(c) Jody O. All rights reserved.
Experience a “taste of Alaska” on this one-of-a-kind culinary adventure only the America’s “last frontier” can provide. Learn about Alaska’s unique farming history and the giant-sized produce resulting from the many sunlit hours of summer in Alaska. Taste Alaskan birch syrup and learn how it’s made, forage for ingredients in nearby forests with the help of an expert guide, and watch your private chef as they cook up the fish you caught yourself earlier in the day. Pair these unique culinary experiences with the unmatched beauty that only Alaska can offer and you have one amazing trip any foodie would be thrilled to discover.
Land in Anchorage where you will meet your private driver/guide and travel 1.5-hours north to the remote Knik River Lodge. Enjoy this relaxing and tranquil ride as you get ready for a tasty adventure amidst unforgettable landscapes.
Overnight at the Knik River Lodge, your home for the next two nights.
In less than three generations, the historic town of Palmer has transformed itself from a remote Alaska outpost into a bustling rural town.
Journey with a local guide into the city as your guide teaches you all about the history of farming and how different culinary ingredients are grown and produced in Alaska. Experience how Alaskans lived in past generations and the challenges they faced growing food to support their Alaskan communities. You will have a unique opportunity to visit three local farms in Palmer, delight in an “Alaska-grown” meal, learn about urban farming and visit a local farm stand to get the complete picture of Alaskan farming from “field-to market-to fork”.
(c) Matt Hage. All rights reserved.
This morning, travel north through Alaska’s Matanuska Valley before arriving in the charming town of Talkeetna. The Alaskan Native Dena’ina people named this area, which loosely translated means “river of plenty” and this small distinctive community is often said to be the inspiration behind the television series “Northern Exposure”. The town is also the mecca for climbers waiting to start their climbing ascents of Denali, and is one of the best places for viewing “the Mountain”.
Tonight, enjoy the town on your own or experience one of the many excursions Talkeetna has to offer. Your driver/guide can make recommendations for you about options for activities and dining.
Overnight in Talkeetna, your home for the next three nights.
(c) Ashley Heimbigner. All rights reserved.
Enjoy breakfast at your Talkeetna hotel before traveling nearby XYZ Lakes for a uniquely Alaskan culinary experience.
Upon arrival, meet your expert wilderness guide who will let you know what to expect for the day and will give you tips for staying safe in case your encounter wildlife living in this area. Next hit the trails in search of the finest culinary ingredients on a foraging hunt in the Alaska backcountry. Depending on the season, you may discover wild greens, edible wildflowers, fiddlehead ferns, fireweed shoots, mushrooms, berries, and so much more. You’ll be able to take these back to your campsite to learn more about how to prepare, cook, and eat using camp-ready equipment and cooking materials.
Enjoy a backcountry cooking class and eat all the yummy ingredients for lunch that you gathered during the afternoon. Finally, after a delicious dessert, say goodbye to your guide and travel back to Talkeetna.
Enjoy a leisurely morning before you experience Alaska’s food and farm culture in Talkeetna. After being greeted by your local guide, you’ll depart for The Flying Squirrel Bakery for lunch. Delight in farmer and restaurateur Anita’s delicious Alaska-inspired culinary treats. Take a tour of the productive and unique homestead Birch Creek Ranch. Then visit one of the first of its kind on earth, Kahiltna Birchworks, specializing in tapping and syrup production from Alaskan birch trees. Finally go beyond the tasting room to get a behind-the-scenes look at Alaska’s second-largest brewery, Denali Brewing Co., or feast your eyes on The Grove, a local permaculture farm that grows a variety of greens and also raises animals for sustainable living.
Return to your Talkeetna hotel this evening.
Savor your last breakfast at your Talkeetna hotel before traveling south, back to Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city.
