Day 1 - Fly from the UK to Portland

Known for its friendly, open-minded spirit, creativity and sustainability, Portland is an exciting and vibrant city to discover. Explore on foot, by bike or take a paddle on the Willamette River which runs through the heart of the city. 

One of the joys of visiting Portland is the people who live there and the neighbourhoods, all of which have their own personalities, with locally owned shops, craft breweries, cafés, and galleries around every corner. Portland’s food scene is world-famous with award-wining restaurants, global cuisine in the hundreds of food trucks, local farmer’s markets, fantastic cafes and plenty of microbreweries. Experience some of the best on a walking foodie tour whilst also taking in some of the city’s sights.

This is not just a ‘Green City’ in terms of its policies and environmental measures, but also for the parks and gardens that dominate the city. Visit the popular International Rose Test Garden, Japanese Garden, Washington Park or Forest Park.

Stay three nights in Portland.

Day 4 - Portland to Newberg, approx. 45 miles.

Immerse yourself Oregon’s wine culture today as you head into the Willamette Valley. Known specifically for its Pinots, you can visit numerous wineries and tasting rooms in and around Newberg to sample some of the region’s best wines, whilst taking in the stunning views of the Cascade Mountains. It doesn’t have to be all about wine – the Willamette Valley offers scenic backroads, forest hiking trails, river rafting and fishing, whilst the small towns, including historic downtown Newberg, offer art galleries, boutiques and upscale restaurants, as well as tasting rooms and breweries.

Stay one night in Newberg.

Day 5 - Newberg to Pacific City, approx. 150 miles

It’s not the most direct drive today, but it will definitely show you some wonderful Pacific Coast vistas. At Ecola State Park you can stroll or hike through Sitka forest and along cliffside trails, or just sit at a bench and watch the waves rolling in. Stop next at Cannon Beach, known for Haystack Rock which makes for a great photo opportunity, as well as chance to dip your toes in the sea! Continue down the coast, via the breathtaking Three Capes Scenic Loop, to the surfing spot of Pacific City. Explore the wide sandy beach, take a walk up Cape Kiwanda and then enjoy a drink at a beachside bar or café. 

Stay one night in Pacific City.

Day 6 - Pacific City to Newport, approx. 45 miles.

Your first stop today should be Yaquina Head Lighthouse. Yaquina Head Lighthouse's 93 foot tower, Oregon's tallest, is located on a narrow point of land jutting west into the Pacific Ocean north of Newport, at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area. Explore the Newport Historic Bayfront, originally Newport’s economic backbone, housing a port for the commercial fishing and wood products industries. Today, the Bayfront is still home to one of Oregon’s largest commercial fishing fleets, and is a working waterfront where you can enjoy shops, art galleries, chowder houses and restaurants, as well as the sealions basking the harbour. Explore Nye Beach, a very popular haven for the arts, with the Newport Performing Arts and Visual Arts Center amidst unique galleries, book shops, eateries and shopping.

Stay two nights in Newport.

Day 8 - Newport to Bandon, approx. 120 miles.

Stop and hike at Cape Perpetua, a typical Pacific Northwest headland, forming a high steep bluff above the ocean. At its highest point, Cape Perpetua rises to over 800 feet above sea level. From its crest, you can see 70 miles of Oregon coastline and as far as 37 miles out to sea on a clear day. Take a tour of Heceta Head Lighthouse or experience the Sea Lion Caves on the coast near Florence, one of the largest sea caves filled with Oregon’s Stellar Sea Lions. This vast cavern is nature’s home for wild sea lions and a variety of sea birds. Hear the roar of the great Steller sea lions, the cries of the wailing birds, and the restless surge of the ocean into the cave below, which make for an unforgettable experience. Don’t miss historic Old Town Florence nestled against the Siuslaw River for some unique shopping and dining, colourful and creative art galleries, historical streets, flower boxes, the river and view from the Old Town Gazebo. At Bandon, enjoy the miles of stunning beaches and ocean breezes, panoramic views, beautiful sunsets, world class golf and great local restaurants.

Stay one night in Bandon.

Day 9 - Bandon to Jacksonville, approx. 160 miles

Head inland today and into some more beautiful wine and fruit producing countryside. Travel through the Umpqua Valley and south to the Rogue and Applegate Valleys. There are plenty of small towns to stop in, including your destination, Jacksonville, a historic Gold Rush town now known for a thriving cultural and epicurean scene. Named one of America’s top 10 coolest small towns by Budget Travel Magazine, Jacksonville is home to the summer-long Britt Music & Arts Festival, an incredible selection of independently owned shops and eateries, celebrated winemakers and great hiking and biking opportunities. You’ll also find golf, horse-riding and water adventures on the Rogue River.

Stay two nights in Jacksonville.

Day 11 - Jacksonville to Sisters, approx. 200 miles

Your highlight today is bound to be Crater Lake National Park which has inspired people for hundreds of years. No place else on earth combines a deep, pure lake, so blue in colour; sheer surrounding cliffs, almost two thousand feet high; two picturesque islands; and a violent volcanic past. Located on the crest of the Cascade Mountain range, 100 miles east of the Pacific Ocean, it lies inside a caldera, or volcanic basin, created when the 12,000 foot, high Mount Mazama collapsed 7,700 years ago following a large eruption. Crater Lake, at 1,943 feet deep, is the seventh deepest lake in the world and the deepest in the United States. Photo opportunities abound here, and you can take a drive around all or part of the historic 33-mile Rim Drive which circles Crater Lake and offers views from 30 overlooks. There are also 90 miles of walking and hiking trails and park ranger programmes to help you get the most of your visit. 

End your day in the quaint town of Sisters, named for the Three Sisters, snow-capped peaks of the Cascade Mountains. This small town boasts a surprising number of boutiques and galleries and is a popular artist’s colony. This is a great base to make the most of the Oregon landscape with hiking, biking, canoeing and kayaking, and a perfect spot to finish your day with a beer from a local craft brewery or a glass of Oregon wine.

Spend two nights in Sisters.

Day 13 - Sisters to Hood River, approx. 145 miles

Make a stop at Smith Rock State Park, generally considered the birthplace of modern American sport climbing and is host to cutting-edge climbing routes. Smith Rock also offers miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Whether you come for the climb or come to unwind, you’ll see why Smith Rock is one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon. Along your trip through the canyon, you might see golden eagles, prairie falcons, mule deer, river otter and beaver. Another great photo-stop is Timberline Lodge, located on Mount Hood, and a National Historic Landmark. 

Drive the Hood River Country fruit loop on Highway 35, along a scenic 35-mile loop in the Hood River. Stop for Huckleberry Milkshakes at Apple Valley Country Store, or visit Mt. Hood Winery, where four generations of winemakers in the Bickford family and over a hundred years of wine making in the beautiful Hood River Valley, produce some exciting Oregon wine. The town of Hood River is located at the panoramic crossroads of the Columbia River Gorge and the Cascade Range, and is known for its incredible windsurfing and kitesurfing, but you’ll also find plenty of scenic hiking and mountain biking trails, craft breweries, wineries and farm-to-table food. 

Stay two nights in Hood River.  

Day 15 - Hood River to Portland, approx. 60 miles.

Head back to the airport along the Old Columbia River Highway. The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area offers 292,500 acres of unparalleled scenery and outdoor recreation options. A leisurely drive on the Historic Columbia River Highway is a popular way to experience the gorge. Completed in 1922 the road is the oldest national scenic highway in the nation. The highway also features several waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls, Oregon’s highest at 620 feet. Hiking trails and picnic facilities are available at several of the waterfall sites.

Return your car to the airport in time to check-in for your flight home.