| ext">By Robin Irving & Tim Warren | | | | puffins, arctic terns and other marine birds as well. |
| Looking for just one more adventure to round | | | | For ferry schedule, lodging nature and glacier |
| out your Alaska Vacation? Prince William Sound is | | | | observation options in the Prince Williams sound |
| a great addition to an Alaska vacation package | | | | visit: |
| that will likely be the highlight of your Alaska | | | | Alaska Adventure Travel |
| Vacation. Incredible marine life, stunning mountain | | | | Cordova is a jumping off point for some incredible |
| vistas, glaciers and three port cities that offer an | | | | adventure. You will definitely want to spend a |
| array of visitor services, make this an attractive | | | | couple of days here, before moving on to the |
| add on. And the Alaska Marine Highway has new | | | | next port city. A small fishing port Cordova is |
| and improved ferry service to and from the port | | | | quaint, picturesque, and so Alaskan. There are |
| cities of Whittier, Cordova and Valdez so trip | | | | National Forest Trails with giant rainforest trees, |
| planning just became easier, faster and more | | | | road accessible glaciers, sea otters and other |
| affordable. | | | | marine life. It is a friendly town too. There are |
| Alaska is so large and so diverse that it is often | | | | outfitters like the experts at Alaska River |
| difficult to see it all in one trip. But a trip through | | | | Expeditions offering everything from river rafting |
| Prince William Sound, with a stop-over in each of | | | | and sea kayaking to glacier trekking, ice climbing |
| the three communities will allow you to | | | | and mountain biking. |
| experience much of what makes Alaska special. | | | | Choices for lodging vary from a standard hotel or |
| And with the Alaska Marine Highway it's possible | | | | motel with ocean views, to those with great |
| to make a loop so as not to repeat any part of | | | | Alaskan appeal. An old cannery is the site for a |
| your trip, always seeing something new and | | | | new adventure lodge; there are nautical inns and |
| different. | | | | wonderful B&B's. Although there are no 5 star |
| In less than an hour, you can drive south from | | | | luxury resorts, most lodging choices offer great |
| Anchorage to the port of Whittier. Whittier, an | | | | hospitality and all amenities as well as charm not |
| eclectic relic of a WWII army base is the | | | | found in large hotels. There are also several great |
| gateway city of western Prince William Sound. | | | | restaurants offering local cuisine including the |
| Numerous charter operators large and small and | | | | famed Copper River Salmon, Mexican, Italian, and |
| expedition companies leading trips into the Sound | | | | Chinese entrees. |
| can be found in Whittier. Small shops line the | | | | Cordova, Alaska - the "Little Switzerland" of |
| harbor offering food and gifts for visitors. | | | | Alaska |
| Alaska Marine Highway offers 30% off New High | | | | From Cordova, you can board the "Marine |
| Speed Ferry | | | | Highway" once again for the Port of Valdez. This |
| There is also a terminal office for the state's | | | | is the terminal city for the Alaska Pipeline. You can |
| Marine Highway system in Whittier. With its new | | | | see tankers loading and view the pipeline. It has |
| high speed ferry, the M/V Chenega it is now | | | | cruise ships that dock so there are several shops |
| possible to take a half day cruise across the | | | | that cater to visitors. Valdez is often referred to |
| Sound from Whittier to Cordova. This is called the | | | | as "little Switzerland" because of the tall mountains |
| Marine Highway because you can take your car | | | | surrounding the city. |
| (or your rental car) on board (highly | | | | You can complete your loop by driving north on |
| recommended). And during the summer of 2006, | | | | the Richardson Highway. Waterfalls, glaciers and |
| the state is offering some great specials with | | | | tall mountains surround you on your drive north |
| 30% off all sailings to and from the port of | | | | through Thompson Pass. As you drive over the |
| Cordova. The Chenega is a brand new ship | | | | mountains to the other side, you will leave the |
| offering full amenities. Once on board you'll feel like | | | | coastal influence and enter another world. The |
| you are on a luxury cruise ship with beautiful local | | | | evergreen forests give way to mixed deciduous |
| art hanging on the walls and its tasteful nautical | | | | forests with more birches and aspens, just two |
| décor. | | | | hours north of Valdez. The next bigger |
| The state ferry also has National Forest | | | | community north of Valdez is Glennallen. Here you |
| Interpreters on board to provide a wealth of | | | | will turn west onto the Glenn Highway. This |
| information on the marine and terrestrial | | | | winding highway takes you through the northern |
| environments of Prince William Sound. Besides the | | | | edge of the Chugach Mountains, eventually giving |
| fantastic scenery, you can often see humpback | | | | way to the farmland of the Mat-Su Valley. |
| and killer or orca whales, sea lions, sea otters, | | | | Picturesque farms dot the countryside before |
| seals and other marine mammals. Look for | | | | entering the more urban areas. |