Once you have arrived, you’ll begin a tour of three of Anchorage’s breweries accompanied by a local guide. You will get a behind the scenes look at the craft beer industry and of course, try plenty of micro brew samples along the way. Visit the Midnight Sun Brewing Company, the oldest brewery in town as well as a couple of the newer breweries. Get a taste of a variety of local beers while learning about the history of Alaskan beers and the stories of the masters who brew them. Your tour includes 12 tastings and appetizers at Midnight Sun Brewing Co.
Overnight in Anchorage, your home for the next two nights.
Today, discover the best flavors of Downtown Anchorage!
Enjoy a walking tour through the downtown area with a local guide who will take you on an insider-hosted, hands-on, and fun experience on foot. Visit 5-6 downtown destinations, including Anchorage’s best gourmet tasting experiences, all while walking off the calories in the land of the midnight sun. This multiple-course gourmet food tour will include an array of delicious appetizers, an authentic Alaskan entrée, and a rich mouthwatering dessert. At each stop on your culinary tour, you will taste dishes that have been specifically chosen according to each restaurant’s unique style, highlighting the many flavors Alaska has to offer.
Tonight, arrive at the South Restaurant and Coffee House. This local establishment is known for its Alaskan-grown ingredients, its elegant surroundings, and of course, its amazing food. Here you can enjoy a private cooking or cocktail making class that will both teach you something new and be simply delicious.
(c) Jody O. All rights reserved.
This morning, travel south along beautiful Turnagain Arm, designated an “American Scenic Byway”, en route to the Kenai Peninsula. The area is home to mountain goats, brown and black bear, caribou, Dall sheep, and moose. The world-renowned Kenai River runs alongside the highway for many miles. The Sterling Highway runs along the western edge of the Kenai Peninsula and features extraordinary mountain scenery, sparkling lakes, glacier-fed streams, and beautiful coastal inlets.
You will continue south to Homer, in the midst of idyllic rolling hills overlooking spectacular Kachemak Bay. After arriving, you can enjoy the town of Homer at your leisure. Your driver/guide will give you suggestions for activities you might enjoy and dining options.
Overnight overlooking the beaches of Homer, your home for the next three nights.
(c) Matt Hage. All rights reserved.
Start your day with breakfast at your Homer hotel before meeting your captain and crew aboard the 40’ cruiseship, the Wilderness Explorer. Your captain will take you out of the harbor and head straight to a halibut fishing spot popular with the ship’s crew so that you can try to reel in the catch of the day.
After plenty of fishing, head into a scenic cove to relax, look for wildlife, and take photos while the crew sets up your spectacular afternoon meal. Dine on New York steak, marinated chicken, shrimp, fresh vegetables, and King Crab legs. The crew will also happily cook up your own catch if you wish to experience what the freshest seafood in Alaska tastes like. With a full belly, you’ll relax as you cruise back to Homer for the evening.
The next day, you’ll travel to Stillpoint Lodge by boat, located in the seaside village of Halibut Cove. Along the way, you’ll stop at a nearby beach to forage for wild ingredients to pair with a menu of local Alaskan halibut, salmon, crab, and famous Kachemak Bay oysters.
Executive Chef Beka Thoning has been leading Stillpoint Lodge’s garden and culinary program for 10-years with a focus on seasonality and sustainability. Enjoy a luncheon made by the his talented team as you dine with views of the garden, mountains, and sea.
Return to Homer for the evening and enjoy time at leisure to explore the local shops and restaurants that line the iconic ‘Spit’.
Relax this morning and take in your last views of Kachemak Bay before traveling back to Anchorage with your private driver/guide.
Along the way stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to visit some of Alaska’s most famous residents. The Conservation Center takes in injured and orphaned animals year-round and provides them with spacious enclosures and quality care. The Center maintains over 200-acres so the animals can display their “wild” natural behavior; visitors can spot brown bears, musk-ox roaming the grounds, and more. After your visit, continue to Anchorage for the evening.
Overnight in Anchorage.
A private transfer will bring you to the Anchorage International Airport in time for your departure flight. Leave Alaska with wonderful culinary-inspired memories and tasty new ideas to share with your foodie friends.
(c) Roy Neese. All rights reserved.
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