ALASKA E YUKON

Gateway to the wild nature of Alaska, Anchorage rises between the waters of Cook Inlet and the snow-capped peaks of the Chugach Mountains, framed by a unique northern light. Though it is the state's largest city, it retains a frontier feel: from downtown you may spot moose crossing the streets and, on clear days, glimpse the profile of Denali, the highest peak in North America, on the horizon. Walking the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail leads between ocean and forest, while the museum devoted to native cultures tells the ancestral soul of this land. From here, excursions set out toward glaciers, fjords and boundless parks, with sightings of bears, whales and northern lights. Anchorage is the ideal starting point for Arctic adventure.

The journey from Anchorage to Denali National Park follows the scenic Parks Highway (Alaska Route 3) and covers approximately 240 miles (about 380 km). Travel time is usually 4 to 5 hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions. The road is fully paved and well maintained, offering classic Alaskan landscapes such as vast boreal forests, river valleys, open tundra, and mountain ranges. Along the way, you pass small towns including Wasilla, Willow, and Cantwell, and on clear days you may catch your first glimpse of Mount Denali, North America’s highest peak. There are several scenic viewpoints and frequent opportunities to spot wildlife, particularly moose, especially in the early morning or evening hours. This route is considered one of Alaska’s most beautiful drives and is an integral part of the overall travel experience rather than just a transfer. Denali immediately conjures the image of Alaska's wilderness, dominated by the mountain of the same name which, at 6,190 metres, is the highest peak in North America. Denali National Park and Preserve protects a vast expanse of tundra, forests, glacial rivers and mountain ranges, home to grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves and Dall sheep. A single road runs through the heart of the park, and shuttle buses allow visitors to venture deep into the landscape, spotting wildlife in its natural habitat. Adventure seekers can enjoy hiking, scenic flights over the glaciers, white-water rafting and guided excursions, while on clear northern nights it is sometimes possible to admire the northern lights. An unmissable stop on any journey through the Far North, Denali offers an authentic and majestic encounter with untamed nature.

Fairbanks lies in the heart of interior Alaska, along the banks of the Chena River, the gateway to America's Far North and the Arctic wilderness. Capital of the Interior, it owes its fame above all to the sky: on long winter nights it is one of the world's best places to watch the northern lights, while in summer the midnight sun brings endless days. The town still carries the spirit of the gold rush that founded it in the early twentieth century, recounted at Pioneer Park and at the University of Alaska's Museum of the North, with its collections of Native art and natural history. From here roads lead to Denali National Park and to Chena Hot Springs, where you can soak in warm waters beneath the green glow of the sky. Between dog-sledding, landscapes of taiga and tundra and frontier hospitality, Fairbanks is the perfect base for those seeking Arctic adventure in any season.

Tok is a small frontier community in eastern Alaska, an important road crossroads where the Alaska Highway meets the road coming up from Canada, the first stop for many travellers entering the state overland. Surrounded by endless boreal forests and mountains, it is nicknamed 'the dog mushing capital' for its strong tradition of sled-dog racing. The area offers northern-lights viewing in winter and access to vast wilderness areas. An essential stopping point along the great roads of the North, between forests, starry skies and a frontier spirit, Tok welcomes those travelling in the most remote Alaska.

The journey from Tok to Dawson City, along the Top of the World Highway, is an epic trip immersed in the beauty of the Far North. The road winds along panoramic ridges, offering spectacular views over golden hills, endless tundra and vast skies. Crossing the highest border pass in North America at Poker Creek, you breathe in the adventure and tranquillity of unspoilt nature. This route leads to Dawson City, a fascinating historic Klondike town, providing a unique experience between breathtaking scenery and frontier charm. The Top of the World Highway is generally open seasonally, from late May until early October, depending on weather conditions. Since the route crosses remote regions and the border pass at Poker Creek (between Canada and the United States), its opening is closely tied to the summer season and the climate. It is always advisable to check road conditions and border opening hours before setting off, especially at the beginning or end of the season. Dawson City is a historic town in the Yukon, in Canada's great north, the legendary centre of the Klondike Gold Rush which at the end of the nineteenth century drew tens of thousands of prospectors. Splendidly preserved, it retains the authentic atmosphere of the pioneer era, with its unpaved streets, wooden sidewalks, saloons and brightly coloured historic buildings that make it seem frozen in time. You can visit the gold claims, try your hand at panning for gold in the creeks and discover the history through museums and historic sites. Surrounded by wild and endless nature, it is also a starting point towards the great spaces of the Yukon and the famous Dempster Highway towards the Arctic. Between gold-rush history, frontier charm and grandiose nature, Dawson City is a unique and fascinating stop in the heart of Canada's north.

Whitehorse is the capital of the Yukon, a lively city in Canada's great north set along the banks of the legendary Yukon River, in a territory of wild and endless nature. Though the main urban centre of the region, it retains a frontier spirit linked to the era of the Klondike Gold Rush, felt in its museums and historic riverboats. Surrounded by mountains, forests and rivers, it is the ideal base for exploring the great spaces of the Yukon and for authentic northern experiences: dog-sledding excursions, canoeing, and above all watching the northern lights, which on clear winter nights light up the skies with spectacular colours. Wildlife and pristine landscapes complete the appeal. Between pioneer history, grandiose nature and aurora borealis, Whitehorse is the gateway to the wonders of Canada's great north.

Skagway gathers in a fjord of south-eastern Alaska, a picturesque town that keeps intact the charm of the Klondike gold rush. Historic Broadway lines up period wooden buildings, saloons and shops, while the spectacular White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad climbs among mountains and waterfalls toward the Canadian border. A beloved cruise stop, it is immersed in grand nature. Skagway is the ideal destination for those seeking Klondike history, scenic railways and the wild fjords of Alaska.

Haines Junction is a small village in the Yukon, in Canada's great north, considered the gateway to the majestic Kluane National Park, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This extraordinary park holds some of Canada's highest mountains, including Mount Logan, the country's highest peak, and the largest non-polar ice field in the world. The village is the ideal base for exploring this grandiose and wild nature, through hiking, scenic flights over the glaciers, rafting and wildlife viewing, from bears to Dall sheep. The landscapes of snow-capped mountains, endless glaciers and turquoise lakes are of rare beauty. Surrounded by imposing, pristine nature, Haines Junction is a fascinating stop for those seeking adventure and great spaces in the wild heart of the Yukon.

Palmer rises in the fertile Matanuska Valley of south-central Alaska, at the foot of the imposing Chugach Mountains, a city with a unique agricultural history born in the 1930s from a colony of farmers who came from the Midwest. Thanks to the long summer days, giant vegetables grow here, displayed at the famous Alaska State Fair. Nearby rises the majestic Matanuska Glacier, accessible for ice hikes. Surrounded by mountains and cultivated fields, Palmer offers a rural and surprising face of Alaska. Between glaciers, farms and grand vistas, it is a pleasant stop in the Far North.

Seward looks out over the deep waters of Resurrection Bay, set among the snow-capped mountains of the Kenai Peninsula in southern Alaska. This port town is famous as the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, where tidewater glaciers, dramatic fjords and the vast Harding Icefield form one of the most spectacular landscapes in the state. Wildlife cruises depart from the harbour, offering the chance to spot whales, sea lions, otters and colonies of puffins, while the Alaska SeaLife Center brings the region's marine life up close. Hikers can walk to Exit Glacier, one of the few glaciers reachable directly on foot. Between excursions, fishing and the authentic atmosphere of the Far North, Seward is an unforgettable stop for travellers exploring Alaska.