22 Days / 21 Nights

From Seattle To Seattle

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Seattle, WA

Day 1 | Arrive in Seattle, Washington

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Arrive at the airport. Pick up your rental car and proceed to your hotel. Seattle is known as the “Emerald City” because of the blue waters that surround it. Situated between the jagged Olympic Mountains to the west and the volcanic peaks of the Cascade Range to the east, the city sits on a narrow strip of land between Puget Sound and 18-mile-long lake Washington. The downtown area of Seattle has many excellent restaurants. You have two nights to enjoy the Seattle area. Accommodations: (STD) Seattle Pacific Hotel (1 Night)

Vancouver, BC

Day 2 | Seattle - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Vancouver is a cosmopolitan city with packed with unique neighborhoods and surrounded by natural beauty and plenty of outdoor pursuits. Make sure to visit Stanley Park. One of the largest urban parks in the world, Stanley Park is nothing is amazinf. Sample the highlights on a delightful 1-hour carriage ride that winds through the forest, along Burrard Inlet, past cricket fields, rose gardens, and the park's superlative collection of First Nations totem poles. While you’re there consider a visit to the Vancouver Aquarium. This aquarium features the climate and habitats of animals, birds and vegetation from around the world. The Amazon Gallery includes tropical birds, piranhas and jungle plants. The enormous pools feature orcas, beluga whales and sea otters. Specimens from British Columbia and Canada's arctic underwater coast are also featured. This evening enjoy the dining splendor of Vancouver. Fresh seafood and hundreds of restaurants will leave your palette satisfied. A two night stay has been arranged in Vancouver. Accommodations: (STD) Best Western Uptown (2 Nights)

Vancouver, BC

Day 3 | Vancouver, British Columbia

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Take the time to wander the West End. The-shopping strip known as Robson Street is here where fashion rules. Each side street holds a corner café or an interesting shop just waiting to be discovered. Another must see is the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Regional Park. The original bridge was built in 1889. Standing 230 feet above the Capilano River, the plank and cable bridge stretches 450 feet from one side to the other. Other attractions at the park include the world's largest privately owned collection of totem poles, totem carving demonstrations, hiking trails, two restaurants and a gift shop. Another worthwhile stop is the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Classical Chinese Garden. It was constructed in an authentic Ming Dynasty-style. The garden is renowned as being the first of its type built since the late 15th century. It was built with only carefully arranged rocks, wood, plants and water, all without using screws, nails or power tools. The principles of yin and yang opposites, such as light and dark and rough and smooth, are a strong element in this garden's design.

Day 4 | Vancouver - Kelowna, British Columbia

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Kelowna is one of the fastest-growing areas in Canada. Next to the enormous Okanagan Lake and is the center of a vast fruit-, wine-, and vegetable-growing area. Known for its sunny weather and active pursuits, Kelowna is a popular resort for golfers and those that enjoy water sports. Downtown you will find a retail area that has a number of shops, galleries, and cafes. The pride and joy of Kelowna is lovely City Park, which has over half a mile of wide sandy beach. At the north edge is a marina where you can rent boats and recreational equipment, or sign up to learn to water-ski and parasail. You can also board a boat for a guided tour of the lake .Many wineries also offer tours, including the Calona Winery, featuring displays of many antique winemaking machines. An overnight stay has been arranged here. Accommodations: (STD) Accent Inn Kelowna (1 Night)

Glacier National Park, AB

Day 5 | Kelowna - Mount Revelstoke & Glacier Natioonal Park - Lake Louise-Canmore, Alberta

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Drive today to Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Park. Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks encompass the natural beauty and history of the Columbia Mountains. Rogers Pass National Historic Site, located in the heart of Glacier National Park, commemorates the story of Rogers Pass and its role as the most significant mountain pass in Canadian history.. The Columbia Mountains are steep and the valleys narrow, allowing for only a few easy hikes and a good number of challenging ones. These parks are home to a great diversity of wildlife including 54 species of mammals, 183 species of birds and 686 species of plants. Scan the avalanche slopes in Rogers Pass for both grizzlies and black bears. Beaver, mountain goats and muskrat can also be seen in the park. Visit the Rogers Pass Information Centre for insightful park guides. Continue on to Lake Louise. The beautiful blue lake sits at the bottom of Victoria Glacier. The lake has become one of Canada's best-loved and most-visited resorts. Château Lake Louise, built by the Canadian Pacific Railroad, is now the focus of shopping, dining and recreation on the upper slopes of the mountain. Farther below lies the village itself, which is composed mainly of resorts and the small Samson Mall. Carry on to Canmore for a two night stay. It was founded in the 1880s, when it was the center for the coal mines that fueled the Canadian Pacific Railroad's transcontinental trains as they climbed up over the Rockies. The old downtown area is on an island in the Bow River. Three street blocks are lined with shops, brewpubs, restaurants, and boutiques. The Canmore Museum tells the story of this are from the days of coal-mining camp to the 1988 Olympic host city. Accommodations: (STD) Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Canmore (2 Nights)

