As a child, Savina Darzes would wander down to the San Francisco wharf near the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory. The scent of chocolate wafted over the piers, mixing with sea salt and the noise of the docks. Little wonder that when Ms. Darzes grew up and moved to Portland, she organized a gourmet twist on the old-fashioned sightseeing tour with the Portland Chocolate Walking and Tasting Tours.

Portland has recently gained a trendy reputation, yet it remains a small city with a quirky mentality. Portlanders love good food, but ask a local and you won't hear tales of fancy steaks. More likely, they'll direct you to a nearby street corner, where the smell of grilled peppers drifts out of an Airstream trailer. Plop down at a picnic table and keep an open mind. Some of Portland's best food is street food: cheap, accessible, and diverse. From tacos to waffles, this unique cart culture will have you eating like a Queen on a peasant's budget.

Although it's easy to see why Northern California's Napa and Sonoma valleys are so popular, their commercial success has come at a cost. The area's quick expansion has meant that smaller wineries have mostly been swallowed up by larger, more commercially-viable estates. For this reason, if you're looking for a low-key wine tasting experience in a smaller, family-run environment, the tri-valley may be your best option.

On a recent business trip I experienced an unexpected perfect day that snuck up on me like a serendipitous rain shower during a forest fire. When I first heard about my assignment to Portland, Oregon, I have to admit that I wasn't expecting much, since the only thing I knew about the city was that Clyde Drexler could dunk a mean basketball, and that apparently the last census had proven Portland as the "least ethnically diverse city in America".

An old, tired section of Northwest Portland, once known for its worn-out warehouses, has been transformed almost overnight into one of the nation's snazziest neighborhoods. The Pearl District, featuring upscale condos, art galleries and shops has become a favorite with both locals and tourists. The area also boasts some of the top rated restaurants in the city and a great place for a foodie exploration.

Oregon is known for its evergreen forests, spectacular coastline, and towering volcanoes draped with glaciers. The state is also recognized for a robust wine industry. Large sections of the lush Willamette Valley, in particular, have over the last 25 years been planted in grapes, and the region has earned a reputation for excellent wine production, led by award-winning pinot noirs.