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Extending a Business Trip (Pacific Northwest Ex)
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Drew Switzer
Lincoln, NE Travel Agent· 2 Years of Experience
Always On Vacation, an independent agent with Alternative Travel Services, LLC., a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
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excellent. Responds quickly to calls and emails. Has great suggestions on hotels and restaurants. Read More >
DESTINATIONS VISITED:Washington
PLACES VISITED:Olympic National Park, Seattle, Spokane
SUGGESTED DURATION:6 Days
With my former job in sales, I traveled about once a quarter for work in various locations. I didn't always extend my trips through the weekend but I highly recommend it if you can! Your flight is already paid for by your company, you room nights when you work, so why not take advantage of the savings! For this example, I spent 3 days in Olympic National Park before working in Seattle and Spokane Washington for three days! Whether you need to get in and out of a location or want to stick around, I can help you out!
Close All Days
DAY1
Olympic National Park
Close Day
Arrive a couple days early for some hiking in Olympic NP!
On this trip I flew in on a Saturday and enjoyed a day on the Olympic Coast. If you check tide pool chart and time it correctly, you can enjoy marine life up close without getting too wet! The sea stacks along the coast are amazing. If you have had enough of the coast, venture into the Hoh Rainforest, one of the greenest places on earth! Pro tip - go early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid long lines.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Ruby Beach
Hoh Rainforest
Tree of Life
DAY2
Olympic National Park
Close Day
Continue Exploring Olympic
This park is massive, and deserves as many days as you spend in it! On this day take your pick on what interests you the most. Head to Neah Bay and Cape Flattery for the most Northwestern Point in the US. Had enough of the coast? Kayak on Lake Crescent or do some hiking for great views. End the day with Sol Duc Falls and the Sol Duc Hot Springs in the lodge.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Cape Flattery
Sol Duc Falls and Hot Springs
Kayak on Lake Crescent
DAY3
Olympic National Park
Close Day
Finish Sights in Olympic before heading to Seattle
Olympic is extremely diverse so for the last day, head into Hurricane Ridge for Glaciers, skiing in the winter, and great mountain views. Grab lunch in Port Angeles and start heading back to the Seattle metro area. You can pass the state capitol in Olympia or grab dinner along the water in Tacoma before prepping for going back to reality in the working world!
HIGHLIGHTS:
Hurricane Ridge
Washington State Capitol
DAY4
Seattle
Close Day
Time to work
Depending on how busy your schedule is, I try to fit in some cool stops when I can in between meetings. If you are wrapped up all day, consider hitting some after 9-5 hour sights like the Space Needle or Pike Place Market. Seattle has plenty to offer and a great food scene.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Seattle
Pike Place Market
Space Needle
DAY5
Spokane
Close Day
Stops in between drives
Everyone's work schedule will vary. For my trip I did some meetings in Seattle and worked my way towards Spokane for meetings. Some choose to fly, others like myself will make stops along the way! Leavenworth for example is an awesome Bavarian town that has some great lunch options. Once you reach Spokane, check out the Falls downtown!
HIGHLIGHTS:
Leavenworth, WA
Spokane Falls
DAY6
Spokane
Close Day
Finish up work and fly home
The fun may be over, but at least you got the most out of your business trip!
HIGHLIGHTS:
Downtown Spokane
FINAL THOUGHTS
This is just one of the many examples of ways to extend business trips. Every major city is worth an extra couple nights before or after a trip if you are looking to save money and experience more!