Highlights of the Northwest
DAY 1:Â Vancouver
Arrive Vancouver and transfer to your hotel. It’s easy to find an interesting area to stretch your legs - the city is surrounded by spectacular mountains, public green spaces and architectural marvels. For panoramas of Vancouver’s waterfront, dine at one of the many waterfront restaurants where one can watch kayakers navigating through the harbor’s blue waters.
DAY 6:Â Seattle
Begin the day at the Olympic Sculpture Park. Nearby is the Seattle Center, where one can take an elevator ride to the 520-foot-high observation deck in the Space Needle, explore EMP Museum, play in interactive exhibits at the Pacific Science Center or visit Chihuly Garden and Glass, which showcases the most comprehensive collection of Chihuly’s artwork ever assembled. After dinner at one of the city’s farm-to-table restaurants, enjoy a jazz show at The Triple Door or a symphony performance at Benaroya Hall.
Arrive Vancouver and transfer to your hotel. It’s easy to find an interesting area to stretch your legs - the city is surrounded by spectacular mountains, public green spaces and architectural marvels. For panoramas of Vancouver’s waterfront, dine at one of the many waterfront restaurants where one can watch kayakers navigating through the harbor’s blue waters.
DAY 2:Â Vancouver
This morning, visit Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and walk across the wobbly, 450 ft long, 230 ft high Capilano Suspension Bridge, a Vancouver landmark. Treetops Adventure takes one 100 feet into the mid-story of a coastal rainforest on seven suspension bridges attached to old-growth trees. Then choose to take the Cliffwalk, which follows a granite precipice along Capilano River on a labyrinth- like series of narrow cantilevered bridges. Spend the afternoon at Granville Island. Explore crafts and artisan’s shops, galleries, and restaurants housed in remodeled warehouses that still retain an old-fashioned, timeless feeling.
This morning, visit Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and walk across the wobbly, 450 ft long, 230 ft high Capilano Suspension Bridge, a Vancouver landmark. Treetops Adventure takes one 100 feet into the mid-story of a coastal rainforest on seven suspension bridges attached to old-growth trees. Then choose to take the Cliffwalk, which follows a granite precipice along Capilano River on a labyrinth- like series of narrow cantilevered bridges. Spend the afternoon at Granville Island. Explore crafts and artisan’s shops, galleries, and restaurants housed in remodeled warehouses that still retain an old-fashioned, timeless feeling.
DAY 3: Vancouver – Friday Harbor/San Juan Island (115 mi/185 km)
It’s a scenic drive heading south. Cross the border from Canada into the United States to Anacortes to board the car ferry to Friday Harbor, the hub of San Juan Island. A leisurely ride on the Washington State Ferry affords a taste of the archipelago\'s beauty. Friday Harbor is a compact, walkable village filled with art galleries, bookstores,antique shops, and boutiques. Enjoy a world-class dinner overlooking the harbor this evening.
It’s a scenic drive heading south. Cross the border from Canada into the United States to Anacortes to board the car ferry to Friday Harbor, the hub of San Juan Island. A leisurely ride on the Washington State Ferry affords a taste of the archipelago\'s beauty. Friday Harbor is a compact, walkable village filled with art galleries, bookstores,antique shops, and boutiques. Enjoy a world-class dinner overlooking the harbor this evening.
DAY 4:Â San Juan Island
Today, visit The Whale Museum, the San Juan Historical Museum, take a whale watch or a kayaking tour. Or, travel to historic Roche Harbor on the north end of the island you’ll find several waterside eateries, a marina full of beautiful yachts, and local artisans’ booths in summer.
Today, visit The Whale Museum, the San Juan Historical Museum, take a whale watch or a kayaking tour. Or, travel to historic Roche Harbor on the north end of the island you’ll find several waterside eateries, a marina full of beautiful yachts, and local artisans’ booths in summer.
DAY 5: San Juan Island – Seattle (103 mi/166 km)
Board the ferry for a return trip to Anacortes and head south to Seattle. The core of central downtown extends from the Waterfront, with Pioneer Square, Belltown, the International District and Seattle Center neighborhoods bordering it. This means that downtown includes some of the city’s key attractions. Pike Place Market, a massive open-air bazaar is a great place to begin a tour of the city. From there, one can descend the Harbor Steps to explore the waterfront and beyond.  This evening, why not take a sunset dinner cruise along Puget Sound with views of downtown Seattle.
