The Columbia and Snake River 8-day, 7-night  yacht cruise is one of the most unique cruise opportunities for global travelers and it is here in our backyard.  In 2012 and 2013 you can board the luxury 12-passenger yacht and sail either from Idaho to Oregon down the Columbia and Snake Rivers or from Oregon to Idaho.  The board point in Oregon is the City of Roses – Portland.  The board point in Idaho is Lewiston.  Lewiston is in North Central Idaho.  Our cruise departures begin or end in Spokane, Washington with an overnight stay nearby on beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene.  After a stay in this quaint town, we travel down through the farm country of the Palouse.  We stop for lunch and enjoy the genius of Mary Jane’s Farm and the home of the Nez Perce Tribe and Chief Joseph.  You will see the land of this great American Indian as we pass through two unique Indian Reservations between Coeur d’Alene and Lewiston. 

The Columbia and Snake River cruises provide access to these remote rivers.  If you enjoy an active lifestyle you can also kayak, hike, geo-cache or enjoy the fine wineries of Western Washington and Eastern Oregon.  The culinary offerings of the high desert are matched to the elegant wines on the sailings.  Please join us on one of these unique itineraries of the Wild West.

To charter the yacht, contact Rhonda Sand at TMI at 800 975 7775

.  The yacht is available for the exclusive use of your party and the itinerary can be finetuned to match your interests. 

The 7-night winery cruise tour down the Columbia and Snake Rivers of Idaho, Washington and Oregon visit the the wine regions of the spectacular Columbia River Gorge.  The culinary yacht cruise begins in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho with a drive through the Indian Country of the mighty Palouse.  We board the cruise and set sail visiting Dunham Cellars, Hedges Family Estate, Terra Blanca, Maryhill Winery and Northstar.  The Walla Walla wine appellations are becoming world reknown to enthusiasts.  Because of the scenery, distances and uniqueness of the cruises they are fast becoming popular with those who have traveled via barge and yacht in Germany and France.  Summer and fall are the best time to enjoy the river, click here for more information.   Add a fly fishing trip in Idaho or Montana or a luxury resort vacation to Coeur d’alene and Sandpoint for the perfect vacation.

The best way to see the majestic Columbia River Gorge is aboard a lovely 8 day/9 nights cruise expedition.   Each day passengers will experience lively discussions with their own on-board naturalist who will also accompany them on many of the shore excursions.  Shore visits range from exploring bird migration routes to exhilarating jet boat rides on the Snake River up the famous Hell’s Canyon.  Experience the Hanford National Monument, kayak the lower Columbia River or relax onboard in the yacht’s hot tub sipping an exceptional Oregon or Washington world class wine. 

 Cruises depart from Lewiston, Idaho to Portland, Oregon on Sept. 24, Oct. 08 and Nov. 19 for 2011.  Eastbound sailings depart from Portland to Lewiston,  Oct. 22 and Nov. 05, 2011 and all of these sailing dates showcase the lovely Indian Summers of the Pacific Northwest. 

 Extend your vacation for 2 nights and try Sturgeon fishing on the Snake River with a hotel stay on our North Idaho diamond, Lake Coeur d’Alene.  For information on sightseeing  and unique experiences as well as the Sturgeon fishing mini-vacation, ask for Rhonda Sand at TMI Tours & Cruises.  We are your vacation specialist for the Pacific Northwest.

It is still possible to experience a mode of travel from a by-gone era with all the luxury and leisure that train travel provides.  The Rocky Mountaineer is more than just a train ride–it has been called “The Worlds Leading Travel Experience by Train”.   New for 2011 will be a delightful pairing of rail travel through the rugged Canadian wilderness and wine tasting in the Okanagan Valley, internationally famous for it’s wines and wineries.

