The Resort At Port Ludlow, the historic town of Port Townsend and Clipper Vacations have teamed up to create the “Play for the Day” excursion on Oct. 2.
The Clipper III departs downtown Seattle for a 1 hour 45 minute sail to Port Ludlow, where guests can participate in a variety of activities, including golf at the Port Ludlow Golf Club, relax at the Inn At Port Ludlow for bicycling and kayaking, or sightseeing in Port Townsend. During the trip, Port Townsend hosts the annual Giant Kinetic Sculpture Race.
Guests will return to the Inn At Port Ludlow at 5:30 p.m., where they will enjoy a traditional salmon bake with all the trimmings while overlooking Ludlow Bay. Olympic Peninsula wineries provide optional wine selections for dinner and the day ends with a 7:30 p.m. departure and sunset sail back to Seattle.
The “Play for the Day” package is $75 per person plus tax and includes roundtrip transportation, 18 holes of golf or a sightseeing tour of Port Townsend, and a traditional salmon back dinner.
For reservations, call 206-448-5000 or visit www. clippervacations.com.
Looking for a different way to enjoy the fall? Consider a train ride. The TravelSmart newsletter (www.travelsmartnewsletter.com) recommends four trains for seeing the leaves:
* Naugatuck Railroad, in Thomaston, Conn., (860-283-7245), the only train in North America to traverse a dam.
* Montana Rockies Rail Tours in Sandpoint, Idaho, (800-519-7245), a 1950’s streamliner.
* Verde Canyon Railroad in Clarksdale, Ariz., (800-320-0718), which crosses a 150-foot bridge over the Verde River.
RVing is an increasingly popular way to see the sights, and September’s Trailer Life magazine has several suggestions for fall road trips.
A trip to Flathead Lake, Mont., might include stops at Jewel Basin Hiking Area and a kayak ride across to Wildhorse Island, where you can catch a glimpse of the animals that give the island its name.
In Columbus, N.M., you’ll find a town showcasing its moment in history’s spotlight. On March 9, 1916, Pancho Villa came across the border, killed 17 U.S. soldiers and set in motion a 500-mile chase. The clock in the town museum bears a bullet hole from that day.
Travel deals
* Rail Europe will extend its three-day France Railpass offer through Dec. 15. Cost for the first-class pass is $199, valid for any three days within a one-month period. Typically, tourists must buy a minimum four-day pass that costs $252. Purchase by Nov. 30. Info: 888-382-7245, www.raileurope.com.
* Enjoy fall foliage season with a package at the Rosewood Country Inn, a bed and breakfast in Bradford, N.H. Get three nights for the price of two Sunday through Thursday through October. Columbus Day weekend is excluded. Rates start at $169 per couple per night, plus 8 percent tax. Info: 800-938-5273, www.rosewoodcountryinn.com.
* Holland America has started a family reunion deal. Book five or more staterooms and receive unlimited soft drinks, a family photo and either dinner for the entire crowd in the line’s alternative dining room or, on Caribbean cruises, free snorkel rentals or banana boat rides. Also, if booking a holiday cruise or 10 or more cabins, one cabin receives an upgrade to a veranda stateroom. Priced separately, the freebies would be worth at least $670 for five cabins. Info: 877-724-5425, www. hollandamerica.com.
Herald news services
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.