Portland

Depart the UK on your indirect flight to Portland, Oregon's largest city. Collect your hire car on arrival or alternatively transfer to your hotel by taxi(approx 25 mins.

Begin your stay in the delightful 'City of the Roses' by discovering what makes Portland North America's "Best Big City." Visit Portland's most popular attractions for kids and adults. Purchase a Portland Attractions Pass for the family at the Visitors Center in Pioneer Square. With this pass you can visit the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, Oregon Historical Society, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Oregon Zoo, Pittock Mansion, Portland Art Museum, Portland Children's Museum, Portland Classical Chinese Garden, Portland Japanese Garden and the World Forestry Center and Discovery Museum.

Today, take a ride on the Aerial and see Portland from 500 feet in the air. Visit the largest bookstore in the USA, Powell's Books. Walk to a local grocery store or visit one of the many outdoor farmers markets and prepare a picnic lunch to enjoy at Portland's International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park. If you are in the mood for a little more adventure spend the afternoon in on the Columbia River at Scappoose Bay Kayaking. Here they have day trips, lessons, pontoon boat rides and something for all ages. Take a scenic day tour on the Columbia River Gorge! Visit Multnomah Falls, Vista House, Bonneville Dam and Hood River. Finish the loop with a late lunch at Timberline Lodge and head back to Portland.

Astoria

"98 miles"

Departing Portland today you will be heading for the amazing Northern Oregon Coast where you will spend the next 2 nights in the delightful town of Astoria , the first European settlement in the Pacific Northwest. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the beach or exploring the surrounding area. Driving on Highway 101, don't forget to visit on of Oregon's nine light houses as some of them are haunted!

Arcades and bumper cards will entertain children of all ages on the Seaside Promenade. Have an educational experience and visit the Maritime Museum in Astoria and don't miss the house of Lewis & Clark from 1805-06 in Fort Clatsop. 33 explorers lived here, and you won't believe how small it is. Nearby you can also visit the life size statue of Sacagawea, the Shoshone Indian woman who accompanied the explorers on their journey to the Pacific Ocean.

Be sure to explore nearby Cannon Beach with its quaint town centre and many art galleries. Nearby Haystack Rock, the third largest monolith in the world is one of the State's most photographed natural wonders.

Florence

"183 miles"

Continue your journey south to the Central Oregon Coast and Florence which will be your base for the next 2 nights. Stop en route at the charming Depoe Bay which has the smallest navigable harbour in the world and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.

The best thing about the coast is the 363 miles of public beach! Spend plenty of time beach combing, flying kites and building sand castles. You will find kite festivals and sand castle building contests all along the Oregon Coast all throughout the Summer.

Take an interactive tour on the Newport Bay with Marine Discovery Tours, the coastal leader in narrated bay and ocean tours specializing in whales, oyster farming and sea wildlife. You might even be able to help drive the boat!Watch the sea otters zip and play, 500 species of sea life, including jelly fish, seals and sharks or learn the crab dance at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport.

Be sure to stop by the largest sea lion cave in the world at the Sea Lion Caves north of Florence, where the Sea Lions live year round. Be daring and descend in an elevator 208 feet down to the most spectacular natural sea cave.

Coos Bay

"48 miles"

Leaving the Central Coast behind and continuing your drive further south you will quickly find yourselves on the Southern Oregon Coast and your next port of call at Coos Bay. Between Florence and Coos Bay, wind and waves have formed large sand dunes which are part of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area with over 47 miles of cream coloured ever shifting sand. Glistening valleys, vast hills and ghost like forests in a desert atmosphere create the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in the USA.

A perfect location for exploring on foot, by dune buggy or even on a sand board!

Grants Pass

 "142 miles"

Finally leaving the coast behind your journey today will take you in land to the Southern Oregon region. Here you will get a chance to explore the underground Oregon Caves National Monument near Cave Junction and see a National Historic Landmark (the Oregon Caves Chateau), and hiking trails through ancient forests.

Take in the majestic Rogue River and sign up for a Jet Boat or river rafting tour. There you can see deer, birds and even take a dip in the chilly water. The Rogue River runs from Crater Lake all the way to the Pacific Ocean, that is 215 miles!

