Wonders of Washington

Day 1 – Welcome to Washington!

Our journey begins with optional transfers from our departure points to LAX and a scheduled, non-stop flight arriving in Seattle this afternoon. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule to coordinate a flight arrival time that would allow them to be included on the complimentary transfer to the hotel. We’ll board a deluxe motorcoach and continue to Tacoma, featuring historic architecture amidst urban design. Enjoy a four-night stay at the Hotel Murano, an artful and upscale downtown hotel that pairs luxurious guest rooms with a museum-worthy collection of glass art. We’ll enjoy an included welcome dinner this evening. (Dinner)

Day 2 – Mount Rainier National Park

Following an included breakfast, we’ll escape to one of the Pacific Northwest’s most celebrated natural icons, Mount Rainier<. It stands as an icon in the Washington landscape – the unmistakable domed summit of a glaciated volcano. Upon entering Mount Rainier National Park we’ll immediately be surrounded by subalpine wildflower meadows, lush ancient rainforests and waterfalls that cloak Mount Rainier’s lower slopes. We’ll stop in Longmire, a designated National Historic District that is home to the original park headquarters building, now housing the Longmire Museum. Take a stroll on the Trail of the Shadows, a short accessible loop trail where human and natural history come together in the forest and meadows that encircle Longmire Meadow. We continue to Paradise (5,400’ elevation) where we’ll enjoy an included boxed lunch and time to explore the Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center and the Paradise Inn, designated one of the “Great Lodges of the West.” Short, accessible trails allow you to walk amidst the clouds and through the subalpine meadows to viewpoints for Mount Rainier, the Nisqually Glacier and the Nisqually River Valley. Be on the lookout for wildlife such as birds, black-tailed deer, marmots and beavers. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3 – Seattle

After an included breakfast we’ll travel north to the “Emerald City” of Seattle and join a local guide for a driving tour including the bustling waterfront, historic Pioneer Square, the new Stadium District, the world’s first Starbucks, the lively Pike Place Market and more. Explore the Chihuly Garden and Glass, an indoor and outdoor museum that spans 1 1⁄2 acres and showcases the most comprehensive collection of Washington-native Dale Chihuly’s artwork ever assembled. At Seattle’s iconic, 605-foot Space Needle we’ll journey skyward to a renovated observation deck that offers an all-glass floor on the lower level and floor-to-ceiling glass on the upper level. The 360-degree views of the sparkling waters of Puget Sound, snow-capped Mt. Rainier and the Seattle cityscape are unforgettable! This afternoon we’ll get up-close to one of the world’s largest shipping terminals and take in the view of Seattle’s skyline on a narrated cruise of Elliot Bayand the Seattle Harbor. (Breakfast)

Day 4 – Snoqualmie Falls, Tacoma

Following an included breakfast, we’ll travel to Snoqualmie Falls and admire the mesmerizing display of power and peacefulness at this 268-foot waterfall that is surrounded by upper and lower observation decks and accessible trails that provide numerous vantage points. We’ll enjoy an included lunch at the AAA Four Diamond Salish Lodge, providing outstanding views of the falls. Visit the Museum of Glass and marvel at edgy and inspiring exhibitions of glass in the museum’s galleries. Feel the heat as we watch artists create masterpieces from molten glass in the world’s largest hot shop – housed inside the museum’s iconic 90-foot stainless steel cone. Walk across the remarkable Chihuly Bridge of Glass, linking the museum to downtown Tacoma. . (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 5 – Tacoma, Olympic National Park

After an included breakfast, we’ll visit LeMay – America’s Car Museum, featuring automotive artifacts and 350 automobiles spanning over 100 years of automotive history. We continue to Washington’s spectacular Olympic Peninsula, surrounded by the inland waters of Puget Sound to the east, the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the north and the rugged shores of the Pacific Ocean to the west. This afternoon we’ll enter Olympic National Park and arrive at Lake Quinault Lodge, a historic national park lodge nestled in the heart of the Olympic National Park and offering sweeping views of Lake Quinault. Enjoy an overnight stay in a contemporary Lakeside Room which offers partial lake views and a balcony or patio. Enjoy an included dinner this evening at the lodge. (Breakfast, Dinner)