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Hosted By: Chad Franzen
NewsChannel 7 Meteorologist & Web Director
WSAW TV
View Biography
Explore the best of Alaska with a captivating four-night cruise, a historic rail journey, Denali and Glacier Bay National Parks, and so much more. Begin the tour with a flight into Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, and explore dramatic landscapes along Turnagain Arm. Travel to Wasilla to visit the Iditarod Trail Headquarters, then arrive at Denali National Park for an intriguing tour into one of Alaska’s most unspoiled regions. Pan for gold and cruise the Chena River on a classic sternwheeler in Fairbanks before taking a scenic journey along the Alaska Highway into the Yukon Territory. Ride the historic White Pass Yukon Route Railway for breathtaking views to Skagway, Alaska where our cruise ship awaits. For the next four nights we cruise the Inside Passage in style with a day of getting up close to tidewater glaciers and wildlife in Glacier Bay National Park and a port of call in Ketchikan. All staterooms have floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking private walk-out verandahs and all meals are included aboard the ship.
You can earn a $100 Travel Show Credit good for your next trip with Holiday Vacations by simply clicking the photo to watch the online travel show! The show is about 10 minutes long and at the end, you'll have the ability to submit your contact information and receive a travel credit which can be applied to this or any Holiday Vacations tour. Get started now!
June 6th, 2023 - June 18th, 2023
Occupancy
Price Per Person
Double
$5999
Single
$7699
Final Payment Date: 03/03/2023
Day 1 : Fly to Anchorage
We begin our tour in Anchorage.
Day 2 : Alaskan Scenery
Travel along fjord-like Turnagain Arm, on one of the most beautiful stretches of highway in Alaska. Enjoy picture postcard views as we head for the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife. Enjoy a tram ride at Alyeska Resort nestled in the Chugach Mountains. Watch for eagles and moose as we return to Anchorage to enjoy time at your leisure.
Day 3 : The Iditarod Trail
A scenic morning drive takes us to Wasilla in the Matanuska Valley, an agricultural and supply center for Alaska’s remote interior. At the Iditarod Trail Headquarters, we learn about extraordinary sled dogs and the famous Anchorage-to-Nome race. Enjoy a photo stop at the Alaska Veterans Memorial, dedicated to each branch of service. En route to Denali National Park, we watch for views of Denali, the tallest mountain in North America.
Day 4 : Denali National Park & Preserve
Early this morning we join a naturalist guide for a thrilling journey into the tundra of Denali National Park & Preserve. At six million acres, it is one of the largest unspoiled regions in the world. Watch for grizzly bear, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep. Later, we cross the Alaska Range, with sweeping vistas of untouched wilderness. Upon arrival in Fairbanks, we dine at the famed Alaska Salmon Bake, a true Alaska experience.
Day 5 : Fairbanks
Today we’re introduced to Fairbanks’ history as we trace its development from the gold rush to the discovery of "Black Gold." Get a glimpse of the famed Trans-Alaska Pipeline. At Gold Dredge 8, we learn to pan for gold and keep what we find! We board the Riverboat Discovery III sternwheeler for a narrated excursion on the Chena River featuring a bush plane and sled dog demonstration alongside the boat before we go ashore to a recreated Athabascan Native camp. The evening is at our leisure in Fairbanks.
Day 6 : The Alaska Highway
Following a delicious breakfast, browse amazing collections that preserve this region’s history at the Museum of the North. Relive childhood memories at the Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska. We travel the Alaska Highway which was originally built as a military supply road during World War II and now links Alaska to Canada.
Day 7 : Yukon Territory
Today we traverse the spectacular Yukon Territory, an untouched region of astounding beauty. We enjoy views of the crystal-clear waters of Kluane Lake and stop at Kluane National Park and Reserve Visitor Center to learn more about this preserved area. We arrive in Whitehorse, the Yukon’s capital.
Day 8 : Scenic Rail & ms Koningsdam
Spectacular views of mountains, valleys and waterfalls abound during a scenic train excursion on the White Pass & Yukon Route railway. This historic route follows the path of the Klondike gold seekers. We arrive in Skagway and embark on the ms Koningsdam for our four-night cruise. The ship stays docked in Skagway into the evening allowing us to go ashore and explore this authentic 1890s gold rush boomtown.
Day 9 : Glacier Bay Cruise
Enjoy front-row seats for one of nature‘s most breathtaking sights, Glacier Bay! Our ship maneuvers easily along these pristine shores for close views of glaciers, lush forests, and mountains. A National Park Ranger provides insight into this corner of Alaska. Watch for glacial ice to calve, or break off, crashing into the sea.
Day 10 : Ketchikan
Call on Ketchikan today, the Salmon Fishing Capital of the World. This charming port is a cultural hub and has a colorful history. Browse the shops and galleries along Creek Street or schedule an optional excursion offered by Holland America.
Day 11 : The Inside Passage
Snow-capped mountains, lush forests, and hundreds of islands and coastal inlets mark our progress through an astonishing fjord-like waterway. We trace the southeastern hook of Alaska and Canada's Pacific Coast and witness firsthand how this vital ocean route still links communities today.
Day 12 : Vancouver to Seattle
Disembark in Vancouver, British Columbia and enjoy a scenic drive to Seattle, "The Emerald City." Tonight we toast our amazing journey at a Holiday Vacations Farewell Dinner.
Day 13 : Fly Home
WSAW TV Pickup Locations:
Colby/Abbotsford, WI - Hardees/Shell Truck Stop
Marshfield, WI - WisDOT Park & Ride 71-01
Merrill, WI - IncredibleBank
Minneapolis, MN - Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport
Stevens Point, WI - Target
Wausau, WI - Walmart Supercenter
Wisconsin Rapids, WI - Walmart Supercenter
Chad Franzen comes to NewsChannel 7 after living in Montana, South Dakota, Colorado, Mississippi, Arizona and Illinois. He attended South Dakota School of Mines, where he received his B.S. in Meteorology. He also played football for four years and coached one year for South Dakota Tech. He then received his M.S. Degree from Mississippi State University while teaching students in their off campus meteorology program.
Chad received his American Meteorological Society Seal of approval in 1999. In 2010, received his CBM Seal, which is a professional recognition of the quality of his weather broadcasts. He loves storm chasing, watching sports and playing sports, especially football and racquetball!
His hobbies include computers, fishing, hiking, golfing and all types of social media. Chad is a regular doing weather for NewsChannel 7 at Noon and fills-in on the various shifts for the other StormTeam 7 Meteorologists.
Join Chad and NewsChannel 7 viewers on this fabulous trip of a lifetime.
Tour days tend to be shorter in length, at a relaxed pace, and include lots of unscheduled time for leisure. Expect standing and walking for extended periods of time on flat surfaces, mostly low altitudes, and consistent temperatures.
Tour days usually move at a leisurely pace. Some days’ scheduled activities last longer than others. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on occasionally uneven terrain. You may experience changes in altitude or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a consistent pace, and may include long travel days. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on uneven surfaces. Some destinations may have changes in altitude and/or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a brisk pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on uneven surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a vigorous pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on rough surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.