Experience the scenic beauty along the Pacific Northwest on this exhilarating vacation featuring Seattle, Portland, and an Alaska cruise. In Seattle, enjoy some of the must-see attractions, including the Space Needle, offering panoramic views of the city, and Pike Place Market, where’ll you have a behind-the-scenes walking tour. In Portland, enjoy a tasting tour to learn how it became one of the top dining cities and participate in a tasting at a local winery.In between Seattle and Portland, amazing scenery awaits you. Take an excursion to Washington’s picturesque San Juan Islands for a whale-watching cruise. The San Juans are home to three resident pools of Orca whales and other wildlife, including sea lions, bald eagles, and more. Enjoy Olympic National Park, a land of beauty and contrast with stunning mountain vistas, ancient forests, rugged beaches, and fascinating rainforest. Even more natural beauty sits along the Oregon Coast, which offers you a chance to see spectacular stretches of scenery with dramatic views of the coastline and quaint seaside towns.Your journey concludes with an Alaskan cruise. Marvel at glaciers and witness the amazing spectacle of thunder and spray as tremendous slabs of ice break off and “calve” into the sea. Visit Alaska’s capital, Juneau; the charming port of Sitka; and the totems in Ketchikan. The excitement and vibrancy of big cities combined with the serenity found in nature and small coastal communities—this vacation has it all!
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Seattle. Welcome to Seattle! At 6 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming Pacific Northwest adventure.
Day #2 Seattle. Start the morning with a sightseeing tour of this eclectic city. Highlights include the waterfront, Pioneer Square, and more. Then, enjoy a behind-the-scenes [LF] WALKING TOUR of the 103-year-old Pike Place Market. Meet lively characters and hear their memorable stories. See fish fly, cheese being made, and the original Starbucks store. Then, travel to the SPACE NEEDLE for panoramic views below, and visit the CHIHULY GARDEN & GLASS to see a wide range of incredible creations by this world-renowned artist. The remainder of the day is yours to explore more of this vibrant city. (B)
Day #3 Seattle. Excursion to San Juan Islands. Today, explore the picturesque San Juan Islands on a whale-watching CRUISE. The San Juans are home to three resident pods of Orca whales, along with a diverse community of other wildlife. See harbor seals, sea lions, harbor porpoises, bald eagles, and many types of sea birds. Make sure to have your camera ready as you travel through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Return to Seattle, where the evening is at leisure. (B,L)
Day #4 Seattle–Olympic National Park. This morning we travel along Puget Sound to the Olympic Peninsula. Arrive at OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, where you will find a land of contrast. See the Hoh Rainforest, glacier-capped peaks, and rugged beaches. With almost a million acres to choose from, Olympic National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a wonderland of scenic beauty. Overnight inside the park at beautiful Lake Quinault Lodge. (B,D)SPECIAL FEATURE: Built in 1926, Lake Quinault Lodge gives guests a taste of days gone by, and was proudly featured in “Great Lodges of the National Parks” on PBS.
Day #5 Olympic National Park–Astoria–Newport. Travel down the Olympic Peninsula and stop in Astoria, a historic town on the Columbia River. Enjoy a TROLLEY TOUR along Astoria’s waterfront and witness fishing boats unloading their daily catches, see seals and sea lions sunning themselves, and enjoy a glimpse into Astoria’s past with its charming Victorian architecture. Also visit the ASTORIA COLUMN and enjoy spectacular views of the city and Pacific Ocean below. Continue down the scenic Oregon coast to Newport for a 2-night stay. (B)
Day #6 Newport. Start your morning with an orientation tour of Newport, then explore the OREGON COAST AQUARIUM, where you’ll be immersed in the mysteries of the ocean. This world-class marine is ranked among the top 10 aquariums in the world. Discover a variety of marine life as you visit their indoor and outdoor exhibits. The remainder of the day is yours to explore on your own. You may want to stroll the boardwalk, shop for the perfect souvenir, rent a bicycle, or go beachcombing. Tonight, enjoy a traditional [LF] Newport clam bake followed by a bonfire on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy a drink or maybe a tasty childhood treat—a S’more! (B,D)
Day #7 Newport–Tillamook–Portland. Depart Newport and enjoy a drive along one of the most popular and spectacular stretches of scenery on the Oregon Coast—Three Capes Scenic Drive. Along the way, see dramatic views of the coastline, including Haystack Rock, pristine beaches, and quaint seaside communities. Stop for a WINE & CHEESE TASTING at the Blue Heron French Cheese Company. Arrive in Portland, known as the “City of Roses.” Visit WASHINGTON PARK, home of the INTERNATIONAL ROSE TEST GARDENS, followed by a city sightseeing tour. (B)
Day #8 Portland. On our morning [LF] TASTING TOUR, learn how Portland emerged as one of the top dining cities in the country and is now known for its foodie culture. During our tour we’ll visit a tea maker and bakery. Afterward, sample a bite from one of the city’s gourmet food carts. We then head out of the city to a local WINERY. Enjoy a wine tasting and lunch while witnessing spectacular views of Mount Hood. The remainder of the day is yours to explore on your own. Tonight, enjoy a festive farewell dinner hosted by your Tour Director. (B,L,D)
Day #9 Portland–Seattle (Embarkation). This morning, transfer back to Seattle, where you will board Holland America’s MS Westerdam to begin your cruise. (B,D)
Day #10 Scenic Cruising. After departing Seattle and cruising through Puget Sound , you’ll sail past Vancouver Island and the northern coast of British Columbia. Enjoy a day at sea as you pass through Queen Charlotte Sound and Hecate Strait before crossing into the Gulf of Alaska. (B,L,D)
Day #11 Juneau. Visit one of the most scenic and remote capital cities—Juneau. Accessible only by air and water, Juneau is located at the base of two towering mountains in the heart of Alaska’s Inside Passage, and is home to a rich Gold Rush history, Native culture, wildlife, and a wealth of natural wonders. Step ashore to shop for gold nuggets; visit the stately Governor’s Mansion; saunter through the swinging doors of the Red Dog Saloon, the city’s famous watering hole; or visit mighty Mendenhall Glacier, an impressive river of ice that is 12 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. (B,L,D)
Day #12 Glacier Bay National Park (Scenic Cruising). This Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site protects a unique ecosystem of plants and animals living in an ever-changing glacial landscape. Here, witness an amazing spectacle of thunder and flying spray as tremendous slabs of ice break off and “calve” into the sea—making for lasting memories. National Park rangers accompany the ship to add expert commentary to the day’s events. (B,L,D)
Day #13 Sitka. Step back in time in the charming port of Sitka, which reigned as the capital of Russian America for 100 years. Experience “life under the czars” with majestic onion-domed St. Michael’s Cathedral, the Sheldon Jackson Museum (housing prized Russian and Indian artifacts) and lively performance by the New Archangel Dancers. (B,L,D)
Day #14 Ketchikan. Experience Native Alaska firsthand. Meet the spirits of the raven, whale, and eagle as you view the largest collection of totems in the world at Saxman Totem Park or Totem Bight State Historic Park. Or, explore Creek Street, now home to contemporary art galleries and quaint boutiques. (B,L,D)
Day #15 Victoria. Spend the day in the charming and very “British" city of Victoria. Enjoy a stroll around the picturesque inner harbor, or perhaps visit the Royal BC Museum, one of the foremost cultural institutions in the world. You may want to visit magical Butchart Gardens or indulge in Afternoon Tea at the historic Fairmont Empress Hotel. (B,L,D)
Day #16 Seattle (Disembarkation). Transfer provided to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Please schedule flights after Noon. (B)