Portland - 1 night
Portland is situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers and is a city of discreet charms. It is a small accessible city that is beginning to grow as people have come to visit and stayed. Downtown Portland is filled with a mix of old and new architectural styles, coffeehouses and tree-lined streets. Within a few minutes drive of the city are fantastic Pinot wineries, the foothills of Mount Hood and waterways that need exploring. You will be spending just one night here on arrival but will be back at the end to explore the city properly!

Hood River - 1 night
Today you will be experiencing one of Oregon’s’ amazing scenic byways – The Historic Columbia River Highway.
From Troutdale, outside the city on the banks of the Columbia River, the Highway is a 70-mile narrow winding drive. The highway climbs to the rural towns of Springdale and Corbett, offering dazzling peeks at Mt. Hood. Your first view of the gorge comes at the Portland Women's Forum State Park.
Heading into a mossy rain forest, a series of graceful figure-eight loops gently drops you 600 feet. Within five miles of each other, you'll encounter four dramatic cataracts _ Latourell, Shepperd's Dell, Bridal Veil and Wahkeena falls. Park up and walk to take a closer look. Next is two-tiered Multnomah Falls. At 620 feet, only three falls in the nation are higher, and none are more beautiful.
From here it’s a short drive to the Cascade Locks, a 1920’s toll bridge marks the site of the Native-Americans’ Bridge of the Gods. Twenty miles further east is the town of Hood River where you will be staying tonight. Hood River is the center for recreation on the Columbia River, which naturally lends the city a sense of fun and youthfulness. Windsurfing is a huge sport here as the strong river currents and westerly winds make for perfect conditions. Alternatively there are bike rentals to be enjoyed and many nearby trails to take.
If you extend your time here, you could take the Mt Hood Scenic Railroad. It offers a 4-hour excursion along the Hood River Valley to the south of town.

Bend - 2 nights, 220 miles
Head back west along the I-84 and at Troutdale travel south towards Estacada and the start of the West Cascades Scenic Byway. Here the route hugs the beautiful Clackamas River with its stunning rapids and glassy pools. Stop to have a soak at Breitenbush Hot Springs or enjoy at swim and lunch at Detroit Lake. Follow the North Santiam River to Marion Forks where you can stop and visit the fish hatchery.
Continue on to the US20 and the Santiam Pass Scenic Byway. These eastern Cascade foothills are full of outdoor activities to be enjoyed including Suttle Lake Resort where you can enjoy boating, windsurfing and fishing.
Take a side road to Camp Sherman and see the Metolius River bubble up from underground springs before heading onto the town of Sisters, located in the shadows of the Three Sisters Peaks - Faith, Hope and Charity. Leave the highway and continue onto Bend where you will spend 2 nights.
Bend was originally called Farewell Bend as it is located where pioneer roads converge. Downtown Bend has been recently revived with shops, art galleries and fine restaurants. The city is the perfect place to explore the region – maybe drive the McKenzie Pass scenic byway, rent a bike and explore the city’s many bike trails, or drive out to the Newberry National Volcanic Monument to see the Lava Cave and Lava Forest.

Crater Lake - 2 nights, 130 miles
Travel south of Bend and join The Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, which takes you through the very heart of Central Oregon, with the majestic Cascade Mountains providing a constant backdrop.
The beginning of your drive takes you through the Deschutes National Forest before turning west where you will encounter Mt Bachelor – home of the areas top ski resort. In summer, visitors can use the Express Lift to take you up to over 7,000 ft. From here you can see Mt Adams in Washington and Mt Shasta in California. Stop for a picnic lunch at Devils Lake, or a bit further south at Elk Lake and enjoy relaxing on a rented boat with some lunch.
Not too much further south of here you will be joining the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway that will take you to Crater Lake. This Byway extends all the way to Mt Lassen in California and offers fascinating volcanic geology and scenery.
You will be stopping at Crater Lake National Park for 2 nights to explore this stunning region. This National Park was created by the eruption and collapse of Mt Mazama. The remaining six mile wide caldera is the site of Crater Lake. Its vivid blue colour and waters purity is attributed to the fact that only rain and snowfall contribute to the water. The 33-mile loop winds around the rim of the lake, offering many viewpoints and side roads.
Your home for the next two nights will be at Crater Lake Lodge, a stunning property on the shores of the lake.

Grant Pass - 1 night, 108 miles
Leave Crater Lake and head further west, joining part of the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway On your way to Grants Pass.
This byway is known as “the highway of waterfalls” and you will be joining it at Union Creek and following the wild and scenic Rogue River as it thunders through deep and narrow chasms. Enjoy a water-rafting trip from various operators running trips on the river. Join the I5 to take you into the town of Grant’s Pass.
Grants Pass is an old sawmill town straddling the Rogue River. Adventurers come to Grants Pass for white-water rafting on Class IV rapids of the Rogue River. Alternatively, take a jet boat tour through the canyons, or kayak or horse pack.
Downtown Grants Pass is home to The "Historic District" along 6th Street, the heart of the city. Antique and general stores, and an old-fashioned pharmacy/café line both sides of the wide avenue.

