OVERVIEW

Acquire an enlightening overview of Vancouver by viewing its most alluring attractions and then exploring on your own. Although large and metropolitan, Vancouver has still retained much of its natural beauty in urban oases such as Stanley Park. After pausing there to admire a display of First Nation totem poles and take in the serenity, you will enjoy an entirely different ambiance in bustling Chinatown. Exotic open-air markets, heritage buildings and pagoda-topped telephone booths are staples in this ethnic neighborhood, which dates back to 1890 when Chinese immigrants settled in what was then known as Shanghai Alley. Another historical perspective awaits you in Gastown, an area that developed in the early 1870s. The neighborhood is named for settler “Gassy” Jack Deighton, a saloon owner who was considered full of hot air because he spun tall tales. The cobbled streets of Gastown are now lined with upscale boutiques, galleries and restaurants.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Gain an overall understanding of Vancouver by driving around its downtown.
• Enjoy the tranquility of Stanley Park, North America’s third-largest urban park
• Visit vibrant Chinatown, Vancouver’s most established ethnic community.
• Walk through Gastown, Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood and one of the trendiest

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW
Discover the panoramic beauty and must-see highlights of Seattle in just a few hours, leaving time to explore the destinations you find most intriguing later on your own. Your introduction to the city will begin with a photo stop at the Space Needle, an icon since being built for the 1962 World’s Fair. You will also see CenturyLink Field, the sports stadium for Seattle’s professional football and soccer teams, and Pioneer Square, the city’s oldest neighborhood. The term “skid row” was coined in this now-elegant district, a reference to the logged trees that were once slid down greased skids to the sawmill. There will be plenty more to explore in Pike Place Market, the city’s oldest and largest farmers market. Don’t miss the “flying fish,” a spectacle in which the fishmongers toss even large fish to each other to save steps and entertain the onlookers. The original Starbucks is also in the market.

HIGHLIGHTS
• See Seattle’s highlights in just a few hours, leaving you with a great overview of the city.
• Pause for photos at the Space Needle and pass by Seattle’s modern sports stadium.
• Gain a historical perspective at Pioneer Square and the city’s oldest farmers market.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a tour of the Boeing Future of Flight Aviation Center, the only commercial jet assembly plant in North America that is open to the public. The plant is the world’s largest building by volume, a necessity to accommodate Boeing’s signature planes such as the 747, 767, 777 and 787 Dreamliners as they progress through the assembly line. As you proceed through the massive building on catwalks above the assembly floor, you will have a unique perspective of the commercial airplanes in various stages of manufacturing. You will also have the opportunity to experience the Boeing Gallery and Sky Deck which is all part of the tour. The focus is on how aviation innovations are incorporated into the designs. The scale of the operation is so huge and the information so fascinating that aviation buffs won’t be the only ones to enjoy this eye-opening factory tour.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch huge Boeing aircraft being assembled on the factory floor.
• Marvel at the size of the building, which is the world’s largest by volume.
• Discover how technological innovations are incorporated into the planes’ designs.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a delightful and spectacularly panoramic drive through San Francisco in the evening when the city is beautifully illuminated. With no stops along the way, you can comfortably settle into a seat and watch the ever-changing vistas as you follow a route past many of the most well-known attractions. The sights begin at Fisherman’s Wharf, whose iconic crab wheel-shaped sign is particularly easy to spot at night. You will then proceed into the Nob Hill district, from which you will enjoy a close-up view of Grace Cathedral. Its façade is typically illuminated with lights of different colors, making the cathedral look all the more glorious. Next, you will cross the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge to Treasure Island, which will afford extraordinary views of the skylines of both cities. Once you return to the mainland, you will drive to the Embarcadero, an ideal waterfront setting to view the Transamerica Building twinkling against the night sky.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in for an evening drive through San Francisco when it is beautifully illuminated.
• See iconic attractions such as Fisherman’s Wharf, Grace Cathedral and the Embarcadero.
• Enjoy skyline views of San Francisco and Oakland from Treasure Island.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore the remains of the original city that lie beneath Pioneer Square by walking the eerie subterranean passages with a guide that will regale you with stories of Seattle’s raucous past. A raging fire in 1889 destroyed a 25-square-block area and most of the district’s wooden buildings. During the re-construction that followed, fill dirt was added to raise the low-lying swampy streets and retaining walls were built, effectively burying the old city. For decades, this underground world was forgotten, as fire-resistant stone buildings were erected well above the former level of the city. Today, Seattle’s so-called basement is one of the city’s most unusual attractions. As you meander through the tunnel-like passageways, you will see Seattle’s original streets and first-floor storefronts of buildings that have been long buried. It will be like walking through a time capsule. To enhance the experience, the guide will describe the rogues and smugglers that once inhabited Seattle’s underground.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk along some of Seattle’s original streets, which have long been buried underground.
• Gain an understanding of how and why parts of the original city were covered over.
• Hear entertaining stories of the ne’er-do-wells that once lived in this underground world.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW
Sample a selection of wines at two celebrated wineries around Woodinville, an idyllic river valley setting on the outskirts of Seattle. You will first stop at Chateau Ste. Michelle, a winery established more than 50 years ago on the early 20th-century estate of a lumber baron. It eventually branched into two wineries—one for reds, the other for whites, which you will visit. Following an enlightening tour of the vineyards, you will taste several wines that may include a Chardonnay with ripe pineapple and butterscotch flavors and perhaps a Sauvignon Blanc that offers the bright fruit character of melons. The second winery will be chosen the day of the excursion from the hundreds in the Columbia Valley wine country. As the valley encompasses more than a third of the state, the terroir varies considerably from winery to winery. Even so, the Merlots are typically redolent of flavors such as sweet cherries, raspberries and chocolate.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Enjoy wine tastings at two esteemed wineries in the river valley around Woodinville.
• Discover why certain varietals were planted while touring the vineyards.
• Learn about the various terroirs that produce the valley’s award-winning wines.

