Adventures in the Wild North West 11 Days

Come join Southern Excursions for a wonderful North West Adventure From San Francisco to Seattle via Eureka, Portland and Olympic National Park: the bohemian cities and natural beauty of three states are revealed, on this in-depth journey into the wild northwest. August 12-August 22nd. 2018

You'll enjoy Insider moments like...tasting the fruity richness of Oregon's famous Pinot Noir at Willamette Valley Winery. You'll get to know the owners as they share the secrets of this unique grape during a delicious lunch and wine experience.

Day 1: ARRIVE SAN FRANCISCO

Welcome to San Francisco. After checking in at your hotel, enjoy a real San Francisco treat and dive into exploring on your own at nearby Pier 39, the famed marketplace filled with shops, attractions and street performers. At 6 p.m., gather at the hotel with your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception.

Meal(s) Hotel Welcome Reception Hyatt Regency San Francisco

Day 2: San Francisco - Eureka What better way to get a taste of San Francisco than by crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, one of the world's most recognizable landmarks. If you are up for a walk, grab your cameras and join your Travel Director for a stroll across this impressive feat of engineering. Learn all about the bridge and why it's not painted gold—despite its name. Drive along the stunning Avenue of the Giants before arriving at Humboldt Redwoods State Park filled with some of the tallest trees you have ever seen.

Meal(s) Hotel Full Breakfast Red Lion Eureka Day 3: EUREKA – REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK – COOS BAY This morning, view one of the most written about and photographed Victorian houses in California, the Carson Mansion. Drive through Northern California's Redwood National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with trees more than 1,000 years old and over 300 feet (90 meters) tall. Arrive in Coos Bay and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Meal(s) Hotel Full Breakfast Red Lion Coos Bay

Day 4: COOS BAY – OREGON DUNES – NEWPORT (2 NIGHTS) Gear up for the trip to Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, a natural wonder of endless shifting sand, unique tree islands and lots of interesting creatures. Hop in a dune buggy for an exhilarating ride up and down these expansive tracts of sand. Then stop at Hecate Head overlook and see a beautiful 19th century lighthouse that casts its beam out to sea, before checking into your spectacular oceanfront rooms.

Meal(s) Hotel Full Breakfast & Dinner Hallmark Resort

Day 5: NEWPORT SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME After a leisurely breakfast, join a sea life cruise where you will keep an eye out for sea life and marine birds as the onboard naturalist, your Local Specialist, tells you all about your surroundings. With your free time this afternoon, maybe explore Newport's historic waterfront.

Meal(s) Full Breakfast Day 6: NEWPORT – WILLAMETTE VALLEY – PORTLAND (2 NIGHTS)

Tour the Evergreen Aviation Museum, where you will see the Spruce Goose and celebrate the lives of innovators, pilots, and veterans who courageously pioneered flight. Enjoy a Be My Guest lunch in Willamette Valley where the owners host a tour and tasting of their local winery followed by a gourmet meal with incredible locally produced Pinot Noir. Then continue to Portland where the evening is yours to explore.

Meal(s) Hotel Full Breakfast & Be My Guest Dinner Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront

Day 7: PORTLAND SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME

Today you'll discover some of Oregon's most beautiful scenery along the historic Columbia River Highway. Stop at Chanticleer Point and the Vista House for panoramic views of the river from 733 feet (223 meters) above. Vista House's octagonal building with its copper dome is home to an interpretive display of historic and geologic points of interest in the gorge. Onward to Multnomah Falls, the second highest year-round waterfall in the United States and Oregon's tallest. Lunch is at leisure in Hood River, consistently named one of the best small towns in the USA. Perhaps enjoy a lunch local specialty of salmon with chips at a local brewery and sip one of the many craft beers Oregon is known for. Visit Timberland Lodge with great views of Mt. Hood before enjoying a free evening in Portland. Meals: Full Breakfast

Day 8: PORTLAND – MOUNT ST. HELENS - OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK

Visit the award-winning Mount St. Helens Visitor's Center, dedicated to the active Ring-of-Fire volcano that erupted in 1980. Learn about the legendary blast, an eruption so colossal that it spewed ash into 11 states, as you watch a reenactment of the event and experience interactive exhibits such as a step- in volcano model and working seismograph. Venture west to the rugged coast of Olympic National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve, the park contains three distinct ecosystems. Then meet Harvest Moon, a Local Specialist, who shares with you the tribal legends and stories of the Quinault people who have long called the Pacific Northwest home.

Meal(s) Hotel Full Breakfast & Dinner Quinault Lodge Authentic Accommodation

Day 9: OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK – SEATTLE (2 NIGHTS )

Enter the beautiful Hoh Rainforest, one of the world's few (as well as the largest) temperate rainforests and trek to the eerie “Hall of Mosses” with trees and branches dripping with moss. Then make a stop at dazzling Lake Crescent before leaving Olympic National Park. Sensational views of the Seattle skyline unfold before you as you make your way by ferry across Puget Sound into the Emerald City. Once ashore in this hip and vibrant town, stop at the historic Pike Place Market, the nation's oldest farmers market, where the fish fly low—from one fishmonger's hands to the next. Enjoy the evening at leisure to explore Seattle as you wish.

