Destination Alaska

Are you dreaming of visiting Alaska in the winter? This episode's for you!
In this brief update podcast, I share:
Updates about this podcast
How my March 2026 tour went
Changes I've planned for March 2027
All the details if you want to join me!
If you're interested or in, check out more tour details: valerievalise.com/march-magic
 

Planning to visit Sitka, Alaska, in 2026? Whether you're planning to spend time there on an Alaska cruise or are planning an independent trip to do it on your own, there are some exciting and important updates to know this year.
Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Sherry, who used to work at Visit Sitka, 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:
Visit Sitka (official site)
Visit Sitka on Facebook
@VisitSitka on Instagram
📚 Plus, here are some of my own resources to help you plan your trip:
The Best Things to Do in Sitka
Where to Eat in Sitka
Where to Stay in Sitka
🤑 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

Planning to visit Denali National Park in 2026? This is my favorite national park, and there are some exciting and important updates to know this year.
Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Amber, Public Affairs Officer in Denali, 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 Denali:
Denali NPS (official site)
Denali on Facebook
@DenaliNPS on Instagram
Email contact: DENA_info@nps.gov
📚 Plus, here are some of my own resources to help you plan your trip:
The Best Things to Do in Denali
Denali National Park Itinerary
Denali Bus Tours, Explained
Where to Eat in Denali
Where to Stay in Denali
🤑 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

Planning to visit Homer, Alaska, in 2026? This is one of many Alaskans' favorite places to visit in-state, and you're about to see why!
Join me as I sit down (virtually) with Silas, Marketing Director at Visit Homer, 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:
Visit Homer (official site)
Visit Homer on Facebook
@VisitHomer on Instagram
📚 Plus, here are some of my own resources to help you plan your trip:
The Best Things to Do in Homer
Where to Eat in Homer
Where to Stay in Homer
🤑 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

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 Wrangell:
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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