The best way to spend six days in Seattle, Washington State

AFTER CRUISING THE ALASKA INSIDE PASSAGE MY WIFE AND I HAVE SIX DAYS IN SEATTLE. SHOULD WE TAKE A SHORT ESCORTED TOUR OR IS THERE ENOUGH IN SEATTLE TO KEEP US OCCUPIED? B. AND N. NEWHAM, SALAMANDER BAY NSW

Between the Space Needle, the Museum of Pop Culture and the Museum of Flight, Seattle has plenty to offer, but with six days you could easily fit in some day trips while using the city as your base. The 90-minute Boeing Factory Tour is impressive, but only if you have an interest in aviation. South of Tacoma, Lakewold Gardens is a green gem, a masterwork of landscape design with its waterfalls, Japanese maples and rhododendrons. Bainbridge Island, just a short ferry ride from Seattle, has some fine walking trails as well as artisan wineries. The ferry from Seattle docks at the village of Winslow, which has cafes and galleries and a pretty waterfront park. Mount Rainier is the dominant feature on the Seattle landscape, about a two-hour road trip away. The park has spectacular viewing areas that can be easily taken in on a day trip. You might have already seen orcas on your cruise but if not, the waters around the San Juan Islands north of Seattle offer outstanding viewing. Apart from the Boeing Factory Tour. which should be booked a couple of days in advance, there's no need to book ahead. You can find day trips on Viator (viator.com) or call at the Visit Seattle office at 710 Pike Street, (visitseattle.org).

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Airlines often charge more if you stop over for a day or two en route to Europe, rather than taking a direct flight. Make a separate booking for each sector, you'll usually pay less.