Itinerary

With its iconic skyline punctuated by the futuristic Space Needle, the wilderness of the Puget Sound at its back and the peak of Mount Rainier soaring in the distance, Seattle is one of the most recognisable cities on America’s West Coast. Arrive and get settled into your hotel located right in the heart of Seattle’s downtown. You’ll be within walking distance of all of Seattle’s iconic destinations: Pike Place Market, the waterfront and all of the retail stores, boutique shops and fine dining sitting under the prominent gaze of the famous Space Needle. If you are looking to explore Seattle in depth, get a CityPASS to make the most of your stay. You’ll have access to five major attractions across the city, including the renowned Chihuly Gardens and Glass.

No trip to Seattle is complete without a visit to one of the USA’s oldest operating markets: Pike Place. Covering nine acres, it specialises in the finest ingredients and seafood the region has to offer and offers countless stalls and restaurants that demonstrate the city’s fine culinary prowess. Take a chef-guided tour of this incredible space and eat your way through Seattle’s most celebrated culinary landmark. You’ll get to taste locally made foods and meet some of the city’s favourite vendors while learning about the market’s fascinating history.

Spend the day visiting the places you missed on the days before – have you seen the incredible views yet from the Space Needle? Or entered the stunning Chihuly Gardens and Glass? Chances are there will be a few bits you’ll still want to tick off your list. The renowned Seattle Art Museum is well worth a visit as is the historic Pioneer Square neighbourhood where you can head beneath the streets to see the remains of the city’s original downtown.

Finish your time in this metropolitan city with some boutique browsing and fine dining. Seattle is renowned for both, and they are essential parts of any good trip.

Collect your rental car and leave early for the 2.5-hour drive to Port Angeles. You’ll be arriving at the elegant Olympic Lodge by Ayres, conveniently located for the epic hikes and stunning scenery to be found in Olympic National Park.

Covering nearly 1 million acres of land across the Olympic Peninsula, where you’ll be staying, Olympic National Park boasts diverse ecosystems and abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation. 95% of this largely roadless marvel is untouched and undeveloped, making it an incredible location for hiking, backpacking and unfiltered backcountry exploration. Designated as a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations, the park draws millions of visitors every year, so drop off your bags at your lodge and head out to the park to explore. From Port Angeles you’ll have easy access to some of Olympic National Park’s most beautiful locations, including Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent and Marymere Falls.

After breakfast, drive over 2 hours around the peninsula to Lake Quinault. Located at the southern edge of Olympic National Park in the glacial-carved Quinault Valley, you’ll be arriving at your accommodation, the Lake Quinault Lodge set just off the picturesque lake nestled in the lush alpine setting. Cosy and rustic, you’ll find everything you need here for the next two days.

Get settled and take in the scenic views before planning the rest of your day. The Lake Quinault area is home to some of the world’s largest trees including western red cedar, Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, and both western and mountain hemlock, and the rainforests of Olympic National Park. Start with the 31-mile scenic loop around Lake Quinault, or if you want to get out of the car, head straight into Quinault Rainforest. Filled with easy and picturesque hiking trails, you’ll be occupied for hours enjoying the diverse greenery.

Lake Quinault is an ideal place for enjoying nature at your leisure, so make the most of its spectacular location. You have access to the lake for boating, swimming and fishing – not to mention lounge chairs in the grass by the lake for reading or peaceful contemplation.

Further hikes and even bike rides in the surrounding forest can be arranged with help from hotel staff, and if you haven’t already done this the day before, make sure to reserve a table for dinner in your Lodge’s historic Roosevelt Dining Room. The beautiful panoramic views you will get are the perfect way to cap off your time in the Olympic National Park.

Drive down to the town of Kelso first thing in the morning. The journey is 2.5 hours, but you’ll want to make good time as just an hour and a half outside of Kelso lies the beautiful environs of Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument. Drop off your bags at your hotel – it’s a comfortable overnight base and centrally-located within the town – before having a day out at the park.

