Join Discover Gardens and Grapes Tour with Wendy Wilber and the University of Florida Master Gardeners in August 2024 for a magnificent tour of Oregon's beautiful gardens and award-winning viticulture.  This six day tour will take you from Portland, to the lush Willamette Valley, and finally to the scenic Columbia River Gorge. Stroll through stunning botanical gardens exploding with colorful blooms, observe the latest in sustainable practices, and taste the best of seasonal fruits from orchards on the Hood River Fruit Loop.

Our small group size ensures an intimate experience.  Discover Oregon's natural beauty and bounty on this unforgettable "Gardens and Grapes" Tour!

A $1,000 deposit per person is required to hold your reservation.  The deposit deadline is April 1, 2024, if space is still available. Final payment is due by June 4th, 2024.

This tour will require a minimum number of 12 tour participants to establish viability.

Do NOT arrange airfare until you have been notified via email that the tour is fully viable!

For more information on this, or any of our other tours, please leave a message for

Ray at 816-842-7500 or send him an email to ray@discoverourtours.com.

Please note that changes to the itinerary may be necessary due to weather, availability, or other factors beyond our control.  Participants must be able to endure moderate physical activity (daily activities may include 2-4 hours of walking and 2-3 hours of bus rides) and should be in overall good health.

Sunday, August 4, 2024

Welcome to Portland!

Upon arrival to Portland, make your way to the Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel on your own or by pickup, as instructed via email.

Join us in the Kimpton lobby for a short ride to dinner at Jake’s Grill in The Sentinel Hotel, where you will meet your tour guide and other tour guests. While dinner is prepared you will be treated to a brief presentation of the itinerary and an insider overview of Portland's Japanese Garden.

INCLUDED

Meals: Light Dinner/Reception

Lodging - Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel

Monday, August 5, 2024

- Breakfast at Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel

- Explore the Portland Japanese Garden

- Tour the International Rose Test Garden

- Visit the Multnomah Count MG Demo Garden, Hopkins Demonstration Forest

- Ride the Oregon City Municipal Elevator

INCLUDED

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lodging - Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel

International Rose Test Garden

Upon entering the International Rose Test Garden, you are greeted by a breathtaking display of roses in a vast array of colors and varieties. The garden is meticulously landscaped with well-maintained pathways that lead you through different sections, each featuring distinct rose varieties. The fragrance of the roses fills the air, creating a pleasant and inviting atmosphere.

One of the highlights of the garden is the Queen's Walk, a central pathway that offers stunning panoramic views of the city skyline and Mount Hood. This vantage point allows you to appreciate the beauty of the roses against the backdrop of Portland's scenic landscape.

Portland Japanese Garden

The Portland Japanese Garden is a serene and beautiful oasis nestled in the hills of Portland, Oregon. It offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, providing visitors with a peaceful and contemplative experience.

One of the highlights of the Portland Japanese Garden is the Sand and Stone Garden, a minimalist arrangement of raked gravel and carefully placed stones that encourages meditation and reflection. The Bonsai Garden showcases a collection of meticulously cultivated bonsai trees, each telling a story of patience and dedication. 

The tour will stop at the highly acclaimed Hawthorne Asylum Food Cart Pod. There you will choose from an eclectic mix of international cuisines, creative dishes, and unique flavors, before selecting a delicious dessert. The afternoon culminates with a trip to Oregon State University and the Food Innovation Center.

Multnomah County Master Gardener Demo Garden in SE Portland

View garden projects with volunteer guides

Hopkins Demonstration Forest and Clackamas County MG native plants project

Oregon City Municipal Elevator

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the elevator was originally constructed to avoid having to climb the 722 steps from the base of the cliff to the top of the bluff. View the Willamette Falls from the observation deck before riding the elevator down 130 feet for a two block walk to dinner.

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

- Breakfast at the Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel

- Tour the Lan Su Chinese Garden

- Focus on sustainability walking tour in NW Portland

- Visit Durant at Red Ridge Farms Estate Garden

INCLUDED

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Lodging: Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel

Your day begins with breakfast at the Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel, followed by visiting the Lan Su Chinese Garden. After your choice of lunch at a locally-owned restaurant in NW Portland, you will take a walking tour focused on sustainability. Your walk includes a therapy garden and hidden green spaces. Rest for an hour transport to the Willamette Valley, where your guide will present a curated map of dinner options and you will make evening reservations to enhance your dining experience. Arriving in the valley, you will visit the spectacular Durant at Red Ridge Farms and olive oil tasting bar.

Lan Su Chinese Garden

Nestled in the heart of Portland's Old Town Chinatown, the Lan Su Chinese Garden is a peaceful oasis that transports visitors to the beauty and tranquility of classical Chinese gardens. This garden is a journey into Chinese culture, art, and horticulture.

Upon entering the garden, step into a meticulously designed landscape featuring classical Chinese architecture, serene ponds, winding pathways, and lush plantings. Each element of the garden is carefully arranged to create a harmonious balance between nature and architecture.

Durant at Red Ridge Farms

Red Ridge Farms is home to an olive orchard and an olive mill. Learn about olive oil production, from harvesting the olives to pressing them into extra virgin olive oil. Savor the different flavors and nuances of the olive oil during a unique olive oil tasting.

