Alaska is home to seventeen of North America’s tallest peaks (including the tallest in North America, Denali), 30,000 square miles of glaciers, 60% of the country’s total national park lands (including the largest, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park), and a total area bigger than Texas, California, and Montana – combined! With all of this greatness, it’s easy to see why planning a trip to Alaska is high on many travelers’ lists, and why it can feel a bit overwhelming. The good news is, no matter when or where you go, you are sure to have an incredible Alaska adventure. Our insider’s tips will help you get a head start on planning your next Alaska vacation.

When to Go

Your first decision is when to visit Alaska. While most visitors come to Alaska during the summer season, from June – August, every season and month offers its own unique experiences. Summer is best for the warmest temperatures, longest hours of daylight, best wildlife viewing, and the most tours, activities, cruise options, and accommodations available. However, if you’re looking to get away from the crowds and find better deals, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons in spring (April – May) and fall (September – October). Another big bonus for traveling in fall: the chance to witness Alaska’s incredible autumn colors.

Winter is the best time to visit Alaska for one of our top natural phenomena: the northern lights, or aurora borealis. This incredible colorful display is viewable from late August through April. You’ll also find an array of fun winter outdoor recreation activities like skiing, dog sledding, snowmachining, and more – plus some of the best festivals the state has to offer.

How long to go

Next, decide how long you can go. You could spend a lifetime exploring this great state, but you can plan a memorable and exciting visit even if you have just a few days. Most visitors spend seven to fourteen days in Alaska. Much of this decision depends on where you want to go and how you’re getting around.

Cruising is one of the most popular ways to visit Alaska – especially for first-time visitors – with most cruises lasting seven to ten days. Peak cruise season is June through September, but many cruise lines are extending their seasons to start as early as April and end in October. If you have the time, we recommend adding on a post-cruise land tour (typically several days by train or motorcoach) so you can experience the Inside Passage by sea and go on to explore the Southcentral and Interior regions by land.

If you only have a long weekend or a few days, we recommend using Anchorage, Fairbanks, or Juneau as your home base and taking day trips from there. These are the state’s largest cities and home to our main airport hubs. You’ll find plenty of activities and accommodations in these communities, along with countless adventures available in the surrounding areas.

For visitors staying over a week and traveling to more than one of Alaska’s five regions (which we highly recommend), our biggest piece of advice is to plan for enough travel time between destinations. If you put the state of Alaska over a map of the Lower 48 states, Alaska stretches east to west from Savannah, Georgia to Los Angeles, California, and north to south from North Dakota to the Texas panhandle. Meaning – Alaska is a big state! Traveling between some communities can take a good part of the day (or more) depending on your mode of transportation. Many communities are not along the road system or railbelt and are only accessible by plane or boat. Make sure to account for travel distances and build in extra time to stop and smell the Arctic roses along the way! In Alaska, the journey is truly part of the adventure, and you’ll have just as much fun and see some of the most beautiful sights while traveling around the state as you do in your final destinations.

You could easily spend an entire vacation in just one of the state’s five regions: Interior, Southcentral, Inside Passage, Southwest, and Arctic. However, if you want to explore more than one region, plan to stay at least a week. Don’t try to pack in too many destinations when planning your trip. We recommend picking your top destinations and planning at least 2-3 days around each spot to give you enough time to travel and enjoy the area. Make sure to visit both large and small towns to get a sense of the breadth of Alaska communities and culture – from urban centers like Anchorage to remote villages only accessible by bush plane. Learn more about our regions, communities, and national parks & public lands to start planning your route – weather you’re interested in visiting the top sights or getting off-the-beaten-track.

How to get around

In a state as big as Alaska, figuring out how to get around is just as important as deciding where to go. The main modes of transportation are boat (cruise or ferry), plane (commercial jet or bush plane), road (self-drive or bus/motorcoach), or train. We recommend mixing and matching your transportation so you can see Alaska from a few different angles. Taking a cruise? Add on a train or motorcoach land tour after you disembark. Fancy a road trip? Explore Alaska’s road system and then take your car onboard the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system to connect to 35 ports of call. Flying to Alaska? Plan your itinerary around the many exciting day-trip opportunities, like flightseeing, train trips, and day cruises.

