House of travel USA Brochure 2017 | Page 33

Oregon Oregon has amazing natural wonders and some incredibly diverse scenery, along with a great food, wine and beer scene and really friendly locals. It is the perfect state for a Self-Drive holiday and you are sure to have many ‘wow’ moments. 6 days/5 nights Suggested Self-Drive Cannon Beach Day 1: Portland – Cannon Beach – Newport (300km) One of Oregon’s most visited attractions with 580 kilometres of beautiful coastline, the scenery is dramatic with pristine sand beaches in some areas and rugged cliffs in others. Newport Florence Day 2: Newport – Florence – Eugene – Grants Pass (400km) Carry on to Florence with its historic Old Town and 65 square kilometres of sand dunes. Passing through the mystical Siuslaw National Forest will take you to Eugene. Grants Pass Day 6: Hood River – Mt Hood – Columbia River Gorge & Waterfalls – Portland (254km) Mt Hood is as popular in the winter as it is in the summer, you can ski year round here. Along the Columbia River Gorge there is a huge concentration of around 90 stunning waterfalls. Eugene Bend Painted Hills Smith Rock Crater Lake Highlights worth seeing along the way Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach – Stop for some great photos of this rock rising 71 metres out from the sand. Newport – The Bayfront area is home to Oregon’s biggest fishing fleet and there are some great places to get crab cakes. Eureka Day 5: Bend – Columbia River Gorge – Hood River via the Historic Highway (248km) Take the Historic Columbia River Highway, which has some lovely scenic viewpoints, to Hood River, a cute town by the river. MT Hood Hood River Columbia Gorge Discovery Centre OREGON Day 3: Grants Pass – Crater Lake – Bend (333km) A highlight of your trip will be the majestic Crater Lake. Its pristine water is surrounded by cliffs that reflect in the lake, it is absolutely beautiful. Next it is Bend, a mecca for outdoor adventures and only 35 minutes from the Mt Batchelor ski resort. Day 4: Bend – Smith Rock – Painted Hills – Bend (290km) Today you’ll see two stunning sights – Smith Rock with its sheer cliffs and deep river canyons and The Painted Hills whose rolling hills with stripes of yellows, golds, browns and reds are amazing. Portland CALIFORNIA Springfield – Said to be the inspiration for Springfield in the Simpsons its Simpsons’ mural is a great photo op. Covered Bridges – Cottage Grove, by Eugene, has a few within close proximity. Built in the mid 1800s they’re very scenic and worth a look. Jacksonville – A really cute town where the main street is full of historic buildings dating back to the 1850s when it was a thriving gold mining town. Rental car: Hertz (Group B) from $84 per day Columbia Gorge Discovery Centre and Museum – This is a great place to get a great overview and history of the area. Our favourite places to stay: • Elizabeth Street Inn, Newport • Weasku Inn, Grants Pass • Shilo Suites, Bend • Hampton Inn & Suites Hood River Multnomah Falls – At 189 metres these falls are a photographer’s delight, with a lodge at the bottom and a bridge across the lower cascade. If you’re there in the autumn the foliage colours are beautiful. Mt Hood Area – In the spring there’s plenty of lavender, wildflowers and blossoms, it is very pretty. The price guide shown is per car hire based on fully inclusive, 5-7 day hire rate. Price does not include Earlybird or other offers. Specials and surcharges may a pply depending on travel date. 29