We are happy to be partnering with BH Photo Video. These guys always have the absolute best customer service and are the go to store for our purchases.

Our new “Best Travel Photography Gear” page has some great ideas for those of you who want to make the best out of your photography experience when traveling.

We are happy to announce our latest tour, the Sequim Lavender Tour will take place on July 20th. This is limited to 14 seats, so you will want to book as soon as possible.

“Join us for a special tour where you can experience the beautiful lavender fields during the Sequim Lavender Weekend

Your journey begins at either the Bainbridge Island or Kingston Ferry Terminal where you’ll then journey along the scenic route to the Lavender Capital of North America, Sequim, Washington. We’ll take you directly to the farms and allow you to experience the unique location that allows this wonderful plant to flourish.”

See the main link for more information.

#1 – A Tour Gets You Acquainted with the City

When you first arrive in a city, you are in unfamiliar territory and its sometimes hard to figure out exactly where you are. By taking our tour, you’ll travel around the city and get an idea of where you want to explore. Even if  you take the tour at the end of the stay, its one way to end your trip on a high note.

#2 – Your Tour Guide Can Give Great Suggestions

Not sure where to go for dinner? How about the best museum or club to check out? Who has the best coffee in the city? All these questions a tour guide can answer for you. Its a wonderful way to learn about these great place from locals on your vacation to Seattle.

#3 – Learn the Top Photo Spots

If you are into photography, you’ll surely want to know all the great places to go to take your best photographs. Maybe you want to know where the best alley is to shoot or where to take a great souvenir family photo. Not only do we go to some of the most picturesque locations, but we can direct you to places of interest. You can also purchase our book “Seattle’s Top Photo Spots” from Apple for your iPad to help you learn more about the great spots in the city. Your new photo skills will help you take excellent pictures the rest of your vacation.

#4 – Forget Fighting Seattle Traffic

Our driving tour lets you kick back and simply enjoy the view. Seattle is a maze of one way streets and rated one of the worst areas in the U.S. for traffic. We can help alleviate that frustration for you and do all the driving.

#5 – You’ll Meet Other Travelers

Meeting other people traveling can also be good for information on things they may have experienced.

Book Now

Our tours depart daily for a hotel pickup or the Pike Place Market and you can book with ease online. For those of you that have a large group, we offer custom tours and discounts for groups of four or more on checkout.

Book Your Tour Now

Travel Writer Sue Frause Joined us on our Tulip Festival Tour and posted an article that sums up our tour experience pretty well. I like that she used my quote too.

“Our next stop was Tulip Town, a 35-acre sea of colors that took my breath away when I first spotted the fields. Terry summed it up nicely when he said, “It just makes me smile, it’s a happy place.”

Here is a link to the article on Examiner.com

Book now for the 2013 tour season.

Take the #1 rated Seattle tour (July 2012) based on Tripadvisor.com reviews to Snoqualmie Falls and then tour the city with us.

We are not a simple transportation company that only drives you around the city and point out different locations through the windows with one or two quick 5-10 minute stops. With Shutter Tours we take the time to stop and explore the locations allowing you to have a richer Seattle experience and help you with simple photos tips on your scenic tour.

Our tour begins with either a hotel pickup or meet your tour guide at the Pike Place market at 10 AM. As we make our way through the city you’ll learn the history of the city, how the Great Seattle Fire of 1889 became an important event to turn Seattle into a major city and explain the “Underground” of Seattle.

We then make our way on I-90 over the worlds second longest floating bridge. Your guide will then share some fun facts about Bill Gates house as you cross Lake Washington and make your way to the Cascade Foothills.
Your first experience in the Cascade foothills will be a drive through the town of Snoqualmie, the real “Twin Peaks” of the Pacific Northwest. Then you’ll enjoy the majesty of Snoqualmie Falls, which is sure to be a favorite memory on your tour with us.

Our next stop is the beautiful Japanese Gardens located at the Washington Park Arboretum. A 3 1/2 acre formal garden designed and constructed under the supervision of world-renowned Japanese garden designer Juki Iida. Rated one of the top Japanese Gardens in the world outside of Japan.

