Gardens of the Pacific Northwest with Sue Weigel

Day 1

Portland, Oregon:
Arrive in Portland and begin your four-night stay in the picturesque "City of Roses." Tonight, get to know your fellow travelers during a welcome dinner.

Day 2

Portland:
Begin your day at the International Rose Test Garden, where more than 10,000 rose bushes bloom from late May to October. Learn more about the garden’s purpose and how new rose varieties are evaluated. After, visit the Portland Japanese Garden and experience the lushness of 5.5 acres of stylized azaleas, maples, birches, camellias, and cherries. In Portland’s historic Old Town, take time to browse the arts and crafts stalls at the long-running Portland Saturday Market, and then explore the Lan Su Chinese Garden, an authentic Ming Dynasty-style garden combining art, architecture, and nature in Portland’s historic Chinatown. Later on, embark on a river cruise for a different perspective of Portland.

Day 3

Portland - Columbia River Gorge - Portland:
Watch unforgettable views of Mt. Hood roll past as you enter the Cascade Mountains. Discover the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Columbia River and Multnomah Falls, a 611-foot-tall roaring cascade. Later in the day, savor a wine tasting at a local vineyard before visiting a lavender farm.

Day 4

Portland:
Begin your day at Iseli Nursery, a wholesale grower with an abundance of Japanese maples, dwarf conifers, spruce trees, and more. Next, visit the Oregon Garden, an 80-acre botanical garden, taking time to explore and enjoy lunch on your own. Round out your afternoon with a visit Terra Nova Nursery, noted for the pioneering propagation methods, perennials, and annuals. After, return to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 5

Portland - Olympia, Washington - Seattle:
Today, your journey continues to Seattle, stopping in Olympia along the way. In Olympia, learn about the Mount St. Helens 1980 eruption at the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center. Later, cross the Puget Sound via the Washington State Ferry and delight in the Seattle skyline view from the water.

Day 6

Seattle:
Explore Seattle’s colorful waterfront area and historic Pioneer Square with a local guide. Next, discover lively Pike Place Market, the famous fish and vegetable market dotted with restaurants and shops. During a visit to Chihuly Garden and Glass, step inside a colorful exhibition featuring glass art amid a lush garden backdrop. Make your way to the Space Needle, the city’s iconic landmark, to catch a bird’s-eye view of the city. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy however you wish.

Day 7

Seattle:
Start your day with a private tour of Windcliff Nursery, a botanical garden situated on a bluff overlooking Puget Sound. After, see Heronswood Garden, a 15-acre garden with plant varieties from across the globe. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure exploring all the bustling city of Seattle has to offer. Perhaps you’ll visit Kerry Park or enjoy some Mongolian hot pot in the International District.

Day 8

Seattle - Victoria, British Columbia:
Head to the quaint coastal town Port Angeles and enjoy a stop for lunch. Then, embark on a bus drive through Olympic National Park, one of Washington’s gems. Take in views of the Olympic Mountains and old-growth forests from the comfort of your seat. Later, board the ferry to Victoria.

Day 9

Victoria:
Get to know Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. Begin your day with a panoramic city tour and take in the historic charm and elegance of this bustling metropolis. After, head over to Brentwood Bay. Visit the Butchart Gardens, where nearly a million visitors a year come to see their vibrant collection of rhododendrons, tulips, ornamental cherries, and large and small shrubs. End your day touring Abkhazi Gardens and learning about its history tied to Prince and Princess Abkhazi, a royal Georgian couple that resided in Victoria. The collection of majestic trees, perennials, and annuals at Abkhazi Gardens was created by this couple in the 1940s, and it is commonly referred to as "the garden that love built."

Day 10

Victoria - Vancouver:
Head to Vancouver by ferry, relaxing as you get closer to the excitement of another city. Kick off your time in Vancouver with a visit to Sun Yat-Sen Gardens. Located in Vancouver’s Chinatown, this garden was the first Chinese garden built outside of Asia. Next, visit the Stanley Park Rose Gardens, a 988-acre serene rose garden with colorful arbors and flowerbeds.

Day 11

Vancouver:
Start your day with a visit to VanDusen Botanical Gardens, a site with over 12,000 trees and 3,072 flower and shrub species. Later, see Queen Elizabeth Gardens, the horticultural jewel of Vancouver atop the city’s highest point, making for spectacular views. Explore the park with its arboretum of exotic and native trees, sculptures, and the indoor oasis of the Bloedel Conservatory, featuring exotic birds, koi fish, and over 500 kinds of tropical plants. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers.

Day 12

Vancouver - Tour Ends:
Say goodbye to the Pacific Northwest and its abundance of splendid gardens. Your tour ends today, but the memories will stay with you forever.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner