Cuisine & Culture: Pacific Northwest

Incredible Pacific scenery and an iconic skyline set the tone for a scenic adventure through the Pacific Northwest as you arrive in Seattle. Make your way to your downtown hotel, the 100-year-old Mayflower Park, where you will meet your fellow travelers and Tour Manager. You may then begin exploring this eclectic city. Perhaps get a bird's eye view over your new surroundings on the Seattle Great Wheel or wander along the waterfront. Seattle is beloved for its seafood, so ending your day at one of the local restaurants with some freshly caught salmon or a bowl of chowder is the perfect welcome.

Overnight Seattle.

Begin your day surrounded by beauty at the Chihuly Garden and Glass, a museum dedicated to the colorful and whimsical pieces created by Dale Chihuly. The facility includes collections of his drawings and artistic installations throughout its exhibits and manicured gardens.

Following, we continue to another famed site in Seattle, Pike Place Market, for a chef-led food tour. Wander through its stalls, making nearly a dozen stops to sample some of the region's most delicious flavors. Taste things like chowder, chocolate, produce, cheese, and more as you soak in the lively environment. We are transferred to Seattle's rail station after our tour, and here, our day proceeds on the rails aboard Amtrak's Cascades southbound route to Portland, Oregon. We arrive early this evening and transfer to our hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure. Portland is an exceptionally walkable city with the water and many restaurants, shops, and attractions within reach.

Overnight Portland.

• Breakfast, Lunch

The morning is yours to breakfast and explore at your pace. Perhaps visit one of the city's immaculate green spaces, such as Washington Park or the Portland Japanese Garden, or soak in the atmosphere of "Portland's Living Room," Pioneer Courthouse Square. There are also museums, plenty of art galleries, and unique sites throughout the city, including Powell's City of Books, a well-known bookshop.

Return to our hotel for a noon departure to Ponzi Vineyards for lunch and a guided tour of its vines and cellars. A wine ambassador leads the way through the property and introduces the methodology behind making award-winning chardonnay and pinot noir. Taste flights of their wine, and enjoy a selection of food pairings that complement their flavor profiles. The day takes us further into the verdant Oregon backcountry to Middleground Farms. This hobby farm grows a variety of produce and is home to chickens and goats. You will have a chance to wander its prolific grounds before an authentic farm-to-table dinner artfully crafted from ingredients grown on the property.

Overnight Portland.

• Lunch, Dinner

Our day begins bright and early with breakfast at the hotel and then takes us into nature, traveling the Columbia Gorge to Multnomah Falls, the highest waterfall in Oregon. It features two falls: an upper, which cascades 542 feet down the rockface, and a lower, whose 69-foot falls drop into the water below. The combination is truly awe-inspiring. The scenic journey continues through gorge and the woodlands of Mt. Hood National Forest to the Mount Hood Railroad depot. Here, we join a slow and steady journey along the Hood River and through the fruit orchards of Hood River Valley. Watch the changing scenery open to views of Mt. Hood during the three-mile course. Before returning to the station, there is a layover at The Fruit Company to allow for refreshments and a chance to see the lush orchards.

Enjoy a couple hours at leisure to enjoy the amenities of the quaint Hood River region. This rural area is rich in agriculture and is home to the Hood River Fruit Loop. This 35-mile loop gives you access to nearly 30 fruit stands, orchards, breweries, vineyards, flower fields, and farms. You could also stay in town to discover its historic downtown, where antique shops, art galleries, and local restaurants line the streets.

An extraordinary alpine experience awaits as we continue this evening deep into Mount Hood National Forest to the Timberline Lodge. Since 1938, this remarkable property has provided guests with incredible panoramas of the surrounding scenery. The Timberline is situated on the shoulder of Mt. Hood at 6,000 feet above sea level and is as beautiful within as the views around it.

Overnight Mt. Hood.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our time here is highlighted by a forest ranger presentation that speaks to the park's history and the flora and fauna found here.

After plenty of time to enjoy nature, we descend the mountainside and begin the drive toward Bend, Oregon. Home to Deschutes National Forest and an incredible beer culture, Bend is a unique destination with widespread appeal. Our first stop here is Deschutes Brewery. This brewery has been producing craft beer since 1988, and we are treated to a tour and a sampling of its products in its tasting room. We are transferred to our hotel from here, and on arrival, you are free to begin exploring Bend as you please. Downtown is a charming hub for activity, with flower baskets lining the streets and plenty of storefronts and eateries to pique your interest.

Overnight Bend.

• Breakfast

The Bend region is a paradise for nature lovers and beer connoisseurs alike. Its allures span deep into the surrounding forests, along rushing rivers, and into urban havens where restaurants showcase Oregon's freshest produce. During your day at leisure, you are welcome to explore whichever side, or sides, best suit your travel goals. You may wish to venture to the Old Mill District to take to the Deschutes River Trail, a 2.75-mile paved walkway that offers alluring views of parks, the water, and historic structures, or to shop in the boutiques housed within the vintage mill buildings. Bend is known as "Beer Town U.S.A.," and one of its most unique features is the Bend Ale Trail, featuring 18 breweries that produce delicious brews in traditional and one-of-a-kind flavors. With nature so close, there are also hiking opportunities within reach. For a more adventurous day, consider adding an optional excursion, such as a Lava Tube Cave Tour, Volcano Tour, a daytime Cascade Lakes Kayak Tour or a Moon & Starlight Canoe Tour on an alpine lake in the Cascade Mountains.

Overnight Bend.

• Breakfast

Over half of the state of Oregon is covered in dense forests, some of which are yours to admire as we transfer from Bend to Eugene today. Our picturesque course takes us through protected national forests, where mountains peek out over the canopy and hidden lakes reveal themselves at unsuspecting moments. Eventually, suburbs and urban vistas come into view, and we arrive in Eugene. Enjoy some free time to grab lunch in one of the local cafés or restaurants and to mosey around downtown a bit before we proceed to Eugene's train station to board Amtrak's Coast Starlight to Seattle. The rest of your day is spent aboard the train, admiring the changing scenery as we navigate through forests, across bridges, and into the state of Washington. Transfer to the Mayflower Park Hotel is included on arrival this evening.

Overnight Seattle.

• Breakfast

Back at the station this morning, we board Amtrak's Cascades to Bellingham near the Canadian border. Bellingham is located between the Salish Sea and the North Cascade Mountains and offers postcard-perfect views at every angle. Its mixture of indigenous history and ties to the lumbering, mining, and canning industries make it an intriguing place to discover during your time at leisure. Maybe stroll past the businesses and beaches of the central business district or wander along the waterfront at Zuanich Point Park. Bellingham has a captivating local art scene, and hints of it gleam in outdoor art installations. Grab lunch on your own, and then head to the harbor.

Your day continues on the water as take a private chartered cruise to the San Juan Islands. This archipelago's waters are teeming with marine life, so find a spot to watch for breaching orcas or bald eagles soaring overhead. We dock in Friday Harbor with a couple of hours to explore its charming harbor district. Colorful historic buildings filled with shops and galleries give this port so much character. Wrap up your day with an evening cruise through Bellingham and Chuckanut Bays. Brilliant coastal views and a Dungeness crab Farewell Dinner onboard are the perfect conclusion to your expedition.

Overnight Seattle.

Your tour through the breathtaking scenery and culinary epicenters of the Pacific Northwest concludes this morning. A transfer to Seattle's International Airport is available for flights departing after 11:00 a.m.