If you like to leave the planning to the experts, consider a cruise, motorcoach tour, or package tour for exciting itineraries to some of the state’s top destinations. If you prefer to get off-the-beaten-track, road tripping, the Alaska Marine Highway System, and bush planes are the best ways to access more remote destinations. The Alaska Railroad is a great option for any visitor to Southcentral and Interior Alaska, whether you’re looking for a day trip or a multi-day adventure. The train travels from Seward to Fairbanks with stops along the way in destinations like Anchorage, Talkeetna, and Denali National Park. And don’t forget Alaska’s other scenic railroad in the Inside Passage region – the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad, which connects Skagway to Fraser, B.C.

Each mode of transportation offers its own unique vantage points and highlights different aspects of Alaska’s communities and stunning scenery. Learn more about getting to and around Alaska.

When to book

We recommend booking your Alaska vacation around four to six months in advance. If you’re booking a package tour or reserving for a bigger group, it’s best to book at least six months early to ensure availability for the itinerary you’re looking for. Book your hotels as early as possible since those tend to book up quickly, especially in the more popular destinations during summer. While it is possible to book a last-minute trip to Alaska, we highly recommend booking early to ensure your top picks for accommodations, tours, and activities – especially if you are visiting from June through August and around popular festivals and events.

Ways to Save

Consider visiting during the shoulder seasons in spring and fall for cheaper prices on flights and accommodations. Some tour companies, accommodations, and cruise lines offer early booking discounts and cheaper rates for booking early, so it pays to plan ahead and book as early as possible. Visit hotel and tour company websites to look for specials and packages and to book directly for better rates.

These tips can improve your safety and comfort in frigid temperatures.

In the dead of winter, there’s nothing worse than getting outside and realizing you’re not dressed warmly enough to handle the frigid temperatures. Not only can it be a day ruiner—making it hard to think about anything other than how cold you are—but it can be dangerous, too.

Dressing inadequately for winter weather can increase the risk of hypothermia and frostbite. So, when you want to work out in extremely cold weather (or simply build a snowman with your kids), it’s important to put extra thought into what you’re wearing and make sure you’re adequately covered from head to toe.

To make the process of getting dressed for the winter easier, we researched the best cold-weather clothing tips and tapped the CDC for expert advice. Below, find all the tips you need to get adequately bundled up during the winter and stay safe amidst below-zero temperatures.

Warm Clothing You’ll Need

Part of dressing safely for cold temperatures is being intentional in making sure that every part of your body is adequately covered and kept dry. When getting dressed in the winter, use this warm clothing checklist below as a guide.

• A hat
• A scarf or knit mask to cover the face and mouth
• Sleeves that are snug at the wrist
• Mittens (they are warmer than gloves)
• Several layers of loose-fitting clothing
• Water-resistant coat and boots

Mitten Tips

While it may be tempting to swap the mittens for an easier-to-use pair of gloves, mittens tend to be a warmer choice. According to REI, this is because fingers generate more heat when they’re not separated from each other by fabric, as they are with gloves.

Look for mittens that include down or synthetic insulation, a waterproof design, and fit your hands properly. A properly fitting mitten will have about ¼ inch of material at the end of your outstretched fingers.

Winter Hat Tips

As far as the best hat for winter weather, you can choose a style that suits you, but it’s important to consider the material to determine what option will keep you warm and dry. According to Skis.com, microfleece and wool materials are both great at retaining heat and wicking away moisture.

How to Layer Warm Clothing

When it comes to dressing warmly, it may seem that simply packing on the layers is a safe bet, but there’s a bit of science to doing it right. Here’s how the CDC says you should be layering in cold weather for optimal warmth.

