FinnFest USA '99 – Deluxe City and Regional Tours July 20th-27th, 1999

Tour Descriptions

Tour 1: Mt. St. Helens Day Tour Take this opportunity to visit the site of the nation’s most recent volcanic eruption. Our first stop will be at the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center. The Center recaps the events leading up to, and following, the May 18, 1980 eruption. Next, we’ll travel to mile marker 26. Here, you’ll find yourself at the base of the massive landslide that accompanied the 1980 eruption. Afterwards, we’ll make our way to the Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center. Here you’ll get an extraordinary glimpse of the volcano’s crater and lava dome. (Includes box lunch) Tour 1: Tuesday, July 20, 1999         8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.        $84.00   Tours 2, 8, 9 : Sample Seattle - A Deluxe City Tour Come sample Seattle’s greatest sights and neighborhoods! Drive through historic Pioneer Square. See the third largest Asian International District on the west coast. Next, experience the Washington Park Arboretum, where over 500 species of Northwest nature plants mingle with species from around the world. Stop at the Hiram Chittenden Locks and the Salmon Ladder. Finally, drive along the waterfront for a visit to the world famous Pike Place Market. Tour 2: Tuesday, July 20, 1999         1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.         $28.00 Tour 8: Thursday, July 22, 1999         8:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon         $28.00 Tour 9: Sunday, July 25, 1999         3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.         $28.00   Tours 3, 13: Waterfront Locks Cruise Have you ever wanted to experience the Panama Canal? Join us for a fascinating mini-version through the Government Locks. You will travel from the fresh waters of Lake Union to the salt waters of Puget Sound, through the Hiram Chittenden Locks. Nearly 100,000 vessels navigate the locks each year. Learn about naval and commercial activities, ocean going vessels, including fishing and crab boats from an expert tour guide. Seattle's maritime industry is thriving due to its proximity to both the Orient and Alaska, so an experience like this is sure to interest you. This tour will also give you an exciting look at Seattle's waterfront community. Tour 3: Tuesday, July 20, 1999         10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.         $39.00 Tour 13: Monday, July 26, 1999         10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.         $39.00   Tours 4, 14: Country Sampler – Twin Peaks Tour This favorite outing begins with a scenic ride to Gilman Village in Issaquah. Here, more than 50 boutiques take pride in stocking original merchandise, which includes handcrafted jewelry, clothing and freshly baked goods. Next, travel through the foothills of the Cascade Mountains to breathtaking Snoqualmie Falls. Your last stop will be your choice of either the Red Hook Brewery or Chateau Ste Michelle Winery. (Includes box lunch.) Tour 4: Wednesday, July 21, 1999         9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.         $44.00 Tour 14: Tuesday, July 27, 1999         9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.         $44.00   Tours 5, 10: Tillicum Village Salmon Bake Depart from Seattle’s Pier 56 and cruise to Blake Island Marine State Park, home of the famous Tillicum Village, for a popular Indian salmon bake. A scenic and informative tour of the inner harbor of Elliott Bay precedes the journey to Blake Island. Begin the traditional Northwest feast with steamed clams and nectar. Then proceed to a buffet line which features alder-smoked salmon and Indian bread. Toward the end of your meal, Northwest Native American dancers portray their ancient folklore through a series of costumed dances. This unique village is stylized after the native "longhouse" and remains one of the Northwest’s most natural settings to achieve the true Native American experience. Tour 5: Wednesday, July 21, 1999         5:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.         $69.00 Tour 10: Sunday, July 25, 1999         3:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.         $69.00   Tour 6: Port Townsend Day Tour – An Officer and a Gentleman Tour Climb aboard and enjoy your trip to historic Port Townsend and experience first hand the scenery from the movie "An Officer and a Gentleman". The first part of the trip will be a cruise across Puget Sound on a Washington State ferry, part of the largest inland ferry system in the world. Enjoy a narrated, scenic drive through the Kitsap Peninsula, along Puget Sound and through lush forests, on your way to the Olympic Peninsula. Once in Port Townsend, a drive through the historic district will show off its restored collection of brick and stone buildings dating back to the late 1800’s. Settled in the 1850’s, Port Townsend was the prospering main port of entry to Puget Sound. Lunch can be enjoyed in Waterfront Park, near the city’s newest art project, the circular Tidal Clock. There will be time to browse the antique shops, art galleries and boutiques at your own pace before returning to Seattle. (Includes box lunch) Tour 6: Wednesday, July 21, 1999         8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.         $50.00   Tour 7: Houseboat Tour – Sleepless in Seattle Tour Join us for a spectacular afternoon in true Northwest style. Seattle holds the distinction within the US as one of the only cities to boast a thriving community of floating homes. These fascinating structures vary from older houseboats resting on cedar logs to elaborate abodes on concrete floats, outfitted with Jacuzzis! Although the early houseboats were quite simple, today these homes afloat are a novelty of the wealthy, with some multi-storied mansions selling for as much as $650,000.00. Nevertheless, the comradery found among water dwellers remains strong. If logs need replacements, volunteer divers exchange rotting logs with huge blocks of Styrofoam while the remainder of the community partakes in a traditional "stringer" party where tables overflowing with food line the docks. To view these unique homes, you will cruise aboard a luxury yacht from bustling Lake Union, through the Montlake Canal, to picturesque Lake Washington. The captain will offer fascinating facts and insights into the houseboat community including a glimpse at the houseboat occupied by Tom Hanks in the film Sleepless in Seattle. Tour 7: Wednesday, July 21, 1999         1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.         $52.00   Tour 8: Sample Seattle – A Deluxe City Tour A.M. Tour 8: Thursday, July 22, 1999         8:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon         $28.00   Tour 9: Sample Seattle – A Deluxe City Tour P.M. Tour 9: Sunday, July 25, 1999         3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.         $28.00   Tour 10: Tillicum Village Salmon Cruise Tour 10: Sunday, July 25, 1999         3:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.         $69.00   Tour 11: Boeing 747/767/777 Plant Tour     NOTE: All Reservations Filled – Sold Out! The Boeing Company has become synonymous with air transportation through major advancements in the aeronautical industry with their 747, 767, 777 aircrafts. As pioneers in the "Age of Flight," Boeing invites you to tour their enormous technical center. A film presentation will inform you of their historical beginnings, present work, and future goals. You will then embark on a unique tour of the building and view the diligent assembly process. The building, the largest (by volume) in the world, is heated in the winter solely by body heat and the machines in use! You will view the 747’s in various stages of production from fuselages to near completion as they are rolled from each assembly point. This private tour will open your eyes to future technology and the aircraft of today and tomorrow. Tour 11: Monday, July 26, 1999         12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.         $43.00   Tour 12: Victoria One Day Tour The lives of Indians, British, Scots, Americans and Chinese are intertwined in the history of Vancouver Island, but it is the British influence that has prevailed in Victoria. This once bustling international port has become instead a languid and charming city of flowers and afternoon tea. We’ll transport you to and from Victoria by the first class service of the Victoria Clipper jet catamaran. This 300-passenger cruiser will take you on a 2½ hour voyage through the Pacific Northwest’s scenic coastline and the San Juan Islands to Victoria, B.C. The Clipper offers snacks and bar service along with duty-free shopping, enclosed viewing decks, with comfortable seating and concierge service. Victoria is a walker’s paradise. Its wide, flower filled streets, charming alleys, grand old buildings, uncluttered views and leisurely atmosphere make it one of Canada’s most relaxing cities to explore on foot. The afternoon on your own can be spent strolling through the many antique stores, visiting local points of interest like the Butchart Gardens, riding double-decker busses or enjoying high tea at the Empress Hotel (reservations required). Tour 12: Monday, July 26, 1999         7:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.         $125.00   Tour 13: Waterfront Locks Cruise Tour 13: Monday, July 26, 1999         10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.         $39.00   Tour 14: Country Sampler – Twin Peaks Tour Tour 14: Tuesday, July 27, 1999         9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.         $44.00   Tour 15: Mt. Rainier Day Tour Standing 14,411 feet above sea level, see Washington State’s greatest single attraction, Mount Rainier! Your drive up the mountain includes a stop at Narada Falls before arriving at Paradise in Mt. Rainier National Park. In this area, lush with wildflowers, are the Visitors Center with its 360 degree panoramic view, and Paradise Lodge built in 1916 of Alaskan cedar. You can enjoy your box lunch at the Visitors Center surroundings. The return trip through Stevens Canyon with a stop at Box Canyon to view the Cowlitz River cutting deep into the earth, completes the trip around this magnificent mountain. Be sure to bring your camera as you will want to take this opportunity to capture picturesque Mount Rainier. (Includes box lunch) Tour 15: Tuesday, July 27, 1999         8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.        $63.00   Tour 16: Tour to Sointula Sointula is a tiny community on Malcolm Island, a short ferry ride from Northern Vancouver Island in British Columbia. It was founded at the turn of the century by Finnish settlers who hoped to build their own utopia on the BC coast. Eventually the outside world came there in the forms of telpehones, electricity, television and in the 1960’s, a new wave of utopians ("hippies") looking to build better lives. The itinerary and other detailed information for this wonderful getaway tour is now available! Please mark your interest on the tour selection form. Tour 16: Monday, July 26, 1999         a.m.–p.m.: (TBA)        $579.00

 
*   Travel Time is a Corporate Sponsor    
                        and Official Travel Agency of FinnFest USA '99.
  –   Contact Pirjo DeHart at: PirjoD@tvltime.com.