Next stopping point is the Fremont Troll where you can take some time to get some photos of this one of a kind piece of public art. As we drive through Fremont you’ll see a 16′ tall statue of Bolshevik Russian Communist revolutionary Vladimir Lenin. Your guide will share with you how this statue arrived in Seattle and the story behind its history.

Next we make our way to some chocolate tasting at Theo Chocolate, the only Organic, Fair Trade, Fair for Life certified Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Factory in North America. When you walk into Theo, you’ll get a blast of chocolate smells with the ability to taste different combinations from Coconut Curry, to Spicy Chili and many others.

We then stop at the Ballard Locks also driving through Fisherman’ Terminal where you’ll see the Pacific Fishing fleet. At the Ballard Locks you may see migrating salmon going through the locks system, Sea Lions, Eagles and maritime traffic as they navigate this engineering marvel.

Next we take in the #1 rated location in Seattle for taking a photo of the skyline, the picturesque viewpoint at Kerry Park.

We arrive back at the Pike Place Market at 2 PM for you to continue your sightseeing of the city with a newfound love of the city and photography composition tips to help you take postcard perfect photos on the rest of your vacation.

With many sights in-between you are sure to thoroughly experience Seattle and all the beauty and culture the city has to offer.

For booking of four or more people, by entering 4 in the quantity field, a 10% discount will be automatically applied to the adult prices of $69 and $59.

Please contact us at 425-516-8838 if a day/time you want to book the tour is unavailable.

We are also proud of our testimonials received from our tour participants through the years.

Our itinerary ensures adequate time spent at each location allowing individual feedback and suggestions from our guides. We’ve done all the work and planning, so you can spend your time having a positive experience. We offer a 10% discount for 4 or more people at checkout, so bring along a friend.

Just like all our tours, we “Focus” on getting you to the most picturesque locations and helping you become a better travel photographer. Shutter tours is rated a “Top 5″ tour by those who rate us on Tripadvisor.com, so you know we are a trusted and respected company.

Frequently Asked Questions on the Snoqualmie Falls and City Tour

Dates for Tour?

We run our Snoqualmie Falls tours from May-October. You can Join us on our Tulip Festival Tours in April.

What are the costs?

The cost is $69.00 per person with discounts for seniors and children

Are the tours refundable?

Yes, you can get a full refund up to 48 hours before your tour date.

Do you offer any group discounts on this tour?

Yes, when you book your tour and enter in a quantity of four or more participants, the system will automatically give a 10% discount on adult prices (subject to change)

Departure Location

Meet your tour guide at the Pike Place Market Information booth no later than 10 AM located on 1st and Pike Street. This is close to the sign that says “Public Market Center” with the large clock. You will see a large brass pig (Rachel) beneath this location. Follow the brass hoof prints to the information booth towards 1st Avenue.

How long is the tour?

We

pickup at the Pike Place Market at 10 AM and drop off at 2:30 PM. Hotel pickups and dropoffs may require an extra 20 minutes before and after the tour.

A few reminders before you arrive.

Tipping if you are satisfied with the quality of the tour is always appreciated.

Meet your tour guide at the Pike Place Market Information booth no later than 10 AM located on 1st and Pike Street. This is close to the sign that says “Public Market Center” with the large clock. You will see a large brass pig (Rachel) beneath this location, follow the brass hoof prints to the information booth towards 1st Avenue.

Make sure your batteries are completely charged and if possible, bring spares.

Make sure you have enough memory chips if you shoot digital.

Please dress accordingly based on the weather conditions.

Make sure you bring good walking shoes. It’s a leisurely walk while you are out of the bus, but we want you to be comfortable while on your feet.

Please arrive at the Pike Place Market information booth, 10-15 minutes before our 10 am departure or contact us for your hotel pickup. (Please allow 20-30 minutes additional travel time for hotel pickups and drop offs)

If you have additional questions, feel free to contact us at 425-516-8838

Use the Snoqualmie Falls and City Tour link to book online.

Inclusions

All entrance fees are included in the tour price.

For your convenience we also provide the following:

Bottled water

Binoculars

Umbrellas and rain-jackets

First aid kit

and many more items.

Exclusions

Camera’s are not included on this tour, but we can direct you were to rent one should you not have a camera available. We are sorry but our bus is not able to accommodate Wheelchairs.