This tour begins in cosmopolitan Vancouver, B.C., spending the evening downtown at The Fairmont Hotel before boarding the Rocky Mountaineer bound for Kamloops.  The day will be spent passing through the fields of the Fraser Valley and viewing the towering peaks of the Coast Mountains before entering the Fraser Canyon and experiencing the thundering waters of Hell’s Gate.  The next three days you will visit seven of the Okanagan Valley’s leading wineries, enjoying special wine tastings, delicious meals and stunning scenery.   Once again aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, you’ll be bound for Banff, Alberta travelling along the South Thompson River into Rogers Pass, with its tunnels, snowsheds and glistening glaciers.  The train will climb through the Spiral Tunnels  and over the Continental Divide before entering Banff National Park and overnighting at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.  After two days to explore the rugged beauty of Banff National Park and the Rocky Mountains, you’ll be trasferred to Calgary to make your way home.

 

With only two departure dates, June 16 and September 8, 2011 you’ll want to reserve your place on this special rail tour early.  This 7 night/8 day tour includes two days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, 7 nights hotel accomodations, 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners (including several food/wine paired meals), private motorcoach travel in the Okanagan region with guided winery tours and tastings as well as adventure activities in Banff National Park.

TMI Tours of Coeur d’Alene wants to invite you to recapture the romance of rail travel aboard the Rocky Mountaineer as it follows the historic train routes constructed over 125 years ago through the rugged Rocky Mountains of Western Canada.  Contact Linda Bruno or Rhonda Sand for availability, rates and help designing your vacation to the Pacific Northwest. 1-800-975-7775 or info@tmitours.com.  photos courtesy of Rocky Mountaineer.

One of my greatest discoveries this summer had to be The Gorge Ampitheatre on the Columbia River near Quincy in Washington State.    Perched on the edge of the Columbia River Gorge and surrounded by vineyards, orchards and wineries, I couldn’t imagine a more perfect backdrop for attending a concert and seeing my favorite artists in live performance.   Imagine my surprise to find the elegant Cave B Inn and Winery at Sagecliffe right next door and, in fact, The Gorge Ampitheatre sits on land that once was part of the vineyards.

Poised 900 feet above the Columbia River, Cave B Inn is surrounded by estate vineyards and fragrant orchards with breathtaking views of sky, water and canyon.  The guestrooms are serene and comforting but your eyes will be drawn to the exquisite Cliffehouses perched on the edge of the Gorge and facing the evening sunset.  This unique resort offers guests full spa services, a cliff-side swimming pool, exquisite dining and of course, the distinctive  Cave B/Sagecliffe wines.  Aside from offering visitors standard wine tastings, there are also options for  blind wine challenges, wine blending experiences and “ right from the barrel” tastings to make your visit memorable.  Should you choose to spend a couple days, be sure to embark on an eco-adventure of  bicycling through the vineyards, rock climbing the walls of the gorge or kayaking  the Columbia River.  Even better, combine a stay at Cave B Inn with a concert at the Gorge Ampitheater and you may find yourself breakfasting with your favorite band the next morning.

The Gorge Ampitheatre is set against the natural beauty of the Columbia River Gorge and takes full advantage of the most spectacular sunsets you will ever experience.  With the cool breezes blowing up from the river mixed with music from the stage and thousands of fans relaxing on the sloping lawns, there isn’t a better venue for an evening of fun and friends.  As the sun goes down behind the stage, the Columbia River Gorge is bathed in all the colors of a Pacific Northwest sunset.  Acoustics in this natural ampitheatre are fantastic so whether you choose to kick back on the sloping lawns or join the excitement of front row seating, this will be an experience you’ll never forget.  Getting there is easy with it’s location about 2.5 hours from either Seattle or Spokane airports and plenty of parking is available if you aren’t staying within walking distance.

The Columbia River Gorge is rich in history and culture including the 1806 arrival of the Lewis and Clark Expedition on their way to the Pacific Ocean.  Over the years, this famous waterway has seen the installation of several locks and dams which are engineering marvels of their own, the establishment of successful vineyards and wineries producing world-class wines, beautiful venues for the Arts and an ever widening array of over- night accommodations for visitors.

 TMI Tours of Coeur d’Alene can put together a fantastic girls get-away, romantic weekend for two or exciting corporate event combining luxurious accommodations at Cave B Inn, wine tastings, concerts, airline tickets and rental cars.  Call Linda Bruno or Rhonda Sand for details, availability and rates.  1-800-975-7775 or info@tmitours.com