Grizzly Bear

Day 6 | Banff National Park, Alberta

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The town of Banff is actually located inside Banff National Park. Founded in 1885 following the discovery of the Cave and Basin Hot Springs, Banff is Canada's oldest and most famous national park. It includes a variety of outstanding geological and ecological features, including rugged mountains, glaciers, icefields, alpine meadows, lakes, mineral hot springs, deep canyons and hoodoos. Its diverse wildlife features 53 species of mammals, including elk, bighorn sheep, black and grizzly bear, wolf, coyote, caribou, and mountain lion. The Castleguard Caves in the remote northwest corner of the park form Canada's longest cave system. The Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff commemorates the establishment, growth, and development of Canada's national parks through interactive displays and exhibits. But with its roaring waterfalls and ice-blue glaciers, meadows full of wildflowers and breathtaking panoramic vistas, this is one park that is best appreciated on foot. Luckily, several turnouts along the Icefields and Bow Valley Parkways allow you to get a closer look without investing too much time or energy. A plethora of companies offer guided one-day and multi-day park tours via bus, bike, snowshoe, ski and hiking boot.

Cattle Drive

Day 7 | Canmore - Calgary, Alberta

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Calgary was born when in the summer of 1875 a small portion of the Northwest Mounted Police came to the meeting place of the Bow and Elbow Rivers. They build a log fort and attracted several hundred settlers by the year’s end. With an economic history centered around cattle and oil, the city has develop, with a towering skyline. The many parks and outdoor recreational activities give Calgary a small town charm. In 1988, Calgary hosted the Winter Olympics. For this it constructed the Olympic Park and a host of other facilities. The Glenbow Museum has exhibits tracking western Canada's history and heritage with information on native peoples, European settlers and cultures from around the world. With realistic displays, life in Canada's early years is detailed, providing a glimpse of hardships, joys and domestic life. The Bar U Ranch is a National Historic Site an hour southwest of Calgary. This well-preserved and still-operating cattle ranch celebrates both past and present traditions of the Old West. Tours of the ranch's 35 original buildings are available. Special events include displays of ranching activities and techniques; since this is a real ranch, you might get to watch a branding or roundup. Accommodations: (STD) Holiday Inn Macleod Trail Calgary (1 Night)

Mounties

Day 8 | Calgary - Kalispell, Montana

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Depart Calgary this morning and drive toward Kalispell. Kalispell sits near the head of Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. Glacier National Park, with its majestic snowcapped peaks is close by. They can be seen from the downtown area where a well-established main street circles Kalispell's Courthouse at one end. This small, thriving city is home to the Conrad Mansion, a 19th century Normanstyle mansion with 26 originally furnished rooms; Tiffany glass and eight fireplaces. An overnight stay has been arranged here. Accommodations: (STD) Red Lion Hotel Kalispell (1 Night)

Totem Pole

Day 9 | Kalispell - St. Mary - Great Falls, Montana

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Depart Kalispell this morning and drive toward St. Mary. Today you will travel on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The 1.5 million acre reservation stretches north to the Canadian border. It is home to 7,500 members of what was the most powerful tribe in the Northern Plains. Consider stopping at the Museum of the Plains Indians. Here you will find a small collection of Indian arts and crafts, mostly blankets and jewelry. Continue on to Great Falls for an overnight stay. Buy cowboy boots and hats herewith the best selection of brand-name western wear in the Rocky Mountain West. Visit Holiday Village Mall with its 60 brand name stores. For those interested in art, visit the C. M. Russell Museum. A famous western artist, Charlie Russell produced many paintings depicting Indian and cowboy life on the northern plains in the early 1800s. Many of Russell's paintings and drawings are owned by the museum. Charlie Russell's original studio, on site near the museum, is also worth a visit. The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center is sits on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River. It is near the great falls of the Missouri where Lewis and Clark took eleven days to make the 16-mile portage around five separate falls on the river in 1805. The center has numerous exhibits which describe the expedition's journey up the Missouri River and on to the Pacific Ocean. Accommodations: (STD) Holiday Inn Great Falls (1 Night)

