Travel to Oregon Year Round

environment friendly winter destinations and summer vacations

Oregon is an ideal winter destination where you can ski on volcanoes in the Cascade Mountains; a nature lover’s paradise as you watch hundreds of gray whales spout and storms over the Pacific; a connoisseur destination where you can sip award-winning Oregon wines and micro beers; an environmentalist’s delight with Portland’s green lifestyle, free downtown transport and local distinctive neighborhoods.

The Landscape is diverse, with a windswept Pacific coastline, a volcano-studded Cascade Range, abundant bodies of water in and west of the Cascades; dense evergreen, mixed, and deciduous forests at lower elevations; and a high desert sprawling across much of its east all the way to the Great Basin. The tall conifers, mainly Douglas fir, along Oregon's rainy west coast contrast with the lighter-timbered and fire-prone pine and juniper forests covering portions to the east. Abundant alders in the west fix nitrogen for the conifers. Stretching east from central Oregon are semi-arid shrub lands, prairies, deserts, steppes, and meadows. At 11,249 feet (3,429 m), Mount Hood is the state's highest point, and Crater Lake National Park is Oregon's only national park.

The Coast heading west towards Oregon’s largest wine region through the small cities of Dundee, McMinnville and Newberg you can enjoy award-winning wines, with Pinot Noir being the most famous. Small tasting rooms are run by the proprietors and their families. Oregon’s 363 mile long coastline has a temperate climate and in the winter months Oregonians travel to the Coast to storm watch. From Cannon Beach, a charming artist colony, experience a rugged coastline dotted with picturesque lighthouses, coastal villages like Lincoln City, Newport, a working fishing town with fresh seafood restaurants. Also wild life, including migrating whales in December and March and resident gray whales, which live on the Central Oregon Coast year-round, seals and sea lions.

The Willamette Valley the Oregon Dunes Overlook area allows for awesome views of this natural spectacle. After visiting Florence Old Town, heading east through the forests to the fertile Willamette Valley’s rolling hills of vineyards you reach Eugene, home of Oregon’s largest university and the 5th Street Historic Public Market. Continuing east over the Cascade Mountain Range, paralleling the scenic McKenzie River, catch a dip in the natural hot springs pools of Belknap Springs Resort, or pull over for the winter view of Sahalie Falls, right off Highway 126, before continuing to Central Oregon.

What’s in a Name! The earliest known use of the name, spelled Ouragon, was in a 1765 petition. The term referred to the mythical River of the west - the Columbia River. By 1778 the spelling had shifted to Oregon. The name comes from the French word ouragan, meaning windstorm or hurricane, which was applied to the River of the West based on Native American tales of powerful Chinook winds of the lower Columbia River. Go up the Columbia and hear and feel the waters falling out of the clouds of Mount Hood to understand entirely the full meaning of the name.

Central Oregon is a playground for winter enthusiasts. Mt. Bachelor, one of the premier ski resorts in North America, features downhill skiing and snow-boarding with 360 degree access to varied slopes, cross country, snowshoeing, and tubing with a season that regularly runs from November to May. An award-winning local eco-tourism company offers interpretive snowshoe trips, including moonlight snowshoeing, and snow camping.

Bend and its hopping downtown, offers you fantastic eateries, boutique shopping, people-watching and skiing on Mt. Bachelor a few miles away. Only two hours away, South Diamond Lake Resort operates year-round, in a magical setting of volcanic mountains all around. Near-by Crater Lake National Park is a must-see. The deepest lake in the U.S. is powder blue and the water never really freezes over.

US Destinations and Itineraries

Cultural Heritage & Museums, Water Resources & the Environment, Local Food Wine & Breweries, Community Public Transport Initiatives

The High Desert Museum just South of Bend is a large indoor and outdoor interpretive center with interactive exhibits, showcasing the natural and cultural history of the area, including a fine Native American collection. Continuing north through the land of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, The tribally owned Museum at Warm Springs is a calming and culturally inspiring experience. Oregon’s Mount Hood is a year-round skiing destination. Timberline Lodge is located at the 6,000 ft/1829 m level. The lodge was built in the 1930s as a Work Projects Administration project and showcases the artistic skills of many artisan craftsmen of the era. It features a huge fire place, a fine dining room with an award-winning wine cellar, lodging, hot tub and heated pool.

