Joanne Motta, who represented Oregon at the event, says Kiwis who enter the USA in California and then head to Seattle, Washington for an Alaska cruise will find plenty to do in Oregon.
‘The same is true for people who are watching a FIFA World Cup game in Los Angeles and then a match in Vancouver. There’s a lot of time in-between for a road trip, so why not slow down and spend some time in Oregon.’
Motta points out that Oregon is one of three US states without sales tax and outdoor gear, in particular, is a bargain when compared to New Zealand and Australian prices (even with the exchange rate).
Highlights for clients who have some time in the state include Willamette Valley, which stretches from Portland to Eugene and is well known for its pinot noir (Motta likens it to central Otago). The valley includes Silver Falls State Park, craft breweries and historic towns.
Crater Lake National Park is about a four-hour drive from Portland and is less crowded than some of its better known counterparts in California. The dormant volcano is the deepest lake in the US.
