Portland & the Oregon Coast
Featuring the Columbia River Gorge
Portland is known as the City of Roses where you will find not only these blooms, but also an exquisite Japanese Garden, food trucks galore, and Powell's Books, claimed to be the world's largest independent bookstore. It's a quirky city that marches to a beat of its own. Join us as we venture out from Portland, along the famed Columbia River Gorge in search of waterfalls and wine and make our way to one of the most spectacular coastlines in the country, known as the People's Coast because all 363 miles remain free and public. This is such a jewel in the Pacific Northwest; you'll be glad you visited.
Portland & the Oregon Coast
July 7 - July 12, 2024Highlights
- Drive Along Scenic Columbia River Gorge
- Explore Oregon's Pacific Coastline
- Visit Portland's Japanese & Rose Gardens
- Time to explore personal interests
- Suggestions for additional things to see
- And More... See itinerary for details
Itinerary
Sunday, 07 July 2024: Arrive Portland, Oregon; Welcome Meeting and Dinner (D)
Schedule your arrival into Portland no later than 4:00pm and take local transportation to the hotel. The tour begins at 6:00pm in the lobby of our hotel. We will make introductions and then enjoy dinner together to get better acquainted. Overnight Portland - 3 nights
Monday, 08 July 2024: Trolley Tour; Group Lunch; Portland Japanese Garden (B,L)
We begin our exploration of Portland with a trolley tour to see key city landmarks and neighborhoods of the City of Roses. We'll have time to stroll through the International Rose Test Garden, established to serve as a safe haven during WWI for European hybrid roses. Now, more than 10,000 individual rose bushes bloom here, representing 610+ rose varieties. We will also enjoy a tour of the lovely Portland Japanese Garden, which is considered to be one of the most authentic Japanese Gardens outside of Japan. It overlooks the city and provides a tranquil, urban oasis. This afternoon, there will be a bit of free time to explore Portland further. Perhaps you'll want to visit Powell's Books, ride the aerial tram, visit the world's tiniest park, or grab a beer in one of the many microbreweries for which Portland is now known.
Tuesday, 09 July 2024: Columbia River Gorge; Group Lunch; Hood River Wine Tasting (B,L,O)
Today we experience the soul of the Columbia, the grand river of the American West. Just a short drive from Portland, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is an 80-mile stretch of river, where basalt bluffs tower above the water. We will drive along the Historic Columbia River Highway, the first major paved road in the Pacific Northwest as well as the first designated scenic highway in the US. There is a five-mile stretch of road known as the “waterfall corridor” — which boasts one of the largest concentrations of spectacular falls in North America. Thanks to its unique geography, the Gorge boasts a world of wine in just a 40-mile stretch. We'll stop in for a taste or two before returning to Portland.
Wednesday, 10 July 2024: Astoria, Oregon: Trolley Tour & Columbia River Maritime Museum; Group Dinner (B,D)
After breakfast we depart for a day exploring some of the 400 miles of Oregon's famed Pacific coastline. We begin at the mouth of the mighty Columbia River in Astoria. Founded in 1811, Astoria is the oldest city in the state and was the first permanent American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. We will hop aboard a historic trolley to learn about this fascinating city. You'll be glad we're riding when you see the how hilly this town is! Afterward, we spend some time discovering the stories of the legendary Columbia River Bar, one of the most dangerous passages in the world, at the nationally renowned Columbia River Maritime Museum. From Astoria, we take a short drive to Seaside on the Oregon Coast, where we will enjoy dinner together. Overnight Seaside - 1 night
Thursday, 11 July 2024: Oregon Coast; Tillamook Creamery; Farewell Dinner (B,D)
We spend this morning exploring some of the 363 miles of the Oregon Coast where around every bend is another breathtaking view. This is one of America's great scenic byways. We'll see lush forests, charming towns and craggy beaches where sea stacks punctuate the long sweep of shoreline. We'll make it as far south as Tillamook to enjoy a fun and tasty adventure at Tillamook Creamery, a farmer-owned co-op that produces outstanding cheeses, ice cream and other dairy products. We then head back to Portland where we'll stay near the airport for convenience. We will enjoy one last Farewell Dinner this evening. Overnight Portland Airport area - 1 night
Friday, 12 July 2024: Return Home from Portland (B)
Sadly, our time together has come to an end. Based on the departure time you provide WTT, your Tour Leader will organize travelers into small groups so you can ride-share to the airport if you wish.
Portland & the Oregon Coast
July 7 - July 12, 2024Pricing
Room Share
$2,552.00Single Room
$3,373.00 (Sold Out)Non-Members
ADD $50.00Status of this Tour
Trip Full and Closed
Tour Pricing Includes
- All meals and activities expressly listed in the itinerary, PLUS...
