Arrival & Check-in, Registration & Orientation, Introduction to the Pacific Northwest & Portland, City of Roses

Afternoon: HOTEL CHECK-IN: Begins at 3:00 PM. After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar desk in the lobby to register with the program staff and pick up your arrival packet that we'll review during orientation.

ORIENTATION: From 4:00 - 5:00 PM, we'll have greetings, introductions to your fellow participants and program staff. We'll also review the up-to-date schedule, discuss responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, any other administrative issues, and answer any questions.

Dinner: We'll enjoy a relaxing dinner at Charley's in the Courtyard Marriott.

Evening: Introduction to the Pacific Northwest. We begin our journey of discovery in the beautiful City of Roses, just 70 miles from the ocean in a magnificent setting between the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. In this evening’s presentation, our expert weaves together the strands of history, culture, and aspects of contemporary life. There is no doubt that the region known as the Pacific Northwest is one of the most distinctive and beautiful in the country.

Lodging: Courtyard by Marriott Portland- Downtown / Convention Center

Meals Included: Dinner

Portland's Gardens, Urban Art & Architecture, Microbrewery Tour & Tasting, Public Art Lecture

Breakfast: We'll start the day off right with a full buffet breakfast which includes eggs and omelets cooked to order, potatoes, crisp bacon, sausage, Belgian waffles, fresh fruit, yogurt, cold cereals, hot oatmeal, a selection of pastries and breads, juices, coffee and tea.

Morning: Portland, one of the region’s jewels, is known as "the City of Roses" due to its lush gardens and has been called the “greenest” (i.e., most environmentally friendly) city in America. Depending on the bloom cycle, we will explore either the International Rose Test Gardens, or the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden:

The Rhododendron Garden bursts into a blaze of color early in May with its hand-sized blooms. An expert will guide us as we view more than 2,500 rhododendrons, azaleas, and companion plants — all donated by volunteers and interested individuals, or purchased with specially donated funds. Rhododendrons and azaleas cover the city and inhabit the forests as a living reminder that spring has arrived!

At the International Rose Test Garden, enjoy magnificent views of Mt. Hood, as well as an expansive collection of rare, unique and beautiful roses. An expert will guide us through these magnificent gardens which were established in 1917 to serve as a safe haven during World War I for hybrid roses grown in Europe. The gardens which are typically in bloom in June, have grown to include over 6,800 rose bushes representing 557 varieties. Make sure you visit the themed gardens as well...the Shakespeare Garden and the Miniature Rose Garden.

Next we'll take a trip through time and learn about Chinese culture, history and way of thinking at the Lan Su Chinese Garden. Their mission is to cultivate an oasis of tranquil beauty and harmony to inspire, engage, and educate the global community in the appreciation of a richly authentic Chinese culture.

Our docent guides our examination of the garden’s living collections that present hundreds of native Chinese plant species and forms including more than 90 specimen trees, many rare and unusual shrubs and perennials, and signature collections that include Magnolia, Cymbidium, Camellia, Osmanthus, Rhododendron and bamboo — all within a one block area inside Portland's China town.

Lunch: Lunch is at the popular Portland City Grill, a downtown Portland restaurant located near the top of Portland's second tallest building with wonderful views of the surrounding area.

Afternoon: We'll take a leisurely walk through the streets of downtown Portland with a local expert who will guide us through some of the finest of the city's unique art and architecture. See and learn about tidbits many Portland residents may not even know!

Among its many innovations, Portland has become one of the great beer destinations in the U.S. It has so many brewpubs and microbreweries that it has been called "Munich on the Willamette."

We'll explore a local microbrewery with the guidance of the brewmaster and have an opportunity to taste locally crafted brews.

Dinner: We'll follow up our beer tasting with a buffet at the pub.

Evening: After returning to the hotel, we'll have a special presentation on the public art found so commonly around Portland.

Lodging: Courtyard by Marriott Portland- Downtown / Convention Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Another delightful breakfast at Charley's at the hotel: a full buffet breakfast which includes eggs and omelets cooked to order, potatoes, crisp bacon, sausage, Belgian waffles, fresh fruit, yogurt, cold cereals, hot oatmeal, a selection of pastries and breads, juices, coffee and tea.

Morning: A local expert will guide our discovery of the Columbia River Gorge, a designated National Scenic Area — and spectacular geological wonder of outstanding natural beauty. The Columbia River is the second largest in North America and the gorge (canyon) it carved over millennia stretches more than 80 miles through the Cascade mountain range towards the Pacific Ocean. Its striking waterfalls include breathtaking Multnomah Falls, the second-tallest year-round waterfall in the country, dropping 620 feet from its origin on Larch Mountain.