OVERVIEW

Spend a delightful evening enjoying the quintessential Victorian tradition of tea and savory treats – but with an alluring twist – at the Fairmont Empress, an iconic hotel that has graced the shores of the Inner Harbor since 1908. Over the years, a Who’s Who of royalty, dignitaries and celebrities have enjoyed afternoon tea at the Empress. But this after-hours affair is quite different as their signature Empress tea will be served iced, not hot, noting special alcoholic cocktails are available for purchase. The culinary offerings will be equally memorable as they will likely include a warm white cheddar & chive biscuit, Vegan Mushroom pate, gluten free tapioca violet mousse. Afterwards, you will have free-time to enjoy the inner harbor, including the domed Parliament Buildings, which dominates the skyline, especially in the evening when it is beautifully illuminated.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Savor a special after-hours tea at the Empress Fairmont hotel, an icon since 1908.
• Sip special seasonal iced teas, rather than hot teas.
• Enjoy a driving tour around the Inner Harbor, which will be dramatically illuminated at night.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for an enlightening and extraordinarily scenic drive through Victoria as a prelude to browsing the inspiring Royal British Columbia Museum. A sweeping 360° view of downtown from atop Mount Tolmie will set the stage for the urban exploration that awaits you. As you travel through affluent neighborhoods such as Oak Bay and past manicured greenspaces that include Beacon Hill Park, you will hear commentary about historical events that shaped Victoria, a city established in 1843 as a fort to protect trade interests. The Netherlands Centennial Carillon commemorates many of those moments by ringing its 62 bells, often in songs. The carillon stands at the entrance to the museum, which holds a collection of astounding artifacts, documents, and specimens of British Columbia’s natural and human history. While browsing, you may see totems that the First Nations people carved, specimens of reptiles and modern exhibits that tell the story of British Columbia.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Gain a broad understanding of Victoria’s history on a panoramic drive through the city.
• See landmarks such as Thunderbird Park’s totem poles and a soaring carillon with 62 bells.
• Enjoy the ultimate view of downtown Victoria from the summit of Mount Tolmie.
• Spend free time browsing the intriguing exhibits in the Royal British Columbia Museum.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

