Astoria is a city graced with Victorian mansions and views of the Columbia River. There is no shortage of places to sample sea-fare or find a drink, though most visitors come for a taste of history too.

Augusta is Georgia's second oldest, and second largest city. Size hasn't destroyed Augusta's knack for southern charm however. In fact, charm seems to be the norm. Storeowners are welcoming, and locals are helpful and friendly. Founded in 1736, it sits on the Savannah River, just across from North Augusta, South Carolina. Augusta is best known for hosting one of golf's most coveted events- the annual Masters Tournament. But don't be fooled? this is a city full of scores of diverse activities waiting to be appreciated.

Brunswick is the main city in Casco Bay. Bowdoin College, alma mater of President Franklin Pierce, Robert Peary (Arctic explorer), and Nathaniel Hawthorne (author), serves as a pillar to this community. Freeport, called the "Birthplace of Maine," is the home of L.L. Bean sportswear. Near Freeport are expansive sand dunes, some as high as 70 feet. Golf and sportsfishing are popular here.

A short drive northwest of Portland, the popularity of Cannon Beach is due to its accessibility, down-town charm and seemingly endless stretches of sand and sea. The galleries and boutiques in chic downtown Cannon Beach boast an eclectic artistic selection, while surfing and sightseeing await outside the city limits.

Beginning just at Portland's doorstep, the Columbia River Gorge offers miles of unparalleled scenery and outdoor recreation options. The western end of the Gorge is rich, dense woodland, while in the east the landscape transitions into rolling, golden grasslands and sage-covered semiarid deserts.

Old Colonial homes make up the lovely town of Kennebunk. Ocean waves lap the shore of the old seafaring village, and charming shops and restaurants adorn the town. Kennebunkport, on the opposite side of the river, is bedazzled with exquisite estates and large spreads of land with world-class shopping and dining. Along Dock Square in Kennebunkport, boutiques and galleries tickle the interests of tourists. Excursion boats pull out to snare fish and lobsters and to watch whales swimming offshore. Ogunquit's gorgeous shoreline is sandy to the north and rocky to the south. Bald Head Cliff, a 100-foot-high rock that juts 300 feet into the ocean, is a town landmark. Little shops and eateries perch together at Perkin's Cove where charter boats chug out to sea.

Rising to an impressive 11,245 feet, Mount Hood is the highest mountain in Oregon and ranks as the second most-climbed glacier-covered peak in the world. On clear days, this dormant volcano peeks above Portland's horizon, less than an hour's drive from town.

Old Orchard Beach is by no means a stranger to tourism. It is visited by people from all over the world and is renown for its seven miles of sandy beach and historic Pier. Active summer months of cotton candy and ice cream cones, arcade games and boardwalks are a trademark of this oceanfront community. There are more than 40 restaurants in town covering almost every ethnic taste. But, it?s lobsters that make the headlines here. The favorite sport is deep sea fishing for cod, haddock, pollock and the occasional mako shark.

Salem is Oregon's capitol, and is also a capital place from which to launch explorations of sites both cultural and natural. Residents and visitors enjoy the tranquil beauty of the Willamette University campus, the Greek-style capitol building, and nearby state parks and recreation areas.

World-famous for their butter and ice-cream, Tillamook has more to offer the guest. Just over an hour's drive from Portland, visitors are also drawn to the area by picturesque beaches, lush and green countryside, fertile farmland and estuaries well-watered and teeming with life.

The Willamette Valley is the name of the broad, fertile swath of land—Oregon's "fertile crescent"—swooping from Portland south to past the city of Eugene, to the Rogue and Umpqua valleys. I-5 is the backbone of this beautiful, bountiful region, home to wineries, flower fields, covered bridges, and farmland.