Board the ferry for a return trip to Anacortes and head south to Seattle. The core of central downtown extends from the Waterfront, with Pioneer Square, Belltown, the International District and Seattle Center neighborhoods bordering it. This means that downtown includes some of the city’s key attractions. Pike Place Market, a massive open-air bazaar is a great place to begin a tour of the city. From there, one can descend the Harbor Steps to explore the waterfront and beyond.  This evening, why not take a sunset dinner cruise along Puget Sound with views of downtown Seattle.
DAY 6:Â Seattle
Begin the day at the Olympic Sculpture Park. Nearby is the Seattle Center, where one can take an elevator ride to the 520-foot-high observation deck in the Space Needle, explore EMP Museum, play in interactive exhibits at the Pacific Science Center or visit Chihuly Garden and Glass, which showcases the most comprehensive collection of Chihuly’s artwork ever assembled. After dinner at one of the city’s farm-to-table restaurants, enjoy a jazz show at The Triple Door or a symphony performance at Benaroya Hall.
DAY 7: Seattle – Portland (174 mi/280 km)
Depart for Portland this morning. Portland is Oregon’s largest city and a model of “green†living, both in its ecological-minded culture and in its multitude of parks. A must-visit is Washington Park. Meander through the Japanese Garden, the International Rose Test Garden, and the Hoyt Arboretum, taking in sweeping views of the city and the Cascade Range.
Depart for Portland this morning. Portland is Oregon’s largest city and a model of “green†living, both in its ecological-minded culture and in its multitude of parks. A must-visit is Washington Park. Meander through the Japanese Garden, the International Rose Test Garden, and the Hoyt Arboretum, taking in sweeping views of the city and the Cascade Range.
DAY 8:Â Portland
This morning, visit Asian and Native American artwork at the Portland Art Museum, stroll the North Park Blocks in the Pearl District, followed by a look around the Museum of Contemporary Craft and the neighborhood\'s many art galleries and independent boutiques.  Or for a more active of Portland take a bike tour.  A mostly flat 5-mile (8-km) ride will also visit several of the 40 microbreweries and brewpubs that give Portland its national reputation for beer. Take behind-the-scenes tours of the breweries, enjoy tastings and see some of the city’s hotspots.
This morning, visit Asian and Native American artwork at the Portland Art Museum, stroll the North Park Blocks in the Pearl District, followed by a look around the Museum of Contemporary Craft and the neighborhood\'s many art galleries and independent boutiques.  Or for a more active of Portland take a bike tour.  A mostly flat 5-mile (8-km) ride will also visit several of the 40 microbreweries and brewpubs that give Portland its national reputation for beer. Take behind-the-scenes tours of the breweries, enjoy tastings and see some of the city’s hotspots.
DAY 9: Portland – Florence (172 mi/277 km)
Depart for the Oregon coast this morning. Just north of Florence iape Perpetua, the highest point on the Oregon Coast. Stop at the Visitor Center for spectacular views and an observation area for whale-watching. Continue into Florence. Visit the world famous Sea Lion Caves, the only known remaining home of wild stellar sea lions on the North American mainland. Take a trek to Heceta Head Light and Keeper\'s House. It overlooks the crashing waters of Devil\'s Elbow tide pools and babbling Cape Creekar.
Depart for the Oregon coast this morning. Just north of Florence iape Perpetua, the highest point on the Oregon Coast. Stop at the Visitor Center for spectacular views and an observation area for whale-watching. Continue into Florence. Visit the world famous Sea Lion Caves, the only known remaining home of wild stellar sea lions on the North American mainland. Take a trek to Heceta Head Light and Keeper\'s House. It overlooks the crashing waters of Devil\'s Elbow tide pools and babbling Cape Creekar.
DAY 10: Florence – Ashland (203 mi/327 km)
Ashland has a unique geographic setting, nestled at the base of the convergence of the Siskiyou and Cascade mountain ranges at nearly 2,000 feet in elevation. It’s a college town and home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which operates February – November. Upon arrival, take a self-guided tour of Ashland’s beautiful historic districts and Southern Oregon University’s campus. Then take a backstage tour at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and enjoy an evening performance.
Ashland has a unique geographic setting, nestled at the base of the convergence of the Siskiyou and Cascade mountain ranges at nearly 2,000 feet in elevation. It’s a college town and home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which operates February – November. Upon arrival, take a self-guided tour of Ashland’s beautiful historic districts and Southern Oregon University’s campus. Then take a backstage tour at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and enjoy an evening performance.