This tour provides you an in-depth look into some of the best sights that Victoria has to offer, plus visit the world-famous Butchart Gardens. Your tour sets out through James Bay through the city's beautiful Beacon Hill Park, home of the world's tallest freestanding totem pole, then a fully narrated tour to the world famous Butchart Gardens. A National Historic Site and spread over 55 acres, there are walking trails that connect lavish floral gardens, cascading fountains, ponds and rock gardens. Here, amidst an enchanting floral aroma, you can enjoy a 2- hour self-guided tour through many themed gardens, including The Rose Garden, The Japanese Garden, The Italian Garden and Butchart’s famous Sunken Garden. After taking in this impressive attraction, continue to Victoria’s Inner Harbor to view the iconic Empress Hotel and BC Legislative Buildings, passing through the “Gates of Harmonious Interest” to see historic Chinatown, the second oldest in North America. You’ll travel past Old Town making your way back to the cruise terminal or use the optional drop downtown to make your own way back to the ship, if time in port permits.

OVERVIEW

Discover two of Oregon’s most charming coastal villages and beautiful beaches. Your local guide will travel with you crossing Young’s Bay Bridge. Enjoy impressive views of Saddle Mountain, one of Oregon's highest peaks and the Astoria-Megler Bridge, the longest bridge in the state. You'll travel through the Oregon Coast Range before stopping at Cannon Beach, considered an artist's colony and home to photographers, artists and writers. The beach is also well known for Haystack Rock, a 235 foot tall rock formation that is the home of puffins, sea gulls cormorants. You’ll have some free time here to explore the colorful courtyards, streets and little shops. Continue on to Seaside, a charming coastal village with arcades, art galleries and miles of beach. Enjoy some free time here to stroll along the boardwalk, buy some salt water taffy or take a ride on the carousel.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy impressive views of Saddle Mountain.
• Travel through the Oregon Coast Range before stopping at Cannon Beach.
• Explore the colorful courtyards, streets and little shops during your free time.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy a literal bird’s-eye view of the wilderness on the outskirts of Victoria from atop the Malahat SkyWalk and see the highlights downtown on a panoramic drive. The SkyWalk is an open-air spiral ramp that rises more than 800 feet above sea level. The views will become more sweeping and spectacular the higher you ascend above the forest of Douglas firs and Arbutus trees. From the top of the tower, you will gaze out over the Salish Sea, the Saanich Peninsula, Mount Baker and a collection of Canadian and American islands. Few sights are quite so dramatic. For added excitement, you can walk out onto the Adventure Net that soars 10 stories above the ground and look straight down. You may also zip to the bottom on the enclosed spiral slide. The scenic drive through Victoria will be exhilarating in a different way as you will see the city’s absolute icons, including the Parliament Buildings.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Gaze out over the wilderness from atop the open-air 10-story Malahat SkyWalk.
• Admire the 360° views of the surrounding forest and sea with Mount Baker in the distance.
• Look straight down while standing on the Adventure Net, the only thing between you and the ground.
• Settle in for a panoramic drive through Victoria that presents a variety of key landmarks.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for an enlightening introductory drive through Victoria with stops to snap photos and to explore a heritage church of great architectural significance. The capital of British Columbia, Victoria has retained plenty of greenspaces within its urban downtown. One of the most popular is leafy Beacon Hill Park, an oasis that marks the western terminus or Mile 0 of the nearly 5,000-mile Trans-Canada Highway. You will pause for photos at Victoria’s sheltered Inner Harbour, a hub of activity near landmarks such as the Parliament Buildings, the Royal BC Museum and the stately Fairmont Empress hotel. You will also pass through Chinatown, the oldest such neighborhood in Canada. Not far away, you will find the Christ Church Cathedral, an imposing stone building built in the late 1920s in the Gothic Revival style. The interior of the Anglican cathedral is equally impressive, especially the 4,000-pipe organ and stained-glass windows.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive through the capital of British Columbia and come away with a remarkable overview of the city.
• Pause for photos in the beautiful Inner Harbour.
• Pass landmarks such as the Parliament Buildings and drive through Chinatown.
• Browse the interior of the Christ Church Cathedral, a Gothic Revival-style architectural gem. Closed to the general public.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.