Crater Lake National Park

 "94 miles"

A short journey today will bring you finally to some of the highlights of any visit to Oregon. En route stop at the Oregon Vortex near Gold Hill. The vortex is a glimpse of a strange world where the improbable is the commonplace and everyday physical facts are reversed. It is a naturally occurring visual and perceptual phenomenon. You have to see it to believe it! Continue on to Oregon's National Park, Crater Lake and but don't forget to stop at Natural Bridge Viewpoint along the way near Union Creek and Prospect. At Natural Bridge the river is swallowed by an underground maze of lava tubes.

A full day at leisure in the area exploring the National Park. The Lake was created by a volcanic eruption approximately 7,700 years ago when the 4000m high volcano Mt Mazama erupted in an enormous explosion leaving nothing but a crater that filled over hundreds of years with rain water and melted snow. At 592m in depth, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the US and one of the largest in the world. This incredible natural site has inspired people for hundreds of years. No place else on earth combines a deep, pure lake, so blue in color, with sheer surrounding cliffs almost two thousand feet high! A 33 mile drive around the rim offers glimpses of the intensely blue coloured water which is created by it's clarity and depth. Also. Situated right in the middle of the Lake is Wizard Island. In addition to the breathtaking scenery, this outstanding national park offers many activities in both Summer and Winter.

Eugene

 "172 miles"

From Crater Lake your journey back to Portland will take you via the town of Eugene in Southern Oregon. En route visit one of the seven or all the covered bridges in the Cottage Grove area. At one time Oregon had over 400 covered bridges. The covered bridges blended will into the early economy of the Oregon countryside. Explore Oregon's small towns along the way. At the Cascades Raptor Center in Eugene, visitors can get a good look at more than 60 raptors of 33 different species and on a hot day don't miss the RivePlay Discovery Village at Skinner Butte Park. Here children can scale a play replica of Skinner Butte, uncover fossils at an ancient-history sand dig and cool off under a giant rain circle.

Home to the University of Oregon, Eugene is a mix of rural town charm and urban sophistication. This is most evident in the city's attractions, which range from naturally beautiful parks and walking trails to the prestigious Asian art collection at the University's Museum of Art. There are also plenty of trendy shops, delicious restaurants and top-notch entertainment venues to check out. Don't miss the Nike Store where you can buy, and learn about the history of, athletic shoes.

Portland

 "109 miles"

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and some last minute shopping in Eugene before heading back to Portland later in the day for your last night.

Banff

 "80 miles"

Upon arrival in Calgary in the afternoon you will collect your rental car at the airport, and begin the leisurely drive to Banff. Enjoy the stunning scenery as you leave the rolling foothills of the Canadian Prairies and face the spectacular Canadian Rockies. It should take you under two hours to get to Banff where you will spend your first two nights.

After a leisurely breakfast, you have the whole of today explore Banff, a small town surrounded by one of the most beautiful parks in the world. One of its greatest assets is the accessibility of its natural wonders - most highlights are located close to the road system. There is an excellent system of hiking trails(many of which are short and suitable for families) that lead to alpine lakes, along glacial valleys and to spectacular viewpoints. Enjoy a picnic at Bow Falls located behind the Banff Springs Hotel, and connected to it by a very long stairway through the forest--great for tiring out over-energetic kids. Head to the mountain top by the Sulphur Mountain Gondola for some fantastic views of Banff, Bow Valley, and Cascade Mountain. Lastly take a leisurely drive on the Bow Valley Parkway at dusk to see the wildlife, but importantly be very careful to not approach the animals as they may be resting or feeding. After all this is their home and they are wild.

Jasper

"179 miles"

Today leaving Banff, you will slowly head towards Jasper on the Icefields Parkway which is 143 miles long. This road takes about 4-5 hours to travel but try not to rush as it is one of the most scenic and inspiring mountain roads ever built. There are 13 viewpoints along the way, most of which are worth a look at.. Bow Summit is the highest point along the parkway at 2088m and offers great views of Peyto Lake. However, the most popular attractions along the parkway are the glaciers that spill down from the Columbia Icefield. Also make a stop at the Icefields Centre to join an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier. Don't forget to see who spots the resident Mountain Goats first on the road side, at the aptly named 'Mountain Goat Lookout'.

