This evening, mingle with other group members at a meet and greet reception hosted by our guide, a beer aficionado and destination specialist. We’ll be given an introduction to our 9-day exploration of the Pacific Northwest’s unrivaled beauty; spectacular waterfalls and lakes, magnificent mountains and volcanic monuments, young, vibrant cities — and some of the most imaginative craft beers in the country.

This morning we’ll tour Seattle, an unpretentious port city populated with natural and cultural amenities that epitomize the attraction of the Northwest. Visit its colorful neighborhoods and iconic attractions such as historic Pioneer Square, the Space Needle,Pike Place Market. This afternoon will be for tastings. The proliferation of Seattle craft breweries is mind boggling. The city’s small-batch producers tend to know their stuff, producing solid line-ups of supremely drinkable IPAs, stouts, and more.

OPTIONAL: Tonight, enjoy a dinner comprised of regional cuisine paired with specially selected brews. Seattle dishes are heavily influenced by Asian and Native American traditions and typically feature locally-caught seafood.

Portland sits on the Columbia and Willamette rivers, in the shadow of snow-capped Mount Hood. Upon arrival we’ll enjoy an orientation tour of the city and its iconic gardens. This after-noon, one can explore more of the city on own or take part in one of the offered optional tours.

OPTIONAL: Join a bicycle tour that will take us to breweries featuring local classics as well as innovative and fresh flavors.

OR

OPTIONAL: Taste Portland during this walking tour to some of the downtown area’s most unique restaurants, food emporiums and food carts, all while experiencing the City of Roses’ eclectic mix of neighborhoods.

Spend this day taking in the beauty of two major Pacific Northwest rivers: the Columbia and Hood Rivers. We’ll visit Columbia River Gorge and experience the power and beauty of nature up close at Multnomah Falls, a 611-foot-tall (186m) roaring, awe-inspiring cascade of icy water.

Award-winning breweries align the towns along the Hood River. We’ll stop at some of the 10 breweries in this area. Imaginative flavors are created here using local malts, hops and fresh fruit in its beers.

OPTIONAL: Enjoy a dinner consisting of farm-to-table ingredients expertly paired with beer from Portland’s innovative breweries.

This morning we’ll tour the city of Eugene, home to the University of Oregon and a prominent arts community. After a short walking tour, we’ll stop in an area of Eugene aligned with local breweries, all part of Eugene’s Ale Trail. There’ll be time on own for lunch and tastings before heading to Ashland, home to Oregon’s year-round Shakespeare Festival.

OPTIONAL: Enjoy dinner at one of this foodie mecca’s favorite restaurants before attending a performance of the town’s year-round Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Warm summer nights move some performances outside to enjoy under the stars.

Today we’ll take a day trip to Crater Lake National Park. Created by a collapsed volcano after a violent eruption more than 7,000 years ago, scientists marvel at its purity. Fed only by rain and snow, it’s the deepest lake in the US at nearly 600m. Stand in wonder at its blue water and stunning setting. A National Park Ranger will talk to us about the Park’s origins and special features before we take a leisurely hike filled with breathtaking views and photo opportunities.

Back in Ashland we’ll have time on our own for dinner in the downtown area.

Today we travel to Northern California’s Sonoma County. Well-known for its rolling hillsides of grape vines, it has also become a haven for craft beer with at least two dozen operating breweries and more opening seemingly every day.

End the day by enjoying the amenities of the hotel. The hotel has a full-service spa and health club, two Olympic-sized pools, and tennis courts. OPTIONAL: We’ll visit the neighboring town of Healdsburg to discover its unique treasures. Here one will find world class shopping, renowned art and sculpture, and plenty of wine tasting and tap rooms. Then sit down to one of the town’s distinctive eateries for a pairing dinner.

We’ll journey to Armstrong Forest and walk among the giant Redwoods. Then follow the coast to Bodega Bay, where Alfred Hitchcock filmed “The Birds”. We’ll see the sites from this classic movie before visiting historic Sonoma Plaza.

Or choose from one of the following optionals:

OPTIONAL: Board the Napa Valley Wine Train for a two-hour excursion through wine country’s rolling hillsides to Grgich Hills Estate for a tour of its winery and tastings. Lunch will be onboard the train en route, followed by dessert on the return journey in the train’s vintage 1915 Pullman lounge cars.

OR

OPTIONAL: Take a casual bicycle tour along country roads and historic streets through charming sections of Santa Rosa and Sebastopol, stopping at three different breweries to taste locally crafted beers. The knowledgeable guide will share Sonoma secrets and the history of brewing in the area, while you soak up the gorgeous scenery of wine country rolling hills and vineyards.

Before dinner, enjoy the amenities of the hotel; go for a swim or reserve a treatment at the spa.

OPTIONAL: This evening cap off the tour by dining on fresh Northern California dishes paired with the region’s local beers and wines.

Depart Santa Rosa for San Francisco. We’ll stop in Sausalito, a unique and picturesque community, perched on a hillside between the San Francisco Bay and the Marin Headlands. After our visit, we’ll cross the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco.

Departing members will be brought to SFO by late afternoon.

• 8 night Accommodation

•​4 Breakfasts

•Welcome Reception

•Transportation via air-conditioned small Coach, Sprinter, or Van

•Professional Guide/Beerologist

•Scheduled Brewery Tours/Tastings

•Sightseeing to include: Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, Portland’s Washington Park Rose Gardens, Columbia River Gorge & Multnomah Falls, Eugene walking tour, Crater Lake, Armstrong Forest, Bodega Bay, Sausalito