Questions for Budget Queen

[Teresa0513]

My husband and I are seriously considering Alaska for our vacation next year to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. At first a cruise was our choice; however, now we are thinking of a land based (possibly escorted) vacation. We'd like to see the glaciers but also more of the interior than the cruise offers. Would you recommend using an escorted tour company or going it own our own? If the escorted tour company is the way to go, could you recommend one? We'd like to see as much as possible, of course, without breaking our bank account. Any advice you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

[Budget Queen]

I always recommend independent. :) Just WAY superior for adjusting the travel to YOUR interests, frankly do you want to be with "group" on a fixed schedule on your anniversary??? :) Anyway- there is plenty of help on this board, extremely simple to arrange. But DO head to your library and take out Alaska Travel books, Frommer's Alaska and Fodor's Alaska are especially good. Request area visitor guides. About half my trips were interior only trips. But for a WONDERFUL touring mix, a one way cruise and an added week is just excellent. The areas are vastly different and you see a WIDE range of Alaska. My opinion only certainly. :) But do budget plenty of time. I see way too frequently - people who have grand plans and simply not enough time- a big mistake. You can do a nice interior only trip in 10 days, if you can go for 14+ then perhaps consider the cruise land option?