Stop en route at Lake Louise and visit the park information centre to collect a brochure detailing the places of interest along the way. The actual village is still quite small, with a shopping mall, a few hotels and the visitor centre. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, situated on the lakes shore, is a tourist attraction in itself and is visited by the millions who come to photograph the lake with Mt Victoria in the background. Rent a canoe from the boathouse and glide through the lake - take care not too fall in as even in August the lake only reaches about 4C!

Nearby Moraine Lake, though half the size of Lake Louise is just as spectacular and provides a perfect place to have a picnic and take a canoe out on the lake. For another fantastic view, take the Lake Louise Gondola on the 20 minute journey up the face of Mt Whitehorn to Whitehorn Lodge where you can see Bow Valley, Lake Louise and the Continental Divide.

Jasper itself is located at the confluence of the Athabasca and Miette rivers and is surrounded by the peaks of Jasper National Park. Here you can take the Jasper Tramway up the Whistlers mountain for great views of the mountain and valley, visit Maligne Canyon and Lake, relax in Miette Hot Springs, or drive out to Mount Edith Cavell - one of the highest peaks in the area . Alternatively visit Patricia and Pyramid Lakes for a relaxing afternoon and a picnic.

Other stunning places to visit along the way include Bow Lake, Sunwapta Falls, Crowfoot Glacier and the Athabasca Falls. You also have time to take one of the many whitewater rafting excursions on offer in this area. Other stunning places to visit along the way include Bow Lake, Sunwapta Falls, Crowfoot Glacier and the Athabasca Falls.

Cleawater & Wells Grey

"197 miles"

Leave Jasper early for your drive to Clearwater and Wells Gray Park. It is about 200 miles but there are some fantastic views along the way. As you leave the Jasper you will be heading through Mt Robson Park and will have some fantastic views of Mt Robson. Head south towards Valemount and onto Clearwater at the entrance to Wells Gray. Wells Gray Park is BC's third largest provincial park with an area of 520,000 hectares of wilderness with waterfalls, lakes and the mountain ranges of the Shushwap Highlands and the Cariboo Mountains.

Sun Peaks

"81 miles"

Continuing your journey south west and towards the beautiful mountain resort of Sun Peaks, a charming village surrounded on all sides by British Columbia's second largest ski area. As well as proudly boasting 3678 acres of skiable terrain in the winter months, Sun Peaks is also a great place to visit in the Summer months with miles of exciting hiking and mountain bike trails. Here you will get the chance to stay in our very own luxury 3 bedroom townhouse bang in the heart of Sun Peaks. 'The Director's Residence' is fully equipped with all mod cons including a private hot tub on the terrace! Sun Peaks is also a good place to spot a bear or two, especially from behind closed doors of our house!

Lake Okanagan

 "166 miles"

Leaving the mountains of Sun Peaks you will continue your journey south and on to the sunny shores of Lake Okanagan, Located on the sunny shores of Lake Okanagan has something for all the family - relax on the beach, play a little golf or spend time exploring nearby nature trails.

The Okanagan Valley, stretching from Osoyoos at the American/Canadian border north to Vernon, British Columbia, is also filled with orchards and vineyards. For adults and older children,The B.C. Orchard Industry Museum is a great place to learn more about the history of farming in the region. As the area is well known for its vineyards, many offer wine tasting and tours. History buffs should make a stop at the Father Pandosy Mission, established in the mid-19th century. Also enjoy one of the many evening cruises on the lake.

Vancouver

 "240 miles"

After several days relaxing by the Lake, today it's time to head for the bright lights of Vancouver! Blessed with a spectacular location, set between the mountains and the Pacific Ocean,Vancouver is a modern, friendly and cosmospolitan city blending culture with a spectacular landscape and the great outdoors. Together with an enviable year round climate, the city offers families and singles an amazingy array of exciting experiences. Downtown Vancouver is an intriguing mixture of steel, concrete, mirrored glass buildings, modern sculptures and old-fashioned fountains. There is so much to see and do in the city. Spend an afternoon renting bikes and riding around the lovely Seawall in Stanley Park or try rollerblading if you are feeling a little more adventurous!

