Columbia and Snake Rivers: Food, Wine and History 8-Day

Arrive in the early afternoon in Portland, located in the shadow of snow-capped Mount Hood. Embark in early evening and enjoy wine and champagne as the ship sails along the Willamette River under eight of Portland’s 12 eclectic bridges.

Arrival Time: Arrive by 3:00 p.m. local time.  
Arrival City: Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon’s largest city is located at the merging of the Williamette and Columbia Rivers. Two groups of indigenous Chinook peoples inhabited this area long before American pioneers started arriving in the 1800’s. Once the Oregon Trail, a 2,170 mile historic east–west, large-wheeled wagon route connecting Oregon to the Missouri River, opened in the 1830’s, large numbers of settlers started arriving. Portland’s original name was "Stumptown" because so many trees had been cut down to allow for development. Two men owned the land - Asa Lovejoy of Boston, Massachusetts and Francis W. Pettygrove of Portland, Maine. They decided to rename it, but disagreed about the new name. They wanted to name it after their respective hometowns, so they settled this disagreement with a coin toss, which Pettygrove won. Today, Portland is ranked the 26th most populous city in the United States, and is especially known for all its bridges, many of which are historic landmarks.

Begin your journey by navigating the Columbia to the mouth of the river at Astoria. At Cape Disappointment, take in the dramatic scenery where Meriwether Lewis saw the Pacific for the first time in 1805. Walk or enjoy a scenic hike to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center to learn more. In the afternoon, there are several options to explore Astoria—visit the maritime museum to learn about this estuary’s navigational hazards and history of shipwrecks, take a shuttle to the Astoria Column or explore the shops and restaurants on your own.

Situated near the mouth of the Columbia River on the northern coast of Oregon, Astoria is a historic waterfront city known for its maritime heritage and scenic landscapes. Colorful Victorian homes, museums, and riverfront views reflect the city’s rich history as one of the oldest American settlements west of the Rocky Mountains. Visitors can explore local breweries, coastal attractions, and nearby natural beauty while enjoying Astoria’s charming small-town atmosphere.

The Dalles is a historic city located along the Columbia River in northern Oregon. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the state and played an important role during the Oregon Trail era. The city is known for its scenic beauty, with dry hills, river views, and nearby waterfalls. Today, it serves as a regional hub for agriculture, trade, and tourism. The Dalles also has a rich cultural heritage shaped by Native American history and early pioneers.

Hood River is a scenic city located along the Columbia River in northern Oregon. It is famous for its beautiful landscapes, with views of Mount Hood nearby. The city is known as a popular destination for outdoor sports like windsurfing, hiking, and skiing. Hood River also has a strong farming community, especially known for its apple and pear orchards. It attracts visitors year-round for its natural beauty and adventure activities.

Spend the day cruising through some of the most scenic and geologically interesting stretches of the Columbia River and the Columbia Plateau. Your geologists provide fascinating insight on the glacial floods that sculpted the landscape 13,000 years ago, as your food and wine expert illustrates the expression of such unique terrain through its tastes and tannins. Relive the historic tales of the Corps of Discovery through the eyes of a historian as you sail by important landmarks. Or unwind with a massage in preparation for an exciting day ahead.

Drive through some of the most fertile agricultural areas in the nation, with bright, rolling green and purple fields of sprouting wheat, asparagus and famous Walla Walla sweet onions. In the morning, discover the thriving art scene on a guided tour, or choose to visit the Whitman Mission, a standout National Historic Site where friction between Native Americans and white missionaries erupted into an event that continues to reverberate in American culture. After lunch at a local winery, explore charming downtown Walla Walla at your leisure, perusing local galleries, sampling sweets at the country’s #1 candy store or popping into cozy tasting rooms.

The still water of the Palouse River is the perfect mirror for the surrounding basalt cliffs as you set off on your Zodiac and kayak adventures. Visit Palouse Falls, where waters plunge 200 feet into a churning pool. These falls and the surrounding canyon with its towering cliffs, cavernous holes in the earth and winding water routes are part of geologically unique channeled scablands created by ancient floods. Afterwards, sail up the Snake River, enjoying a taste of local specialties.

Today, explore the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers, more than 450 miles from the sea. Travel by comfortable jet boat into spectacular, 125-mile Hells Canyon, North America’s deepest river gorge, mostly inaccessible by road. Observe remnants of the Nez Perce tribe, including ancestral horsetrails along the hillsides and petroglyphs on rock formations, while keeping an eye out for the stately and nimble Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. In the evening, you'll be joined by a Nez Perce storyteller, and a local winemaker hosts your final tasting as you toast an unforgettable journey before a special final dinner.