The sliding glass door was open and a soft breeze circulated through the dark room.  The rolling sound of the waves, punctuated by an occasional boom as the water hit the rocks just right, lulled me to sleep.  A perfect way to end a perfect day in one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been – the central Oregon coast.

Take the western coast of Ireland, add magnificent mounds of English rhododendrons, dust the hillsides with bright yellow Scotch broom, borrow a bit of fishing village charm from New England and top with magnificent forests of Douglas fir and Sitka spruce.  And that’s just the scenery.   Factor in great outdoor activities, good food and wine, interesting galleries and shopping, then subtract the masses of tourists, reduce the prices and what’s left is pure tourist treasure.