Cooks Gardens

Portland, Oregon is a city with many charms, and there is something to please any type of traveler. You'll find excellent food and superb microbreweries, a bustling music scene, plenty of museums and galleries, as well as parks and miles of hiking and biking adventures. But if you just have a few days in this Pacific Northwest town, here is a list of the top venues.

Portland's climate lends itself to flower growing, and there are several amazing gardens. The garden spotlight, however, shines upon the International Rose Test Garden, which has been in continuous operation since the First World War. You will find more than 8,000 rose bushes here, and if you have time, you can walk up to the popular Japanese Garden, both of which are located in Washington Park.

For those fortunate enough to be able to spend a weekend in Portland, consider heading down to the Portland Saturday Market. The market, which in quirky Portland fashion is also open on Sundays, features hundreds of artisans selling everything from jewelry to pottery to paintings and handmade toys. There is an international food court, as well as live music and craft stations for children.

Portland Spirit offers another excellent adventure for visitors to this river city. You can enjoy lunch, brunch or dinner as you cruise along the Willamette River in the comfort of a spacious boat. In addition to the river sightseeing tours, there are longer treks to the Willamette Falls and a boat trip to Astoria, which includes tours of several historic homes.

Portlanders are consider outdoor enthusiasts, ecologically-minded, foodies and finally, great readers. As proof of this latter claim, we offer Powell's City of Books. This amazing store, which runs for a city block, is said to be the largest independent new and used bookseller on the planet. There are several branches, but it's the main downtown location that you'll want to visit, as it contains more than a million volumes, include an impressive collection of rare and out-of-print books.

Powell's is conveniently located on the edge of the popular Pearl District. Once an industrial sector, the district has undergone a huge transformation and now features upscale condos and warehouse lofts, as well as many galleries, boutiques, and some of the city's top restaurants and cafes.

When booking your Portland accommodations, enjoy another of Portland's top offerings and stay at the charming Bellaterra Bed & Breakfast, located in a historic neighborhood near all the city's top attractions.

You can choose from five beautifully appointed guest rooms, each with its own private bath. Rooms feature either a nature or cultural theme and are filled with antiques and carefully selected artwork. Two guest baths include an antique clawfoot tub, and all rooms at this Portland inn boast original features, such as the ornate wood carvings and stained glass. Some rooms also offer a river view or a view of Mount Hood.