Great Pacific Northwest

Day 1: Arrive Portland

Portland is in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, a bioregion very distinct from the rest of the American West. It has the world’s largest “cold jungle” temperate rain forest, along side other wild landscapes, punctuated by Victorian villages and small seaport towns. You’ll find the arts, nightlife and fashion thriving in The Pearl District, the cultural heart of downtown.
Standard: BW Inn at the Meadows
Deluxe: Portland’s White House B&B/A Select Registry Property

Day 2: Explore Portland

You can visit Asia without crossing the Pacific Ocean at the Classic Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden and enjoy the International Rose Test Garden. Pittock Mansion was built by the local lumber baron, the Oregon Museum of History and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry tell the rest of the story. There are many great restaurants around Pioneer Courthouse Square. Musical performances, art shows, theatre and cultural highlights are a daily event.

Day 3: Portland to Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument to Mt. Rainier National Park

Travelling north from Portland, a scenic side trip takes you to Mount St. Helens. On Sunday, May 18, 1980, a massive avalanche of rocks and debris came crashing down on 230 square miles of forested land and changed the landscape forever. Photographs and exhibits at the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center introduce visitors to the story. If you anticipate hiking about 4,000 feet, you will need a permit to climb Mount St. Helens.
Standard: National Park Inn, In Park Lodging
Deluxe: Alexander’s Country Inn/Paradise Inn, In Park Lodging

Day 4: Mt. Rainier National Park

Magnificent Mt. Rainier, an active Cascade volcano encased in 35 square miles of snow and glacial ice, is the highest peak in Washington. Here, you can walk in the footsteps of the many explorers who climbed Mt. Rainer. Explore glaciers, discover life in the rain forest, hike part of the Wonderland Trail, experience sub-alpine ecology, watch clouds shroud the mountain, meander through old growth forests dating back over 200 years, visit rustic historic buildings, listen to glaciers crack...

Day 5: Mt. Rainier National Park to Olympia, Aberdeen and the Olympic Peninsula

About halfway in between Mt. Rainier and Aberdeen, you can visit Olympia, Washington’s State Capitol. Thirty acres of immaculately landscaped rose gardens surround the Washington State Capitol building, making this one of the most beautiful capital districts of any state. After a scenic drive between Olympia and Aberdeen, you’ll have reached the Pacific Ocean and the true gateway to the Olympic Peninsula.
Standard: Guesthouse Aberdeen
Deluxe: A Harbor View Inn

Day 6: Olympic National Park Aberdeen to Port Angeles

The spectacular Olympic Mountains, the centerpiece of the Peninsula, form a circular range in the central area of the park. The ice and snow covered slopes are a great contrast to the deep green forested areas of the lower elevations. The Quinault Rain Forest and the ever present mountains are an even greater contrast to the 57 miles of Pacific coastline that are part of the Park. Nearer the Port Angeles area, you’ll begin to discover the cultural diversity and heritage of the Native Americans who lived in the area, coexisting peacefully with fishing villages and a Victorian seaport or two. You can stroll along the shores of the 12 mile long glacially carved lake at Lake Crescent.
Standard: Port Angeles Inn
Deluxe: BW Olympic Lodge

Day 7: Port Angeles to Seattle

It is Seattle that claims the title of the undisputed capital. The city has seen gold rushes and labor strikes, business booms and busts, fires and earthquakes, only each time to bounce back even stronger. Catch the Washington State Ferry to shorten the drive to Seattle.
Standard: BW Evergreen Inn
Deluxe: Inn at the Harbor Steps/A Four Sisters Inn

Day 8: Explore Seattle

Scale the Space Needle, watch fish being pitched at Pike Place Market and explore sections of Seattle’s original downtown that were destroyed by fire in 1889 on the Seattle Underground Tour. Alki Beach, the original landing place of Seattle settlers, stretches for two miles along West Seattle. The 140,000 square foot Experience Music Project music museum is a must see, along with Seattle Center and the Science Fiction Museum. Be here when Bumbershoot, Seafair or one of the other major community events take place and prepare for a great celebration

Day 9: Seattle to North Cascades National Park to Chelan

The National Geographic calls the North Cascades Highway in Washington one of America’s grandest and most spectacular drives. The glaciers in North Cascades National Park are up close and personal and so are jagged peaks, deep valleys and cascading waterfalls. For a break, stop in Winthrop, looking like it just stepped out of a Western movie set, or Twisp, great for Western art.
Standard: BW Lakeshore Lodges and Suites
Deluxe: Chelan House

Day 10: Chelan to Yakima

Yakima, Washington, is the wine capital of Washington State. Winery hopping in the Yakima Valley can be an unforgettable journey of delight and discovery since the sun-soaked wine region is at the same latitude as the great wine-producing regions of France. The perfect climate in the region produces magnificent vineyards laden with rich grape varietals. Enjoy spending the afternoon savoring the tastes and the views.
Standard: BW Peppertree Yakima Inn
Deluxe: A Touch of Europe Inn

Day 11: Yakima to Toppenish to The Dalles/Hood River

Take time to explore Toppenish, where 65 historic murals reveal the story of the city’s heritage. From there you have the option to travel straight south to The Dalles or go to the Tri-Cities, Walla Walla and other points, east before turning south. Either way there are wineries and other places to visit along the route. A bit farther south, it will be apparent when you have reached the Columbia River Gorge, an 80-mile long geologic wonder that forms the border between Oregon and Washington. The cliffs rise as high as 4,000 feet. The canyon-like walls of the Gorge create ideal conditions for windsurfing.
Standard: BW Hood River Inn
Deluxe: Columbia Gorge Hotel/A Select Registry Property

Day 12: The Dalles to Portland

Drive the Historic Columbia River Historic and Scenic Highway. You’ll be taking the old road; the one with the most spectacular scenery, the highest waterfalls and the best views of the Gorge. 620 foot Multhnoma Falls is only one of the dozens of waterfalls that dot the roadway. In between you can have an elegant lunch at a National Historic Landmark resort at the edge of the Gorge, savor the wines at wineries, also with wonderful views and glimpses of Mt. Hood.
Standard: BW Inn at the Meadows
Deluxe: Portland’s White House Bed and Breakfast

Day 13: Leave Portland

Today, before leaving the dramatic natural scenery and cultural richness of the Great Pacific Northwest, spend one more day exploring the best of Portland. Take one more glimpse of Mt. Hood as you lift off for home.

Includes: Best Western or equivalent accommodations. Alternative accommodation can be booked as an upgrade. All accommodation, hotel taxes, breakfast each morning (applies to Best Western properties only), paid hotel parking, complete Personal Travel Portfolio with story, detailed driving directions, customized maps and detailed information about all activities and attractions, 24/7 assistance. All prices are based on twin share (excluding flights). All of our self-drive tours can be made shorter, or in many cases, longer. Please feel free to call through if there are any alterations to the itinerary that you would like to make.