Lunch: Our lunch will taste even better amid the backdrop of cascading Multnomah Falls. We'll dine at Multnomah Falls Lodge, located along the historic Columbia Gorge Highway. Built in 1925, the lodge provides authentic Northwest cuisine in a rustic, romantic setting with panoramic views.

Afternoon: From the Portland Amtrak station, we’ll depart on our train trip to Seattle. Sit back and relax aboard the Amtrak Cascades as it whisks you north with scenic views of the surrounding area. Upon arrival at Seattle’s King Street Station, a chartered coach will meet the train and transfer you to the Red Lion Hotel on Fifth Avenue for check-in and room assignments. You'll have some time to relax before dinner.

Dinner: We'll walk a few blocks to a popular Seattle restaurant to dine on Asian fare. After our late dinner, we'll head back to the hotel to relax and rejuvenate for our next day.

Lodging: Red Lion Hotel on Fifth Avenue

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Olympic Sculpture Park, Chittenden Locks, City Bus Excursion, Evening Program: Historic Seattle Architecture

Breakfast: Enjoy a full buffet including hot and cold cereals, eggs, breakfast meats, toast, pancakes, pastry, fruit, juices, coffee, decaf, tea and milk.

Morning: After gathering in our meeting room to discuss today's activities, we'll head to the Olympic Sculpture Park. In this stunning project of the Seattle Art Museum, developed in association with the Trust for Public Land to preserve the city’s last remaining waterfront property, we’ll experience a variety of contemporary sculpture in an outdoor setting surrounded by the incredible views and beauty of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. Learn about the Park’s history, dynamic spaces, design and layout.

The next stop is the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks — also known as the Ballard Locks for their location — provide a link for boats between saltwater Puget Sound and the freshwater canal connecting local lakes. The grounds feature the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden, one of Seattle’s most beautiful park settings, and a fish ladder critical for salmon and steelhead heading upstream to spawn.

Our expert guide will lead your walk along the locks, the botanical garden, and fish ladder. Learn about the history and operation of this engineering marvel as you observe boats, flowers, and swimming fish.

Lunch: Lunch is at a popular waterfront restaurant. Ferries cruise by, fireboats spray, seagulls squawk as we dine on tasty seafood such as chowder and delectable crab, complemented by hot sourdough bread (other choices also available).

Afternoon: We’ll drive through the lovely University of Washington campus to Volunteer Park, with its Olmsted-designed conservatory and Seattle Asian Art Museum. Founded in 1861 in what is now the heart of downtown Seattle, the University of Washington is one of the oldest public universities on the West Coast.

We'll stop at Volunteer Park, designed by the Olmstead Brothers, and then we'll explore the Conservatory and view the outstanding Asian art exhibits at the Seattle Asian Art Museum.

You’ll have some time to relax and refresh at the hotel prior to dinner.

Dinner: Enjoy a lovely Northwest-inspired dinner at the hotel.

Evening: Learn more about Seattle's fascinating architecture from a University of Washington architecture professor who has deep knowledge and boundless enthusiasm for this topic.

Lodging: Red Lion Hotel on Fifth Avenue

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Because our train leaves early, we'll pick up a boxed breakfast at the hotel to eat en route to Vancouver, B.C.

Morning: We transfer to Amtrak's King Street station and board the train to Vancouver, following along salt water all the way. You’ll have great views of ferries, giant container ships, and green islands afloat in the blue of Puget Sound.

Lunch: After arriving at Pacific Central Station, we'll transfer by motorcoach to a local restaurant for lunch.

Afternoon: We'll begin our exploration of Vancouver on Granville Island, home to a thriving artistic community of painters, furniture makers, jewelers, and even a cobbler. See how a sandbar was transformed first into an industrial area then into a renowned public market.

Next, we'll explore historic Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre evergreen oasis near the downtown core with a natural West Coast atmosphere and backdrop of majestic cedar, hemlock, and fir trees. Park landmarks include totem poles, monuments and sculptures, and a 5.5 mile seawall that encircles the entire park.

Dinner: We'll enjoy dinner at the hotel on this relaxing evening.