DAY 11: Ashland – Napa (323 mi/518 km)
Drive through northern California’s Central Valley region, one of the most vital agricultural areas in the country to Napa County. Wine-making has been practiced in the region since the mid-19th century and today there are over 400 wineries in the area\'s valleys. There’ll be time to visit a couple of wineries before settling in to your Napa hotel.
Drive through northern California’s Central Valley region, one of the most vital agricultural areas in the country to Napa County. Wine-making has been practiced in the region since the mid-19th century and today there are over 400 wineries in the area\'s valleys. There’ll be time to visit a couple of wineries before settling in to your Napa hotel.
DAY 12:Â Wine Country
Spend the day exploring wine country today. Enjoy the region not only for wine-tasting, but also for hiking, bicycling, hot air ballooning, its historic sites, its hot spring baths, petrified forests and other natural areas, as well as the extensive culinary choices. Numerous notable chefs and restauranteurs are present in Wine Country and one can have their pick of their restaurants for dinner.
Spend the day exploring wine country today. Enjoy the region not only for wine-tasting, but also for hiking, bicycling, hot air ballooning, its historic sites, its hot spring baths, petrified forests and other natural areas, as well as the extensive culinary choices. Numerous notable chefs and restauranteurs are present in Wine Country and one can have their pick of their restaurants for dinner.
DAY 13: Napa – Muir Woods - San Francisco (65 mi/105 km)
En route to San Francisco, be sure to stop in Muir Woods and stand among the giant Sequoia trees.  Muir Woods National Monument protects 554 acres, of which 240 acres are old growth Coast Redwood forests. Then cross the Golden Gate Bridge to San Francisco.  Begin your visit at Fisherman’s Wharf. Sea lions basking in the sun, seafood stalls, steaming crab cauldrons, seafood restaurants, sourdough French bread bakeries and historic ships add to the atmosphere. The historic F-Line streetcar and two cable car lines terminate in the area and sightseeing boats and boat charters link to Alcatraz (\"The Rock\"). Angel Island and other points around San Francisco Bay.
En route to San Francisco, be sure to stop in Muir Woods and stand among the giant Sequoia trees.  Muir Woods National Monument protects 554 acres, of which 240 acres are old growth Coast Redwood forests. Then cross the Golden Gate Bridge to San Francisco.  Begin your visit at Fisherman’s Wharf. Sea lions basking in the sun, seafood stalls, steaming crab cauldrons, seafood restaurants, sourdough French bread bakeries and historic ships add to the atmosphere. The historic F-Line streetcar and two cable car lines terminate in the area and sightseeing boats and boat charters link to Alcatraz (\"The Rock\"). Angel Island and other points around San Francisco Bay.
DAY 14:Â San Francisco
There’s much from which to choose in this culturally diverse and historical city. Walking tours are a great way to see some of the city’s neighborhoods. Check out the city\'s hippie history with the Haight Ashbury Flower Power Walking Tour, follow the Barbary Coast Trail or see the murals in the Mission on the Precita Eyes Mural Arts. The architecturally inclined will enjoy the beauty of the Painted Ladies on the Victorian Home Walk, or gain access to hard-to-find rooftop gardens and some of San Francisco’s most famous buildings on the San Francisco Architecture Walking Tour.
There’s much from which to choose in this culturally diverse and historical city. Walking tours are a great way to see some of the city’s neighborhoods. Check out the city\'s hippie history with the Haight Ashbury Flower Power Walking Tour, follow the Barbary Coast Trail or see the murals in the Mission on the Precita Eyes Mural Arts. The architecturally inclined will enjoy the beauty of the Painted Ladies on the Victorian Home Walk, or gain access to hard-to-find rooftop gardens and some of San Francisco’s most famous buildings on the San Francisco Architecture Walking Tour.
DAY 15:Â San Francisco
Enjoy a leisurely morning doing some last minute souvenir shopping at Pier 39 before heading to the airport for departure.
Enjoy a leisurely morning doing some last minute souvenir shopping at Pier 39 before heading to the airport for departure.
|
Vancouver |
Fairmont Hotel |
|
Friday Harbor |
Tucker House Inn |
|
Seattle |
Edgewater |
|
Portland |
The Nines |
|
Florence |
River House Inn |
|
Ashland |
Lithia Springs |
|
Napa |
River Terrace Inn |
|
San Francisco |
Hotel Monaco |
Includes:
- Accommodation
- Taxes
- Fly Drive directions and information packet at hotel upon arrivalÂ