Inner Layer

Wear shirt fabrics that will hold more body heat and don’t absorb moisture. Wool, silk, or polypropylene will hold more body heat than cotton.

Insulation Layer

An insulation layer will help you retain heat by trapping air close to your body. Slip on a pair of warm tights underneath jeans or pants. Natural fibers, like wool, goose down, or fleece work best. Wool socks are a great choice to keep your feet cozy and dry.

Outer Layer

The outermost layer helps protect you from wind, rain, and snow. This winter weather garment should be tightly woven and preferably water and wind resistant to reduce loss of body heat. Think wool coats, down jackets or full-length parkas.

Best Fabrics to Wear in Cold Weather

When preparing to face the cold, keep in mind the fabrics you are choosing as they play a significant role in keeping you warm and comfortable. Your fabrics should work to trap in heat, wick moisture, and block out the winter elements. These fabrics will help you stay cozy all season long even in winter’s harshest conditions.

Wool

Well-known for its excellent insulation, wool efficiently traps in heat even when damp, making it the perfect choice for base layers, socks, and sweaters.

Fleece

Fleece is good choice for your insulation layers as it’s both warm and lightweight. It’s a great option to trap in heat without feeling weighed down.

Flannel

Soft, warm, and breathable, flannel is a versatile fabric great for all types of cold weather. It’s cozy feel makes it perfect for casual winter shirts, pajamas, and even lined pants, offering maximum comfort without sacrificing warmth.

Cashmere

Luxuriously soft and lightweight, cashmere provides exceptional warmth without all the bulk, making it an ideal option for layering under your winter coat. It’s smooth, gentle feel makes it both a functional and fashionable choice for any winter occasion.

Synthetic Fabrics

Synethetic fabrics such as polyester, polypropylene and GORE-TEX are premier for wicking away moisture and keeping you dry. These fabrics are lightweight, durable, and often use as base layers and outerwear designed for active cold-weather activities.

How to Prevent Overheating

When dressing for cold weather, it’s important to find the balance between keeping warm and avoiding getting overheated. Unfortunately, excessive sweating will cause your body to lose more heat. So make sure to remove extra layers of clothing whenever you start to feel too warm.

Layer Strategically

Choose layers that will be easy to remove as your body temperature increases. Opting for zippered items allows for quick and easy adjustments.

Ventilate

Look for outerwear with ventilation features, such as underarm zippers or mesh-lined vents, as these can help regulate your body temperature without having to completely remove a layer.

Avoid Overdressing

If you’re going to be participating in high-energy activities such as shoveling or hiking, it’s best to start light and add on extra layers as needed.

Hypothermia Signs to Watch Out For

Shivering means your body is losing heat, and constant shivering is probably a sign that it’s time to go inside and warm up.
When venturing out into the cold, it’s also important to know the signs of hypothermia and frostbite. In adults, the signs of hypothermia include:

• Shivering
• Exhaustion
• Confusion
• Fumbling hands
• Memory loss
• Slurred speech
• Drowsiness

In babies, the signs are bright red, cold skin, and very low energy.

Travel has long been touted as a way to broaden horizons, challenge perspectives, and rejuvenate the spirit. It can also have a profoundly positive impact on mental health. The benefits of travel on mental well-being are undeniable.

7 ways travel benefits mental health

Research shared by the World Travel & Tourism Council shares the following 7 ways travel can positively impact mental health:

1. Gives you a break from stress

Travel serves as a powerful antidote to stress, giving one a chance to escape daily pressures and dive into new experiences. Exploring unfamiliar environments and cultures can significantly boost mood and outlook on life. By providing a mental and physical break from everyday stressors, travel allows individuals to return home feeling refreshed with new perspectives.

2. Fresh environments stimulate the brain

Engaging with different cultures and environments stimulates the brain, which in turn enhances cognitive flexibility. This increased mental agility allows for more creative thinking and problem-solving skills. Exposure to diverse perspectives and ways of life can inspire new ideas and approaches.