Lodging: Best Western Plus Sands Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lecture: "Towards a Sustainable Future," Discover Vancouver: Gastown, Chinatown, Museum of Anthropology

Breakfast: Enjoy a buffet breakfast with selections such as sliced fresh fruit, yogurts, muffins (bran, banana, blueberry, etc.), whole wheat or white toast, scrambled eggs, assorted cold cereals (bran flakes, raisin bran, etc.), hot porridge, juice, coffee/tea.

Morning: Vancouver is part of a region known locally as the Salish Sea. You’ll learn about its history and historical precedents as well as the planning and sheer dumb luck that have enabled this city to achieve its status as one of the most “livable” cities in the world. Because everything the city does has an impact somewhere else, Vancouver is committed to being one of the most “sustainable” cities in the world.

We'll begin with an introductory lecture, "Towards a Sustainable Future — the Post War City," with your expert guide, who will lead you in an in-depth exploration of Vancouver's multi-faceted personality from past to present.

Then we'll get a first-hand look on a walking tour as your guide takes you through the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods to gain fascinating (and occasionally offbeat) insights into the city's history, architecture, and people. Beginning with Gastown, the city’s birthplace, walk through this historic neighborhood, with much of its early architecture and character intact, and see how it is evolving into one of the cities newest residential areas.

We'll move on to Chinatown, with its rich culture and striking collection of designated heritage buildings recalling the contributions of early pioneers and leaders.

Lunch: After exploring one of North America's most important Chinatowns, we'll have a traditional "Dim Sum" lunch.

Afternoon: We'll spend the afternoon on a field trip to one of Vancouver's finest institutions, the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia — a place of extraordinary architectural beauty, stimulating programming, vibrant exhibitions, world arts and cultures. Here you’ll gain a remarkable glimpse into the lives of the indigenous peoples of the northwest coast of British Columbia as you explore one of the world’s outstanding collections of Pacific Northwest Aboriginal artifacts.

Canada’s largest teaching museum is located in a spectacular building overlooking mountains and sea, renowned for providing insights into the cultures of indigenous peoples around the world. Meet with Anthropology students from the University for an introduction to the indigenous peoples of the northwest coast of British Columbia. Explore an outstanding collection of Pacific Northwest Aboriginal artifacts.

Dinner: Dinner will be at the Fish House in Stanley Park, set amid spectacular gardens and forests. The menu features a lovely variety of seafood options.

Lodging: Best Western Plus Sands Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Enjoy a buffet breakfast with selections such as sliced fresh fruit, yogurts, muffins (bran, banana, blueberry, etc.), whole wheat or white toast, scrambled eggs, assorted cold cereals (bran flakes, raisin bran, etc.), hot porridge, juice, coffee or tea.

Morning: After breakfast, we board a motorcoach to the ferry terminal in Tsawwassen (just south of Vancouver) and take the ferry to the terminal just north of Victoria, British Columbia. The trip across the Strait of Georgia and through the Southern Gulf Islands is wonderfully scenic. Crossing time is approximately 1-1/2 hours.

Upon arrival at Vancouver Island, we'll meet a local historian, who will accompany us to the world-renowned Butchart Gardens. After an introduction to the Gardens on the motorcoach, we'll arrive in time for lunch.

Lunch: Lunch at Butchart Gardens will be boxed so you may eat at your leisure.

Afternoon: Enjoy a self-guided walk through one of the world's premier floral show gardens. Fifty-five acres of wonderful floral display are open to the public, offering spectacular views from the many paths that meander through the four main gardens. From the exquisite Sunken Garden to the charming Rose Garden, this show garden still maintains the gracious traditions of earlier times. Explore at your leisure the fabulous Gardens in all their seasonal glory.

Dinner: We'll enjoy a dinner on the wharf at Milestones Grill.

Evening: Mingle with new friends for an optional walk to Beacon Hill Park, just blocks from downtown Victoria and the Inner Harbor. The park has been a sanctuary of beauty and tranquility since 1882. It overlooks the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the principal outlet for the Georgia Strait and Puget Sound to the Pacific Ocean, that provides a portion of the international boundary between the Canada and the U.S.

Lodging: Royal Scot Hotel and Suites

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Old Town Victoria and Harbor, Royal British Columbia Museum, Lecture by Master Native Artist

Breakfast: Full country breakfast buffet at Samuel's by the Park overlooking Thunderbird Park. Choose from selections such as bacon, sausage, eggs, biscuits, potatoes, fresh baked muffins, Danish, croissants, toast, assorted cold and hot cereal, seasonal fresh fruit, cheese, yogurt, orange juice, milk, coffee or tea.

