Customer Reviews

Lonely Planet Alaska (5th ed)

5 star:		(4)
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Simply worded - an excellent book. If you have never read a lonely planet book, now is the time to start; using the fifth Alaska edition on our tour up north last year was the best decision my family ever made. Because of Jim Dufresne, we saw whales at Beluga Point outside of Anchorage, in addition to finding great deals on touring. If you are cruising up to Alaska (we did the same), definitely pick up a copy of this book, and use it well. It will offer you all sorts of money-saving tips and ways to escape the trap of being a cruise-ship tourist as opposed to being able to identify more with the bearded, rugged mountaineers who frequent most of the state :-)

Lonely planet guides as such have tons of valuable information -- city tours, scenic driving instructions, and restaurant recommendations. Have faith in whoever has written your guide; he or she will serve you well.

Lonely Planet guides are the best, and this is no exception. If you are planning a trip to Alaska that has nothing to do with the typical watered down, spoonfed stuff that the tour guides serve up to the geriatric set as "the Real Alaska", then you must get this book. I have used it for two trips up north; I was working in salmon canning plants and on fishing boats to pay my way around, and with this book, I had the most wonderful adventures I've ever had. Bottom Line: If you are going, get this book.

He and his wife went to Alaska in May. They said this and the other Lonely Planet book (Backpacking in Alaska) were the most useful of several Alaska books and were the ones they took with them. They were hiking and kayaking - it might be different on cruise. When they went into a bar mentioned on page 139 they showed the owner the book. She didn't know her bar was in it and was very pleased and gave them their drinks for free. I can't guarantee that will work every time. Five bars are mentioned so you might have to shop around.

Used Lonely Planet books in England and found them to be just as 'frank' and accurate about what to see and how to avoid the costly tourist traps. It places you at the same level of the 'locals', both financially and it living the experience of 'being there'.