Pacific Northwest Explorer

Day 1
Seattle Arrival

Depart London Heathrow – 09.35
Arrive Seattle – 11:30
Journey Time – 9 hours 35 minutes

On arrival we recommend that you DO NOT collect your car but rather take one of the metered cabs from the airport to your Seattle Hotel. We recommend this as you will be tired and will only pay high fees to park the vehicle during your 2 days in this ‘walking city’. Of course if you do prefer to collect it on arrival or would like us to arrange private transportation for you to your hotel, this can be done for an additional cost. Your unique and stylish hotel affords the perfect location to explore everything that Seattle has to offer, so get a good night sleep and be ready for tomorrow!

Overnight – Seattle

Hotel:
Hotel Andra

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Day 2
Seattle

A full day in Seattle for seeing the sights. We suggest that the first thing you do this morning is to head down to the lively ‘Pike Place Market’ where there are a huge range of restaurants and this is a great place to eat breakfast whilst either overlooking the sea or just watching the marketers set up their stalls. After breakfast, why not take a ‘Hop on, Hop off’ city tour (there is a stop just outside the Pike Place Market) – this, in our opinion, is one of the best ways to get your bearings in a new City. Stops on the tour include the downtown shopping district, Seattle Center, Waterfront and Pioneer Square. Also, whilst in Seattle, the ‘Underground Tour’ is a must! Located just off Pioneer Square, this is a leisurely, guided walking tour beneath Seattle’s sidewalks and streets. As you roam the subterranean passages that once were the main roadways and first-floor storefronts of old downtown Seattle, the guides regale you with the stories pioneers didn’t want you to hear. It’s history with a twist! Tonight you will spend a second night at your hotel in downtown Seattle.

Other options for your day in Seattle are :-

• Space Needle and Exhibition Park area
• Boat tour on Puget Sound/Elliot Bay/Union Lake
• The Museum of Flight and/or Boeing Factory
• Music Experience Museum
• Ferry tour to the San Juan Islands
• ‘Ride the Ducks’ (tour Seattle by land and water)

Overnight – Seattle

Hotel:
Hotel Andra

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Day 3
Seattle to Port Angeles
138 miles (reduced to 83 miles if you take the route including ferry)

This morning you will collect your car rental. We have arranged for you to collect it from a convenient downtown location rather than having to go back out to the airport, as is the case with many rental companies. Please ask about the additional cost for the in-car satellite navigation that will guide you along your route.

You can drive around the south end of the Sound, but just for the adventure we suggest to take the Washington State Ferry across to Bainbridge Island or Bremerton (Ferry journey is not included in prepaid costs but can be included at additional cost if required). Then travel around the Olympic Mountains and National Park to the art community of Townsend. There are also a number of small state parks you can visit along the north end of the peninsula. In the early afternoon, drive into the Olympic National Park to the Hurricane Ridge–the wind will tell you how it got the name!

Overnight – Port Angeles

Hotel:
Red Lion

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Day 4
Port Angeles to Lake Quinault
122 miles

Today you will explore along the beautiful Crescent Lake, Sol Duc Hot Springs and travel out to the Neah Bay or La Push remote regions of the Peninsula. Another suggestion is the Hoh Rain Forest before the short drive along the Pacific Coast and the overnight in the Rain Forest of Lake Quinault.

Overnight – Lake Quinault

Hotel:
Lake Quinault Lodge

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Day 5
Lake Quinault

Surround yourself with bird song and serenity. Historic Lake Quinault Lodge is nestled in the rain forest overlooking Lake Quinault, just three hours from Seattle… and 80 years apart. Enjoy some short easy walks or something a little more taxing. You can also rent boats and join interpretive tours before returning to the lodge. We would suggest you make a dinner reservation then enjoy a glass of wine from one of the local vineyards as you sit on the lawn overlooking the lake to watch the sun go down. This is a quite beautiful location that feels so detached from the rest of the world.

David Mortimer (General Manager at C.N.A) – During our visit we received an activities schedule on arrival so we could choose what we wanted to do. It included 2 hour lake tours departing 3 times a day, a rain forest van tour for 3 hours departing twice a day and a 1.6 mile guided hike of moderate difficulty. You could also rent boats from the lake shore between 8am – 8pm and the campfire on the shore at 8.30pm with chairs provided was a great touch.

