Alaska is a country that screams out to be discovered. It is a country with such wide-open, vast spaces that masses of wildlife have sought it out as their home and a country which will literally give you everything you could want from a holiday. Late deals are always worth looking into when travelling such a long distance as you can usually pick up a bargain for what will be a trip of a lifetime.

Located in the south-eastern tip of Alaska is Glacier Bay National Park, 5000sq miles of unspoilt land that is a sheer delight for any wildlife lover. Only discovered in the late 18th century, the park was declared a national monument in 1925 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park and area around it have been hardly developed and so there is a distinct lack of roads available, leaving the park accessible by air and sea. Flights into nearby Gustavus Airport arrive frequently from Anchorage which is an option, however the majority of the 400,000 visitors to Glacier Bay each year tend to come via cruise boats. Gustavus also provides a wide range of accommodation with its many inns, lodges and bed & breakfasts.

Cruises around Glacier Bay are perfect because they allow you to see the beauty of the park on every level. Everything you can imagine and would ever want is here. Snow capped mountains dominate the skyline, stretching up and reaching for the clouds. If you’re lucky enough, you may also see eagles soaring high amongst the mountains. The forests here are home to bears, mountain goats and moose. If you listen carefully, you may also here the unmistakable howl of a coyote. Deep fjords and glaciers captivate and enthral the eyes as you begin to take in the spectacular sight before you and icebergs loom ominously from the waters. Glacier Bay has nine tidewater glaciers, but the highlight and most popular is the 21-mile Margerie Glacier which stands higher than the Statue of Liberty! It is one of the very few remaining completely wild and unspoilt places on earth, and one which is constantly changing and evolving.

As well as the animals on the land, a nature cruise will also give you the unique opportunity of discovering the wildlife that lives beneath the Alaskan waters. There are lots of chartered boat trips available and many are provided by locals who can give you a guide with a personal touch. If you’re visiting during the summer months, you must take a cruise to watch the migrating humpback whales during their stay in the park. Whale watching is available throughout the year and you can spot the many varieties of whale that live here, including killer whales and minke whales, as well as other marine life such as seals and sea lions. If you do decide to go whale watching make sure you’ve packed your binoculars, as boats have to stay a fair distance from the whales for preservation.

Natalie Likness' love of travel was introduced to her from an early age due to a trip abroad before she was even born! Having close family and making friends across the world, she has continued to travel ever since.