Don't miss the panoramic vistas from either the Capilano or Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridges, both in North Vancouver and an easy drive from the city. Children of all ages will love the thrill of walking across the bridge over one of the 2 Canyons. There is also great hiking path around the Capilano Suspension bridge that is both flat and suitable for all the family. Alternatively, Lynn Canyon also houses a great ecology centre with educational displays. Make sure you take along your bathing suit too and you can have a dip in Lynn Creek after a short walk in the forest. Close to Capilano and with a little more to do is also Grouse Mountain. Here you can take a short cable car ride to the top of the mountain and enjoy some spectacular views of Vancouver and the surrounding area. At the top you can also visit the the bear sanctuary, and enjoy a bird of prey and an amusing lumberjack show. Not for the faint hearted, Parascending is also available from here for an extra fee!

Also located to the north, ten minutes from Downtown Vancouver is Maplewood Farm, a firm favourite of families with young children who love animals. Once a thriving dairy farm this 5-acre site has since been taken over and opened to the public. Now housing over 200 domestic animals and birds it also hosts regular special events such as sheep shearing, pony rides and a Fall Fair. Other attractions not to be missed are Vancouver Aquarium, The Children's Farmyard, The Miniature Train, and Science World a wonderful museum with it's many hands on displays to keep the kids occupied!

For older children, a ferry ride across False Creek to Granville Island and a fun day out at the busy outdoor market area is always a treat. Originally just a sandbar that was filled in to create an industial centre in the heart of the city, it is now an immensely popular mixed use space with a popular public market, several theatres and artist studios.

There will also be plenty of time for shopping on Robson Street in its trendy shops and the Robson Public Market. Visit Chinatown - the second largest Chinese community in North America and home to the beautiful and peaceful Dr. Sun Yat-sen Classical Chinese Garden. No visit is complete without wandering through Gastown where Vancouver started. The brightly painted buildings date back to 1886 and old gas lamps and trees line the red cobblestone streets. There are many galleries, restaurants and gift shops here The Boathouse Restaurant is a great place for dinner, while watching the sunset over English Bay and people watching all the evening strollers.

Victoria

 "68 miles"

Leaving Vancouver today, a short drive to nearby Tsawwassen and a scenic 95 minute ferry ride across to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island will bring you to you final port of call, the picturesque city of Victoria. This provincial capital stands at the southern tip of Vancouver Island and offers many downtown attractions, all within a short walk of each other. The city has well preserved inner city streets lined with lovely old buildings, trendy shops in restored historic areas and horse drawn carriages to get you around. One of the main attractions is Butchart Gardens - a must see if you are at all interested in gardening.

Located just north of Victoria, Duncan is known as the city of totems as it display around sixty all over the town. It is also home to the Native Heritage Center and is a good place to buy Indian crafts.

There's no better way to end your Rocky Mountain Coastal Family Adventure than with an exhilarating Whalewatching Excursion. If you want to see some of the world's greatest mammals then Canada is the place to go. The fertile waters of Canada's coastlines attract many types of whales and as there are many Whale/Wildlife Watching companies operating out of the Greater Victoria Area , this is a perfect opportunity to experience some of them. Our immensely popular pre bookable coastal excursion is an exhilarating round trip of 50 to 80 kms in search or orcas, minke and grey whales, as well as porpoises, harbour seals and other marine wildlife. You will ride aboard custom built Zodiac boats that offer high speed with stability giving you a safe and intimate whalewatching experience. Expect the taste of ocean spray at some point along the route! This is one of your many Canadian experiences that the whole family will be talking about long after you get home!

Vancouver

 "68 miles"

After some last minute shopping in Victoria, you will depart by ferry from Schwartz Bay back to Tsawwassen and a fairly short drive back to Vancouver Airport where you will drop off your hire car before catching your flight home.

San Francisco

Fly Direct from London Heathrow to San Francisco with Virgin or the airline of your choice.
Arrive San Francisco early afternoon and take a taxi from the airport to your hotel (approx. 40 mins) where you will be spending the next three nights.

The 'City by the Bay' as it's known is arguably the most friendly and beautiful in America, with so much to see and do for the whole family - and you have two whole days to do it all! Start by taking a tour of the city, or hire bikes and cycle over the famous Golden Gate Bridge. Take one of the city’s iconic cable cars down to Fisherman's Wharf, a buzzing coastal area packed with markets, shops and restaurants and home to the city's playful resident sealions at Pier 39! You won’t want to miss visiting Alcatraz - the infamous island prison once home to the notorious Al Capone, a short boat ride across the bay.

