Kempf - Alaska -- see the wonders by ship or land

Only in Alaska can you glide beside majestic glaciers, forests and snow-capped mountains. This last frontier allows you to watch the breathtaking scene of wildlife beginning their first walks of life in sunny fields of forget-me-nots. What most people don't realize is there are numerous exciting ways to watch Alaska grandeur unveil.

1. Book an air and car package

This year we are offering discounted air and car packages in and out of Anchorage. These type of packages are great for the person who wants to explore Alaska on their own. Alaska is filled with cabins, beds and breakfasts, and everything in accommodations from budget inns to exotic lodges. Often these air and car bundled-type of packages give you discounted bulk air rates combined with a car, and they're often lower than if you had purchased your air and car direct.

2. Rent an RV and cruise combo

We've discovered a new and exciting product for 2004. These cruise and RV combined tours give the best of both worlds. This exciting land and sea vacation includes a three- or four-night Alaskan cruise with your pre-planned Alaskan itinerary in RV Never driven a motorhome before? No problem! Most of our clients are first-time drivers, and it's as easy as driving a car. An RV Alaskan trip means no daily packing and unpacking, freedom to stop when you want to stop, even your campsite is reserved in advance. This type of vacation allows you to see Alaska up close and personal. Tours are from 12 days to 28 days and pricing begins around $1,949 per person.

3. Take an historic sternwheeler cruise

There are many types of Alaska cruise experiences -- the grandeur of a large exotic sea vessel or the intimate environment of small ship cruising. We just received a new shipment of free brochures outlining the history of the sternwheeler and the role it played in the history of Alaska. It also outlines the newest sternwheeler in America -- the Empress of the North -- and her ability to visit many Alaskan towns that are quaint and isolated. We are offering to ship the brochures free of cost while supplies last.

4. Luxury cruises

From May until August the inside passage is filled with numerous luxury cruises such as Holland America, Princess, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and of course other options on Norwegian and Carnival Cruise Lines. With so many choices how do you pick the right one? Of course, a highly trained agent can easily maneuver the data and select the ship and date that gives you the best value. But here are some basic things to consider:

1. Sailing in and out of Seattle or Vancouver round-trip normally will give you the lower rate. These itineraries go about half-way up the inside passage and return to the same port of embarkation. The advantage is pricing. The disadvantage is you're unable do a land-based trip in Anchorage, Denali and Fairbanks.

2. Lower pricing is normally during off the off-season months of May, early June and late August. You need to ask yourself if pricing is more important to you or going when the weather and wildlife are at the best. Remember, most of the Alaskan culture and wildlife revolves around the salmon run, so July is the month most guests travel.

3. My favorite thing to do after the cruise, if time allows, is one or two nights in Anchorage for an exciting tour. Take the rail ride up to Talkeetna, which takes about eight hours in a domed rail car. Visit Denali and Mount McKinley and a wildlife tour and a salmon bake. Last but not least pan for gold in Fairbanks.

Life is short and we are never guaranteed tomorrow, so if your heart longs to get a snapshot of a grizzly on open tundra or applaud a whale pod cavorting in icy blue waters, come see the fairy tale castle of an Ice Age glacier in Alaska.

Carolyn Kempf is president of Elite Travel Inc. in Cape Girardeau. ( 334-1234 or www.elitetravelinc.com)