Yellowstone Ntl. Park, WY

Day 10 | Great Falls - Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

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Depart this morning for Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone was the first national park in the world, the example on which parks everywhere are modeled. One of the most famous park features is Old Faithful. This famous geyser got its name because of its punctuality and predictability. Eruptions at Old Faithful last anywhere from 1 to 5 minutes, and spray water and steam up to 184 ft vertically. Yellowstone also has freely roaming herds of buffalo. It also includes the nation's largest wildlife preserve, an enormous lake, the Continental Divide, some 10,000 hydrothermal features, and over 1,000 miles of trails. Its diversity of attractions is a match for any location on the planet. Explore the interesting park locations and the hydrothermal features by strolling the boardwalks built over top them. Yellowstone's wildlife is as spectacular as the hydrothermal features. Because of the park's remote location, and because of its large size, animals roam freely and are able to live in a natural way much as their kind has lived for centuries. Moose, elk and buffalo are among the most populous of inhabitants. You have two nights to enjoy the park. Accommodations: (STD) Days Inn West Yellowstone (2 Nights)

Yellowstone Ntl. Park, WY

Day 11 | Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

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Today is yours to explore more of Yellowstone. Consider stopping at one of the many lodges or visitor centers for interpretive information and shopping for unique gifts. Keep your eyes on the lookout for bear and moose, a special viewing treat within the park. One of the most impressive areas of the park is the deep canyon of the Yellowstone River, featuring the upper and lower portions of Yellowstone Falls. The picture below shows the canyon and Yellowstone Falls from Artist's Point on the south rim. There are many historic buildings in Yellowstone, befitting its long time as a national park. The most famous is Old Faithful Inn. The Inn was originally constructed in 1903-1904, and enlarged in both 1913 and 1928. The Inn area also includes restaurants, shops and other facilities.

Grand Teton Ntl. Park, WY

Day 12 | Yellowstone - Grand Teton National Park - Jackson Hole, Wyoming

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Depart Yellowstone and drive along the majestic Teton Mountains. The Teton Range is forty miles long and experiences and average snowfall of 191 inches. Grand Teton, at 13,770 feet (4,197m) is the tallest peak in this range. The views of the often snowcapped mountains will be spectacular. Stop at one of the many vistas or lakes for an excellent photograph. Continue on to Jackson Hole for an overnight stay. Cowboys come to life in this town that was once a fur trading post. Saloons dot the corners and authentic artwork of the west can be found in the many galleries. Visit a local ranch for a delicious cookout and Wild West Show. Guided tours of the area are available by horseback or even hot air balloon! Accommodations: (STD) Days Inn of Jackson Hole (1 Night)

Jackson, WY

Day 13 | Jackson Hole - Salt Lake City, Utah

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Drive toward Salt Lake City and the famous Mormon Temple Square. The city was founded in 1847 by a group of Mormon Pioneers led by their prophet, Brigham Young, who fled hostility and violence in the Midwest. Free tours are offered of Temple Square where you will see the Tabernacle and other historic Mormon sites. Salt Lake City is the capital and most inhabited city in Utah. The first transcontinental railroad brought the city much economic growth and lead to the nickname “Crossroads of the West.” Today, the mining industry is booming and the city hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics. You can visit the vast local copper mine or see Olympic Park. You might also want to visit the Great Salt Lake. A remnant of the massive ancient Lake Bonneville, the lake is now landlocked and its waters are salty. It is the largest lake between the Great Lakes and the Pacific Ocean, and is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. Enjoy an overnight stay in Salt Lake City. Today is yours to explore all of Salt Lake City. Return to Temple Square and enjoy live classical entertainment that is provided each evening at Assembly Hall. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearsals and radio broadcasts are also open to the public. The ten-acre square also has a variety of beautiful gardens. Consider a visit to the Family History Library, which houses the world's largest collection of genealogical information. Sit at one of the complimentary computers and trace your ancestral roots. Accommodations: (STD) Shilo Inn Salt Lake City (1 Night)