Overnight – Lake Quinault

Hotel:
Lake Quinault Lodge

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Day 6
Lake Quinault to Cannon Beach
143 miles

Some of the highlights of today will include the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse and Lewis & Clark Interpretive Centre, where the famous explorers completed their journey to the Pacific 200 years ago, the World Kite Museum, the Astoria Bridge between Washington and Oregon, the Astoria Lighthouse, Fort Clatsop (Lewis & Clark winter fort), and then on to the resort community of Cannon Beach in northern Oregon. Cannon Beach has become one of the most exclusive seaside communities on the west coast and a stroll along the beach here is a must – don’t forget your camera for a snap or two of the photogenic natural landmark ‘Haystack Rock’.

Overnight – Cannon Beach

Hotel:
Surfsand Resort

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Day 7
Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach, Oregon. A 90-minute drive from Portland, Oregon, Cannon Beach is a picturesque beach community reminiscent of Cape Cod, with cedar-shingle buildings, picket fences, and quiet gravel streets. Flanked by the Pacific Ocean and the Oregon Coast Range, Cannon Beach was once a quaint artists’ community that has recently gained popularity. But who can blame the tourists? With nine miles of pleasant beaches, it’s a great place to enjoy the beautiful Oregon coast or explore tide pools and nearby trails. The shore’s stars are the dazzling sea stacks, vertical rock formations that jut out from the water just off the coast. Haystack Rock is the world’s third largest coastal monolith and stands 235 feet tall. It shadows a teeming aquatic ecosystem called a marine garden, where starfish, anemones, crabs, algae, and many other species dwell. Just inland, Ecola State Park is full of conifer forests and great spots for hiking and picnicking. Climb up Ecola Point for a breathtaking panoramic view. When you’re done soaking up the unique landscape, go shopping! Cannon Beach is filled with art galleries and unique book and craft stores. Despite all of the development, the town still retains a wonderfully rustic quality.

Overnight – Cannon Beach

Hotel:
Surfsand Resort

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Day 8
Cannon Beach to Newport
122 miles

Leave early today as the entire drive along the Oregon Coast is a National Scenic Byway. You will find State Park after State Park and are encouraged to stop at all that look interesting to you. All State Parks have free access and most will provide a short walk or hike from the parking area to the shore, but all are beautiful and worth the stop. You will also find some beautiful lighthouses with one of the most beautiful at Yaququia Head near to Newport. Along the route are several other ‘artist’ resort communities: Lincoln City, Depoe Bay.

If you left early you should arrive at Newport by lunchtime so spend the afternoon enjoying one of the many local options. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is well worth a visit and is home to 15,000 marine animals including otters, sea lions, octopuses, sharks, puffins, sea dragons and tropical fish. Newport is known as the Dungeness crab capital of the world not to mention the great fishing and clamming. There is no better place to appreciate this history than the historic bayfront. With turn-of-the-century storefronts, the scent of cooking crab and artwork depicting life on the Oregon Coast, the Bayfront offers a fascinating walking tour. The city has turned this one-mile strip into a gigantic canvas for artists. This seaboard district offers art galleries, gift shops, fresh seafood markets, chowder houses, restaurants (we recommend ‘April’s at Nye Beach’ for a delicious meal) and is home to Newport’s marine tours, whale watching and sport fishing fleet.

Overnight – Newport

Hotel:
Elizabeth Street Inn

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Day 9
Newport to Eugene
109 miles

Continue to drive along the Pacific Coast visiting Sea Lion Caves, Heceta Head Lighthouse and the Oregon Dunes. At Florence travel inland to Eugene. Nestled between the Coast and Cascade mountain ranges in the central valley Eugene has much to offer. Treat yourself to shopping the locally owned specialty stores, galleries and artisan markets.  Stimulate your mind with a visit to one of the many museums.  Relax on a scenic drive through wine country, visit estate wineries and enjoy the abundance of Pinot noirs and Pinot gris.

Satisfy your appetite with a visit to a local restaurant in the Eugene. Stimulate your taste buds with fine pastries and espresso drinks at Eugene City Bakery. Enjoy a picnic on the river with a fresh lunch from Capella Market and a locally produced wine from King Estate or a beer from Oakshire Brewery. Savour seasonal abundance with fine dining at Marche.  Treat yourself to a sweet indulgence at Sweet Life Patisserie. Whether you are seeking a lavish harvest dinner of organic produce and local meats or a quick bite from a food cart, options for a satisfying meal are plentiful in Eugene.

