OREGON RAILS AND ROSES TOUR
June 6-15, 2003
Tour from $1799.00
Late spring in the Pacific Northwest is magical! For 2003, we offer a wonderful new tour in Oregon including a ride on the new PACIFIC SUNSET ?Tillamook Train? to the summit of the Coast Range on the very scenic former Southern Pacific Garibaldi/Tillamook Branch; the Hood River Railroad, with an on-line switchback and sweeping views of Mount Hood; the trolley cars and new light rail lines in Portland; the narrow gauge four-mile-long Portland Zoo Railway; and Amtrak?s CASCADES TALGO train. These rail rides are combined with beautiful gardens, a jet boat trip, a marine wildlife tour, Mount Hood, sightseeing on the Oregon coast, and reserved seating at the Portland Rose Parade (the second largest floral parade in the U.S. after Pasadena?s Tournament of Roses Parade). As usual, our overnight hotel stays are special and include a night at the famous Columbia Gorge Hotel, a return to the hotel Rail Travel Center used on its very first escorted tour in 1983!
This tour has been designed to immediately follow the excellent QUEEN OF THE WEST CRUISE program from May 31 to June 7. Details on that cruise appear elsewhere in this catalog. Book both the cruise and this tour and save $115 per person in double occupancy and $180 in single occupancy on this program. Whether you book this tour by itself, book the cruise only, or take both, a scenic and delightful experience awaits you. All aboard for Oregon at its best!
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Day One, Friday, June 6
Independent arrivals into Portland. Our tour begins in Portland, Oregon, with an included stay at the Hilton Hotel Portland, located downtown near the Performing Arts Center and a few blocks from the Art Museum and Historical Society.
Day 2:
Day Two, Saturday, June 7 (D)
Portland Rose Parade; drive to Otter Rock near Newport. We depart our hotel this morning, stop to pick up passengers joining us from the QUEEN OF THE WEST cruise, and proceed by motorcoach to our location for the renowned Rose Parade, where we have reserved seats. Dozens of floats bedecked with thousands of roses and other flowers highlight the parade, along with bands, equestrian units, clowns and dancers. This is the second largest floral parade in the U.S., second only to the Rose Parade in Pasadena, and typically takes about two-and-one-half hours to pass a given viewing place. At the completion of the parade in early afternoon, we have time for optional lunches before traveling by motorcoach to Otter Rock, Oregon, where we have a two-night stay at the fine Inn at Otter Crest located on a cliff overlooking the ocean. The Inn has a private beach access on the property. Our Welcome Dinner is this evening.
(D)
Day 3:
Day Three, Sunday, June 8 (L)
Marine Discovery Tour; Oregon Coast History Center; Oregon Coast Aquarium. We begin this morning with a very short drive to Newport, where we enjoy a two-hour bay excursion (narrated by a naturalist guide) in search of whales, sea lions, seals and birds. Following an included luncheon in Newport, we visit the Oregon Coast History Center to view the exhibits and buildings. The magnificent Oregon Coast has a surprising history of not only fishing and timbering, but also farming, cheese making and tourism. We end our day with a visit to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, located on six acres and displaying more than 240 species of sea life. In addition to films on marine life and hands-on exhibits, a highlight of the aquarium is the ?Passages of the Deep? walkway, which allows us to walk through a clear tunnel underwater through shark-infested waters!
(L)
Day 4:
Day Four, Monday, June 9 (L)
Heceta Head Lighthouse; Shore Acres State Park; to Gold Beach. The Oregon Coast is spectacular as we drive south on the famous Pacific Coast Highway (US 101) with views of high cliffs, monoliths rising from the surf, and beautiful W.P.A. era bridges crossing the inlets. We leave Newport and drive south to Florence, stopping en route to visit Heceta Head Lighthouse. After an included luncheon in Florence, we continue south to Coos Bay and visit Shore Acres State Park. This unusual park is a former estate containing five acres of beautiful gardens and an overlook of the ocean where, with luck, we might spot a whale. We end the day at Gold Beach, staying at the Gold Beach Resort. All rooms have balconies overlooking the water.
(L)
Day 5:
Day Five, Tuesday, June 10 (L)
Jerry?s Rogue Jets boat ride; to Eugene. We depart our hotel this morning for a beautiful scenic jet boat ride up the Rogue River to the small town of Agness. Lunch is included there before our return trip to Gold Beach. This 64-mile round-trip takes us through an area abounding in wildlife and canyon scenery. Our on-board guide serves as a wildlife spotter, folklorian and expert on river history during the trip. Upon our return, we board our motorcoach and drive inland over the Coast Range and north through the rugged upper Willamette Valley to Eugene, where we overnight at the Red Lion Hotel.