Bonneville Salt Flats, UT

Day 14 | Salt Lake City - Bonneville Salt Flats - Ely, Nevada

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Depart Salt Lake City this morning and travel to the Bonneville Salt Flats. These remnants of the ancient Lake Bonneville of glacial times, the salt flats are now public land. It is the largest of many salt flats located west of the Great Salt Lake. The area is extremely flat and nearly aligned perfectly with the shape of Earth, allowing visitors to see the curvature of the planet. The Salt Flat's potential for racing was first recognized in 1896 by W.D. Rishel who was scouting a bicycle race course from New York to San Francisco. Rishel returned and convinced daredevil Teddy Tezlaff to attempt an automobile speed record on the flats. By 1949, the raceway on the Bonneville Salt Flats was the standard course for world land speed records. On this natural straightaway, the 300, 400, 500, and 600 mile per hour land speed barriers were broken. Since the first speed record attempts in 1914, hundreds of records have been set and broken in a variety of automotive and motorcycle classes. Continue on to Elko for an overnight stay. Accommodations: (STD) Best Western Main Motel (1 Night)

Lake Tahoe, NV

Day 15 | Ely - Lake Tahoe, Nevada

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Shared by California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is nestled between the Sierra Nevada and the Carson Range of mountains. The lake's clear blue waters are a scenic magnet and are complimented by the crisp air and forested vistas. The lake is the world's tenth-deepest and the shoreline is dotted with towns, each unique. On the North Shore, the most prominent is Incline Village, a community of expensive homes, intriguing shops, and leisure activites. Here you will find Lakeshore Drive's two miles of multi-million-dollar real estate. Truckee, northwest of the lake, is more local, and the former lumber mill town's historic downtown has a variety of bars, restaurants, and shops. South Lake Tahoe has many resorts and casinos. For a preview of heaven, take a ride on the Heavenly Valley Ski Resort gondola. The gondola consists of state-of-the-art "cars" that whisk you from South Shore's downtown area up the mountain to Heavenly Resort's 14,000-squarefoot observation deck. Each car holds up to eight people. The 2 1/2-mile ride rises to an elevation of 9,123 feet, offering spectacular shore-to-shore views. Accommodations: (STD) Best Western Truckee Tahoe Inn (1 Night)

Native Americans

Day 16 | Lake Tahoe - Sacramento, California

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Sacramento stands as the capital of the state of California. Originally established as a supply town for gold miners, modern-day Sacramento is the hub of commerce for the central valley area. Guided tours of the California State Capitol and Museum are available. This museum highlights regional and state political history in the very building that has served as the seat of the government since 1869. Consider a visit the Governor Mansion. From 1903 to 1967, this lovely Victorian mansion was home to thirteen governors. Guided tours lead visitors through well appointed rooms with lavish decorations. Railroad excursions are also available. This popular attraction takes visitors on a 40-minute train ride along the Sacramento River. Enjoy cruising along in open-air gondolas and vintage coaches pulled by real steam locomotives while marveling at the scenery. Accommodations: (STD) Best Western Sutter House Sacramento (1 Night)

San Francisco, CA

Day 17 | Sacramento - San Francisco, California

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San Francisco is home of majestic wine country and the Golden Gate Bridge. The term "melting pot" is used to describe many American cities and towns. It is very appropriate for San Francisco. Rows of elegant houses, the famous cable cars, clusters of ethnic neighborhoods, and the colorful waterfront all add to the distinctive international flavor of the city. Today, you are free to enjoy one of the many sights and sounds of San Francisco. Take a cable car ride from Fisherman's Wharf. Another major attraction is Alcatraz, a small island located in the middle of San Francisco Bay. It served as lighthouse, a military fortification, and finally as a federal prison until 1963. The rangers give excellent guided tours detailing the history and legends surrounding “The Rock.” Spend the day in Golden Gate Park. Golden Gate Park offers dozens of fun things to do. Don’t miss the local resident buffalo herd. This evening dine in one of San Francisco’s many distinctive neighborhoods. From Chinatown to the very Italian flavored North Beach, each offers its own distinctive culture and cuisine. Accommodations: (STD) Cathedral Hill Hotel San Francisco (2 Nights)

