Portland, Oregon Travel Guide

Situated at head point of the Willamette River, Portland was the major port on the American Pacific northwest coast during the 19th century. Although not the capital of Oregon, it's the state's largest city with a commercial centre straddling the river with neatly planned city blocks.

Recognised today as a fun city for tourists and nature lovers, Portland has miles of wilderness trails, woods, and waterways within city limits. They're all set against the backdrop of the Mount Hood glacier, with its well-loved ski resorts less than an hour away.

Portland is famous for stunning gardens, particularly the International Rose Test Garden where thousands of rose bushes from around the world thrive and bloom. They form the centre of the city's Rose Festival in June, one of the many unique events on the annual calendar.

Other events include the annual Oregon Brewers Festival, a July celebration of the dozens of local microbreweries, vineyards, and distilleries, and the Portland Jazz Festival. Portland's cuisine attracts even more, with the region renowned for its seafood, berries, pears, wild game, hazelnuts, and fresh vegetables.