(L)
Day 6:
Day Six, Wednesday, June 11
Amtrak TALGO to Portland; drive to Hood River. Another train ride awaits us this morning as we depart Eugene on the northbound Amtrak CASCADES TALGO train to Portland. The Union Pacific?s pretty former Southern Pacific ?Shasta? route provides lovely views of rich farmlands, vineyards and prosperous towns of the Willamette River Valley?the true ?utopia? at the end of the Oregon Trail! The unique TALGO train is a Spanish design which tilts to allow smoother running around curves. Huge picture windows enhance the views, and a very nice light lunch of Northwest specialties can be purchased in the mid-train café-lounge car. Upon arrival at the National Historic Landmark Portland Union Depot, we transfer to our motorcoach for an early afternoon drive east to Hood River in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge.
Our hotel this evening is a very special one. The Columbia Gorge Hotel was used in the very first Rail Travel Center tour in 1983, and remains a special treat each time we visit. Built in 1921 in California Mission style by lumber magnate Simon Benson, its reputation was enhanced with visits by Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Franklin D. Roosevelt, Myrna Loy, Shirley Temple, Jane Powell and Clara Bow. Rumor suggests it also was a favorite hideaway for Rudolph Valentino. Our early afternoon arrival provides time to enjoy the beautiful gardens, the spectacular on-site waterfalls, and views of the river before a late afternoon reception.
Day 7:
Day Seven, Thursday, June 12 (B,L)
Farm breakfast; Hood River Railroad; Timberline Lodge at Mount Hood; Heirloom Rose Display Gardens. The Columbia Gorge Hotel is famous (notorious?) for its fabulous five-course ?Farm Breakfast?, which we enjoy this morning before departing. Our train ride is on the Hood River Railroad, which operates the former Union Pacific Mount Hood Branch. On our journey from Hood River to Parkdale, we travel in enclosed Pullman coaches from the early part of the 20th century. The route takes us up the Hood River Valley through forests, meadows and orchards and includes a rare rail switchback. At Parkdale, we transfer to our motorcoach and continue on up Mount Hood, the spectacular backdrop for the city of Portland. Lunch is included at beautiful Timberline Lodge, a WPA project renowned both for its setting and unique custom-designed rustic furnishings. The resort is a National Historic Landmark as well.
Following our luncheon, we travel back down the mountain to the wonderful Heirloom Rose Display Gardens, featuring over 1500 rose varieties. Since this is the time of the Portland Rose Festival, the blooms should be wonderful! A short drive returns us to Portland, where the final three nights of the tour are spent again at the Hilton downtown.
(B) (L)
Day 8:
Day Eight, Friday, June 13
Trolley/light rail riding; Oregon Zoo and Zoo Train; Japanese Garden; International Rose Test Gardens; Museum of Science and Industry. Portland is an extremely beautiful city, and today is spent enjoying some of its premiere attractions using the fine public transportation system between our hotel and various destinations. First we board the new Westside Light Rail Line for a ride to the end of the line. Our route includes a long tunnel under the hills before rolling east along a former railway right of way. On our return, we detrain at Washington Park Station to visit the fine Portland Zoo, which replicates many natural environments including alpine, Alaskan Tundra, African Savanna and Rain Forest, and a swamp. The narrow-gauge Portland Zoo Railway provides a four-mile ride with sweeping views over the city (including Mount Hood on clear days) with stops including the famous Rose Test Gardens and stunning Japanese Garden, one of the largest traditional gardens of its kind in North America.
Returning to the riverfront area, we also visit the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, which includes hands on exhibits; an IMAX; and an optional visit to the USS Blueback, the last diesel-electric submarine built by the Navy and used in filming the movie ?The Hunt for Red October?. Late afternoon is at leisure. Railfans will want to ride Portland?s new center city streetcar line, the first entirely in-street electric railway to be completed in the United States in 30 years. We also can ride the Eastside Light Rail line, portions of which incorporate a former Interurban railway right of way. These rides are free today using our all-day Light Rail tickets.
Day 9:
Day Nine, Saturday, June 14 (L)
PACIFIC SUNSET train to the crest of the Coast Range. We drive to Banks this morning to board the PACIFIC SUNSET ?Tillamook Train? for a round trip ride to the summit of the Coast Range on the highly scenic former Southern Pacific Garibaldi/Tillamook Branch. The line is marked by steep grades and sharp curves as it ascends through great stands of timber to the crest of the range. A fine barbecue lunch is included near the summit. The balance of the day is at leisure to enjoy Portland.
(L)
Day 10:
Day Ten, Sunday, June 15
Tour ends. Our program ends with independent departures from the Portland Hilton this morning.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
TOUR PRICES include all hotels; motorcoach, train, trolley, light rail and boat transportation noted in the itinerary; meals and attractions noted as included above; luggage handling; and escort services. Persons joining this tour from the QUEEN OF THE WEST cruise will be picked up at the dock in Portland the morning of Day Two in this itinerary. There is a special price reduction on this tour of $115 per person, double occupancy or $180 single occupancy (including multiple tour discount) for those booking this tour in conjunction with the QUEEN OF THE WEST cruise.
$1799.00 per person, double occupancy
$2299.00 single occupancy
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Oregon
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