3. Broadened horizons give you an energy high

Contrary to the misconception that time away from work hinders productivity, travel can actually boost energy levels and work performance. The rejuvenation experienced during a trip often translates into increased motivation and efficiency upon return. This renewed vigour can, in fact, lead to improved focus and productivity in various aspects of life.

4. New perspectives encourage empathy and understanding

Travel provides unique opportunities to connect with people from different backgrounds, which builds empathy and broadens one’s worldview. These interactions can help reduce biases, increase tolerance, and develop a more nuanced understanding of global issues. The result is often a more compassionate and open-minded approach to life and relationships.

5. Getting physical outdoors connects you to nature

Many travel experiences involve increased physical activity, such as walking tours, hiking, or trying new sports. This boost in exercise, often coupled with exposure to natural environments, can have significant positive effects on mental health. Engaging with nature and scenic landscapes has been shown to increase overall well-being.

6. Overcoming travel challenges can boost self-confidence

Navigating new environments, overcoming language barriers, and solving travel-related challenges can greatly enhance your self-confidence. Accomplishing personal travel goals, whether it’s visiting a long-dreamed-of destination or trying an adventurous activity, provides a sense of achievement that can positively impact overall self-esteem.

7. Travelling with loved ones nurtures relationships

Travelling with loved ones can deepen bonds and create shared memories that last a lifetime. These experiences fullfill the human need for love and belonging, as identified in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Additionally, solo travellers often form meaningful connections with fellow travellers or locals, expanding their social network and fostering a sense of global community.

By incorporating these benefits into your lifestyle through regular travel, you can significantly contribute to your mental well-being. Whether it’s a short weekend getaway or an extended international adventure, the positive impact of travel on mental health is clear.

Yes, letting loose is the whole point, but you still want to feel good on your trip—and when you get home.

Hydrating almost exclusively on Aperol spritzes. Slothing in bed until noon. Pretending the hotel gym doesn’t exist. We go on vacation to feel relaxed, and relaxing our usual routines is part of the fun.

“What makes travel so exciting is the novelty—experiencing new cultures, seeing new places, and trying new foods,” Anthea Levi, RD, a registered dietitian based in Brooklyn, tells SELF. There’s zero reason to feel guilty if your best vacation life looks very different from the schedule you tend to follow at home, Levi says (after all, that’s kind of the whole point, right?). And to be totally clear, you shouldn’t feel pressure to “stick” to certain health habits while traveling—or anytime, for that matter.

Still, many of us do feel our best, physically and emotionally, with a little consistency, whether that means regular and filling meals for energy, getting a sweet endorphin boost from working out, or clocking enough sleep. So as much as you might be looking forward to “getting away from it all,” it’s also understandable if you’re worried that shaking up your routine might make it harder to feel as good as you do at home.

But we’re here to ease your mind with a friendly reminder: This isn’t an all-or-nothing situation. Here’s some expert advice on how to commit to a few healthy-enough habits that are easy to maintain on a trip—while still enjoying yourself, Aperol spritzes (or mocktails) and all.

1. Before you go away, reject the “be good” mindset.

If you’re concerned an upcoming vacation is going to throw off your typical food routine, it’s not uncommon to start thinking about needing to be “good” to somehow “earn” your trip, Alissa Rumsey, RD, author of Unapologetic Eating and founder of Rumsey Nutrition Consulting, tells SELF. People who have this mindset are “almost precompensating for what they think is going to happen on vacation,” Rumsey says.

This approach is entirely unhelpful for a few reasons. A big one: It assigns moral value to certain foods, a core tenant of diet culture. (PSA: No foods are “good” or “bad,” and you’re allowed to eat what you want without “saving up” for it first!) Plus, when you deprive yourself of things you really love, you’re less likely to be able to eat mindfully and pay attention to your body’s hunger cues, Rumsey explains, because restriction can make you feel out of control. So if you’ve been trying to be “good” for weeks, when you finally go away, “you can have an ‘F it’ mentality,” she says—and end up feeling unwell as a result.

