La Promenade Travel

08/29/2026

08/29/2026

In Denali National Park and Preserve during the summer there sled dogs are still energetic as always, if they aren't interacting with visitors then they're spending time with each other and playing! With no snow on the ground, they have to find ways to help them use up all their energy. One of the many ways they help burn energy is actually just with play time in pens. Most of the time they are grouped in pairs and are able to wrestle and play to their hearts content! This not only helps with their energy levels, but it also helps with the socialization of some of the younger dogs like Blaze who is still classified as a puppy and still figuring out how to "dog" from the older and wiser Cupcake in the last photo!

08/28/2026

The greater Juneau area has been ancestral home to the Tlingit tribe for millennia (they named the fishing village Dzantik’i Heeni, roughly translated as "where the flatfish gather").

A common question that visitors ask is how to respectfully experience the local Alaska Native culture. As a visitor to Juneau, you are asked that you promise to:

1. Respect to culture of the Áak'w Kwáan and T'aaku Kwáan Tlingit people - the first people. I am standing on their traditional grounds.
2. Understand the totem poles are sacred to the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian people. I will not touch them.
3. Remember that the neighborhoods I walk through are are home to Juneau families and that most of the shops I enter are owned and operated by locals.
4. Look for crosswalks and check for cars stepping off sidewalks.
5. Follow marked trails rather than create my own in the wilderness.
6. Protect and respect all wildlife, both on land and by sea, by keeping a safe distance.
7. Engage in safe selfies by being conscious of my surroundings.
8. Prepare for rain, as I am in a rainforest.
9. Pack out whatever I pack in.
10. Leave nature how and where I found it.
11. Enjoy Juneau's award-winning tap water by refilling my water bottle whenever possible.

08/28/2026

It’s a bit of a trek unless you catch the free shuttle from downtown but the Totem
Heritage Center in Ketchikan is totally worth it!

I’ve seen many totems but I really love how this site honors totems as they are meant to be stories told through time by the age of the totem and its state (traditionally, totems stand until they fall and are not restored).

If you’re curious about Alaska Native culture and totem poles, put this on your Ketchikan itinerary!

08/23/2026

If you’ve already cruised Alaska on one of the larger cruise lines and have been thinking about going back, Seabourn Encore is a wonderful way to experience Alaska differently.

The ship is the perfect size for this destination. With fewer guests, the experience feels more personal, and Seabourn’s Expedition Team brings another dimension to Alaska. Their knowledge of the wildlife, glaciers, geology and environment added so much to our time both onboard and ashore.

And the crew was fantastic attentive, welcoming and genuinely interested in making your time aboard memorable.

Here are a few clips from my time aboard Seabourn Encore in Alaska. 🏔️🛳️

Jeanne Blake
La Promenade Travel

08/22/2026

There’s something special about sailing away from Misty Fjords National Monument aboard Seabourn Encore.

As we left this incredible part of Alaska behind, the afternoon turned into a sail away party with Seabourn’s wonderfully talented entertainment team and a crew that always seems to know how to make a moment memorable.

Canapés and caviar were served, along with Champagne or whatever beverage you preferred, while some of Alaska’s most beautiful scenery surrounded us.

It’s one of the things I appreciate about Seabourn. The scenery may bring you to Alaska, but it’s the little touches, the attentive crew, and moments like this that become part of the experience.

And what a way to say goodbye to Misty Fjords. 🥂

08/22/2026

I’m excited to share some news from La Promenade Travel!

I’ve been invited to join Opulence by OutsideAgents, an invitation-only division created for experienced travel advisors who specialize in high-end travel.

What makes this especially meaningful to me is that membership isn’t something you simply sign up for it is extended by invitation based on experience and business within this market.

For my clients, this gives me access to an expanded network of exceptional hotels, cruise lines, destination partners, and travel experiences around the world, along with additional resources and relationships I can use when planning your travels.

I’ve always believed that great travel planning is about much more than making reservations. It’s knowing the destinations, understanding the details, having the right relationships, and creating a trip that fits you.

I’m very proud to have La Promenade Travel recognized in this way and look forward to putting these additional resources to work for my clients.

Jeanne Blake

08/21/2026

Already Booked Your Alaska Cruise or Cruisetour Directly? You May Still Be Able to Work With a Travel Advisor.

Many cruise lines allow you to transfer a reservation you booked directly to a travel advisor of your choice within 60 days of booking, as long as the reservation has not been paid in full.

You keep the cruise, sailing date, stateroom and pricing you already booked but now you have an experienced travel advisor helping you with the details.

And with Alaska, those details matter.

At La Promenade Travel, I can review the reservation you already made and help make sure it truly fits your trip.

That includes:

• Reviewing your stateroom location to make sure it is in a good area of the ship
• Checking whether your balcony is covered or uncovered, something that can make a difference in Alaska
• Reviewing your land itinerary to make sure the pacing, lodge stays and transportation fit your needs
• Helping with flights, hotels and pre- or post-cruise transportation
• Recommending excursions, including smaller-group options outside of the cruise line
• Making sure your connection times and travel logistics are realistic
• Keeping you informed about weather, wildfires, road conditions, itinerary changes and other issues that could affect your trip

I travel extensively throughout Alaska and have firsthand experience with the ships, cruisetours, lodges, ports, excursions and transportation involved in these trips.

Sometimes a reservation can look perfect when you book it online, but the stateroom location, balcony configuration or land-tour schedule may not be the best fit once you look more closely.

That is where experience comes in.

And instead of calling the cruise line and speaking with a different representative each time, you have one person who knows you, your preferences and your entire trip.

If you’re planning Alaska and would like personalized guidance beyond simply making the reservation, I’d be happy to talk with you about whether we’re a good fit to work together.

📧 [email protected]

https://calendly.com/lapromenadetravel/trip-information

Jeanne Blake

08/21/2026

🇰🇪 Traveling to Kenya? There’s an important new entry requirement you need to know about!
Kenya has introduced mandatory travel health insurance requirements for foreign visitors, so having travel insurance is no longer simply a good idea your policy will need to meet specific minimum coverage requirements.
✅ Minimum total coverage: $50,000 USD
Your policy must include at least:
🏥 $20,000 – Medical expenses
🚑 $25,000 – Emergency medical transportation/evacuation
💊 $300 – Prescription medications
🧠 $1,000 – Mental health treatment
✈️ $5,000 – Repatriation of remains
The good news? You do not necessarily need to purchase insurance from a Kenyan provider. A travel insurance policy purchased at home may qualify as long as it meets Kenya’s required coverage levels.
Travelers should be prepared to provide proof of compliant coverage as part of the Kenya eTA/entry process.
🌍 Planning a Kenya safari or East Africa adventure? This is exactly why working with a travel advisor matters. Entry requirements can change, and I’ll help make sure you know what you need before you leave home.
📩 Reach out if Kenya is on your travel wish list. I’d love to help you plan an unforgettable adventure!