San Francisco, CA

Day 18 | San Francisco, California

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Visit the dramatic curves of Lombard Street, one of San Francisco's most photographed sites. The beautifully landscaped, one-block descent from Hyde Street to Leavenworth Street, has given Lombard the title of "crookedest street in the world." At the intersection of Hyde and Lombard, a cable car route provides spectacular views of Alcatraz, Angel Island, Coit Tower, Yerba Buena Island and the Bay Bridge. Consider a visit to Muir Woods National Monument. This grove of coast redwoods has been protected for a century, and the amazing specimens rank among the tallest trees in the world. Some reach 252 feet, are 14 feet across, and are more than 1000 years old. Paved trails make for easy exploration and unpaved trails offer more of a challenge for a hiking enthusiast

California Redwood Tree

Day 19 | San Francisco - Redwood National Park - Eureka, California

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Depart the bustle of San Francisco and up the stunning Pacific Coast into wine country. Many of the wineries offer tastings and tours of the facilities. . A unique experience can be found on the Wine Train, which tours the Napa wine making region aboard elegant Pullman lounge and dining cars. Circa 1915, the Honduran mahogany, polished brass, imported linens, and etched glass hark back to a time when such luxuries were reserved for the rich. Passengers may elect for brunch, lunch, or dinner trips, all of which include seasonal gourmet dishes and opportunities to sample the finest Californian wines. Drive toward Redwood National Park. The parks protect 45% of the remaining groves of coastal redwood, the tallest and one of the most massive tree species on earth. Here, banana slugs, gray whales, Douglas-fir, black bears, and sea anemones are equally at home with redwoods. Take a serene hike one of the fascinating trails and discover the wonder of these ancient trees. Continue on into Eureka for an overnight stay. Accommodations: (STD) Best Western Humboldt Bay Inn (1 Night)

Oregon Beach

Day 20 | Eureka - Coos Bay, Oregon

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In downtown Coos Bay, there is an attractive waterfront boardwalk, complete with historical displays, and what was once a huge lumber mill is now the site of the equally large Mill Resort & Casino. Southwest of Coos Bay there are three state parks and a county park that preserve some of the most breathtaking shoreline in the Northwest. The three parks are connected by an excellent trail that is perfect for a rewarding day hike. Start your exploration of this beautiful stretch of coast by heading southwest on the Cape Arago Highway. In 12 miles you'll come to Sunset Bay State Park. This park has one of the few beaches in Oregon where the water actually gets warm enough for swimming (although folks from warm-water regions may not agree). Sunset Bay is almost completely surrounded by sandstone cliffs, and the entrance to the bay is quite narrow, which means the waters here stay fairly calm. Picnicking and camping are available, and there are lots of tide pools to explore. Accommodations: (STD) Red Lion Hotel Coos Bay (1 Night)

Mount Rainer, OR

Day 21 | Coos Bay - Mt. Rainer National Park - Portland, Oregon

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Via a scenic route the tour continues towards Mount Rainier. Mt Rainier is an active cascade volcano encased in over 35 square miles of snow and glacial ice. The 14,410’ mountain is surrounded by lush old growth forests, spectacular subalpine meadows and a National Historic Landmark District. There are a variety of hiking trails available for all skill levels. Visit the Longmire Museum. Pioneer James Longmire discovered mineral springs here in 1883 and built Mt. Rainier’s first hotel; his ads for miraculous water cures helped generate early tourism and a constituency for the creation of the park. Take time for the easy 0.5-mile [0.8-kilometer] Trail of the Shadows that starts on the opposite side of the main road. Travel on to Portland. Known as the “City of Roses,” Portland retains many big city charms, but the true beauty can be found in one of the local public gardens or parks within the city. Visit the International Rose Test Garden. Covering more than 5 acres of hillside in the West Hills above downtown Portland, these are among the largest and oldest rose test gardens in the United States. The gardens were established in 1917 by the American Rose Society and are used as a testing ground for new varieties of roses. Though you will probably see some familiar roses in the Gold Medal Garden, most of the 400 varieties on display are new hybrids being tested before marketing. Visit Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square, here a mechanical sculpture called the Weather Machine forecasts the weather everyday at noon. Dine and shop in the many neighborhoods of Portland. With a strong artistic and musical community, unique boutiques and eateries can be found easily. Accommodations: (STD) Shilo Inn Beaverton (1 Night)

Portland, Or

Day 22 | Portland - Seattle Tacoma International Airport, WA

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Depart in time for the SEATAC International Airport.