Valerie & Valise
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  • About
    • Contact
    • Press & Writing
    • Work with Us
    • For Bloggers
  • Alaska
    • Glossary
  • Other West-inations
    • California
    • Great Basin
    • Hawaii
    • Mountain West
    • Pacific Northwest
    • Southwest
    • Escaping Cleveland
  • The V&V Shop
    • Cart

The Best of the West

My name is Valerie; my husband and I have called the American West home for many years.
Let me be your guide to Alaska, the American West, and beyond.

Want to learn more about me?
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  • Alaska in February Hero
    Destination Guides

    Alaska in February: A Complete Guide to Visiting in Winter

    November 14, 2022 / No Comments

    Have you ever been in temperatures so cold that your eyelashes have formed ice crystals? Or stepped outside and had your breath catch in your chest as the icy air hits your lungs? These might not sound like pleasant experiences, but they’re unique and memorable – and ones that are easy to experience if you decide to visit Alaska in February...

    Read More
  • Cruise Tips,  Destination Guides

    The 9 Best Sitka Shore Excursions for Your Alaska Cruise in 2023

    November 11, 2022 / 5 Comments

    Located on the Pacific coast of the Inside Passage, Sitka is a bit off the main cruise routes through Southeast Alaska. While many companies do offer itineraries with a port stop in Sitka, plenty more itineraries stick to the calm waterways further inland and make other port stops like Juneau, Skagway, and Icy Strait Point. If you're on this post, you may have stops in those ports of call too – but you also want to know what to do during your time in Sitka, and which Sitka shore excursions are the best...

    Read More
  • Unbound Merino Hero
    Packing Lists for Travel,  Reviews

    Unbound Merino Review: Your New Essential Travel Layers?

    November 10, 2022 / 2 Comments

    Over the years, I've gotten worse at packing. When I first started this site, the whole premise was packing light and using a valise (a weekend bag) to explore the world – hence the name of "Valerie & Valise." I was young (and dumb), with a strong back and loads of energy; now I'm a bit more mature, with back pain and a rolling carry-on, like so many others...

    Read More
  • 7 Days in Alaska Hero
    Destination Guides,  Itineraries

    7 Days in Alaska: Two Alaska Week Itineraries for 2023

    November 9, 2022 / 40 Comments

    The absolute silence of Denali National Park. The misty spray of a waterfall running over the cliffs of Kenai Fjords. The unusual flavors of reindeer sausage topped with pineapple salsa. Alaska is a place full of experiences that you may have never had before – which is likely why you're planning a visit in 2023. It's time to have that bucket list experience...

    Read More
  • 3 Days in Moab Hero
    Itineraries

    3 Days in Moab: 20 Things to Do for an Adventurous Weekend

    November 8, 2022 / 10 Comments

    When I first started this blog, I was a city-hopping culture vulture: I loved exploring new cities, discovering museums, history, and art, and reporting back on the best ways to visit in a short time (or monetary) budget. Over the years though, I've begun to enjoy outdoor and adventure travel too...

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  • Denali National Park Worth It Hero
    Destination Guides

    Is Denali National Park Worth It?
    An Alaskan Perspective

    November 7, 2022 / No Comments

    There are few places in our world where we can escape the evidence of humans who have come before and the crowds we tend to create while traveling. Alaska is one of those places, and there are many destinations in Alaska where you can discover that feeling – perhaps for the first time in your life. Denali National Park is one such place, but I often receive questions asking some variation of is Denali National Park worth it?...

    Read More
  • Icy Strait Point Excursions Hero
    Cruise Tips,  Destination Guides

    The 9 Best Icy Strait Point Excursions for Your Alaska Cruise in 2023

    November 4, 2022 / 11 Comments

    You've finally decided: 2023 is the year to take the Alaska cruise you've been dreaming of – whether it's been a few years or a lifetime of waiting. One of the most exciting prospects when booking an Alaska cruise is choosing your Alaska cruise excursions in each port. These ports are where you can experience the real Alaska – if you know which excursions to choose, that is...

    Read More
  • California Bucket List Hero
    Destination Guides

    California Bucket List: 31 Essential Golden State Experiences

    November 3, 2022 / No Comments

    I'll admit it: I never thought I would consider myself a "Californian." In fact, I still don't – even after living here for almost four years! I moved to California back in 2017 for a job, and just never left. Like many others, I was drawn here chasing my fortunes, and discovered I like so much about California that I may never leave...

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  • 5 Days in Alaska Hero
    Itineraries

    5 Days in Alaska: 2 Itineraries for a Short Trip in 2023

    November 2, 2022 / 42 Comments

    To me, Alaska is chilly mornings with a bite of snow in the air, even in the summer months. It's the smell of birch and spruce trees growing like mad during the long days of the Midnight Sun. If you're planning a 5 day Alaska itinerary for an upcoming trip, you've come to a great place...

    Read More
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Hi! I’m Valerie! 👋🏻


 
I travel with my trusty valise and my husband, Mr. V.

I started this site to share my travel stories and inspiration to help you complete bucket list trips. I’m also a not-so-secret space nerd and speak fluent emoji! ✌🏻
 
Want to know more?
Start here.

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Acknowledgement of Land

Through my site I promote travel to lands, including Alaska, Canada, and the Western U.S., which are the traditional lands of Indigenous and First Nations peoples.

With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgement, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands.

To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to explore Native Land.

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