- All tipping of local guides
- WTT Tour Leader to enhance the individual & group experience
- Transportation in WTT's own Mercedes mini-coach
- Arranged room sharing with another solo traveler
- Travel Dollar credits (a benefit of WTT membership) toward future travel with WTT
Not Included In The Price
- Airfare or other transportation to and from the tour
- Airport transfers
- Meals and activities not specified in the itinerary
- Any personal expenses or expenditures
- Any pre- or post- tour arrangements
- Any gratuities for the WTT tour leader
- Travel Insurance
Payment Dates -and- Cancellation Terms for This Tour
You have 3 days to cancel and receive a refund. Thereafter, the amount required at time of reservation is non-refundable and the following cancellation penalties will be enforced.
Tuesday, 9 Jan 2024: Last day $250 deposit can be converted to a credit for use on a new reservation; thereafter the deposit is forfeited.
Monday, 8 Apr 2024: Balance Due. Cancellation after this date but before Thursday, 23 May 2024 results in a cancellation penalty of 50% of your Total Tour Cost.
Thursday, 23 May 2024: Cancellation on or after this date results in a cancellation penalty of 100% of your Total Tour Cost.
Using Parked Credits: If traveler cancels during the 3-day cancel without penalty period, used credits will be re-parked with the original expiration date(s). Thereafter, cancellation will result in forfeiture of the total amount of parked credits used. If applicable, additional cancellation penalties will be assessed based on date of cancellation.
To Cancel: Should you need to cancel after
your space on this tour is confirmed, you must use the Cancellation Form. Cancellation penalties are based on the date we receive your
cancellation form. No other method of communicating a cancellation will be accepted.
Portland & the Oregon Coast
July 7 - July 12, 2024Flights, Transfers & Lodging
Arrival & Departure Information
Travelers will make their own air arrangements as follows:
Arrival Airport: PDX - Portland, OR (Portland Int'l Airport)
Arrival Date: Sunday, July 7th. Arrive no later than 4:00pm.
Arrival Transfer: Use local shuttle or taxi service. Details provided in Final Travel Instructions.
Departure Airport: PDX - Portland, OR (Portland Int'l Airport)
Departure Date: Friday, July 12th. Depart at your convenience.
Departure Transfer: Use local shuttle or taxi service. WTT Tour Leader will assist in coordinating ride sharing.
Lodging / Hotels
Portland: Portland Marriot Downtown Waterfront
Seaside: BW Plus Ocean View Resort
Portland: Homewood Suites Portland Airport
In the unlikely event WTT is unable to provide the hotel accommodation(s) listed, for whatever reason, WTT will substitute similar quality accommodation(s) at no additional cost to the traveler.
Want to Arrive a Day Early?
Worried about possible flight delays? Consider arriving one day before the official tour state date. Many of our travelers choose this optional service. Your pre-tour package includes:
- The room (standard check-in times apply)
- Optional activity suggestions prior to tour
$210.00 Roomshare $370.00 Single
The pre-tour package is an optional service. Rates are established at time of tour posting. Early check-in is solely at the discretion of the hotel and cannot be arranged in advance.
Additional Reminders About This Tour
Covid-19: The US government and the World Health Organization have ended the Covid-19 Public Health Declaration/Emergency and now classify Covid-19 as "well-established and ongoing," however, Covid-19 restrictions can still exist and could impact your tour.
1) It is the traveler's responsibility to comply with any national, local or vendor Covid-19 requirements, including their position on vaccination/booster requirements at the time of travel and possible quarantine measures for travelers testing positive for Covid that could result in not being allowed to complete the tour.
2) It is up to each individual concerned about exposure to Covid, and/or other infectious diseases, to wear a mask, wash her hands frequently, and take all other personal protection actions she deems appropriate, at her own expense, to protect her health while participating in this tour.
If you are unable or unwilling to meet any current and future Covid requirements that might be imposed and/or assume the risk of exposure to Covid while traveling with a WTT group, do not sign up for this tour.
Group Size: This tour will take a minimum of 10 travelers and a maximum of 14. The group will be escorted by a WTT Tour Leader and uses a 15-passenger Mini-Coach for transportation while on tour.
Travel Insurance is NOT included in the cost of the tour. It is your responsibility to determine the amount and type of coverage you require to recoup some or all of your travel investment, whether you cancel, are unable to complete the tour, or the tour cannot operate. Section 4.0 of WTT Terms & Conditions explains what will happen to your payments in the unlikely event that your tour cannot operate.
WTT is not licensed to sell travel insurance. You can purchase travel insurance from any provider you choose. To get an idea of rates, please go to NTA Travel Protection Plan (Enter 206063 for the "Tour Operator Location #") or TravelGuard.
Portland & the Oregon Coast
July 7 - July 12, 2024Destination Information
What do others say about this tour and traveling with WTT?
How Does Room Sharing Work?
On the Reservation Form there are 3 choices regarding room-sharing.
Note: Certain room-types may be unavailable at the time you make your reservation. If a room-type is unavailable the choice will be greyed out.
- Select "Yes, I want to share a room" and WTT will assign you a roommate when Final Travel Instructions are sent.
- You can specify a roommate by entering her name where indicated. If your named roommate is not on the tour, for any reason, WTT will assign you a roommate unless you pay to have your own room, if available.
