Is there more to Seattle than a TV Show …….

I was speaking to a customer yesterday about Seattle and I almost had to stop myself from tearing up. Last week I decided to have a Grey’s Anatomy re-run thing going on and have spent the last week traumatising myself with series 11 of my favourite show where I cried for hours as I watched the jaw dropping, heart breaking episodes back to back. All that could be heard in my house was No, not my Derek and Why Shonda, Why??

The poor customer I was talking with about his Alaskan cruise could be forgiven for thinking I was talking about real life as I was so engrossed in telling him about what had happened but apparently his wife is a fan who is just a few series in so hasn’t reached the heart wrenching series I am on but he knows how much she loves Derek already so I had left him in a dilemma of whether or not to break the news to her on be on emotional stand by with wine and tissues for when she discovered for herself, what I personally think is the biggest mistake a TV show has ever made.

But back to his cruise. When we were chatting it was very clear to both of us that when you think of Seattle what springs to mind, Alaska Cruises, The Rocky Mountaineer and Grey’s Anatomy ! Two fantastic, top of the bucket list, holiday itineraries and one very popular show that would make you believe Seattle is the place to get ill and treated by some hunky doctors. But is there more to this North Western US city that would make you maybe stay for a few days before or after your cruise? What can this city offer us to make us take a chance on it?

The answer is lots and lots. Seattle is actually one of the US’s most liberal and bohemian cities – next only to the fabulous San Francisco. The city is full of artists and musicians with some of the world’s most talented people hailing from there – with Jimmy Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Quincy Jones, Kenny G and New York Times bestselling author Terry Brooks all proud to be from the City.

Did you know Seattle is the second largest wine producer in the US?

Did you know Seattle has 5 active volcanoes?

Did you know Seattle is the birth place of the world famous Star Bucks?

and the final fact for today is that the Twilight series was filmed just outside Seattle city on Victoria Island – due to it being the only temperate Rain Forest in North America it was perfect visually for the vampire flicks.

But what can Seattle offer me and you to entice us to stay? Many of the city’s top visitor attractions are within a few blocks of the city’s waterfront.

The Space Needle is one of the most iconic buildings in the US and if you are brave enough to go to the top you have unparalleled 360 degree views of Seattle, mountain ranges and those active volcanoes! The space needle gained world wide recognition when it appeared in the opening credits of many of the TV programmes and movies set here, like Frasier, Sleepless in Seattle,Greys Anatomy and many more.

Pike Place Farmers Market is definitely a place to visit. It is Seattle’s original market, first opened in  1907 and still continues to be the place to go for fruit, vegetables, fresh fish and meat, flowers, breads – all locally sourced. With over 10 million visitors last year is is a definite must!

Victoria Island should also be on your to do  list. Excursions to here from Seattle are very popular. It is only 85 miles away and only 20 mins flight time. It is a small island and successfully combines the old with the new and can offer the perfect escape from the city of Seattle.You can visit the Butchart Gardens that have been in bloom for over 100 years, visit Orca whales on magnificent marine tours, zip line through the forests at over 60 miles and hour and eat, drink and be merry in any of the fantastic bars and restaurants just waiting for your visit.

These are just a few of the things you can spend your days visiting in Seattle but there are many many more. With Alaska cruises becoming more and more popular and people wanting to extend their holidays both before and after the cruise, Seattle is going to get a lot more visitors. To be honest the City and the people of it relish the challenge to show you the time of your life and I for one am looking forward to it.

If all of this has inspired you to visit check out our itineraries below to Alaska to see if any of them interest you.

https://www.cruise.co.uk/search/deals/1Jun2020,15Sep2020/ocean/0/0/17/all?layout=new&page=1