Seattle region:

From the airport, rent a car or take the Link Light Rail towards downtown. Stroll through downtown, observe the buildings with impressive architecture like the Public Library, and climb to the top of the Columbia Tower to have a beautiful overview of Seattle and its surroundings. Then, visit the Seattle Art Museum and embark on the famous market of Pike Place Market, the beating heart of the city. Admire the street artists, taste local specialities and walk along the seafront. Alternative: one hour boat ride in Elliot Bay or visit of the excellent aquarium, which will delight children. Then, go back to Belltown to discover this trendy neighborhood that gave birth to the current rock grunge, and then stroll through the beautiful Olympic Sculpture Park. End with a diner in one of the restaurants in the neighbourhood that offers Pacific Northwest cuisine!

Explore the historic area of Pioneer Square. Stroll between the old buildings and art galleries and visit the very interesting Klondike Historical Park museum devoted to the great gold rush from the late 19th century. You can take part in Underground Tour to get an idea of what the city was before the great fire. Continue your visit by entering Chinatown, more commonly known as "International District" and visit Wing Luke's museum to learn about the history of the Asian community in Seattle. You can have lunch in one of the local restaurants. Before you leave, take a look at the Uwajimaya supermarket: there are thousands of mangas and original gifts. Then, take the Link Light Train to the Weslake Center where a monorail takes you directly to Seattle Centre. Spend the afternoon exploring the area and its main attractions (Pacific Science Center, the Experience Music Project and the Science Fiction Museum) and then climb up the famous Space Needle and see the sunset or Seattle by night. For dinner, you will undoubtedly be inspired by the restaurants in the residential district of Queen Anne.

Explore the alternative areas of Seattle. Start with Ballard, a former Scandinavian district that kept its charm and its gentle lifestyle on the edge of the canal. Then, discover Fremont (15 to 20 min walk) where you can enjoy good surprises (statues, bars, and unusual shops). On Sundays, don't miss the Ballard farmer's market and the {2}Fremont{/2}'s large flea market. Enjoy a picnic break at Gas Works Park, a former industrial centre converted into a park from which you have a beautiful view over Lake Union. Then, you have the choice between visiting the huge Wooldand Parc Zoo towards Greenlake, or continuing the trip, taking a bus to the university area, the U District. If you choose the second option, visit the university on Lake Washington and the friendly student district. You can take a break in one of the cafés at University Street. From there, take another bus to Discovery Park, north of Capitol Hill. Walk through the park, enter the conservatory (tropical greenhouse) and stroll along the streets where beautiful houses have been restored. Continue on foot to the Pike and Pine Street corridor, where the gay community settled. There are plenty of cultural life, you will find many bars, concert halls, fashion shops and the famous statue of Jimmy Hendrix. It is an opportunity to dine in the neighborhood and attend a rock concert at Neumo's.

Why not going for a getaway for the day? If you have a car or if you want to participate in a group excursion, and the weather is fine, don't hesitate! This volcano, which appears on all the postcards in Seattle on the right of the Space Needle, will allow you to discover the exceptional nature at the gates of the city (1 hour drive). Go to the Paradise Station where you will feel like being in the middle of the Alps and take one of the many trails to admire the glaciers of the volcano. On your return, go to West Seattle for dinner at Alki Beach. You will see the city reflected in the water in front of you. For those who cannot take this walk, visit the Aviation Museum and wander along the West Seattle waterfront.

Departure from Seattle by ferry to Bainbridge. Tour by car from the island and stop in its shops and its farms to buy fresh products. Departure by ferry to Port Townsend. Discovery of the city centre and its Victorian houses in the late afternoon. Overnight stay.

Car ride to the peninsula. Stop at Sequim to visit a lavender expoitation and then to Port Angeles to learn about the Visitor's center of Olympic national park. Hiking in the afternoon near Mont Olympus or near the Lake Crescent. Night in a lodge.

Discovery of the beautiful rainforests of Hoh and Quinault. Afternoon relaxation at the hot pools. Walk or swim along the Pacific. Night in a lodge in the park or a hotel on the road to Port Angeles.

Departure by ferry from Port-Angeles, walking tour of the charming city of Victoria and its old houses reminiscent of English charm, Parliament and the Royal BC Museum. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel or B&B.

Take the car to get out of Victoria and go to East Sooke Park to admire the Pacific Ocean from the hiking trails. In the afternoon, you will drive to Butchart gardens to admire the nature's jewel. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel or B&B.

Departure by ferry to San Juan Island. Arrival at the port of Friday Harbor. Sea trips to watch whales and orcas off the islands. Late afternoon to walk in the village and dine in a restaurant facing the sea. Overnight stay.

Drive to the rest of San Juan Island. Departure by ferry in the afternoon to Orcas Island. Arrival on site and drive from the island to Olga passing through the Mont Constitution, the highest point of the islands. Dinner and overnight at the village of Eastsound.

Early morning departure by ferry to Anacortes. Then, explore North Cascades by taking the beautiful Hwy 20 road. Head to North Cascades National Park. Dinner and overnight stay.

Find out more in the information centre for a beautiful day-long hike around Mount Baker for example. Night in lodge, chalet or a camping tent.

Return trip to Seattle, last overnight stay before taking the plane.