Mt Hood Cultural Center & Museum

the regional history of Mt. Hood: natural history, early exploration, settlement history, winter sports, mountain climbing and Mt. Hood National Forest via the arts, educational enrichment and oral histories

Hood River Mt. Hood offers two additional ski areas: Mt. Hood Ski bowl and Meadows, both excellent night ski areas. Expert skiers will find wonderful terrains, great vertical drops, awesome ski conditions and snow with majestic views. Hood River is a stylish town located on the scenic Columbia River. Stroll the charming streets where, you might see cars with snowboard and surfboards driving down the road. Hood River is also home to Full City Brewery, a micro-brewery.

Portland located between the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Portland is at the northern end of the Willamette Valley and river which flows through the city and links with the Columbia River. The citizens and their local government are notable for: land-use planning, local transport, environment conscious policies, high walkability, a large number bicyclists and ten thousand acres of public parks.

Neighborhoods the Office of Neighborhood Involvement serves as a conduit between city government and Portland's 95 neighborhoods, each represented by a volunteer association serving as liaison between residents and the city government. Portland and its surrounding metropolitan area also have the only directly elected metro planning organization the United States with responsibility for land use, transport planning and solid waste management.

Travel destinations and itineraries based on client interests by leveraging an in-depth knowledge of your destination, superior client service in the planning stages and throughout the trip or event and logistics expertise to reduce accommodations and transport costs as well as transfer times.

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A Visit to Lawrence Kansas

History Education Energy Water Parks Neighborhood Architecture and Local Transit

Downtown Lawrence is located 25 miles - 40 kilometers - east of Topeka and 35 miles - 56 km – west of Kansas City. Though Lawrence has a designated elevation of 866 feet - 264 m, the highest elevation is Mount Oread on the University of Kansas campus with an elevation of

1,020 feet - 310 m.

History Douglas County was part of the Shawnee Indian Reservation until the Kansas Territory was

opened to settlement in 1854; the Oregon Trail went through here and Hogback Ridge was used as a landmark on the trail. Lawrence was entangled with the slavery issue as Northern Democrats argued that residents should be able to decide the issue in newly created territories. Popular sovereignty was embodied in the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. The law united anti-slavery forces into a movement committed to stopping the expansion of slavery, resulting in pro and anti-slavery elements moving into Kansas.

Emigration the New England Emigrant Aid Company was chartered by the Massachusetts Legislature to facilitate emigration to the region and selecting Lawrence as the site for the first colony with twenty-nine men remarking on the beauty of the spot and the magnificence of the view. The main street was named Massachusetts to commemorate the origins of the pioneer party. Pro and Anti-slavery groups co-existed for a few short months when pro-slavery settler Franklin Coleman killed a Free Stater at Hickory Point; violent political divisions characterized public life in Kansas for the next 10 years. During the Civil War, pro Confederacy forces rode into the city; houses and businesses in Lawrence were burned and between nearly 200 men and boys were murdered.

Quantrill's Raid was one of the most destructive in the history of Kansas

Energy facing an energy crisis in the early 1870s, Lawrence constructed a dam across the Kansas River to help provide the city with power; the Lawrence Land & Water Company completed the dam in 1873. The dam helped win business against Kansas City and Leavenworth.

Water Lawrence is located between the Kansas and Wakarusa Rivers and several major creeks: Burroughs Creek, Baldwin Creek, Yankee Tank Creek in southwest Lawrence flows through central Lawrence and converges with the Wakarusa River which was dammed to form Clinton Lake. Potter Lake is on the University of Kansas Campus and Mary’s Lake is located within Prairie Park. The Haskell-Baker Wetlands, maintained by Haskell University is an extensive open space located in the southern part of the city featuring wetlands, native plants, hiking and biking trails, and interpretative signage about the prairie and wetland ecosystems.

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Education Lawrence is home to University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University. The United States Indian Industrial Training School opened in 1884. Boys learned tailor making, blacksmithing and farming while girls were taught cooking and homemaking. In 1993 the name was changed to the Haskell Indian Nations University.