To shift your mindset, Rumsey suggests focusing on eating enough, eating consistently, and eating foods you actually like in the lead-up to a trip (and all the time!). Just remember that there may (will) still be times when you choose foods that don’t make you feel great, for example, or eat past the point of fullness. “Every eating experience is different,” Rumsey says, adding that some meals might not be the most intuitive or in sync with your body’s hunger cues, and that’s okay. “But continue practicing coming back to yourself and your body and just staying connected as much as you can,” she adds.

2. Ask yourself if you have any nonnegotiables.

Everyone has different health priorities—you might feel really anxious and overwhelmed without your twice-weekly yoga class, for example. Or maybe you struggle with gas and bloating and are nervous that new foods and routines will cause your digestive system to go totally haywire.

That’s why Levi counsels clients to think about two or three health “must-dos” before a trip: If booze makes you sleep terribly, you may tell yourself you’d like to have no more than two alcoholic drinks a day. Or, if you’re always forgetting to sip water at home, you might decide to pack a reusable bottle so you don’t get dehydrated in the gorgeous Italian sun. (Setting hydration reminders on your phone can help with that too.) You could also bring snacks that you know won’t mess with your gut, or plan to stream a couple of short, no-equipment workouts in your hotel room.

“The idea is to figure out a few simple goals you know you can commit to, no matter where you are in the world,” Levi says. Just remember that it’s also not a big deal if you don’t end up doing any of these things—you’re on vacation, baby!—so give yourself permission to be flexible. (But, like, definitely drink some water.)

3. Keep a little consistency.

Routine helps maintain a steady circadian rhythm—the so-called internal “clock” that supports sleep, metabolism, and even immune system function—so things can get seriously thrown off when you travel, particularly if you’re crossing multiple time zones.

Obviously, sticking to the exact same schedule you follow at home isn’t practical or fun—it’s not really a vacation if you can’t do what you want, when you want—but preserving some consistency can help that clock stay on track, W. Christopher Winter, MD, neurologist and author of The Rested Child and The Sleep Solution, tells SELF.

To support your internal rhythm (and hopefully, bank some restorative vacay sleep as a result), Dr. Winter suggests doing a few small things to give your days some regularity, even if you can’t do them perfectly (you’re on vacation, so you probably can’t!). For example, he recommends trying to keep the timing of your meals somewhat consistent (research shows this may help regulate the circadian rhythm). And the same with your sleep: You may not go to bed at 10 p.m. on the dot every night, but even turning in within the same two-hour window each day can help keep your body running on schedule, he says.

4. Build steps into your itinerary.

If you’re someone who thrives in (or after) a sweaty workout and wants to incorporate that on vacation, it’s easier than ever to find one away from home. Beyond the hotel gym (many of which are not-so-standard these days, with luxe amenities like climbing walls and fancy lap pools), apps like Mindbody and Classpass can help you discover local Pilates classes, spin studios, and more.

But if that feels a little too structured for your vacay vibe, simply making an effort to walk as much as you can (and want to)—back and forth on the beach, on a hike, while sightseeing—is a 10/10 way to move your body and feel good. You’ve probably heard that walking has a ton of health benefits; it’s been shown to lower your risk of stroke and heart disease, for two. And because it’s also been linked to everything from improved sleep to a better mood, a higher step count might help you feel more like yourself on your trip too.

A brisk pace (say, while on a museum tour or hitting up local shops for souvenirs) might even be as beneficial for your long-term health as a run, by the way: One large study of walkers versus runners found that moderate-intensity walking and higher-intensity running may similarly reduce the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

5. Practice happy bowel habits.

Yet another reason to get moving: It can help keep you regular. Traveling and being out of your routine can really mess with your poop, Samantha Nazareth, MD, a gastroenterologist based in New York, tells SELF. In a 2017 study of more than 600 Boston-area travelers, for example, 40% reported the aptly named traveler’s diarrhea or other general (but still not fun) GI symptoms like constipation, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain on a recent trip. It’s especially common to have trouble pooping when you’re away from home, Dr. Nazareth says. (In that same study, 42% of the participants who suffered from general GI troubles said constipation was an issue for them.)

