Hi,

We booked two weeks in August to go to Seattle and Vancouver (BC) to see a relative who has now moved away and so need some advice on what we can see on our own! (flights were booked on BA miles so can't be changed)

We have a one-year old daughter who is pretty relaxed about travelling, but obviously limits our options a bit.

Our first thoughts are:

Fly in to Seattle and spend two or three days looking round the city.

Hire a car and travel around for about three or four days, maybe taking in the Cascade Loop or other scenic highlights.

Hand the car back (I can't find a good deal on US to Canada car hire) and get the Amtrak train from Seattle to Vancouver.

Hire a car and travel around for a few more days (maybe take in Vancouver Island??) before spending two or three days in Vancouver itself then flying back to the UK.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be really appreciated, as I'm not sure where to start!

Specific questions we have are:

1) is the Amtrak Cascades route worth taking?
2) is the Boeing tour worthwhile?
3) should we visit Vancouver Island or use the time elsewhere?

Thanks for any help or tips you can give us,

Chris

I like the Amtrak train - the train itself is more comfortable than a lot of Amtrak's rolling stock (http://www.azrail.org/equip/talgo/talgo.htm), and the scenery is great too.

While the Boeing tour is definitely worthwhile, I am quite sure that they will not allow you to take your daughter along.

I would definitely visit Vancouver Island. Victoria is a great little city, the nearby Butchart Gardens are world-famous, and the coastline is beautiful.

There are other scenic drives besides the Cascade Loop (which is great). You could take a ferry to Whidbey Island, then drive along this large island, stopping at some quaint towns and scenic spots; then cross the bridge onto Fidalgo Island, which has great parks and high-altitude vistas. You could go to Mt. Rainier and drive up to some spectacular overlooks, such as Sunrise and Paradise. You could take a winery tour in the Woodinville area, then head over to scenic Snoqualmie Falls. You could take a ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, then drive around, take a bridge on the other side, drive up to Kingston, then take a ferry back to Edmonds, then return.

From Vancouver, there are also many fine side trips you could take. One possibility would be to drive up to Whistler. Parts of the drive are spectacular, and the ski village is interesting too. You can take the gondola up for fine mountain views. There is another closer-by gondola at Grouse Mountain, just outside the city, which gives great views of Vancouver and surrounds.

Nobody under 4 feet in height can go on the Boeing factory tour, so I think that option is closed, unless one of you stays with your daughter in the exhibit hall while the other tours the plant.

The train from Seattle to Vancouver is very nice; be aware however that the only departure is at 7:45 AM.

Victoria and Vancouver Island are very popular with visitors. Personally I find Victoria lays on the Olde Worlde Charm a bit thick, and coming from the UK I'd bet you would be less impressed than others. But the crossing to the island is scenic, and there are plenty of other areas on the island that are quite wonderful.

BTW, Butchart Gardens (near Victoria) are lovely, but the botanical gardens at QE2 Park and the Van Dusen Gardens right in Vancouver are also very nice, and IMO an acceptable substitute for Butchart if you don't go to the island.

However, let me throw out a wild idea based on your timetable and the presence of your daughter.

Alaska cruise.

There are numerous week-long cruises leaving from Vancouver and Seattle that travel up to Southeast Alaska ("inside passage," glaciers, gold rush towns, etc.) that you might find affordable and very comfortable when traveling with a small child. The cabins are very comfortable, many ships have baby sitting services and all have room service as well as restaurant dining; they're all-inclusive and surprisingly affordable compared to hotel + car + restaurants on the land. You would see a lot of beautiful countries, probably some wildlife and/or whales, and still have seven days for visiting Seattle and Vancouver.

Just a thought.

You've certainly got us thinking about the cruise option - it's something we'd be very unlikely to ever do again.

I'm quite good on finding cheap flights and hotels on the internet, but do you have any pointers for cruises? I've had a quick look and so far the prices seem to be quite high, even allowing for the fact that we would be saving on car hire and hotels.

If you're still looking to book a cruise, vacationstogo.com is an excellent website and you're sure to get a great deal on a cruise. Cruise ships leave from both Seattle and Vancouver. Have fun and enjoy!

i have sent 5 summers in this area. one of my favorites.

i would: go to see where "Twin Peaks " was filmed , it is very near airport. (Snoqualmie Falls.) Nice lunch stop.

fery to bainbridge.. see seattle skyline. preferably come back when it is dark so you can get the thrill fo it lighted.

ferry to orcas island. drive around and have lunch and maybe stay there if you like. this gives you a good feel of the san juans.

drive/bus to vancouver. sleep there. visit city. then up to whistler..by bus or car... following the fjord up the highway. spectacular. (weather premitting)
whistler is a great place deserving an overnight.

ferry to bowen island..kayak or wander around if you still have energy in you..
i think the islands, ferries, wildlife and scenery are the best in this part of the world.

enjoy this great destination you have chosen.