Belgium & The Netherlands

DAY 1: Arrive Portland, Transfer to Hotel, Free Time, Tour Orientation, Welcome Dinner  

Travel from your home city to Portland. You will be transferred to your centrally located downtown hotel. In the early evening, enjoy dinner at a select restaurant in Portland.

Meals: D

Accommodations: Dossier Hotel

DAY 2: Culinary Walking Tour with Lunch, Free Time, Willamette River City Lights & Bridge Cruise

Portland is foodie heaven. Today, stroll through the vibrant downtown while you visit some of the best places to eat and drink. Enjoy a culinary walking tour led by a well-known Portland foodie. Afterward, visit the International Rose Test Garden. Established in 1975, the Rose Test Garden is a testing ground for the American Rose Society - there are over 10,000 rose test bushes of approximately 650 varieties.  Then, stop at  Portland's Japanese Garden acclaimed as one of the most beautiful and authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan. Portland is known as 'Bridgetown' given that the city is crossed by ten bridges. At sunset, enjoy a city lights/bridge cruise on the Willamette River to take in Portland’s skyline lit up at night.

Meals: B, L

Accommodations: Dossier Hotel

 

DAY 3: Depart Portland, Columbia River Gorge, Waterfalls, Microbrewery Lunch, Hood River Fruit Loop, U-Pick Fruit, Apple Valley Country Store, Arrive Hood River

Head out for a day along the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway. The Columbia River is one of America’s grandest rivers as it rolls through the Columbia River Gorge. Framed by sheer walls of basalt, soaked in firs, ferns and rare endemic plants, it is accentuated with over 4000 waterfalls. Many are hidden away but some are a short hike off this historic highway. Visit Multnomah & Latourell Falls and make other scenic stops. Take in the breathtaking vistas over the Columbia River and hear stories of the area from your guide. Enjoy a microbrewery lunch with beer tastings. A unique farm experience awaits you in Hood River Valley where you will encounter on-the-farm fruit stands, wineries, breweries, cideries and fields of flowers. Drive the Hood River Fruit Loop and stop at one of the 28 fruit stands to pick seasonal fruit in the orchard. Visit the Apple Valley Country Store and try a marionberry milkshake. Shop for jams, syrups, fruit butters, sauces and other local treats. Later, arrive at your Hood River cliffside hotel with views over the river. The evening will be at leisure.

Meals: B, L

Accommodations: Columbia Cliff Villas

 

DAY 4: Columbia Gorge/Hood River Winery Tour, Lunch, Lavender Farm, Free Evening

Today, you will drive and take short walks along the Columbia Gorge historic highway to the Rowena Crest, a dramatic viewpoint of the Eastern Columbia River Gorge. Learn about the history of the Columbia River, the Lewis & Clark Expedition and The Oregon Trail. Along the way, stop at select wineries for tastings. The Hood River Valley is a world-class wine region with over 35 wineries along a 40-mile stretch of river. Discover two of the best wineries in the area - one next to Hood River Lavender Farm. Enjoy lunch, wine tastings and visit the lavender farm. The evening will be at leisure.

Meals: B, L

Accommodations: Columbia Cliff Villas

 

DAY 5: Depart Hood River, Drive to Mt. Hood, Lunch at Timberline Lodge, Arrive in Willamette Wine Country, Free Evening

After breakfast, drive the loop around Mt. Hood taking in the spectacular scenery. Stop for lunch at the historic Timberline Lodge set on the shoulder of Mt Hood. Built in 1937, Timberline Lodge has been a place to experience the magnificent and expansive high-alpine environment of Mt. Hood. After lunch, continue on to Willamette Wine Country to end the day at your hotel nestled in a town in Oregon’s premier wine region. The evening will be at leisure.

Meals: B, L

Accommodations: Grand Lodge

DAY 6: Willamette Valley Character Wineries with Lunch, Free Evening

Today, your guide will introduce you to the rolling hills, vineyards and wines of the Willamette Valley AVA and its world-class wine scene. There are over 700 wineries in Willamette Valley. You will be wafted away to wine country while he gives you information about the history, terroir and character of Willamette Valley wines. Visit three tasting rooms that excel for their wines as well as the intriguing characters who run them. A tour and lunch will be included at one of the wineries. Willamette is pronounced Will- AM-itte (like dammit, as the locals say!) The evening will be at leisure.

Meals: B, L

Accommodations: Grand Lodge

DAY 7: Depart Willamette Valley, Coast Drive, Tilamook Cheese Factory, Lunch, Hike in Oswald West State Park, Arrive Cannon Beach; Free Evening

Today, drive from the Willamette Valley to the Oregon coast. Ahh..the beach. In Oregon it means craggy headlands, crashing waves, sandy beaches and rocky tide pools. There is also relaxation galore! Once on the coast, travel along the Pacific coast from Neskowin northward to Cannon Beach. Make scenic stops along the way. Visit the Tilamook Cheese Factory - a must when in the area. Enjoy lunch at a marina where crabbing is the local activity and on the menu. Afterward, take a short (easy) nature hike in Oswald West State Park to see coastal views you just can’t miss! When you arrive in Cannon Beach, you’ll be staying at a beachfront lodge just steps away from Haystack Rock - one of Oregon’s most recognizable coastal landmarks. It is home to diverse birdlife such as Tufted Puffins, Harlequin Ducks, Black Scoters & Oystercatchers, Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles and more. The beach will be outside your room - perfect for relaxing with an Adirondack chair and the sunset. This is the place where life slows and simple pleasures on the beach triumph. The evening will be at leisure.

Meals: B, L

Accommodations: The Ocean Lodge

 

DAY 8: Ecola State Park Hike, Visit Cannon Beach, Tidepooling, Free Afternoon, Farewell Dinner

No trip to Cannon Beach would be complete without visiting Ecola State Park perched dramatically on the edge of the Tillamook Head. Ecola Park Road at the north end of Cannon Beach winds through the old-growth rainforest before emerging at one of the Oregon coast’s most panoramic views overlooking numerous rock formations and headlands with spectacular views of the Pacific Coast. Take an easy 2 mile-loop hike in the park. The afternoon will be at leisure with an option to go tide pooling or visit the town of Cannon Beach. In the evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner at a select restaurant in Cannon Beach.

Meals: B, D

Accommodations: The Ocean Lodge

DAY 9: Drive to Portland, Fly Home

Enjoy some time on the beach in the morning. Afterward, you will head to Portland and to be dropped off at an airport hotel for your flight home tomorrow.

Meals: B

 

PRICE: Based on the dates of travel & size of your group

INCLUDES:

• 9 day fully guided small-group tour
• Service of a certified guide and dedicated driver
• 8 nights of  superb city, Columbia River cliffside, wine country & Oregon beachfront accommodations
• Transportation by private coach
• Breakfast in the hotel daily
• Lunches & dinners  - restaurants, cafes, per Daily Itinerary
• Portland Culinary Walking Tour
• Columbia Gorge guided tour with stops for waterfalls, panoramic views & short hikes
• Hood River Wine & Fruit Loop Tours
• Willamette Valley Wine Tour with tastings & lunch
• Cannon Beach: free beach time, tide pools, visit to town
• Ecola State Park Hike
• All site entrance fees
• All guided tours
• Plenty of free time to relax or go out on your own

NOT INCLUDED:

• Airfare
• 3rd meal
• Tip for the driver/guide
• Alcoholic beverages unless part of an organized excursion
• Travel Insurance

REGISTRATION: 

Please contact the office for registration