Frequent walks are one way to prevent yourself from getting too backed up. And while you should eat what’s satisfying and makes you feel good, Dr. Nazareth says incorporating more high-fiber foods (think adding blueberries to yogurt or choosing whole grain toast for breakfast) can keep things moving along in your gut.

If you already know travel constipation is something you struggle with, you can also consider packing a stool softener, just in case. Just know that some OTC laxatives can be really intense (and some may, er, have the opposite effect by giving you the runs), so talk to your doc if you’re not sure what makes sense for you. (Dr. Nazareth likes magnesium citrate, a relatively gentle saline laxative that softens your poop so it’s easier to pass.)

And very important: “Don’t resist the urge to go because it’s a new place,” Dr. Nazareth says, warning that holding in your poop, as SELF previously reported, is a really great way to become constipated. That’s because the longer stool sits in your colon, the hardier and drier it gets—and more painful to push out. We know, easier said than done when you’re waiting in line for the airport bathroom or desperately hunting down a Porta Potti, but answering nature’s calls is always the right move.

6. Keep your fluids up.

Not only is plane air super dry, thanks to those famously low humidity levels, but you may be drinking more alcohol on vacation than you would at home. Plus, it’s all too easy to forget to refill your glass or water bottle when you’re out of your regular routine, sightseeing, and generally thinking about more fun stuff than what color your pee is. All together, it’s a recipe for dehydration.

This situation can be super serious (severe symptoms like confusion, rapid breathing, and shock require a 911 call, FYI), but even a mild case can make you feel tired, dizzy, and overall not great. And not drinking enough water can also throw off your sleep, digestion, and mood.

You should aim for around 11.5 to 15.5 cups of liquid per day, according to the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. But keeping your fluids up doesn’t need to look like a massive water bottle that you sip on nonstop (although great if that’s your thing!). Along with regularly drinking plain H2O (or flavored water or seltzer), eating lots of high-water content fruits and veggies can also help you meet that daily hydration goal, Lauren Twigge, RD, a registered dietitian based in Dallas, tells SELF. (Watermelon, cucumber, pineapple, sliced peppers, and cantaloupe all fit the bill).

Another (delicious) option: Chocolate milk. “Research shows it can hydrate better than water because of its naturally occurring electrolytes, high water content, and ideal three-to-one carbohydrate-to-protein ratio,” Twigge says.

7. Pack some snacks—or full-on meals—you love for travel days.

It’s hard to stick to your usual routine in general on vacation, but doubly hard on travel days—which are long, unstructured, and can leave you feeling extra out of sorts. You can’t control a flight delay or the limited food options in your terminal, but you can plan ahead with a few pre-packaged snacks in your carry-on.

Bringing a few foods you know you like “allows you to honor your hunger when it emerges,” Rumsey says. That might include easy grab-and-gos like granola bars, beef jerky, nut butter packs, trail mix, and oatmeal, but she also points out that many people forget they’re totally allowed to bring actual meals through security. (TSA just limits liquids above 3.4 ounces; food is fine.)

So if you know airport food doesn’t always appeal to you (or you just want to save money—it’s freaking expensive!), consider packing things like grain-based salads and sandwiches, Rumsey says. That way, you’re less likely to wind up eating a meal that doesn’t sit well with you out of desperation, or turning into a hangry demon.

A final note before we send you on your way: Give yourself permission to ditch even the loosest definition of a “health routine” if it’s not serving you. As solid as the advice above is, if we do say so ourselves, you’re still away from home and that means things won’t always go as you planned. But “it’s a week or two, in the scheme of things,” Rumsey says. “You’re likely going to be in a different routine, and yeah, it might feel uncomfortable at times—but it’s not the end of the world.”