Meal(s) Hotel

Full Breakfast Sheraton Seattle

Day 10: SEATTLE SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME

This morning, your choice of sightseeing gives you a chance to enjoy a visit to the EMP (Experience Music Project) Museum, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the creativity that inspires contemporary pop culture or make the trip to the top of the Space Needle, the iconic landmark of the great Pacific Northwest. After some down time, join your newfound friends for a Farewell Dinner toasting to your exciting northwest adventures. Full Breakfast/Dinner

Day 11: DEPART SEATTLE Time to bid farewell to your fellow adventurers and take your transfer to Seattle International Airport or extend your stay at the Sheraton Seattle. Meal Full Break. Price: $3783. Price per person based on (double occupancy); Triple Rate: $3308. Single Supplement is an additional $1739. Optional Pre-night and post nights, rates to come at latter date, + insurance and transfers to/from airports will be available when rates are posted and also group air. Deposit of $250. per person is necessary at this time to secure your seat and room, payment plans will be available for your convenience. Deposits are refundable up to June 1, 2017 then trip insurance is recommended in the event cancellation is needed, this is optional but suggested. Early Bird pay down specials will be released shortly an excellent opportunity to save 10% on trip total. Call now and reserve your spot, limited seats on bus. Southern Excursions, 910-287-5851, If you have traveled with us before you know the quality of our trips, so call now and don’t miss out.

 Hidden Treasures

Enjoy at least one surprise Hidden Treasure.

 Be My Guest

at a local Willamette Valley winery.

 Local Specialists

on a nature cruise in Newport and in Olympic National Park learning about the Quinault people.

 Authentic Accommodation

Quinault Lodge, Olympic National Park, Washington, USA A grand and rustic lodge built in 1926 that welcomes guests with warmth, hospitality and comfort is Quinault Lodge, an Authentic Accommodation.

Sightseeing Highlights

 City tours of San Francisco, Portland and Seattle  Visit Golden Gate Bridge, Eureka, Redwood and Olympic National Parks, Coos Bay, the Oregon Dunes, Multnomah Falls and the Visitor Center at Mount St. Helens  See the famous lighthouse in Heceta Head and Hoh Rainforest  Cruise along Puget Sound via ferry  Scenic drive along the Avenue of the Giants and historic Columbia River Highway Dining

 10 full breakfasts.

 1 lunch

(including Be My Guest).

 4 dinners.

Travel Highlights

 Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)  Hand-picked 4 and 5 star accommodation  Hand-picked Insider Experiences  Optional Experiences and free time  All portage and restaurant gratuities  Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras  An expert Travel Director and separate Driver  All hotel tips, charges and local taxes  Airport transfers on the first and last day of your guided holiday  VIP entry to many sights  Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing  10 nights First Class accommodation

Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director. Florence

 Sand Dunes Dune Buggy Upgrade

Adult Price: US$40.00While many of you will choose to enjoy the included “Giant Buggy” ride at the Sand Dunes, for the very adventurous, you won’t want to miss the smaller “Sand Rails” ride. For a nominal upgrade price, you will rip and roar along the dunes leaving the “Giant Buggies” in your dust. Imagine being on an extended roller coaster ride in the sand and that’s what you will get on the sand rails. This one will get your blood pumping and your heart racing! Tour length: 1.5 hours. (Minimum: 2 passengers). Gold Beach

 Jet and Mail Boat Trip

Adult Price: US$36.00Jet boat the historic “Mail Boat Route”, just as the pioneers have done since 1895 when road access did not exist. These are the only “Mail Boats” in the nation and still deliver mail today. The jet boats are capable of traveling in just inches of water and the 90 minute ride is relaxed. Be on the lookout for wildlife as you jet through the pristine wilderness of the Pacific Coastal Estuary.

Newport

 Sea Life CruiseAdult Price: US$40.00Join onboard naturalists during a two-hour marine life cruise aboard the 65-foot Discovery. Depending on the season, search for porpoise, seals, sea lions, pelicans and bald eagles. Keep your cameras ready for sensational views of the bay, river and coastline as well as the Yaquina Bay Bridge and historic lighthouses. If the conditions are right, the captain might even decide to drop a few crab pots to try his luck! Tour length: Portland

 Portland Walking Tour TD / Huber's Café

Adult Price: US$58.00You’ll be wowed by this up close and personal walk through downtown Portland. Afterward, enjoy dinner at Huber’s Cafe, Portland’s oldest restaurant, located inside the Historic Oregon Pioneer Building.