The Red Ridge Farms property features beautifully landscaped gardens and scenic viewpoints. Stroll through well-maintained gardens, enjoying the colors and fragrances of the plants, and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, providing a tranquil and picturesque setting. 

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

- Breakfast at the Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel

- Swan Island Dahlias

- Villa Catalana Cellars

- Vista House at Crown Point

INCLUDED

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Lodging: Best Western Plus Hood River

Check out from the Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel after breakfast, and embark on a journey to Swan Island. Travel on to Swan Island Dahlias is a large, family-owned dahlia farm, in business for over 97 years, growing over 375 varieties of dahlias. There you will eat a provided boxed lunch while enjoying the beauty and splendor of the dahlias. In the afternoon, you will visit the impressive Villa Catalana Cellars for a tour and lunch on the way to Hood River. After riding further into the Columbia River Gorge, you will check in to the Best Western Plus Hood River Hotel, and explore the area, where you are on your own for dinner.

Swan Island Dahlias

A visit to Swan Island Dahlias is a vibrant and visually stunning experience, offering a chance to immerse yourself in one of the largest dahlia farms in the United States. Swan Island Dahlias is located in Canby, Oregon, and is known for its extensive dahlia fields, showcasing a breathtaking array of colors, shapes, and sizes of these beautiful flowers.

Swan Island Dahlias is a popular destination for photographers, given the vibrant colors and picturesque landscapes. Whether you're an avid photographer or just enjoy capturing beautiful moments, the farm provides numerous opportunities for stunning shots. 

Villa Catalana Cellars

Guided tour by the owner of the property and developed gardens from plants raised in the on-site nursery, inspired from visiting many gardens throughout the world. The gardens have a decided Mediterranean feel, in keeping with the architecture, and the use of palms, Italian Cypress and olive trees as well as a host of other drought tolerant cacti, succulents and other exotics. A box lunch will be served in the gardens, weather permitting.

Vista House at Crown Point

Perched atop a basalt cliff, Vista House provides breathtaking panoramic views of the Columbia River Gorge and the surrounding natural beauty. Vista House has historical significance as it was constructed as a rest stop and observatory along the Historic Columbia River Highway. It was envisioned as a place for travelers to pause, appreciate the scenery, and learn about the geological and historical aspects of the region. 

Thursday, August 8, 2024

- Hood River Extension Office

- Fruit Loop

- Timberline Lodge

- Lavender Farm

- Stave and Stone

INCLUDED

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Lodging: Best Western Plus Hood River

Hood River Extension Office

Visit the Hood River Extension Office of Oregon State University, providing guidance for home gardeners and horticulture enthusiasts on gardening practices, plant selection, and pest management. Learn about their work with Master Gardener programs, workshops, and plant clinics to support the community's gardening efforts.

Fruit Loop Tour

A visit to the Hood River Fruit Loop is a delightful and flavorful experience, offering a scenic journey through orchards, vineyards, and farms in the Hood River Valley, Oregon. The Hood River Fruit Loop is known for its abundance of fresh fruits, artisan products, and stunning views of Mount Hood.

Timberline Lodge

Timberline Lodge was constructed as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project during the Great Depression and was dedicated in 1937. The lodge is a masterpiece of rustic mountain architecture and is famous for being featured in Stanley Kubrick's film "The Shining." It sits at an elevation of 6,000 feet, making it the highest year-round ski lodge in North America.

In the summer, Timberline Lodge transforms into a hub for outdoor activities. Hiking and mountain biking trails abound, providing opportunities for exploration in the alpine wilderness. Additionally, the lodge offers scenic chairlift rides on the Magic Mile chairlift, providing stunning views of the surrounding mountains and forests.

Lavender Farm

In addition to fruit orchards, the Fruit Loop features lavender farms and fields of vibrant flowers. Depending on the season, you may be treated to the sight and fragrance of blooming lavender and other colorful blossoms.

Stave and Stone Winery

Off of the beaten path in the Hood River valley, the Stave and Stone Vineyard is nestled in between Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams.  The tasting room, covered patio, and outdoor seasonal garden provide you with “views as good as the wines” in all four seasons, and experience the responsible and committed viticulture of Stave and Stone.

You will be treated to a private presentation by Edwina King of Stamboom Meats, helping to grow the idea and belief that a family can farm and make a living in a sustainable, small scale, land focused farming operation. Edwina and GiGi, Wendy Wilbur's sister, will provide you with a special treat box for your personal enjoyment.

Friday, August 9, 2024

- Breakfast at Best Western Plus Hood River Hotel

- Multnomah Falls

- Drop off at Portland International Airport

INCLUDED

Meals: Breakfast

Transportation: Drop off at PDX

Your final day on the Discover Oregon Gardens and Grapes Tour involves breakfast and checkout at the Best Western Plus Hood River Hotel. During the transport to Portland International Airport, you'll visit the Multnomah Falls waterfall.

Multnomah Falls

Surrounded by tall evergreen trees, fern-covered cliffs, and the sound of rushing water, Multnomah Falls is nestled in a pristine natural setting. The vibrant greenery and the mist created by the waterfall contribute to a refreshing and tranquil atmosphere. Adjacent to the falls is a visitor center where you can find additional information about the geological formation of Multnomah Falls, local flora and fauna, and the history of the area.