Packed with scenic hiking trails, you’ll want to start at either the main visitor’s centre or the Johnston Ridge Observatory. From there, beautiful trails and stunning views await. Head to Coldwater Lake for a picnic or go underground at the Ape Cave Interpretive Site to walk through lava tunnels. You’ll easily have a day of fun within the astounding natural beauty of Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.

After breakfast, make the 4 hour drive over to Richland, the heart of Washington’s wine country – in the Tri-Cities – at the confluence of the Columbia, Snake and Yakima rivers. You’ll be arriving at The Lodge at Columbia Point, a beautiful resort right on the quiet Columbia River, and a great base from which to get around Washington’s burgeoning wine country.

Start your stay by stretching your legs with a walk along the 5-mile Riverfront Trail. Those looking for more hikes can head up the basalt landscapes of nearby Badger Mountain. The Columbia River provides excellent access to water sports, so get your swimwear on for some kayaking or paddleboarding. Fishing enthusiasts will also be in luck as the area is ideal for catching rainbow trout and bass, and golfers will find well-manicured greens and rolling fairways for improving their swing. Come dinner you’ll find plenty of wonderful restaurants just a short walk from your accommodation.

Sharing the same latitude as the world-famous Burgundy and Bordeaux regions of France, the Columbia Valley has the perfect soil conditions and temperatures for making great wines, and the region boasts around 200 wineries within a 1-hour drive. Get a map from your hotel and spend the day out in the lush local vineyards. The Tri-Cities’ wineries are still young enough to provide an intimate tasting, despite being experienced enough to produce world-class wines. Local American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) such as Goose Gap, Red Mountain and White Bluffs offer three distinctive profiles for those looking to know Washington wines in depth.

Start your morning with the 2.5-hour drive over to Leavenworth, Washington’s Bavarian-styled town nestled in the Cascade Mountains. You’ll arrive at the Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort, set against the backdrop of the beautiful mountain scenery and away from the bustle of downtown Leavenworth. Its incredible location right by Icicle Creek offers spectacular views of the Cascade Range and almost immediate access to some of the area’s best walking paths and hiking trails.

Get settled in – you’ll be staying in high-end rustic comfort for the next two nights – before heading out to explore. Head out for a hike on one of the many nearby trails. Take a self-guided art walk through the resort to see work by local artists. Play a round of golf on the Leavenworth Golf Course or visit the Audubon-selected bird watching spots within the resort. You can also head into downtown Leavenworth to experience the almost magical, European-inspired atmosphere. If you need a bite to eat while exploring the city centre, Yodelin Broth Company and München House come highly recommended.

Leavenworth has no shortage of things to do, so take today to enjoy its highlights. Start with some outdoor adventure after breakfast. See more of Leavenworth and its stunning natural surroundings with a guided e-bike tour. Take a scenic hike over to Lake Wenatchee State Park for amazing views across the lake, or go floating, kayaking or paddleboarding on the tranquil Wenatchee River.

Leavenworth is known for its distinctive wineries and local craft brewing companies, so a tasting is highly recommended in the afternoon or evening. Wine lovers should head to Silvara Cellars, Usurious Wines or Icicle Ridge Winery and beer lovers should stop by Icicle Brewing Company, Doghaus Brewery and Bushel & Bee Taproom. You’ll find unique and delightful sips no matter where you choose to visit.

After breakfast and a leisurely last morning in Leavenworth, make your way over to the upscale retreat of Cedarbrook Lodge in SeaTac. An 18-acre urban oasis in the suburbs of Seattle, this final stop offers respite before your return home. Designed in quintessential Pacific Northwest style, and offering you the very best service, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to rest and relax after you check in.

Start with a treatment at The Spa at Cedarbrook or a walk across the pathed woodlands of the property. You’ll be surrounded by evergreens, blooming flowers and quaint streams. Next, make sure to sit back with a book, a boardgame, your laptop or some TV in one of the lodge’s Living Rooms. These inviting spaces were made for work or play. Come dinner, indulge in a delicious meal at the highly acclaimed Copperleaf Restaurant. It’s the perfect finish to what will have been a wonderful stay in the state of Washington.