Seattle, the perfect Alaskan getaway

Just flip the switch to get me to wax on about Seattle--the perfect Alaskan getaway.

It's all right downtown: shopping, great restaurants, great sports teams, great entertainment, great museums and fun activities. Plus -- since Seattle is the gateway for most of us to come to Alaska -- it's a natural stop when traveling around the country or around the world.

Now summer's gone here in Anchorage. Down in Seattle, there's still a little steam left in the fall -- which means there are quite a few shirt-sleeve afternoons to enjoy before the rains of winter set in.

One major improvement you'll notice when you arrive at SEA-TAC is the new light-rail that links the airport and downtown. Several years and billions of dollars in the making, the train costs a paltry $2.50 each way. That's a massive improvement over the $30 cab ride or even the $11 Airporter bus. Right now, you catch a free bus downstairs by baggage claim which takes you to the light rail station about a mile away. Later next month, the airport expects to have the on-site station complete.

It's easy to get around the downtown core area without a car. That's what I did last week. The buses in the downtown area between Pike Place Market and Pioneer Square are free. And it's a fun ride on the monorail from Westlake Center over to the Seattle Center -- where you can check out the Space Needle and the Experimental Music Project (EMP).

Between now and the end of January, Kimpton Hotels is offering Alaska residents 30 percent off their best rates. "It's our Gold Rush Special," said Brandyn Hull, Kimpton's PR representative.

Winery owners Craig and Victoria Leuthold pour guests samples of their award-winning Maryhill Wines at the Hotel Vintage Park.

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Each of Kimpton's three hotels is a unique property. The Hotel Vintage Park, at Fifth Ave. and Spring St., has a northwest wine theme. In fact, while I was there, the staff dedicated a new suite to the Maryhill Winery. The hotel partners with dozens of local Washington wineries. That means guests always are invited to nightly wine tastings in the lobby.

Even if I'm not staying at the hotel, I often beat a path to the restaurant, Tulio. Last week I had a late supper with an Arugula salad with hard-boiled egg and prosciutto. Then, I opted for the Orecchiette pasta, with spicy Italian sausage. Good thing I didn't order a "main" dish or they would have had to roll me out in my chair! Delicious.