Ashford Castle

Day 1

PORTLAND

Arrive in Portland and take some time to explore the "City of Roses." Despite its humble beginnings as a lumbering center in 1845, the city has developed into a sophisticated metropolis. Visit the International Test Rose Gardens with its 400 varieties of roses on 4 acres of land and great views of the city. Sample haute couture and hot cuisine in Portland’s Pearl District. Walk around town and take in the atmosphere.

Day 2	PORTLAND
Today, take time to continue discovering more of this “Green” City or venture west toward Seaside or Astoria before heading north tomorrow.

Day 3	PORTLAND – SEATTLE (174 mi / 278 km)
Head north from Portland today towards Olympia and then Seattle. On your eastside, you will see Mt St Helens and then Mt Rainer. There is time to stop and visit Olympia, Washington’s quaint capital city, before continuing north along the beautiful Puget Sound and into Seattle.

Day 4

SEATTLE

Spend this day visiting Seattle's many sights. Take a scenic cruise along the downtown waterfront past shipyards with the glittering city skyline as a backdrop. The Pioneer Square restored Historic District offers entertainment, restaurants and many sights to see. A visit to Pike Street market on the waterfront provides a rare look at local lifestyles. The city offers an abundance of art galleries, culture and popular nightlife

Day 5

SEATTLE – MOUNT RAINIER – ASHFORD (131 mi / 210 km)

Leaving Seattle, travel south along the Puget Sound and then head east to Mt. Rainer National Park. Mt. Rainier is the highest mountain in the Cascade Range. It is still an active volcano incased in over 25 miles of snow and ice. Whether hiking on its flanks, climbing its summit, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing on its slopes, camping along its glacier-fed rivers, photographing wildflower displays in sub alpine meadows, you will enjoy the grandeur and beauty of Mt. Rainer. Continue on to Ashford.

Day 6

ASHFORD – MOUNT ST HELENS – HOOD RIVER (140 mi / 224 km)

Leave the Mt Rainer area and head for Mt St Helens National Monument which was the site of the May 18, 1980 volcano eruption. Shaken by an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale, the north face of this tall symmetrical mountain collapsed in a massive rock debris avalanche. Take time to explore and discover the power and the drama of this volcano. Continue through the Gifford Pinchot National Forest to the Columbia River. Cross the river into Hood River. There is an additional excursion through the Columbia River Gorge and Multnomah Falls if you are looking for more adventure today!

Day 7	HOOD RIVER – MOUNT HOOD – PORTLAND (98 mi / 157 km)
Today’s highlight is one of the most majestic peaks of the Cascade Mountains, Mt. Hood. Oregon’s highest mountain not only offers summer skiing but also hiking and mountain climbing - an outdoor paradise. Leave this impressive site westbound back into Portland. Last chance to savor the serene tranquility of this unique Northwestern city before departure.

Day 8	DEPARTURE