North West America

First Day  –  Arrival in Vancouver
Arrived at Vancouver International Airport, welcomed by our representative, you will be escorted to your hotel and during the transfer we will take a short tour of the city. Accommodation at the Westin Bayshore Hotel or Sheraton or Century Plaza.

Second Day Vancouver
Your Tour starts with a visit to the main areas -guided, on request – downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park Aquarium, Suspension Bridge, the Capilano Hatchery – salmon hatchery and West Vancouver parks – the giant trees of Light House and Dundrave Park with picnic on the sea – if there is time and you feel the need to, we suggest a visit to MOA, Museum of Antrhoplogy, at the UBC University of British Columbia.  Free evening and overnight stay at your hotel.

Third Day Vancouver Island – Victoria
In the morning, you will pick up your car to get to the Tsawassen Ferry which will take you to Victoria, the colonial capital of Vancouver Island. The day will be dedicated to the visit of this colorful and charming city, with initial visit to the lovely Butchart Gardens. Then you will visit the colonial town and Inner Harbour, a beautiful harbour with a corollary of large colonial buildings. If there is enough time, you will visit an interesting Museum of British Columbia in the late afternoon and then you will go to your 3 star hotel in the center of Victoria. Dinner in a downtown restaurant.
Fourth Day Towards the West Coast – Ancient Douglas Fir Trees
In the morning after breakfast, you will depart Northwest to head to the West coast of the island, in the Pacific Rim. During the trip, a stop is a must at the Cathedral Groove formed by majestic forest and gigantic ancient trees, mostly Douglas Fir. Then you’ll reach the Pacific Rim, a magnificent coastal area, UNESCO and the largest marine park in North America. You will arrive in Tofino in the early afternoon:  right on time for your trip to the Bay to visit the Meares island and its ancient rainforest. The trees in this forest are among the oldest and largest of the entire region. Upon return, you can divert for a dinner to a restaurant in Tofino village, where you can enjoy the excellent cuisine based on seafood. Night stay at your lodge.

Fifth Day Whale Watching
In the morning, you will take an excursion to the ocean in the Pacific Rim, famous for the violent and fascinating storms of the Pacific, destination of fond travelers and naturalist photographers. Large cetaceans, killer whales and great sea lions, are the residents and the real stars of this Pacific area. On board of fast, super inflatable boats, you will approach these fascinating animals in the Broken Group Islands archipelago. In the afternoon you can go to watch the fantastic sunset of coast, walking along a stretch of the West Coast Trail, in a breathtaking scenery. The trail actually passes along rock ridges, adorned with red cedars perched on a deep blue sea. In the evening – candlelight dinner at the terrace restaurant of the village in Tofino. Night stay at your lodge.

Sixth Day The East Coast of Vancouver Island
This morning, following the Pacific Highway, you will return to the main highway, but before, pay a stop to   magnificent Shooner Bay, among the colorful sea anemones and starfish. Finally, you will go to the west coast of Vancouver Island for a transfer, after crossing forests and lakes, to the east coast, to Campbell River, called the “salmon capital.” Here you will settle in the splendid “Painter’s Lodge”. In the afternoon a pleasant and relaxing excursion awaits you   in covered boat. You will enjoy a magnificent sunset on Discovery Bay, the one you have in front of your lodge. At the end return to the lodge and dinner on the terrace in front of the Quadra Island.

Seventh Day The North and Telegraph Cove
This morning, from Campbell River, departure to the North, and along the beautiful East coast road, you will reach the most beautiful seaside village of northern Vancouver Island, passing through other nice villages. Among these we’ll find some tiny ones, gathered around a Bay and other larger ones such as Port McNeill. Your final destination will be the most characteristic and charming one, the nice and colorful fishing village of Telegraph Cove, where you will stay in a cabin on “bordwalk”, the rustic and historic waterfront.

Eighth Day Killer Whales
This morning’s trip is universally recognized as the best excursion to the orcas’ world. The variety of wildlife in this park is truly unique: lots of grizzly bears, along with the black ones, gray wolves, bald-headed eagles, moose and deer, otters land, and killer whales, dolphins, sea lions and various species of whales, at sea. But the star of the day will certainly be the killer whales. At the end, we’ll head towards Port McNeil, and from here you will get on a small ferry and in 20 minutes you’ll reach Alert Bay, home of the Gitgà community, the original native population living here from immemorial time. You will sleep and probably dine in a nice lodge in this area.