Cancellation Policy:

Refundable up to 48 hours before tour starting time. We understand how difficult it is to make travel arrangements. Many tour companies will contact you the day of the tour and cancel because they have not sold enough tickets. Our policy is once a tour is booked we will fulfill our obligation to you so that you may enjoy the tour you have paid for despite the number of tickets sold. In the event of a small groups being on the tour we reserve the right to use a more fuel efficient form of transportation such as our SUV instead of our bus, for environmental impact reasons.

We get asked this question a lot, are the tulips out yet? A couple of weeks before our tours start we make a few drives out to the fields to get a sense of which ones are planted this year as they rotate the fields they plant.

This year each of the display gardens (Tulip Town and RoozenGarde) will be open Easter Weekend, though we anticipate it’ll be a few days later before the hundreds of acres of tulips will be in bloom.

Most questions about what to do, where to go, what to see, how to get here, and the like can be answered by visiting www.tulipfestival.org.

This year’s “bloom map” appears near the bottom of their home page and each field which blooms will ‘light up’ on the map to help us know when and where to go. There’s also an interactive map with GPS coordinates to help those navigate the area that choose not to take our tours.

Feel free to call us at 425-516-8838, email us at info@shuttertours.com, or ask you questions here, but we’ve learned that most of your questions can be answered by spending a few minutes at the above website for tulip bloom info.

The tulips are almost here!!! We can’t wait…..can you?!

Mt. Baker Ski Area

Time is precious, and with so much world to discover it’s had to choose how to spend it. If you’re torn between an active holiday in the mountains and the exciting lure of a city, why not combine the two? Head to Seattle for your next holiday and you won’t be disappointed; with three resorts within a 100mile radius and plenty to explore within the city, there won’t be time to get bored. And if you’re willing to travel a little further, there are several more resorts to choose from.

The biggest and best

If you’re an experienced skier, the largest three resorts in close proximity to Seattle will no doubt suit your requirements, especially as they also happen to be three of the closest resorts to the city. The Summit at Snoqualmie, just over 50 miles east of Seattle, is home to three main ski areas – Summit West, Summit East and Summit Central – as well as the extensive back bowls to be found in the Alpental area. Summit Central caters for groups of mixed abilities with a little bit of everything (including an award-winning terrain park), while Summit West is better for beginners. Summit East, on the other hand, calls itself an ‘adventurer’s paradise’. So whether you’re looking for a fun terrain park, cross-country skiing, beginner’s slopes or amazing runs, Snoqualmie is sure to have it. While day trips are available at Snoqualmie, there’s so much mountain on offer that it’s likely that you’ll want to stay there for longer. That might be sound like an expensive addition to your city break, but there are plenty of ski deals you can check out to help you get more from your budget.

Head a little further south of Snoqualmie, just over 80 miles southeast of Seattle and you will find Crystal Mountain. This resort is the largest in the state of Washington and is set up for daytrips. A single day will cost an adult $74 to access all the lifts, or for $320 you can get a five-day pass. The lift passes are very flexible and will give you exactly what you want, so if you only want to use the chair lifts it’ll only cost you $280 for five days. The resort offers a whole range of runs for beginners and advances skiers alike, as well as a lot of snowfall and plenty of backcountry to explore, much like Mount Baker, a resort 89 miles north of Seattle. While Mount Baker only has eight chair lifts, it’s got a vast expanse of backcountry on offer so you won’t feel that it’s lacking in space.

Small but perfectly formed

If the hustle and bustle of the city has made you crave something a little quieter and on a smaller scale, there are a number of options to choose from. Hurricane Ridge, 108 miles northwest of Seattle, can be found in the Olympic National Park. Due to its size, it is cheaper than some of the larger ski resorts and is an ideal spot for families and beginners, while also offering some beautiful and exciting un-groomed mountainside for more experienced skiers and snowboarders. It’s also got a small terrain park for a little bit of added excitement, as does White Pass. White Pass is another small resort, found 129miles south of Seattle. It’s further away and has just six chair lifts, but there is a fair amount of cross-country skiing for those who want to spend a longer appreciating the beautiful mountain scenery, as well as the Wenatchee and Gifford Pinchot National Forests.

