| Day 1 | Edmonton / Calgary / Cranbrook, BC |
| We begin our journey travelling south through Calgary and west into Crowsnest Pass, past the famous Frank Slide to Cranbrook, BC. This evening relax and enjoy the resort atmosphereat your hotel, framed by the Rocky and Purcell Mountains and St. Mary's River. |
| Day 2 | Cranbrook / Spokane, WA |
| This morning we cross the International Border and enjoy our drive our drive through the beautiful lake area of Idaho. This afternoon visit Cataldo Mission, the oldest standing building in Idaho |
| Day 3 | Spokane / Portland, OR |
|
Today we follow the majestic Columbia River to The Dalles, Oregon and the start of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. As a special treat, we take a short train ride from Seufert Park Interpretive Center to tour The Dalles Dam. Built in 1957, this hydroelectric facility produces enough electricity to serve a city the size of Seattle. We arrive in Portland, set against a backdrop of majestic Mount Hood and known as the "City of Roses". |
| Day 4 | Portland |
| Portland gracefully combines its eccentric touches with the traditional and rolls out a whimsical welcome mat for our tour. Today we discover what makes Portland such a unique city as a local guide boards our coach. We visit the International Rose Test Gardens - what better place to see roses! Overlooking the Portland cityscape, these internationally acclaimed test gardens display several hundred varieties. Across the way are the Japanese Gardens, the most authentic outside of Japan itself. We include a visit to the Forest Discovery Centre to view exhibits on tropical rainforests and old-growth forests, plus temporary exhibitions on art, culture and history. |
| Day 5 | Portland / Coos Bay, OR |
|
This morning we head west to the magnificent Oregon Coast, one of the most spectacular drives in North America. We stop at the Tillamook Cheese factory for a feast of the senses including award winning cheeses and 40 flavours of ice cream! Enjoy a brief stop at Historic Bayfront in Newport and then keep your eyes open for Heceta Head Lighthouse located 12 miles north of Florence and boasting the strongest light. You cannot travel the Oregon Coast without visiting the famous Sea Lion Caves. Descend 208 feet down into the world's largest and most spectacular sea cave! (You must be able to climb 36 steps to reach the cave.) |
| Day 6 | Coos Bay / Eureka, CA |
| We begin the day with a visit to the Oregon Connection, formerly known as the House of Myrtlewood. Watch master artisans turn rare Myrtlewood logs into unique creations. Afterwards we see Cape Blance Light house, the oldest lighthouse in Oregon, towering above the state's westernmost point. We continue south and cross the border to enter the Redwood National Forest; home of some of the world's tallest trees and old growth coast Redwoods. Welcome to California! |
| Day 7 | Eureka / San Francisco, CA |
|
Traveling to San Francisco today, we drive through the Humboldt State Park and the Avenue of the Giants. Here the Redwoods tower over 350 ft highand at up to 2000 years old, some of the oldest living things known to man. Driving through the Napa Valley, producing some of the world's best wines, we stop for a local wine tour. We continue south across the most famous of bridges, the Golden Gate, to arrive in San Francisco - one of the most exciting and best loved cities in the world. |
| Day 8 & 9 | San Francisco |
|
Learn San Francisco’s history as you explore the major sights on a fully guided sightseeing tour including Telegraph Hill, the Civic Centre, Golden Gate Park, Chinatown, Seal Rock Cliff, Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf. Enjoy a boat cruise around San Francisco Bay which will take us under the Golden Gate Bridge and around the Island of Alcatraz. Enjoy leisure time to explore San Francisco on your own. Take an optional tour of Alcatraz Island, hop on board a cable car to Union Square or explore more of the sights and sounds of Fisherman’s Wharf. |
| Day 10 | San Francisco / Reno, NV |
| Leaving San Francisco this morning, we travel across California with a stop in Sacramento, home of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. See the Capital State Building and shop in Old Town. We continue our journey through Lake Tahoe to Virginia City and arrive in Reno. |
| Day 11 | Reno / Jackpot, NV |
| Today we travel through “Magic Valley”, one of the most fertile crop producing regions. Notice how the fall colors are changing as we travel north to Jackpot. |
| Day 12 | Jackpot / Great Falls, MT |
| Continuing north we cross into Montana, arriving in Great Falls. This evening join your tour director for a farewell dinner at the hotel. |
| Day 13 | Great Falls / Calgary / Edmonton, AB |
|
With many pleasant memories of our Oregon Coast and California Redwoods holiday, we head for Alberta on our homeward journey. |
