inspiration

Sunday Dec 14, 2025
2026 Series: Seward // Here's What to Know Before Visiting
Sunday Dec 14, 2025
Sunday Dec 14, 2025
So you wanna visit Seward, Alaska, in 2026? Or maybe you're starting or ending an Alaska cruise there? Maybe you're ticking off national parks and it's finally time for Kenai Fjords? Whatever the reason, this video is essential for travel this year. Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Liz from Visit Seward to discuss what visitors need to know and updates for visitors this coming year.
🗞️ Here are some extra resources to help you plan your trip to Seward:
Visit Seward (official website)
Visit Seward on Facebook
@VisitSeward on Instagram
📚 Also, here are some of my own resources to help you plan your trip:
The Best Things to Do in Seward
Where to Eat in Seward
Where to Stay in Seward
Kenai Fjords Cruises, Ranked
My Major Marine Tours Review
My Kenai Fjords Tours Review
Kenai Fjords Tours vs Major Marine Tours Comparison
🤑 Save on your Alaska trip by visiting my Community Discounts page
🙌 Be sure to join my Alaska travel tips Facebook group and follow me on Instagram for more Alaska travel inspiration

Saturday Dec 13, 2025
2026 Series: Palmer // What to Know When Planning
Saturday Dec 13, 2025
Saturday Dec 13, 2025
Planning to visit Palmer in 2026 as part of an Alaska trip? You're gonna want to listen to this first! Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Dylainie from Visit Palmer to discuss visiting this Alaskan community and what you need to know specifically for visiting this year.
🗞️ Here are some extra resources to help you plan your trip to The Mat-Su:
Visit Palmer (official website)
Palmer Museum of History & Art
Visit Palmer on Facebook
@VisitPalmerAk on Instagram
📚 Plus, here's my own resource to help you visit:
Best Things to Do in Palmer
Where to Eat in Palmer
🤑 Save on your Alaska trip by visiting my Community Discounts page
🙌 Be sure to join my Alaska travel tips Facebook group and follow me on Instagram for more Alaska travel inspiration

Saturday Dec 13, 2025
2026 Series: Nome // There's No Place Like It!
Saturday Dec 13, 2025
Saturday Dec 13, 2025
Want to visit Nome, Alaska, in 2026? Look at you, big explorer!!
In this year's video, I provide a short introduction with a few updates about what's new in Nome in 2026, plus my own thoughts and photos after visiting in 2025. Additionally, I'm re-releasing the 2025 video I recorded with Shauntel from the Nome Convention & Visitors Bureau to discuss what visitors need to know to visit and what's new this coming year. (We weren't able to re-record this year due to scheduling and logistics issues.)
Nome is way off the beaten tourist track even by Alaska standards, and there are some important considerations when planning your trip – and some truly unique things to do in Nome (like seeing the end of the Iditarod, of course!!).
🗞️ Here are some extra resources to help you plan your trip to Nome:
Visit Nome (official website)
Visit Nome on Facebook
@VisitNome on Instagram:
📚 Plus, here's my own resource to help you visit:
Best Things to Do in Nome
Nome Travel Guide (including Where to Eat & Where to Stay
🤑 Save on your Alaska trip by visiting my Community Discounts page
🙌 Be sure to join my Alaska travel tips Facebook group and follow me on Instagram for more Alaska travel inspiration

Friday Dec 12, 2025
2026 Series: The Mat-Su // What to Know for 2026
Friday Dec 12, 2025
Friday Dec 12, 2025
Planning to visit Palmer, Wasilla, Talkeetna, or somewhere else in the Matanuska-Susitna (aka Mat-Su) Valley in 2026 as part of an Alaska trip? You're gonna want to listen to this first!
Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Justin from The Mat-Su to discuss visiting this region and what you need to know specifically for visiting this year.
🗞️ Here are some extra resources to help you plan your trip to The Mat-Su:
Visit Mat-Su (official website)
Order your (free) Visitor Guide here
Visit the Mat-Su on Facebook
@thematsu_ak on Instagram:
📚 Plus, here's my own resource to help you visit:
Best Things to Do in Palmer
Where to Eat in Palmer
Best Things to Do in Talkeetna
Where to Eat in Talkeetna
Where to Stay in Talkeetna
🤑 Save on your Alaska trip by visiting my Community Discounts page
🙌 Be sure to join my Alaska travel tips Facebook group and follow me on Instagram for more Alaska travel inspiration

Friday Dec 12, 2025
2026 Series: Kake // How to Visit in 2026 (& Beyond!)
Friday Dec 12, 2025
Friday Dec 12, 2025
Curious about Kake, Alaska, and want to visit someday? This Southeast Alaska community is special; it gives you a look at modern Alaska Native culture that honors its heritage and traditions – and welcomes visitors to learn, engage, and enjoy!
Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Martha from Kake Tribal Tourism to discuss what visitors need to know to plan a visit to Kake – on your own, or on a cruise.
🗞️ Here are some extra resources to help you plan your trip to Juneau:
Kake Tribal Tourism (official website)
Kake Tribal Tourism on Facebook:
📚 Plus, here's my own resource to help you visit: Complete Kake Travel Guide
🤑 Save on your Alaska trip by visiting my Community Discounts page
🙌 Be sure to join my Alaska travel tips Facebook group and follow me on Instagram for more Alaska travel inspiration

Thursday Dec 11, 2025
2026 Series: Juneau // Here's Everything to Know
Thursday Dec 11, 2025
Thursday Dec 11, 2025
Want to visit Juneau, Alaska, in 2026? This Southeast Alaska community is the capital – and also an epicenter of culture, cuisine, and much more. Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Kristi from Travel Juneau to discuss what visitors need to know to plan a visit – and a bunch of exciting new developments happening in 2026.
🗞️ Here are some extra resources to help you plan your trip to Juneau:
Travel Juneau (official website)
Travel Juneau on Facebook
@TravelJuneauAK on Instagram
📚 Plus, here are some of my own resources to help you visit:
Things to do in Juneau
Where to Eat in Juneau
Where to Stay in Juneau
How to Spend One Day in Juneau
The Best Juneau Shore Excursions
🤑 Save on your Alaska trip by visiting my Community Discounts page
🙌 Be sure to join my Alaska travel tips Facebook group and follow me on Instagram for more Alaska travel inspiration



