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From: £3595
Majestic, unspoiled and unimaginably glorious - welcome to the pristine Pacific Northwest. American Empress, the largest and most elegant riverboat west of the Mississippi, cruises rivers where little has changed since the explorers Lewis and Clark opened up the West for settlement in the early 1800s.
The American Empress cruises from Vancouver, Washington State (only 9 miles from Portland, Oregon) to Clarkston, Washington and vice versa April to November.
Savings are now available on the American Queen, American Empress and American Duchess voyages - please do call for further details.
Please note, gratuities are not included and will be charged to your on board account.
Today the American Empress departs at 6pm from Vancouver, Washington State (not to be confused with Vancouver, Canada). So you'll have the morning to explore the city before you are transferred to the port. This morning you may wish to stroll around The Portland Museum of Art, check out the cultural heart of the city at The Pearl District, or visit the eclectic boutiques in the Nob Hill area, there is no sales tax in Portland.
Early evening embark your floating home for the next seven nights and enjoy a cocktail on deck as you leave the city lights of Portland behind and head along the Columbia River to your first port of call, Astoria.
Located on the Oregon coast at the mouth of the Columbia River, Astoria is the oldest settlement west of the Rockies. Here you'll see Victorian-era homes perched in the hills over looking the river. Surrounded by lush forests and three rivers this historic pioneer city is a stone’s throw away from the Pacific, think fishing village meets Victoriana, with a Scandinavian flavour.
On your tour today you'll enjoy a stroll along the Riverwalk and visit the Flavel House and Carriage Museum before heading off to Astoria Column for incredible views, 600 feet above sea level, of the majestic valley and the Pacific Ocean. Last, but not least, stop on the tour is the Heritage Museum where you'll learn about the fascinating history and culture of Oregon and the Columbia River.
Cradled near the confluence of the Columbia, Snake and Yakima Rivers, in the heart of Washington State's wine region are the Tri-Cities of Richland, Pasco and Kennewick. These cities boast more than 160 wineries within a 60-mile radius and produce some of the finest wines in the world. If you're a wine lover you'll be interested in the Walla Walla Wine Trail shore excursion (extra cost) which leads you through the area of Washington State referred to as The Napa Valley of the Pacific Northwest.
Over the next two days on your American Empress tours you'll learn about the local Native American culture, the Northern Pacific Railroad and learn more about Lewis & Clark at Sacajawea State Park.
Today you'll disembark the American Empress at 7am for your transfer to Spokane Airport for your flight home.
Your cruise ends here but your adventure doens't have to. You may decide to extend your stay and spend a few days in Spokane or maybe enjoy a city stop over in Seattle or Boston.
Call the USA travel specialists at Bon Voyage to discuss your perfect American Empress - Cruise the Columbia and Snakes River adventure.