The mega-success of the Twilight series, set among the towering forests and dramatic coastline of America’s Pacific Northwest, has pushed the area into the spotlight as a tourist destination, despite the fact the movies were actually filmed slightly further north in Canada.
With cosmopolitan Seattle and idyllic wineries, spectacular national parks and rugged shores and islands, Washington is a state that puts the great into outdoors. Just tell clients to watch out for the bloodsuckers and werewolves.
Vampire weekend
On the lookout for supernatural Washington? If Stephanie Meyers’ Twilight books are to be believed, the misty and mysterious Olympic Peninsula is home to good-looking vampires and hunky werewolves.
As Twilight fans will know, these are to be found in and around the town of Forks, as well as in La Push and Port Angeles, all places accessible from US Route 101, the scenic highway that loops around Olympic National Park.
True believers can pop into Bella and Edward’s high school in Forks, comb the beach at La Push where she learned his scary secret, go werewolf-spotting in the woods, or grab a bite at the Port Angeles restaurant where they had their first date. In fact, many local shops and restaurants offer memorabilia and menu items to satisfy Twilight cravings.
National parks
Located on the Olympic Peninsula, a couple of hours north of Seattle, the Olympic National Park is a natural blend of coastline, mountains and rainforest.
A network of hiking trails provides access to the luxuriant rainforest, and backpacking is also possible along the Pacific beaches. There’s no better place for getting in touch with nature.
Mount Rainier, south of Seattle, is the Pacific Northwest’s most distinctive natural landmark. Further north, towards British Columbia, the North Cascades National Park offers walkers, and drivers, dramatic views of waterfalls, glaciers and mountain peaks.
Washington wineries
Not many people know it, but Washington State produces more wine than any other in the US, except California. And it’s not just the quantity that’s improving, as Washington wins prizes for its pinot noirs and other quality wines.
Woodinville, 10 miles outside Seattle, has over 30 wineries, including the state’s largest, Chateau Ste Michelle and Columbia. The Puget Sound region is the main wine area west of the Cascades but serious wine-buffs will want to head east to the drier (i.e less rain, not less wine) half of the state.
The best-known eastern Washington regions include the Columbia Valley, Columbia Gorge and Lake Chelan. Almost all of Washington’s 600-plus wineries welcome visitors and provide wine-tasting rooms.
Rugged coast
There’s no better place for getting in touch with the North Pacific’s wild and windswept shores than the San Juan Islands. To get there from Seattle, it’s a 30-minute ride by seaplane, or a ferry from Seattle or the Olympic Peninsula.
Whichever way visitors arrive, the trip offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the state. Coastal wildlife to look out for include orca whales, seals, sea lions, otters, foxes, swans, bald eagles and hundreds of other bird species.
The islands (the main ones are Lopez, Orcas and San Juan) are sheltered and offer superb sea kayaking, with beginner’s trips suitable for children or overnight excursions for the more experienced.
Accommodation on the islands includes boutique hotels, country inns and bed and breakfasts, while local organic produce makes eating out a tasty treat.
Seattle
Seattle is home to Frasier and is the cradle of grunge music, but is probably best known as the birthplace of Starbucks. Naturally, it has cafes galore.
A vibrant cultural scene includes the world-class Seattle Art Museum, where a new Picasso show starts in October, and the Olympic Sculpture Park, which combines works by Richard Serra and Alexander Calder with views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.
Meanwhile the iconic Space Needle has been added to the list of attractions including the Science Center, Aquarium, Harbour Tour, Zoo, and the Experience Music Project: Science Fiction Museum (EMP:SFM) that are covered by the Seattle CityPass. Passes cost $59 or $30 for children, and can be purchased at any of the included attractions.
The EMP:SFM is a place where music meets sci-fi. Interactive, state-of-the-art exhibitions come together at Seattle Center to educate and entertain, all under a single, 21st-century roof.
The Seattle Music Map will guide music-loving visitors to the site of Nirvana’s first gig, as well as to dozens of other live venues. Ever-popular clubs are Jazz Alley, Triple Door and The Crocodile Cafe, which was at the centre of the grunge scene.
Pioneer Square is also good for live music. A number of clubs offer a joint cover fee at the weekend, where visitors can get in to up to six different venues.
Road trips
To appreciate Washington’s extraordinary contrasts, visitors need a car. The state has made things easy by designating 20 scenic byways that link rainforest with wine country, volcanoes, river gorges, streams, lakes and even islands.
A popular option is a flydrive tour that twins Washington with Oregon to the south, or even British Columbia and Vancouver to the north. If clients only have a week, advise them to spend a couple of nights in Seattle before driving to Mount St Helens and on up the Columbia River valley.
They can get a taste of eastern Washington’s scenery and wineries before circling back to the Olympic National Park. Clients staying longer can widen the loop to take in Oregon where highlights include the turquoise Crater Lake, hip Portland, and the coastal drive down Route 1, which passes lighthouses, beaches and rocky shores.
Sample product
North America Travel Service offers Washington Wonders, a 15-night flydrive that takes in Seattle, the Olympic National Park, Mount Hood and the coast, from £2,429. The price includes flights, accommodation and car hire, departing in August. northamericatravelservice.co.uk, 0113 246 1466
Complete North America offers the 15-day Pacific Northwest Explorer that twins Washington with Oregon, from £2,209. The price includes flights, accommodation and car hire, departing this summer. completenorthamerica.com, 0845 263 7100