Florence - 1 night, 182 miles
Head north out of Grants Pass on the I-5. From this route you could take the option of a short tour route. There are two just off the I-5. One is the Myrtle Creek-Canyonville, a 68-mile loop that will take around 3-4 hours and the other is the Cow Creek Tour route, a 45-mile loop that will take about 2 hours.
Travel west towards the coast and to the town on Bandon. Here you can join the Bandon to Charleston Tour route, which is a stunning 41-mile drive that includes six state parks. A fantastic way to enjoy your first view of the Pacific Coast.
From here you will be joining the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway – a 350-mile byway that traces the entire Oregon coastline. Pounding surf, endless beaches and mature forests all provide many recreational activities along the way.
From Coos Bay to Florence you will be driving through the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, which forms the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in the USA and where you can enjoy many activities including horseback riding and dune buggy tours. You can take a walk on the many trails through the dunes or view the wavelike mounds, that sit among little forested islands, through enclosed viewing platforms at the Dunes Overlook south of Florence.
Over the past few years, Old Town Florence has been beautifully restored in colorful themes reminiscent of the Victorian era. Numerous restaurants, art galleries, clothing and specialty shops are mixed among Gazebo Park and the new Boardwalk overlooking the fishing docks.

Newport - 2 nights, 49 Miles
A short drive today as you continue up the coastal Byway to Newport. Make time to visit the Sea Lion Caves just north of Florence. An elevator reaches this enormous sea grotto, where, once inside the cave you can observe about 200 sea lions, sleeping, eating or roaring!
Past here you will come across the Devils Elbow State Park where you will find the Heceta Head Lighthouse, one of nine lighthouses to be found along the entire Byway. The best pictures can be taken from a viewpoint a mile south of the park. Cape Perpetua is a remnant of a volcano and is one of the highest points on the Oregon Coast. Views from the Cape are stunning and this natural landmark encompasses tide pools, spruce forests and piles of discarded shells. Stop in Waldport for some lunch before continuing on to Newport.
Newport’s bustling waterfront is full of restaurants, shops, galleries, charter fishing boats and canneries and is also home to historic Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, and Oregon Undersea Gardens. The Oregon Coast Aquarium, showcases the unique habitats and species of the region. Take a whale-watching trip during the migration season or enjoy a fishing day out. Spend some time at Agate Beach where you can looks for moonstones or carnelians and Nye Beach offers long and uncrowded sands.

Astoria - 2 nights, 134 miles
Continue north along the Byway past Lincoln City, the self-proclaimed Kite Capital of the World, then the Byway leaves the coast and drifts slightly inland to the town of Tillamook. Famous for its two cheese factories that offer tours, tastings and many gifts, the town is also home to the Tillamook Naval Air Museum and a place to stop enroute for some lunch. The town’s historic downtown has some good shopping and several restaurants.
Back onto the 101 and continue north towards Cannon Beach, a popular and charming community with art galleries and some of the most beautiful beaches in Oregon. The town of Astoria is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies and it was the last stop at the western end of the Lewis & Clark Trail.
Magnificent Victorian homes were built on the cliffs that overlook the town and a revitalized downtown hugs the Columbia River. The Astoria-Megler Bridge stretches more than four miles over the river to Washington and is the longest continuous truss span bridge in the world.
Visitors can explore many of the area's historic attractions, including Fort Clatsop, the Columbia River Maritime Museum, the Flavel House, Fort Stevens State Park, and the Astoria Column. The Astoria Riverfront Trolley, a restored car built in 1913, runs the length of the city and stops at several riverfront attractions and restaurants.

Portland - 3 nights, 105 miles
Portland is a laidback city with a reputation for being bike and pedestrian friendly, manifested in its fantastic walking and cycling paths all around the city, which enable visitors to explore its blend of galleries, markets, bars, architecture, coffeehouse and much more.
Take a stroll through the Skidmore Historic District, along the Tom McCall Waterfront Park and descend on the Pioneer Courthouse Square for a relaxing latte. Here you are in the centre of shopping and dining in Portland.
Portland’s gardens are some of the finest in the country – thanks to the weather! There are numerous world-class public gardens and parks to be enjoyed. Spend a morning in Washington Park, home of the Rose Test Gardens, the Japanese Gardens and the exciting World Forestry Centre.
Portland’s trendy North West district offers many interesting shops and cafes to stroll around or head for the Pearl District for very stylish cafes and restaurants alongside many antique and home design shops
Take a day out to one of the numerous wineries in the Willamette Valley. There are around 30 wineries in Yamhill County alone so you might have to narrow down your choices to enable you to spend time at one or two!

Package Includes:

15 nights accommodation and tax
A travel packet with itinerary, maps, suggestions, brochures

Not Included:

Flights to and from the UK
Meals unless mentioned

2008 Costing*

Departures - 25 May through to 30th October 2008

* Rates shown are per person. Children (11 and under) no charge staying in a room with full paying adults.
Max of four persons - two beds per room unit