The Elizabeth M. Watkins Community Museum is on the premises of the Watkins National Bank which opened in 1888 at 11th and Massachusetts. Founded by Jabez B. Watkins, the bank would last until 1929. Watkin’s wife Elizabeth donated the bank building to the city.

 The Free State Brewing Company opened in 1989, becoming the first legal brewery in Kansas in more than 100 years. The restaurant is in a renovated inter-urban trolley station in downtown Lawrence.

Parks Lawrence has 54 parks which include community and neighborhood parks, trails, cemeteries and nature preserves. A new, multi-use trail system called the Lawrence Loop encircles the city and will create a 22-mile paved recreational trail, a green transportation network, and opportunities for environmental restoration.

Neighborhood Architecture The architecture of Lawrence is greatly varied. Most buildings built before 1860 were destroyed in the Lawrence Massacre. Architectural styles represented in Old West Lawrence include Italianate, Victorian, Gothic Revival and Tudor.The National Register of Historic Places includes: Old West Lawrence, Oread, Hancock, Breezedale, and most of Rhode Island Street in East Lawrence.

Local Transit in 1871, the Lawrence Street Railway Company opened and offered citizens easy access to hotels and businesses along Massachusetts Street. The first streetcar was pulled by horses and mules.

Today, two bus systems operate in the city: Lawrence Transit, known as the T, is a public bus system operated by the city, and KU on Wheels, operated by the University of Kansas. Intercity bus service is provided by Greyhound. Amtrak provides passenger service with a stop at the downtown Lawrence Station on the Southwest Chief line connecting Chicago and Los Angeles.

Country and City Itineraries in Rome and Lazio

Countryside Castles Medieval Borgoes Small Museums Local Folklore and Traditions

Castles Museums and Archeological Sites The area just south and east of Rome, known as the Castelli Romani e Prenestini, comprises a network of museums and archeological sites in several small historic towns. The twenty cultural venues are representative of the area’s rich historic, artistic and cultural heritage in: History and Archeology, Anthropology, Science and the Environment, Culture and Religion.

A unique opportunity for vacationing families and culture professionals alike to walk ancient trails, become acquainted with old traditions and visit small historic towns, churches and convents, medieval palaces, Roman aqueducts and imperial navy ships, a wine producing town and even a toy museum.

Country and City Itineraries Just a few kilometers from Rome you can go boating, windsurfing or canoeing on volcanic lakes, walk or bike in the colorful countryside, taste unique typical foods and experience the history, traditions and ancient culture among Etruscan ruins and in medieval castles.

Rome Today A trip inside the contemporary reality of the eternal city, visiting 20^th and 21^st century sites and museums. Your journey begins with the Rationalist style of the EUR and Foro Italico districts, through the working class areas from the Twenties and Thirties - Garbatella, Quarticciolo and Pigneto -, and the more recent architectural challenges, such as Renzo Piano’s Auditorium and Richard Meier’s “Dives in Misericordia” Church.

The Lakes Area As with most lakes in Lazio region Lake Vico is of volcanic origin; it is surrounded by cane fields and is horseshoe shaped. Mount Venere is 800 meters high, with several walking and biking trails. At the "well of the devil" - a semi-vertical grotto – there is a great view of the entire lake. Be on the lookout for foxes and wild boar! The coastline is great for bird watching, cycling and water sports - windsurfing, sailing and canoeing. Overlooking Lake Vico is Caprarola with a XVI Century Farnese Palace. The Sagra della Nocciola occurs here at the end of August; an opportunity to taste local chestnut sweets and ice cream.
 

Bolsena On the border of Lazio and Umbria, and between Viterbo and Orvieto, Bolsena is the largest volcanic lake in Europe. Excellent for water sports, it has English style gardens and wild nature. You can also spend time on one of the local fishing boats or cruise aboard a traditional Bolsena Lake boat, day or night. Among the trails that you can follow, the most intriguing is Sentiero dei Briganti used by smugglers and outlaws. Food lovers will enjoy a vast assortment of restaurants along the coast specializing in local fish rigorously accompanied by Bolsena olive oil and wines.
 