Overnight – Eugene

Hotel:
Best Western Greentree

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Day 10
Eugene to Crater Lake National Park
142 miles

Few places on earth command overwhelming awe from observers, but Crater Lake, certainly does. Even in a region of volcanic wonders, Crater Lake can only be described in superlatives. Stories of the deep blue lake can never prepare visitors for their first breath-taking look from the brink of this 6 mile wide caldera which was created by the eruption and collapse of Mt. Mazama almost 7,000 years ago. Even seasoned travellers gasp at the twenty-mile circle of cliffs, tinted in subtle shades and fringed with hemlock, fir, and pine: all this in a lake of indescribable blue. Take a full day to enjoy the blue gem of the Cascades, there are many well marked hiking trails, a spectacular rim drive, boat trips and a choice of interpretive to enhance your knowledge of the area.

Overnight – Crater Lake

Availability is limited at Crater Lake Lodge – so please book early to avoid disappointment. (We strongly recommend pre-booking dinner reservations at Crater Lake Lodge as the restaurant becomes extremely busy – please speak to us at time of booking).

Hotel:
Crater Lake Lodge

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Day 11
Crater Lake to Newberry National Volcanic Monument (Bend)
102 miles

Today you will depart the Crater Lake National Park and drive north for a stop at the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Seeing the volcanic formations here explains a lot about the formation of places like Crater Lake. Newberry National Volcanic National Monument includes 50,000+ acres of lakes, lava flows, and spectacular geologic features in central Oregon. The highest point within the Monument is the summit Paulina Peak (7,985 ft.), showcasing views of the Oregon Cascades and across the High Desert. The summit area of Newberry Volcano holds two sparkling alpine lakes full of trout and salmon. This afternoon we suggest a drive up to the Mt Bachelor winter resort area before your overnight in Bend.

Overnight – Bend

Hotel:
Shilo Inn

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Day 12
Newberry National Volcanic Monument (Bend) to Portland
176 miles

Travel across the Warm Springs Indian Reservation before traveling around Mt Hood, the most prominent mountain in Northern Oregon. The route will bring you to the Columbia River near Hood River, one of the top fruit growing regions for Oregon. Follow along the beautiful Columbia River Gorge with such sights as towering waterfall on the south and wind surfers on the Columbia River to the north. If you have time and/or the inclination why not call into one of the Premium Outlet Malls at Columbia Gorge or Troutdale to pick up a bargain? If not the route will bring you into Downtown Portland a truly vibrant cosmopolitan City … Your hotel is located literally “where downtown meets the river”.

Overnight – Portland

Hotel:
Hotel Rose

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Day 13
Portland

Take the day to explore the city of roses. The city of Portland, Oregon has been proclaimed as North America’s ‘Best Big City,’ according to Money magazine. One visit will explain why. Get a first-hand look at the unmatched natural beauty, a bustling local scene and sumptuous dining. All are effortlessly accessed thanks to the famous light-rail system. Portland is a very environmentally conscious city. During your time in the city be sure to visit the Rose Garden, The Japanese Gardens, The Pearl District, countless museums, jetboat excursions, Clackamas Town Center and much much more.

Overnight – Portland

Hotel:
Hotel Rose

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Day 14
Portland to Mt. Rainier National Park
180 miles

Return to Washington State as you have time today to visit the Mt St Helens National Volcanic Park and then on to the impressive Mt Rainier National Park. Paradise, famous for its glorious views and wildflower meadows, is the most popular destination for visitors to Mount Rainier National Park.

Overnight – Mt Rainier N.P.

Hotel:
Paradise Inn

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Day 15
Mt. Rainier National Park to Seattle Airport
60 miles

As you return to SeaTac Airport for your departing flight, we suggest a stop at the Glass Art Museum in Tacoma. Then you have just a short drive north to the airport to prepare for the departing flight.

Depart Seattle – 19:20
Arrive London Heathrow -12:40 (Next Day)
Journey Time – 9 hours

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Your holiday includes

• Scheduled Flights
• UK & US Airport taxes
• Accommodation – 14 nights
• Compact car rental based on Hertz – 14 day rental
• Exclusive travel documentation portfolio including personalised maps, itinerary and driver directions along with all applicable tickets and vouchers.

Additional Experiences

Our holidays are completely tailored to suit you. We would be happy to help you choose from a vast array of additional experiences that will enhance your North America holiday adventure.

These might include:

There are many more, often quite unique to your chosen destination so please do ask.