Yosemite National Park

"188 miles"

After breakfast, collect your hire car and head east to Yosemite National Park. As you drive through the stunning Yosemite Valley, you will marvel at one of the world's most amazing geological spectacles complete with 3000ft cliffs, incredible waterfalls, and tree lined grassy meadows. There's plenty to keep the younger members of the family mesmerised along the way, with a game of eye spy deer, coyotes and even black bears!  

With three nights and two full days to explore the jewel of the Californian wilderness take a leisurely drive, shuttle bus or hike through the park to view the seemingly endless awe inspiring scenery, including the famous El Capitan - an impressive vertical rock formation, Bridalveil Falls and Half Dome. Take the family off of the beaten track on a ranger led hike, or hire bikes to take you around one of the bicycle paths on the valley floor. For the more adventurous you could join a horseback trip through the park, or learn to scale the cliffs on one of the supervised rock climbing experiences.

Sequoia National Park

"186 miles"

Leaving Yosemite, you will today be heading further south to Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park. Your journey down the San Joaquin Valley will take you through several towns, home to many an ice cream parlour, and a perfect place to break your journey en route.

Sequoia and kings Canyon National Parks are home to the largest groves of giant sequoias in the Sierra Nevada. The gargantuan size of these trees is truly mind blowing, and an experience that even the youngest of travellers will never forget. Keep your eyed peeled for bears and deer who reside in parks' miles of wild habitat. 

Along the way, The Giant Forest Museum offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the lifecycle of the Sequoias. Leave plenty of time to see Kings Canyon, with its maze-like canyons and lakes. Keep the whole family entertained with many ‘outdoorsy’ activities, including fishing, canoeing and kayaking.

Los Angeles

"218 miles"

You’ll need to make an early start today as you have a longer journey towards the bright lights and excitement of Los Angeles. Take the opportunity to break your journey in the town of Bakersfield, the unlikely home to one of the liveliest country music scenes in the USA! Arrive Los Angeles late afternoon, in time to check into your hotel which will be the base for your action packed 4 night stay in this amazing city.

Otherwise known as the 'City of Angels', Los Angeles is the undisputed entertainment capital of the world and is home to countless exciting attractions including: Hollywood's Walk of Fame, Universal Studios Hollywood – now home to the unmissable Wizarding World of Harry Potter, City Walk, Dodger Stadium, Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Disney Studios, Knotts Berry Farm, Warner Brothers Studios, and of course the home to the stars - Beverly Hills (to name a few!). It truly is a playground for both the kids, and the kids at heart!

San Diego

 "121 miles"

Depart Los Angeles this morning after breakfast, and get ready for sun, sand and SeaWorld! As you arrive in the beautiful city of San Diego, just 30 minutes north of the Mexican border, you’ll be immersed in a hub of Mexican-American culture. The Old Town preserves the areas rich Spanish-American heritage, while downtown supports theatres, great shopping and exciting nightlife.

Don’t miss the world famous San Diego Zoo situated in the true oasis of Balboa Park, which along with Mission Park’s SeaWorld, and Legoland, and not to mention the endless white sandy beaches, make San Diego the perfect paradise for the whole family.

Santa Barbara

 "215 miles"

After two action packed weeks, it’s time to relax on the stunning Californian coastline. Enjoy some good food, drink some popular Santa Ynez Valley wine, and unwind on the palm tree lined beaches of Santa Barbara.

Monterey

 "237 miles"

Think Monterey, think family picnics on gorgeous, uncrowded beaches and jaw-dropping views of beautiful coastline. The town is full of seafood restaurants; make sure to try the famous clam chowder at Fisherman’s Wharf! Nature buffs can explore the bay by kayak for a close-up look at sea lions, seals and otters. Monterey is an ideal destination to go whale-watching and the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a must for children of all ages.

San Francisco/Home

"119 miles"

After breakfast and time for some last minute souvenir shopping in Monterey, you will head a little further north to San Francisco airport to drop off your car and board your overnight flight home.