Just Back from Anchorage: An Insider’s Guide for Travel Advisors

September 29, 2025
By Stephanie Werner

As part of a travel advisor network, I just returned from a whirlwind trip to Anchorage, Alaska, and I’m thrilled to share what I discovered. Anchorage is a dynamic hub that connects every imaginable Alaskan experience, from glaciers and mountains to wildlife and culture. With support from Visit Anchorage, we explored the many ways advisors can curate unforgettable itineraries for their clients using every mode of transportation.

Cruising & Glacier Adventures

Anchorage is a perfect starting or ending point for Alaska cruises. A standout partner, Phillips Cruises & Tours, offers their signature 26 Glaciers Cruise, which is simply a must. Gliding through Prince William Sound, clients can view calving glaciers, seals, sea otters, and, if lucky, humpback whales. It’s the kind of bucket-list experience that pairs seamlessly with pre- or post-cruise land tours.

By Rail & Road

The legendary Alaska Railroad connects Anchorage to Denali, Seward, and Fairbanks. It’s one of the most scenic journeys in North America, and advisors can build it into land packages for clients who prefer relaxed, panoramic travel. On land, curated tours from partners like Revel Treks & Tours help travelers get closer to nature while learning about the region’s rich culture and history.

Active Adventures: Hiking, Biking, & Skiing

Anchorage is paradise for active travelers. At Hilltop Ski Area, winter visitors can ski just minutes from downtown. In warmer months, outfitters like Lifetime Adventures offer biking, kayaking, and guided hikes that showcase Alaska’s trails and wildlife. These activities are excellent add-ons for clients seeking more active itineraries.

Helicopters & Bush Planes

For the adventurous, Alaska Helicopter Tours provides jaw-dropping experiences: landing on glaciers, flightseeing over mountain ranges, and even guided glacier hikes. Bush planes are another quintessential Alaskan mode of transport, whisking travelers into remote wilderness areas that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Wildlife & Water

Beyond glacier cruising, Anchorage offers thrilling whale watching, kayaking excursions, and wildlife encounters. Whether it’s spotting belugas along Turnagain Arm or paddling a kayak on a serene glacial lake, the options are as varied as your clients’ interests.

The Food Scene

Anchorage is also a surprising culinary destination. From wild-caught salmon to inventive craft breweries, travelers can enjoy a food scene that blends Alaska’s bounty with international flavors. Advisors can confidently recommend Anchorage as a stop not just for adventure, but for memorable dining as well.

Bringing It All Together

Anchorage is a versatile destination where every mode of transportation becomes part of the adventure, by cruise ship, train, bus, bike, foot, plane, or helicopter. With strong partners like Revel Treks & Tours, Phillips Cruises & Tours, Alaska Helicopter Tours, and guidance from Visit Anchorage, travel advisors have endless ways to craft tailored experiences for their clients.

Anchorage isn’t just a gateway; it’s a destination in its own right. For advisors looking to inspire their clients, it delivers Alaska at its best, accessible, diverse, and unforgettable.

Need help planning your trip? Click here to find a MAST Travel Advisor near you. MAST Travel advisors are here to help with all your travel plans and needs.

Stephanie Werner

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Stephanie grew up in the travel industry with both her mother and father in the business. A graduate of Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois, with a degree in Communications, Stephanie started her career in Inside Sales with Mayflower Tours. In 2014, Stephanie was hired by MAST Travel Network in an administrative position. After taking on a few different roles throughout the company in the graphic design, marketing, and communications areas, as well as spending a short time working on the convention and visitors bureau side of the industry, Stephanie has found her way back to MAST as the Director of Operations & Member Affairs. Stephanie participates in ASTA Headquarters’ Consortia Committee and Young Professionals Society, and sits as Committee Chair for the JV Program, an organization for MAST affiliated travel professionals under the age of 40. Stephanie is responsible for overseeing the Membership Department and facilitating, enhancing, and optimizing, ongoing projects. She acts as a member liaison, hearing the ongoing needs of members and suppliers and communicating and implementing tasks within the MAST staff to fulfill those needs. She is heavily involved in business development, membership recruitment, consumer awareness initiatives, developing agent training tools, providing content for communications and print collateral, and evolving MAST’s brand strategy on both the member-facing and consumer-facing side.