Morning: Discover the rich history and culture of British Columbia’s capital and western Canada’s oldest city. We begin with an illustrated lecture that presents Victoria’s natural and human history from the time of the First Nations through the Hudson’s Bay Company, 19th-century gold rushes, and modern development.

Then, we’ll explore the historic chapel and restored gardens of St. Ann’s Academy’s, continuing on foot as we walk into Old Town and around the historic harbor. At the famous Empress Hotel, examine the gardens and learn about its intriguing history and royal visits. Established in 1843 by James Douglas as a fort for the Hudson's Bay Company, Victoria's British ancestry is apparent in double-decker buses, horse-drawn carriages, formal gardens, and tearooms.

Lunch: Lunch is on your own today so you can sample local fare according to your personal preferences.

Afternoon: Visit the Royal British Columbia Museum and Art Gallery. Here at one of the foremost cultural institutions in the world, learn about the history of generations of people who have prospered in the land we know as British Columbia. Join a museum guide for a private presentation on the First Peoples Gallery providing a dramatic glimpse into the Pacific Northwest and First Nations cultures before and after the arrival of Europeans. Discover the meaning of the totem poles, the intricate and mythic reasons behind their carved masks, as well as the different cultural groupings of First Nations peoples in the Victoria area.

Later in the afternoon, we will have the unique opportunity to meet a native artist, who will introduce us to his fascinating craft.

Dinner: Back at the hotel, our lecturer will be our guest for dinner this evening so we will have opportunity to continue our afternoon discussions in an informal setting.

Lodging: Royal Scot Hotel and Suites

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Ferry to Friday Harbor, Whale Museum, San Juan Historical Museum, Evening Program: History of Friday Harbor, View from the Islands Lecture

Breakfast: Full country breakfast buffet at Samuel's by the Park overlooking Thunderbird Park. Choose from selections such as bacon, sausage, eggs, biscuits, potatoes, fresh baked muffins, Danish, croissants, toast, assorted cold and hot cereal, seasonal fresh fruit, cheese, yogurt, orange juice, milk, coffee and tea.

Morning: After a little free time in the morning, we'll take a short motor coach ride to the ferry terminal in Sidney where we'll depart for the San Juan Islands on the Washington State ferry. Relax and enjoy the emerald green water as you float by islands large and small on your way to the idyllic Friday Harbor community.

Lunch: Aboard the ferry.

Afternoon: Upon arrival in Friday Harbor, we’ll make a brief stop at the hotel before we begin our explorations. We'll walk to two small but significant museums.

The nationally recognized Whale Museum is the first of its kind dedicated to promoting stewardship of whales — especially Orcas — and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research. You’ll find a fascinating collection of exhibits, artwork, models, and artifacts, including real whale skeletons and a family tree of the resident Orcas. You can also listen to the "songs " of various species of whales.

At the San Juan Historical Museum, the Executive Director will guide you back in time through the island's history. The museum consists of eight buildings, including an 1894 farmhouse, a carriage house, root cellar and milk house, the original San Juan County Jail, a barn, 1891 log cabin, and Resource Center. Each building houses displays and exhibits of early life on San Juan Island.

The group will be sub-divided to enhance your experience at these museums.

Dinner: We'll dine in the Harbor Room on Northwest green salad, roasted breast of chicken with potatoes, chef's choice of veggies, dessert, coffee, tea and ice tea.

Evening: "Views From the Islands." Get an insider's perspective on contemporary life in the islands. The San Juan Archipelago comprises more than 700 islands and reefs; about 176 of those in San Juan County are large enough to be named. The 16,000 people who reside in San Juan County are as diverse as the land they call home: Islanders are actors, alpaca ranchers, artisans, farmers, fishermen, loggers, movie producers, pilots, shopkeepers and writers. These folks add to the islands' unique character.

Lodging: Best Western Friday Harbor Suites

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Native Wildlife Lecture, San Juan Island National Historic Park, Limekiln Park, Westcott Bay Sculpture Park OR Roche Harbor Village, Port on an Inland Sea Lecture

Breakfast: We'll have a continental breakfast in the Harbor Room which includes fresh fruit, assorted cold cereals and milk, cottage cheese, hard boiled eggs, assorted toasts, muffins and bagels with an assortment of spreads, coffee, tea and juice.

Morning: We'll begin our day with a local expert's introduction to native wildlife on island.