- Select "No, I do not wish to share a room" if you want to have your own room. Additional costs apply.
- All shared rooms have 2 beds
- All shared rooms are non-smoking
- No special requests about your roommate can be accommodated
- See "Frequently Asked Questions" TAB for more details
How Active is this Tour?
Because of this requirement, WTT tours are not suitable for anyone who is physically challenged, walking impaired, or is a slow walker that cannot keep up with the pace of the group.
The activities on this tour are rated as follows:
- 60% Easy
- 35% Moderate (extensive walking on paved streets and on the beach)
- 5% Strenuous (multiple long driving days)
If you are in doubt as to your ability to meet the physical activity requirements, you should not sign up for this trip.
Read more about Activity Levels
What meals are included and how are dietary restrictions accommodated?
- Breakfast daily
- 2 Lunches
- 1 Wine Tasting
- 3 Dinners
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dietary requests can be accommodated on this tour with limited selections.
What clothing and items should I pack for this trip?
Temperatures during the day are likely to be in the mid-70s with nighttime lows in the 50s. The weather on the coast will be cooler, wetter and breezy. Pacific Northwest weather is notoriously fickle; be prepared for a range of conditions, including rain. We suggest you monitor weather apps leading up to the time you depart for the most current information.
For This Trip You May Want—
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Rain jacket
- Fleece jacket for warmth when needed
- Beach-friendly shoes for our coastal adventures
- Swimsuit—hotels have a lovely pool and hot tubs
What are the luggage restrictions for this tour?
We will use the WTT Coach. Luggage restrictions are driven by the physical space limitations of this vehicle and the requirement that all travelers be able to manage their own belongings without assistance.
- It is best to travel as lightly as possible. Most travelers regret when they have packed too much.
- You may bring one suitcase plus small shoulder bag/day pack/purse.
- Maximum suitcase size: 22-23 inches in height. This is the size of bag that fits into the overhead bins of aircraft. Suitcases larger than this will not fit properly in the WTT coach; don't bring them.
- The weight of your bag should not exceed 30 pounds as you will need to lift it into the coach luggage compartment.
- You are responsible for managing your own belongings. We expect you to take your belongings from the coach to your room and to bring it back to the coach and load it on days we change hotels. We do not provide luggage pulls; they are not safe and are inconvenient. The possibility of steps exist at most hotel entrances.
What are the tipping guidelines for this tour?
- You are responsible for tipping waitstaff, porters, or other individuals who provide a service to you at the hotel, or other public locations.
- You may want to tip your WTT Tour Leader for an outstanding job. The amount is entirely a personal preference. If you'd like a guideline, consider $8-$10 per day.
What other Additional Information do I need to know?
Covid-19: The US government and the World Health Organization have ended the Covid-19 Public Health Declaration/Emergency and now classify Covid-19 as "well-established and ongoing," however, Covid-19 restrictions can still exist and could impact your tour.
1) It is the traveler's responsibility to comply with any national, local or vendor Covid-19 requirements, including their position on vaccination/booster requirements at the time of travel and possible quarantine measures for travelers testing positive for Covid that could result in not being allowed to complete the tour.
2) It is up to each individual concerned about exposure to Covid, and/or other infectious diseases, to wear a mask, wash her hands frequently, and take all other personal protection actions she deems appropriate, at her own expense, to protect her health while participating in this tour.
If you are unable or unwilling to meet any current and future Covid requirements that might be imposed and/or assume the risk of exposure to Covid while traveling with a WTT group, do not sign up for this tour.
Group Size: This tour will take a minimum of 10 travelers and a maximum of 14. The group will be escorted by a WTT Tour Leader and uses a 15-passenger Mini-Coach for transportation while on tour.
Travel Insurance is NOT included in the cost of the tour. It is your responsibility to determine the amount and type of coverage you require to recoup some or all of your travel investment, whether you cancel, are unable to complete the tour, or the tour cannot operate. Section 4.0 of WTT Terms & Conditions explains what will happen to your payments in the unlikely event that your tour cannot operate.
WTT is not licensed to sell travel insurance. You can purchase travel insurance from any provider you choose. To get an idea of rates, please go to NTA Travel Protection Plan (Enter 206063 for the "Tour Operator Location #") or TravelGuard.
Can I transfer my deposit to another tour?
To get off this tour and register for another tour, you must follow these steps - in the order shown:
2) WAIT before submitting your new reservation! You must receive the Cancellation Confirmation email before submitting your new reservation. This can take up to 2 business days. The Cancellation Confirmation email will list the amount of parked credits from this tour that are now available to use on a new reservation.
3) COMPLETE the new Reservation Form and USE the parked credits towards your deposit on the new tour.
Note: If you used Parked Credits to pay the deposit on this tour, these credits cannot be used a second time and are not eligible to be transferred.
What happens if I need to cancel this tour?
Our Promise to You
It doesn’t matter which tour you choose.
You’ll find your people and make memories that last a lifetime.