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Pacific Northwest Grand Tour
Aboard the 
"Columbia Queen"


May through October


Day 1 ARRIVAL IN OREGON
Welcome to Portland, Oregon's largest city. After your arrival downtown at the luxurious Historic Multnomah Hotel, stroll the beautiful streets of this city. Time permitting, you may wish to explore the many blooms of the International Rose Test Garden and wooded trails at the Hoyt Arboretum. Or experience the grandeur of the Pittock Mansion, a French renaissance chateau offering unforgettable panoramas. This evening join your fellow travelers for a fun-filled welcome reception with your cruise staff.

Day 2 MOUNT ST. HELENS & WILLAMETTE RIVER
The excitement explodes at the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument in Washington State. From the scarred mountainside, you'll see the devastation of the 1980 eruption with a force of four hundred million tons of TNT. Enjoy spectacular views of the mountain as we dine at the Hoffstadt Bluffs Restaurant. From this rugged setting, we journey to the Columbia Queen for a late afternoon cruise through Oregon's lush Willamette River Valley. As twilight gives way to twinkling, watch the Portland skyline light up the night.

Day 3 ASTORIA & CANNON BEACH, OREGON
Today we discover Astoria, America's first settlement on the Pacific Coast. Shop or take a leisurely ride on the Waterfront Trolley. Astoria is rich in history and Victorian architecture. Be sure to see the Astoria Column and the Columbia River Maritime Museum - featuring one of the country's finest displays on shipwrecks and lighthouses. Afterwards we join the legendary expeditions of Lewis and Clark at Fort Clatsop, where the explorers camped for the winter. The Fort has a fine display of preserved artifacts of early canoes and tools. Stroll the charming seaside hamlet of Cannon Beach with miles of unspoiled shoreline.

Day 4 COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE
A morning sail through the Columbia River Gorge offers spectacular scenery with shoreline cliffs, the majestic Cascade Mountains and the 620 foot Multnomah Falls. We'll also experience the sounds and history of this area at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. Inside the elegant Maryhill Museum, a magnificent collection of sculptures, basketry and Faberge eggs awaits.

Day 5 PENDLETON, OREGON
A sensational day lies ahead of us in Pendleton, the center of Oregon's cowboy country. At the Pendleton Round-Up grounds, you can see the site of one of the country's greatest rodeos. Next, head down under…to Underground Pendleton. This rock and timber subterranean city was created by and for Chinese laborers. The maze of shops and other buildings attracted miners and outlaws during the Gold Rush. You can purchase sturdy wool blankets from the historic Pendleton Woolen Mills, an American institution. Learn about the history of the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla Native American Tribes at the Tamatslikt Cultural Center. The center is the only Indian owned and operated interpretive facility on the entire Oregon Trail.

Day 6 WASHINGTON & HELLS CANYON, IDAHO
Take an exhilarating jet boat ride along the Oregon-Idaho border into Hells Canyon. This breathtaking gorge is deeper than the Grand Canyon and home to abundant wildlife and rare Indian petroglyphs carved into stone walls. Feast on the incredible views and a mouth-watering buffet lunch served in rustic comfort at Hellers Lodge.

Day 7 PIONEER SITES & RIVER CRUISING
Discover the perils of the pioneers at the Whitman Mission National Historic Site, a resting place for many of the Oregon Trail travelers. For an in-depth look at the pioneer way of life, explore Fort Walla Walla in Washington. This fifteen-acre site offers extensive exhibits about life in the 1800's. Don't miss the wonderful views from the decks of the Columbia Queen on today's journey as we cruise by endless hillsides of rolling wheat, cattle ranches and other natural scenery.

Day 8 MOUNT HOOD & TIMBERLINE LODGE
At the base of glacial Mount Hood is the picturesque town of Parkdale, Oregon. Stroll through the bountiful and beautiful fruit orchards. Your adventure turns sharply upward onto the winding road of this rugged, snow-capped mountain as you are transported 6,000 feet up to the historic Timberline Lodge. This wilderness retreat features hand-hewn wooden beams and a massive stone fireplace. You'll especially enjoy the delightful lunch of Northwest cuisine prepared by the lodge's award-winning chef. Upon returning to the Columbia Queen, you'll cruise into the twilight through the imposing Columbia River Gorge.

Day 9 RETURN TO PORTLAND
This morning the Columbia Queen returns to Portland. We bid farewell to our crew and fellow travelers while taking home memories and photographs to treasure for a lifetime.

Special Group Price Per Person:
$2998.00 inside deluxe stateroom* with East Coast airfare
$3398.00 outside deluxe stateroom*

Price Includes: Roundtrip air from East Coast (reduced rates available nationwide), one-night hotel stay, 7-night cruise, air taxes, fees, transfers, port charges and trip insurance.

Deposit: $500.00 per person must be paid with reservation.



Not Included: Gratuities, optional shore excursions.

 

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