Travel in city Fairbanks

When it comes to trends, expedition cruises are the gift that keeps on giving. New Zealand’s fascinating wildlife and ecosystem, the US’s plethora of iconic national parks, and Madagascar’s paradisical diving and hiking sites — these are just some of the exhilarating expedition cruises new for 2024 and beyond. We whittle down nine of our favourites.

Embark on a journey through Alaska's pristine wilderness aboard a cruise ship, where you can experience the awe-inspiring nature of the last American frontier in comfort.

In a landscape sparsely populated with people but covered in spruce forests, taiga, tundra and lakes, a singular physical force reigns supreme – the 20,310ft imposing elevation of Denali, the mountain that dominates its eponymous national park in Alaska.

Traveling aboard an Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) – the ferry network that connects Alaska's coastal communities – offers the same views as the cruise ships, but without the fluff.

This article originally appeared in the March issue of AGENTatHOME magazine.  Subscribe here to receive your free copy each month.

Alaska is bigger, colder and more remote than any other state in the US. 

United Airlines is bringing more adventure to travelers, with an additional 100+ flights being added to the summer flight schedule. Flyers can visit more destinations across the United States and Canada, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy a picturesque outdoor adventure.

In January, Alaska celebrated its 65th anniversary of becoming the 49th state. Such a milestone sets the stage for high expectations, and with good reason: Following a record-setting tourism season in 2023 led by more than 1.6 million cruise visitors, predictions are for another banner year in 2024, according to the Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA).

This year’s hotspots are looking a whole lot cooler with the rise of Northern Lights tourism, spurred by reports that the astronomical phenomenon will be extraordinarily visible in 2024. According to a survey commissioned by Expedia®, nearly half (42%) of Americans will prioritize aurora chasing in the year ahead over other bucket list experiences. Traveling to see the Northern Lights is more in-demand than a visit to Egypt’s pyramids (36%) or a walk along the Great Wall of China (33%). Expedia searches are skyrocketing for winter trips to Northern Lights “capitals” like Lapland in Finland (+370%), Canada’s Churchill (110%) and Alta in Norway (+100%). To help travelers plan, Expedia has released a Northern Lights Insider Guide packed with insights on trending destinations, booking hacks, photography tips and ideal itineraries.

United Airlines is betting that your summer plans might include a visit to Alaska or Canada.

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The northern lights, or the aurora borealis, are beautiful dancing waves of light that have captivated people for millennia. The northern lights are poised to grace the skies with resplendent displays (the best in two decades) courtesy of the sun's upcoming "solar maximum" phase peaking between January and October 2024. From cozy cabins with panoramic vistas to remote lodges offering front-row seats to the ethereal dance, Airbnb gathered a selection of listings in prime viewing spots in north polar Alaska, Iceland and Scandinavia – all among the most wishlisted Airbnbs in the Arctic Category.

Winter may not be everyone’s favorite season, but with fewer crowds and serene landscapes, it could be one of the best times to travel. The key, besides the right winter wardrobe? Diving into adventures from coast to coast. Here are a few hot spots for embracing the cold.

For many, the charm of slow travel is more appealing than the convenience of flights. The experience of interacting with fellow travelers and soaking in the surreal sights of snow-dusted mountaintops, glacial lakes, paddy fields, and imposing viaducts remains unmatched. From catching the northern lights from the comfort of your carriage to watching zebras trotting through green pastures, these train journeys are for those who wish to savor the world while crossing items off their bucket lists.

By traditional measures, Alaska Airlines is a carrier of decidedly modest size, even after its acquisition of Virgin America. Its own flight network is small, compared to those of American, Delta, and United. And it’s not a member of one of the three global airline alliances.

Train travel in the United States may not be as common or practical as in other parts of the world, but that does not mean it’s nonexistent — far from it. There are high-speed trains operating on the coast of Florida; there are Amtrak trains that will take you through some of the nation’s most beautiful national parks; there is a train in Colorado that runs at the bottom of a 1,200-foot-deep gorge and one that goes through California’s most celebrated wine region; and there are trains in Alaska that will take you for the ride of a lifetime through the most spectacular scenery — in glass-ceiling cars, no less!