Gray Line of Seattle offers wide variety of getaway excursions - 06/30/2004

SEATTLE, Wash. June 30, 2004 – Trips, tours, and tastings are on tap for both locals and visitors on Gray Line of Seattle's upcoming one-day getaway excursions. Destinations include wineries, aviation events, and other unique venues.
Transportation is aboard Gray Line's deluxe motor coaches. Tour fares include event admissions and a complimentary breakfast or lunch basket, depending on departure time. Most tours depart from Seattle’s convenient Pier 69 as well as additional sites. Winery tour fares also include wine-tasting.
Winery tours include some of the best known producers in Oregon's Willamette Valley, Central Washington, and the Yakima Valley.
July 30 and Aug. 22 – Yakima Valley Winery Tour: Wineries are Claar Cellars, Washington Hills, Snoqualmie, and Prosser. Includes on-your-own lunch stop. Fare is $53 per person.
Aug. 1 – Central Washington Winery Tour: Wineries are Chateau Fair Le Pont, La Toscana, and Icicle Ridge with shopping and optional dinner stop in Leavenworth. Fare is $49 per person.
Aug. 14 – Willamette Valley Winery Tour: Wineries are McMenamin's Edgefield, Cooper Mountain Vineyards, Montinore, Elk Cove, and a stop at McMenamin's Olympic Hotel. The tour is escorted by sommelier David LeClair, longtime wine director at the Alexis Hotel and founder of the Best of the West group of wine professionals. Fare is $59 per person.
Aviation enthusiasts can satisfy their quest for all kinds of flight activities in a variety of airplane-oriented gatherings. Museum of Flight members are eligible for discounts on all aviation-themed tours.
July 10 – Arlington Fly-In: The Northwest Experimental Aircraft Association's annual event in Skagit County includes an aerobatic air show plus hot-air balloons, ultra-lights, military aircraft, displays, and forums. Departs from the Museum of Flight. Fares are $49 adults, $39 children.
Aug. 14 – Abbotsford Air Show: The tour includes reserved runway seats for this renowned annual aviation event featuring classic and unusual aircraft in live demonstrations. Departs from the Museum of Flight. Fares are $75 adults, $65 children.
Sept. 11 – McChord U.S. Air Force Base Open House: Air demonstrations and tours of military aircraft and the military base. Fares are $33 adults, $28 children.
Nov. 6 – Spruce Goose Chase: Visit to the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Ore., to see the biggest airplane ever built. Also see a Blackbird SR 71, and 45 other historic, vintage, and modern aircraft. Departs from the Museum of Flight. Fares are $75 adults, $65 children.
Other tours include:
• Weekends – Mount St. Helens Tour: This tour includes the visitor center, scenic overlooks and viewpoints, and dinner. Fare is $74 per person.
• July 16, 17, or 18 – The Olympic Peninsula Lavender Festival: Visit several Lavender farms to see how lavender is grown and processed into culinary and beauty products. Includes arts and crafts fair, food vendors, live performances. Fares are $44 adults, $39 children.
• July 30, Aug. 27, Sept. 24 – The Definitive Lewis and Clark Afternoon: A special perspective on Tacoma’s Washington State History Museum exhibit, "Beyond Lewis & Clark: The Army Explores the West," with David Nicandri, director of the Washington State Historical Society. In addition to guiding the tour through the exhibit, Nicandri will present a 30-minute overview and answer questions. Fares are $32 adults and $27 children.
Aug. 28 – LeMay Car Collection Open House: More than 1,000 cars and 30,000 pieces of auto memorabilia are on display at the LeMay warehouse in Spanaway. Included is a visit to the LeMay Estate where the most rare automobiles are kept. Fares are $45 adults, $35 children.
Sept. 18 – Port Townsend Victorian Homes Tour: Some of the state's most beautiful Victorian homes are open for touring in this historic port town. Fare $65 per person.
For more than 90 years, Gray Line of Seattle has been the area's premier full-service tour operator specializing in Pacific Northwest vacation packages, day sightseeing excursions and package tours, charter services, and airport shuttles to hotels and cruise ships. A division of Holland America Line, Inc., Gray Line of Seattle operates the largest fleet of luxury motor coaches in the Pacific Northwest. Information: 800/426-7505 or www.graylineofseattle.com.