If you're booking your vacation in the winter and making phone calls, be sure you're speaking to someone in Alaska, not someone out of the state that has never been to Alaska. Be sure to ask the people you're getting information from if they are year-round residents that know first hand what they're talking about.

Beware of misleading websites and internet fraud. If you're suspicious about a business, look for reviews about them in places such as TripAdvisor®. Negative reviews are almost always true. Positive reviews could be true but are often written by management or friends to help counteract the negative ones! If a company has repetitive negative reviews spanning over a number of years, they're more than likely accurate.

Get prices in writing so you don't get surprises later - ask if there are any additional charges applicable. Often, businesses will quote you a base price and tack other fees onto your credit card once you arrive, or even worse, once you're back home!

Beware of websites that use discount store wording such as "buy one get one free kayaking" and "deep discounted fishing charters." These outfits are great if you're looking for something "cheap" as in "poor quality." Often these businesses base their markets on the one-time Alaska traveler. In other words, there is no need to offer a quality service since most clients will never return, so they focus on quantity and herd as many people through their doors as possible. In addition, they are typically very disorganized, and the staff is over-worked and disgruntled. As a result, the high rate of turnover leaves you in the care of inexperienced fill-in staff. These businesses often advertise that they offer everything imaginable for your vacation. They invariably end up doing everything for you - but almost nothing is done well.

If you're booking a kayak trip into the wilderness, check with the operator how many other people will be in the same group - some tours have 20 or more people in the group. Make sure the group you are with has no more than six guests to one guide for safety reasons.

First and foremost, do your homework - research the web and other resources. Beware of the more commonly found printed travel guides as they do not update their listings regularly and seldom feature small, locally owned companies. Only large corporations can afford their expensive printed advertising.

Second, select the activities and destinations you most want to do and see, bearing in mind that the distances between towns and places are vast - the State of Alaska is the size of 1/3 of the lower 48, so try to avoid doing more driving than anything else. You can spend all the time you want in traffic at home, but when you're in Alaska, you should try to spend more time in the wilderness. In the summer, the long days will wear you out, especially if you have been traveling long distances just to get here! Be sure to allow enough time in your itinerary to get some rest.

Flying into Alaska and then renting a car is the best way to get around the state. It allows you to be an independent traveler and get off the beaten track. You can get to meet the locals and find the small locally owned businesses that you won't find through most booking agencies. Don't be afraid to ask the locals which are the best restaurants and which are the best tours to take - they'll have up to the minute information for you. Alaskans want to see you have a good time while you're here.

Riding to Alaska on a cruise ship and being herded around like cattle by cruise ship companies who determine what you will see and which tours you'll be allowed to take, at the same time as milking you for every penny you have, is the worst way to visit Alaska. You will never get to see the REAL Alaska this way nor will you be allowed to mingle with year round Alaskans. The only tours you'll be directed to are cruise-ship owned or those in which the price is doubled. If you have already booked a cruise, never book at tour while you're on the cruise ship - wait till you get to shore and book direct for a fraction of the price. Also, look for Alaskan owned and operated businesses.