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Great Escape - Seattle

Photo: Great Escape - Seattle

In 1851, three men were scouting out sites for a new settlement on Puget Sound when they came to the valley of the Duwamish River and decided it had enough room for at least one thousand settlers. Hoping to establish a great northwestern city, the settlers arrived at what is now West Seattle. Within a few months they relocated eastward to a site on Elliot Bay and named it Duwamps. Fortunately the name was changed to Seattle, after Chief Seattle, the leader of the local Duwamish and Suquamish Native American tribes.

Born as a lumber town, Seattle has continuously changed its identity to go along with the economics of the times. From outfitting the Klondike Gold Rush to producing bombers that helped win WWII to developing the software that drives the current information age, Seattle has always survived. Today, it is a vibrant, fascinating city with things to see and do for every taste.

Photo: Great Escape - Seattle

Did you know Seattle really doesn't get more rainfall than anywhere else in the U.S.? Actually, New York City, Miami, Boston and Atlanta beat Seattle out by quite a bit. Plus there is the fact that rain means green and green means trees, flowers, grass and clean air and that is one reason Seattle is so special. It is a cultural melting pot and with its natural beauty, its many parks throughout the city, the lakes, harbor and waterways - this definitely is a city not to miss experiencing.

Whether you're a foodie who wants to experience eclectic dining at one of Seattle's many award-winning restaurants, or just want to sit outside a neighborhood bistro, sipping a cappuccino while people watching, this is the city to be in. If the theatre, art and dance are more to your liking, be sure to check what is going on at the Seattle Center, home to many of the cultural events taking place throughout the year.

If you love sports, it would be hard to beat Seattle, which is home to four major league teams including the American League Seattle Mariners; the 2004 National Champions, the WNBA Seattle Storms; the NBA Seattle Supersonics; and the NFL Seattle Seahawks. There is also the WHL Seattle Thunderbirds hockey team and the A League Seattle Sounders Soccer team.

Photo: Great Escape - Seattle

If you are an Eco-tourist, Seattle would have to be your dream city with its miles of hiking trails in and around the city and the city's spectacular urban parks. A short drive out of the city leads to river rafting, hiking, skiing and snowboarding in some of the most scenic parks in the U.S. The city has more two-wheeled commuters than any other American city and has 30 miles of bike-pedestrian trails, 16 miles of bike lanes on city streets and 90 miles of signed bike routes. Perhaps that's why they were chosen as the #2 Fittest City in the U.S. by Men's Fitness Magazine in 2003.

So what are you waiting for? Tour the world, explore the world - and Seattle would be a great place to start - its close, they speak the language, the currency is the same and it's just a terrific city. What more could one ask for?

If you'd like to plan a vacation to Seattle, contact one of our agents today by calling (808)734-1961 or toll free (800)303-6702. We can get you roundtrip flights from Honolulu on various airlines and can also arrange your hotel, car rental, airport transfers and more. Ask us if you need to depart from an alternate city or would like to fly first class.