Ninth Day Down to Vancouver and departure for USA
In the morning you will proceed faster than the way along the East coast of Vancouver Island, returning to Nanaimo where you’ll embark on the ferry that will take you back to Vancouver. In the afternoon transfer to the airport, rented car delivery and flight to the States. Upon arrival in Portland you’ll pick up another car, then leave for Cannon Beach and settle down in a hotel. In the afternoon, you will start immediately with a fascinating trekking excursion to Ecola State Park, from Indian Beach along the Clatsop Loop Trail, among the huge red fir trees. The Park’s wildlife, including many species of birds, is varied and interesting. Overnight stay at your Hotel with breakfast.

Tenth Day Descent along the West Coast
Today you will begin your wonderful on the road trip, along the West coast of the United States to discover outstanding parks, beaches and endless enchanting views. Along the way to Newport, on Highway 101, make a detour to the Tillamouk State Forest. Dominated by large Douglas firs, this lush rain forest is crossed by numerous trails that can be crossed both on foot and by mountain bike. Further South, another remarkable detour is that will take you to Cape Lookout, which together with Cape Kiwanda and Cape Meares, forms part of the Three Capes Scenic Route: one of the most famous and spectacular portraits of Oregon coast. In the evening, arrival in Newport and accommodation in hotel with breakfast.

Eleventh Day  From Newport to Florence: the Siuslaw National Forest
During the short transfer between the two towns, on highway 101, you will cross the Siuslaw National Forest that stretches along the Central Oregon coast. Significant dunes along the beaches and rugged coastline of Cape Perpetua scenic area. The Douglas fir, Grand fir, red alder, Maple broad leaf are the predominant trees in this forest. During the trip, is “a must” to visit the Sea Lions Caves: a vast and spectacular cave system that hosts a colony of sea lions and various species of seabirds (closing at 4 p.m.). Arrival in Florence in the late afternoon and accommodation in the  River House Inn or Drift Shore Inn, double room with breakfast.

Twelfth Day From Florence to Coos Bay – the Oregon Dunes
Along the 101, about halfway between Florence and Coos Bay, Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, in the Siuwslaw National Forest, you can hire a 4WD to admire adventurously, but comfortably, the dunes that towering 500 feet above sea level, or go hiking or canoeing.
The dunes area is long about 40 miles along the coast and is the largest in North America. Then 2 hours planned excursion to Florence with UTV, a fun safari through the dunes of the coast. Truly a spectacular stop!

Thirteen Day The Rogue River National Forest
Today’s stage will take you in California. From Coos Bay, along the 101, you can admire the spectacular views of the South coast of Oregon. You’ll find yourself in Rogue River National Forest. The forest covers an area of approximately 1,800,000 acres and stretches between the Cascades Mountains at Siskiyou Mountains, almost at the Pacific Ocean. Slightly less than one-tenth of this forest lies in California. The forest boasts the tallest pine in the world, a ponderosa of almost 82 metres, and several Douglas firs and cypresses of Lawson very old. You can choose between various outdoor activities: rafting, canoeing, trekking, biking. At the end of this eventful day, shortly after crossing the border between Oregon and California, you will arrive to Crescent City and arranged to Crescent Beach (Motel) or other similar Hotel, in double room with breakfast.

Fourteenth Day California parks of the great redwoods
Crescent City is the natural gateway to Northern Redwood National and State Parks. The trees that make up the forests of these parks are among the tallest redwoods and ancient in the world. The parks also protect grassland, forests of oak and almost 25 miles of wild coastline and a varied wildlife…
Hiking in the Redwood Forest, especially in the morning, can be an unforgettable experience. The sounds are reduced to gurgle of water drips between ferns and moss-covered rocks. The light penetrates into the mist with rays of sunshine nearly hung like cobwebs. Paths to more than 200 miles cross different types of environment, including grasslands, forests of old-growth redwoods and beaches. At the end of this long day of exploration, you will come to Eureka in a delicious and exquisite lodge, in double room with breakfast.