Next we'll visit San Juan Island National Historic Park. Following the precedent set by the Great Pig War, in which the U.S. and Great Britain settled ownership of the island through peaceful arbitration, the Park now celebrates how disputes can be resolved without resorting to violence. The Park also encompasses a rich and diverse environment intimately involved with he island's 3,000 year human history.

We'll travel to the Park by charter bus where an American Camp guide will provide a Park overview, followed by the opportunity for self-exploration of the trails, the remaining historical buildings on site, the grounds and the barracks.

Lunch: Weather permitting, we’ll have a picnic lunch at scenic Lime Kiln Park, considered one of the best places in the world to view whales from the land. The Limekiln Lighthouse also serves as a whale research outpost.

Afternoon: This afternoon will be of your choosing: travel to either historic Roche Harbor Village or Westcott Bay Sculpture Park by chartered bus.

Roche Harbor, once a Hudson's Bay Company trading post and limestone production outpost, is now a popular resort featuring Historical Hotel de Haro; colorful gardens; and large marina.

Westcott Bay Sculpture Park contains over 100 sculptures scattered throughout its outdoor museum. Gaze at the striking artworks of bronze, wood, stone, ceramic, medal and glass created by notable Pacific Northwest artists.

Dinner: Dine this evening on Northwest green salad, prawns and scallops in a sun-dried tomato pesto with penne pasta, chef's choice veggie, dessert, coffee, tea and ice tea.

Evening: "Port on an Inland Sea." A local historian will provide insights regarding the historical establishment of the islands with a blend of politics, the founding of Friday Harbor, and the Great Pig War, a conflict involving American and British troops and warships that "could" have changed the course of history.

Lodging: Best Western Friday Harbor Suites

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ferry to Anacortes, Motorcoach to Seattle, Pike Place Market, Space Needle

Breakfast: We'll have a continental breakfast in the Harbor Room which includes fresh fruit, assorted cold cereals and milk, cottage cheese, hard boiled eggs, assorted toasts, muffins and bagels with an assortment of spreads, coffee, tea and juice.

Morning: Departing at 8:00am, we travel aboard the Washington State Ferry from Friday Harbor to Anacortes for a scenic trip past islands of the San Juan Archipelago in the Salish Sea. Crossing time is approximately 1-1/4 hours. Upon arrival in Anacortes, we travel via motorcoach to Seattle, where your luggage will be stored for later check-in.

In the hotel conference room, our expert local guide will tell you all about Pike's Place Market, a special place that is recognized as one of America's foremost farmers' markets, comprising nine acres and more than a century of history. Today, the market is home to more than 200 year-round commercial businesses; 190 craftspeople and approximately 100 farmers who rent table space by the day; 240 street performers and musicians; and more than 300 apartment units, most of which provide housing for low-income elderly people. "The Market," as locals affectionately call it, attracts millions of visitors a year, making it one of Washington state's most frequently visited destinations.

At the conclusion of the presentation, we’ll walk to the Market, 3 blocks from the hotel.

Lunch: Lunch will be on your own at the Market with 60 restaurants and cafés from which to choose. After lunch, enjoy some free time to talk with farmers, artists, and explore the nooks and crannies abounding in five levels of shops.

Afternoon: Meet the group and walk three blocks to Seattle's Monorail. The Monorail, built for the 1962 Century 21 Exposition, is the best way to travel to the Seattle Center and the landmark Space Needle. It's a short ride but lots of fun!

Then zip to the top of the Space Needle, also built for the exposition in 1962. When the Space Needle was built it was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. The view is magnificent! You'll see cruise lines and cargo ships crossing Elliott Bay, the sparkling water of Lake Union, and the city streets abuzz with activity. The whole city will open up before you! Return via the Monorail with a short walk back to the hotel.

Dinner: Relax at a leisurely dinner at the hotel.

Evening: Spend the remainder of the evening chatting with new friends about the special moments in your Pacific Northwest adventure. What's your favorite memory? Where would you like to revisit and learn more?

Lodging: Red Lion Hotel on Fifth Avenue

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast: Enjoy a full buffet including hot and cold cereals, eggs, breakfast meats, toast, pancakes, pastry, fruit, juices, coffee, decaf, tea and milk.

Morning: HOTEL CHECK-OUT: Noon

The program concludes with breakfast as we say farewell to new friends and take home a host of memories. We hope you have enjoyed this exciting new program and will join us again for other rewarding Road Scholar learning adventures in the future. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Individual departures from Seattle.

Meals Included: Breakfast