• The flight Brussels - Anchorage was arranged by United Airlines.
      It was the cheapest we could find that time (May 1996 : about 29000 BEF). We had two stops (Washington, Seattle) and the connections between the flights were good. A direct flight from Frankfurt to Anchorage exists, but is unaffordable and you need to get in Frankfurt as well. 
    • The period can be important for the success of the trip. We wen the first three weeks of June when the mosquitoes aren't very active yet. Also, the (mostly American) tourists arrive in the second half of June. That difference was clearly visible between the first and the last day in Anchorage. 
    • The weather is of course not predictable, but the Interior is clearly warmer has less rain than the costal regions. But we had also rain in Dawson and sunshine Prince William Sound, so... 
    • The lodging was all arranged in advance by a Belgian tour operator (Divantoura). Nobody could garantee us that we could find a room without reservation on the spot. The offer of motels and hotels was in fact higher than expected and moreover, the high season only starts around June 15th.
    • With a creditcard (we had VISA) you can pay almost everywhere.  The few places where we couldn't use a creditcard was i.e. the remote hamburger snack near Stewart Crossing (Yukon).
    • Camping was not our intention (except for the canoe trip). We were also told that reservations had to be made for a campingsite, but those we passed were not really crowded. Camping outside those sites was dissuaded (bears !!??). 
    • We found a lot of practical information in The Milepost. This yearly almanac is really worth its price.  Every little village of Alaska and Yukon is described (see also Literature & Links ).  Buy it when you arrive, so you can make the most advantage of it !
    • Eating is for Americans (and Canadians) generally an elementary necessity, nothing more.   Of course, the restaurants are good, but don't expect 'haute cuisine'.  Dining habits are different than in Europe, i.e. an empty plate is taken away even if not everyone at the table has finished.  Prices are acceptable (for European standards) if you don't ask an exotic dish.
    • Don't stay too long in Anchorage. The most important are the two Visitor Centers on 4th Avenue.  In general, it"s worth to take a look in the visitor centre when you arrive somewhere.  A chat with the person in charge can be very interesting.  
    • Talkeetna is worth the detour, just to feel the vibes of the expeditions to the Mt.Kinley that start from here. If Alice is still in the museum, say hello from us !
    • Denali National Park is of course a must, provided that you can do it on your own.  Buy a ticket for the green 'shuttle' busses that drive between the park entrance and Wonder Lake.  You can get on and off whenever you want, so you can walk a part when the weather is nice.  Leave early in the morning, when the wildlife is the most active.  Besides, time goes fast when observing the animals.  Information can be found in the Denali Visitor Center at the park entrance.  Pay a visit the day before visiting the park, so you don't waste time.  Your ticket must be bought even a couple of days before (look at the Reservations page of the Denali Summer Times or the Denali Bus Tour Information of the Denali Website Visitor Center).
    • The rental car was booked at Alamo through the travel agency in Belgium.  We choose a 'mid-size' car, which is slightly more expensive than the 'compact' level. By chance the 'midsize' was out of stock and we got a 'fullsize' : a Chevrolet Lumina (comparable to an Audi A6).  They tried to sell us some supplementary insurances, but they can't force you.
    • If you drive long distances (and in most cases you have to), than air-conditioning is not a luxery. And most cars have it anyway.
    • The highways are mostly wide, asphalted 2-lane roads where the maximum speed is 55 mph (about 85 km/h).  This is fast enough to enjoy the landscape.  We didn't try to drive faster to see what could happen ...
    • The less important roads are smaller and only hardened, so called 'gravel highways'.  Anyway, you drive slower as bumps and holes are abounded.  In dry condition these roads are very dusty, so keep the windows closed (air-conditioning will help a lot when it's warm that day).  Most car rental companies don't allow you to use these roads.  The fact is that the insurance does not cover damage incurred on those roads.  Unless the car breaks down on such a road, no one can prove that you got the damage on that road.
    • Make a habit to refuel every morning at the first gas station you find. So you won't get that annoying surprise !  The Milepost indicates most gas stations but this doesn't mean that they are open.
    • A canoe trip is really a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  We hadn't done it before, but after a one-day instruction we could start on a Class II river.  A guide is not necessary, but it takes the stress away : he takes care of the preparations, he looks for a good camping site, he knows the place and what to encounter. Meanwhile, you can enjoy nature in every aspect.
    • A canoe makes it possible to cross a relatively large area and is not as tiring as backpacking. A lot of luggage can be put away : we had a quite large gas stove, some coolboxes for food and beverages (even wine), drinking water, camping chairs, etc ...
    • Always take along drinking water, how unspoilt nature can look, water from the rivers is NOT drinkable or it is at least dissuaded to use it.  Giardia Lambdia, a parasite can cause a lot of trouble (stomachache, diarrhea, nausea, etc...) and should be treated as quick as possible.
    • If you are interested in the Goldrush then you should visit Skagway and Dawson, the starting point and the final destination of the sourdoughs from the 19th century.  Skagway is interesting if you don't arrive between a load of cruise ship tourists ...
    • Wildlife is everywhere, but patience and luck are necessary.  It implies that you need to be on the right place at the right time.  You may walk around for days in the 'bush' and never see an animal, or you can see a bear crossing the street from your car.