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• Green Travel: Hotel Monaco Portland Expands "Car-less Vacation" Package
• What's New: Discover Agriparadise on the Sandy Area Farm Loop
• Luxury Travel: Oregon Wine Country's First Luxury Inn and Spa to Open

Prompted by its recent Green Seal certification — as well as by the League of American Bicyclists' recognition of Portland as a Platinum Bicycle-friendly Community — the Hotel Monaco Portland has expanded its popular "Car-less Vacation" package to include additional pedal-powered components. Environmentally conscious travelers who book the package receive deluxe overnight accommodations for two, reimbursement for TriMet light rail passes between Portland International Airport and downtown Portland, access to the hotel's fleet of complimentary bicycles, a three-hour "Historic Downtown" tour provided by Pedal Bike Tours, and two $10 vouchers for post-tour drinks and snacks from the sustainable kitchen of Chef Tom Dunklin at Red Star Tavern & Roast House, the Monaco's on-site restaurant.

In April 2009, the Hotel Monaco Portland received Silver Tier Green Seal certification for its commitment to environmental responsibility. An independent nonprofit organization, Green Seal assesses and then gives its stamp of approval to lodging properties that meet stringent environmental standards for waste reduction, energy efficiency, water conservation, wastewater management and environmentally responsible procurement.

The Hotel Monaco's "Car-less Vacation" package starts at $249, based on double occupancy (additional guests $50 per person per night). Reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance. The Hotel Monaco is located in downtown Portland at 506 S.W. Washington St. Travelers can book their "Car-less Vacation" package by calling 503.222.0001 or visiting www.monaco-portland.com.

Media Contact
Lota LaMontagne, LAD Communication
503.827.6564, lota@ladcommunications.com

For a close-up look at century farms, pettable alpacas, heirloom vegetable growers, and blacksmiths creating hand-forged gardening tools, check out the Sandy Area Farm Loop. This easy-to-follow driving tour includes dozens of sites clustered around the Mount Hood foothills' town of Sandy, Ore., about 30 minutes east of Portland.

Sites along the loop include Esterbrook Farm, where the main attractions are the alpacas and fresh eggs; Red Pig Garden Tools, with hand-forged garden implements for sale in a rustic two-story barn that also houses a small museum; Starr Alpaca Farm, whose line of items made from alpaca fibers — blankets, shawls, teddy bears, gloves and hats — is complemented by nearby U-pick lavender fields (July-August); Wasson Brothers Winery, offering tours and wine tasting daily; Rainbow Trout Farm, where you can fish in any of 10 sparkling ponds on a 30-acre estate; and lots more. Most stops on the loop are open spring through early fall; some operate year-round.

Travelers can pick up a copy of the Sandy Area Farm Loop tour brochure at the Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce or download a PDF version of the tour here.

Media Contact
Jae Heidenreich, Oregon's Mt. Hood Territory
503.742.5910, jh@mthoodterritory.com

The Oregon wine country's first luxury resort, The Allison Inn & Spa, is scheduled to open this September. The 35-acre hillside destination in Newberg, Ore., (40 miles southwest of downtown Portland), features 85 guestrooms, each with its own fireplace and private terrace or balcony; a 15,000-square-foot spa with 12 treatment rooms, sauna, swimming pool, waterfalls and a reflection pond; private gardens; a restaurant and bar featuring local ingredients and products; and a working vineyard. Also on-site are 12,000 square feet of meeting space.

The Allison's signature restaurant, Jory, under the direction of Executive Chef Nathan Lockwood, will focus on the native flavors of the Willamette Valley with heavy emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients. One of the restaurant's most interesting features is the eight-person chef's table located in the open kitchen.

Guests staying at the resort will have access to some 200 nearby Willamette Valley wineries. Other nearby amenities include hot-air ballooning, helicopter tours of wine country, and Champoeg State Park. The rugged Oregon Coast lies 63 miles west of the resort.

The Allison is located at 2525 Allison Lane, Newberg, Ore. It has been accepted as a member of Preferred Boutique Hotels luxury lodging group, making it the first Preferred Boutique Hotel in Oregon. Room rates run from $295 to $1,100 per night. For more information, visit www.theallison.com.

Media Contact
Olga Haley, Leopold Ketel Partners
971.244.0661, olga@leoketel.com