Fifteenth Day  from Eureka to Willits: Shasta-Trinity National Forest
The Shasta-Trinity National Forest, where you can easily access from Eureka, is the largest of California and covers an area ranging from 980 to 14,000 feet altitude on about 2,400 acres. Includes five wilderness areas, hundreds of mountain lakes and more than 6 miles of rivers and streams. Inside, the Shasta Lake, with its rugged coastline and numerous and deep inlets, is ideal for those who love to explore the wild nature with the canoe. At the end of the day, you’ll make a stop in Willits, where they will be set up in another manor, in double with breakfast.

Sixteenth Day  The Mendocino National Forest
It is the only National forest in California not to be crossed by paved roads and is a favourite destination for those who enjoy outdoor activities in peace and solitude. It offers various opportunities for activities including hiking, boating, fishing, hunting, and of course photography. Here you will find a wide variety of wild flowers that bloom at different times from spring to summer, including the California poppy, bluebells, dodecatheon, wild iris, buttercups, dogwood, lilac and many varieties of wild Lupine. Among the trees, several varieties of conifers and Oaks and savannah. A very diverse wildlife, including white-tailed deer, black bears, mountain lions, Bobcats, coyotes, different species of reptiles, amphibians and birds. Your trip continues on to San Francisco, where we arranged in 3 or 4 star hotel in a double room with breakfast.

Seventeenth Day San Francisco!
Steep hills, architectural eclecticism and cultural vibrancy.   San Francisco, the second city of the United States after New York  for its population density, is located on 43 hills that create a particular and distinctive appearance, with its many steep uphill and downhill  avenues – all to admire the beautiful views of the city. This eclecticism is characterized by both Victorian style and modern architectural structures. Each of these features has made San Francisco the most “European” of American cities. The city is almost entirely visitable afoot, but if you prefer a more in-depth tour of the hinterland, you can take the Scenic Drive 49 Mile. Following an easy way, for about 79 km, well marked by blue and white signs, you can visit many places of attraction. Worth seeing are also colorful murals, you’ll find more than 200 in the Mission District, these include one of the most beautiful, the Carnival Mural on 24th street. There is also a Walking Tour of Little Italy and North Beach, absolutely worth visiting.

Nineteenth Day The parks and forests of Santa Cruz Mountains
To the South of San Francisco, in the territory of Santa Cruz Mountains, lies a system of parks, forests and nature reserves. This territory has always been populated by giant redwoods and its trees were used to build San Francisco and surrounding towns. Currently, Redwoods, Douglas firs, Alders, maple leaf and a large variety of oak, populate the forests of these mountains. The mountains also host twelve varieties of fern and other species of flora. The fauna of these parks includes Jays, hawks, woodpeckers, owls, salamanders, newts, millipedes, raccoons, deer, squirrels, skunks, rabbits, possums, feral pigs, coyotes, Bobcats and mountain lions. For walkers and hikers, there are hundreds of kilometers of trails between the old redwoods and other large trees. Return to San Francisco and night at the same hotel.

Twentieth Day Calaveras Big Tree State Park
From San San Francisco you will travel for a trekking tour guided in Calaveras Big Tree State Park. A forest of Giant Redwoods, tourist attraction since 1930. If you always wanted to walk right in the middle of a sequoia tree, Calaveras is the place for you. The Park is divided into North and South. The northern area of the Park, has more traffic because of its location near the motorway and of 4 campings.
The South Grove area rather more quiet, where you can enjoy the sight of giant sequoias in greater relaxation. The attractions of the Park include the Stanislaus River, Beaver Creek, Lava Bluff Trail and Bradley Trail. In the evening we go to Fresno, where you arrive after about 3 hours by car. Overnight stay at your hotel.

Twenty first Day Fresno Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
The day is dedicated to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Two contiguous parks, where there are large trees, high peaks and deep canyons. Located in the south of Sierra Nevada, have a territory that rises from 1200 feet at the foot of the hills to 12,000 on the peak of Mount Whitney, the highest mountain of the 48 contiguous States (excluding Alaska). Underground, there are over 200 marble caves with endemic fauna. The largest sequoias are high as a 26-story building and their underlying diameter exceeds the width of the streets of many cities.  The age of the Redwoods known as General Sherman and General Grant is estimated at between 1.800 and 2.700 years. There are various outdoor activities that you can do in the two parks, including, of course, trekking along the nearly 800 niles of trails. Return to Fresno and overnight stay at your Hotel.

Twenty second Day Return flight from San Francisco
Back to San Francisco and transfer to the international airport. Here, after having returned the car, you will take your return flight.