Bracciano This lake is located further south, between Rome and Viterbo provinces and close to the Lazio beaches. The three major communities around the lake are Bracciano, Anguillara Sabazia and Trevignano Romano. Overlooking the lake is the Orsini Odescalchi castle, famous for VIP weddings; this 15^th century structure is also a museum. Also nearby: the Air Force Museum with 60 planes and other equipment.

History Culture and Archeology Lazio Region gets its name from the Latini, a people who arrived in the area in the second millennium b.C. This Indo European population established itself on the Palatine hill and eventually expanded itself to the other six hills of Rome. The region was home to the Etruscans, north of the Tiber River, the Latins in the center, the Falisci in an area in between Etruscans and Latins, and the Capenati, an italic people heavily influenced in language and customs by the Sabines, the Latins and Etruscans.

Archeology Lazio is among the richest archeological regions in the world, with major Etruscan cities such as: Cerveteri, Tarquinia, Vulci, Veio and Volsini that peaked between the VII and V Centuries b.C. Our trip begins in Vulci, an ancient Etruscan city suddenly overwhelmed by the advancing tide of Rome; walking through the princely tombs of its Necropolis you will witness the glorious and lavish past of the Etruscan aristocracy. A majestic silhouette stands out in the background: the medieval castle of the Abbey, which towers over the Fiora river valley. Next, the Niki de Saint Phalle’s Tarot Garden, a unique theme park.
The first monasteries in Central Italy appeared around the year 529 and the founding of Monte Cassino Abbey. Lazio has several hilltop medieval borgoes, often containing museums and private collections.

Appia Antica A unique tour of the Appian Route, the “Regina Viarum”, walked by millions of people over the past two millennia. The “Via Appia” linked Rome with Southern Italy; along the way, you will discover monuments, clues about who built and owned them, and the Catacombs. Then, a rustic and appetizing lunch “al fresco” under a pergola.

Folklore and Traditions On August 5 it snows in the eternal city. Rose petals fall on the congregation in the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica. This event is a re-enactment of the snowfall that took place on the Esquilino hill on this day in the year 352, when the Virgin Mary indicated to Pope Liberio the location where the church should be built.

Before dawn, every January 13, a large oak log is lit in Capena. As the flames embers all the citizens light up a cigarette; this very ancient tradition ends with a benediction of the animals and a parade of the local area horses dressed in vivacious colors. 
Viterbo celebrates Santa Rosa on September 4 with a procession led by a very large statue of the saint placed on an elaborate cart; the first one dates back to 1663. Also in Viterbo Province:

Marta In May, a procession of the Chiesa della Santissima del Monte: a wooden stand (the fountain) is carried by four holding an image of the Madonna adorned with fruits and flowers followed by the clergy and citizenry parading in groups representative of their trades.

A unique celebration takes place on August 15 - Ferragosto – in Oriolo Romano there is a long procession accompanying the statue of the Virgin Mary of the Star along the streets of this XVI Century medieval borgo, built as "ideal town" by the Church – an early example of a planned community! In the main piazza, a "rodeo" by maremmani butteri, the southern Tuscany cowboys.  On Fat Tuesday members of the Purgatory Fraternity, wearing black hoods, parade through Gradoli’s streets led by banner and drums, knocking on doors to collect food for the “Dinner in Purgatory” eaten on Ash Wednesday.

Tuesday is market day in Latina with new and used clothes bancarelle, home furnishing, fruits and vegetables. Best day to visit is the first Tuesday of the month when all the new and fresh stuff arrives! 

Frosinone A feast known as “Radeca” may have pre-Christian origins. Frosinone is a very old town and this event may have its roots in pagan fertility and procreation rituals. The long radeca leaf represents the agave, the ancient symbol of fertility. The event takes place on July 26 to celebrate an insurrection against the Roman Republic and the French army that protected it.

Travel destinations and itineraries based on client interests by leveraging an in-depth knowledge of your destination, superior client service in the planning stages and throughout the trip or event and logistics expertise to reduce accommodations and transport costs as well as transfer times.

Arezza    Knowledge Tourism    Transit Logistics   Volt Logistics