Compare Northwest Wine and Rail Tour by InquisiTours vs California Panorama by Omega Tours
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
|
5 | Excellent
|
| Duration | 5 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 2,699 | $ 2,127 |
| Price Per Day | $ 540 | $ 266 |
| Highlights |
|
N/A
|
| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
| Physical Level |
|
|
| Travel Themes |
|
|
| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
|
|
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
|
N/A |
| Meals Included |
2 Lunches, 2 Dinners with wine and 1 Reception with wine and appetizers |
N/A |
| Description |
Ride the rails and take a journey to the heart of Eastern Washington and Wine Country. Enjoy the rugged Mountain views and Bavarian charms of Leavenworth. Grand vistas of the Columbia River, pioneer history, and world class wines await you in Walla Walla, Washington’s friendliest town. Sun-kissed Yakima Valley offers the largest variety of fresh grown produce in the Pacific Northwest - grapes for wine, hops for beer and fresh produce for your table. Scenic stops will offer you a taste of this region before we wind our way through the heavily wooded and volcanically formed Cascadia Range and back to beautiful Seattle. |
Tick off all the Californian must-sees on this fantastic escorted tour as you experience Las Vegas in all its glittering glory, see the spectacular Yosemite National Park in awe and embrace San Francisco with its diverse and incredible surroundings including the Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Discover all the glamour Los Angeles has to offer with stops at some of its most famous spots and much more |
Day 1: Seattle, WA to Leavenworth, WA
Meals: Dinner aboard the train
Meet your InquisiTours Tour Director at Seattle King Street Station in the afternoon (3:30 pm) to board the Amtrak Empire Builder. As you leave Seattle, sit back and enjoy the views of Puget Sound, the Cascade Mountains, and Wenatchee National Forest before evening arrival in the Bavarian mountain town of Leavenworth.
Day 2: Leavenworth, Washington
Meals: Breakfast and Reception
Enjoy a morning walk exploring the charming Bavarian town of Leavenworth, the outlying river valley, and nearby trails. The rest of the day is yours to do what you please. In the evening, join us for a festive reception featuring authentic cuisine and craft ales.
Day 3: Leavenworth, Washington to Walla Walla, Washington
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
In the morning board your van as we explore the dramatic Columbia River Basin. Orchards and vineyards complete the expansive views as we travel into the heart of the wine country. You’ll enjoy a delightful lunch at one of the Red Mountain AVA wineries. After a scenic drive to Walla Walla, our day will finish with a brief walking tour of the town before checking into the hotel for the night. The evening is yours to explore the many dining options in town.
Day 4: Walla Walla, Washington
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Walla Walla touring! In the morning learn about the lifestyles, traditions, and crafts of the region's residents including Native Americans, the Lewis and Clark expedition, and Oregon Trail Pioneers with a visit to the Ft. Walla Walla Museum. The rest of the day is yours for exploration. You can choose from an optional excursion or to spend your day exploring, shopping, or visiting the numerous tasting rooms and art galleries in town. Whatever you do, you will want to be back in time for a special multi-course dinner.
Day 5: Walla Walla, Washington to Seattle, Washington
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
After a hearty breakfast, we will make our way out of the Walla Walla Valley toward Seattle. On our journey West, we will travel through the Yakima Valley and over the Cascade Mountains making numerous scenic stops, including lunch, before dropping you back at King Street Station around 5 pm. Please let us know if you are taking an Alaska Cruise so we can time your arrival if it’s before 5 pm.
DAY 1: LOS ANGELES ARRIVAL
Arrive at Los Angeles International Airport and transfer independently to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodation at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport, Los Angeles, or similar
DAY 2: LOS ANGELES > MOJAVE DESERT > LAS VEGAS
Meet your Tour Director and depart for Las Vegas, the glittering “Entertainment Capital of the World,” for non-stop fun, gambling, and world-class entertainment. Your tour stops at the iconic Las Vegas Welcome Sign where you may wish to capture your photo memory of Las Vegas.
Accommodation at the Luxor Las Vegas, Las Vegas, or similar
DAY 3: LAS VEGAS > DEATH VALLEY > MAMMOTH LAKES/FRESNO
Having enjoyed glamorous Las Vegas, it will be a sharp contrast this afternoon to enter the quiet and extreme environment of Death Valley. Stop at Zabriskie Point and Furnace Creek Ranch/Visitors Center before continuing across the valley and ascending the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the alpine resort town of Mammoth Lakes. The area gained prominence as a gold mining town in the 19th century and today is renowned for its superior skiing terrain and staggeringly beautiful mountain vistas.
Important note: Winter Routing The Tioga Pass may be closed due to weather or road conditions, in which case you will overnight in Fresno or Visalia and a visit to Mammoth Lakes will not be possible (winter routing applies to all departures between October and May under normal snow conditions).
Accommodation at the Mammoth Mountain Inn, Mammoth Lakes, or Piccadilly Inn, Fresno
DAY 4: MAMMOTH/FRESNO > YOSEMITE > MODESTO
Your journey today brings you to the Tioga Pass (please see important note on day 3) into the scenic wonderland of Yosemite National Park. Here, you will experience the valley floor and its splendors including the glacial-shaped granite formations of El Capitan, Half Dome, the magnificent Bridal Falls, and Yosemite Falls. Overnight in Modesto.
Accommodation at the Doubletree by Hilton Modesto, Modesto, or similar
DAY 5: MODESTO > SAN FRANCISCO
Depart early this morning to arrive in San Francisco, one of the most beloved cities in America. Enjoy a comprehensive sightseeing tour before arriving at your hotel. This evening take a memorable City by Night Tour (optional).
Accommodation at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, San Francisco, or similar
DAY 6: SAN FRANCISCO (NAPA VALLEY OPTIONAL)
Day at leisure! Your Tour Director is on hand to assist with making your plans for the day: perhaps a cable car ride to Fisherman’s Wharf where one may enjoy a “Taste of San Francisco”: local seafood, famous sourdough bread, or decadent Ghiradelli’s Chocolate. Or take a stroll by Sea Lions’ Marina to watch them frolic.
Be sure to gaze across the bay to Alcatraz Island where “America’s Most Wanted” such as Al Capone and ”Machine Gun” Kelly were incarcerated. Or visit Union Square for a shopping stop at Macy’s Department Store. You also may choose to embark on a wine-tasting tour to Napa Valley, world-renowned for its fine wineries and beautiful scenery (optional).
Accommodation at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, San Francisco, or similar
DAY 7: SAN FRANCISCO > MONTEREY/ CARMEL > CENTRAL COAST
Depart San Francisco this morning for the drive to the Monterey Peninsula, known for its magnificent homes and lovely beaches. In Monterey, visit Fisherman’s Wharf and famous Cannery Row Then tour charming Carmel-by-the-Sea, noted for its quaint houses, upscale art galleries, and unique stores. In the afternoon your tour continues through Paso Robles, home of fine wineries. Overnight in a quaint Central California Coast town.
Accommodation at the Radisson Santa Maria, Central Coast, or similar
DAY 8: CENTRAL COAST > SANTA BARBARA > SANTA MONICA > LOS ANGELES DEPARTURE
Journey south through the Santa Ynez Valley into Santa Barbara where palm-lined walkways border white sandy beaches. Upon arrival in Los Angeles, an orientation tour commences to include Hollywood, portions of Beverly Hills, and Century City before arriving in Santa Monica, home to the finish line of Historic Route 66, where you may enjoy an optional lunch on the pier before departure or arriving at your hotel.