For those with cash to splash

North Cascade Heli-riding is the most luxurious skiing and snowboarding available in the area. North Cascade can be found 174 miles northeast of the city, and the company has free range of 300,000 acres of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. This is perfect for those on the hung for some incredible, untouched powder.

Whether you want to spend just one day skiing, or to follow your city break with a whole week in the mountains, the ski resorts around Seattle provide a huge range of options from which to choose. If it’s a family holiday that you’re booking, Summit Central or Summit West might the ones you go for, but if you’re looking for real adventure your best bet lies with North Cascade or Mount Baker. Whatever it is you want, you’re sure to find the perfect mountain resort to complement your holiday in Seattle.

Snoqualmie Falls, in Washington State, attracts over a million visitors each year. The waterfall is 270 feet high (100 feet taller than Niagara falls) and is one of the state’s premier attractions. It also features a two-acre park, impressive observation deck, gift shop and lodge.

Explore the falls while traveling with Shutter Tours and enjoy the spectacle from the free viewing area, which is accessible to all. Bring family, friends or a loved one and enjoy the scenery together. Picnic around the park, out in the open or beneath trellises, as you savour the breathtaking natural surroundings of the Cascade Foothills.

The park is vibrant with colour in the spring and summer and is landscaped with native shrubs and trees. Follow the many paths through the park and take a break at a secluded table. Whether you are visiting as a couple or as a larger group, Snoqualmie park and falls will enchant you. There are ample drinking fountains to nourish you and restrooms along the way.

Up Close and Personal

Perched 300 feet over the river, Snoqualmie’s observation deck offers wonderful views of the falls and park. If you prefer a closer look, why not hike down the trail to the base of the waterfall? This scenic, historical journey brings you close to a power plant from 1910. Feel the sense of history as you hike; the region was sacred to the native people of the valley for generations. The walk down is steep, but the view of the falls is even more impressive close up. The trail is currently closed until fall of 2013 as improvements are made.

For those of you who are not on our tour, once you have taken in the stunning views of the falls, why not tuck into a mouthwatering breakfast of pancakes or waffles. The Snoqualmie Store supplies variety and gift packs as well as combination selections of food for your trip. At the Snoqualmie Falls Candy Factory and Café located in the town of Snoqualmie,  you can sit down for an old-fashioned milkshake and burger in the 1950s themed diner before enjoying a sweet treat from the selection of candies available.

The History of the Falls

The Snoqualmie native Indian tribe built a camp under Mount Si and the falls became a meeting point for trading goods. Snoqualmie originates from a Salish word, meaning ‘moon’ and there were many legends based on the area. The Native Americans were called the people of the moon.

In the 1850s white settlers arrived in the valley and by 1877 logging had become a major operation in the area and this exists to this day, bringing timber resources to the global market.

A civil engineer, Charles Baker, founded the town of Snoqualmie. He also created a power plant underground, bringing jobs to the locals and generating electricity for the town.

The falls themselves have always attracted adventurers. When the first passenger train pulled in to the station in 1889, over 1000 people attended with food and entertainment, including a tightrope walk over the falls.

Snoqualmie Falls was used as the external location for the opening Twin Peaks credits during the 1990s. Salish Lodge at the top of the falls became the Great Northern Hotel on screen. The Colonial Inn became the Roadhouse in the show and the trestle bridge close to Snoqualmie was also used during filming.

Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theatre

This venue brings you quality musical theatre and is in its 46th season. With stadium seats for around 275 people, it is the perfect location for a bit of forest entertainment. Pick up your tickets and wander along the woodland trail from the falls to the theatre, which is lit up in the evening.

The theatre nestles in 95 acres of land, much of it dedicated to cultural land for the performing arts. At the edge of the property you can enjoy views of the falls.

Check the schedule for the 2013 season.

Shutter Tours we offer excursions to the Snoqualmie Falls from Seattle. The journey takes you through the Cascade foothills through the town of Snoqualmie and then to the falls, for many photo opportunities. The Fremont Troll is also included on the tour, as is chocolate tasting at Theo Chocolate, Hiram Chittenden Locks and the breathtaking view at Kerry Park.

Washington State is a popular tourist destination and is famed for its stunning outdoor scenery and range of activities available. Shuttle Tours deliver customized and private services and are a highly rated tour operator. There are travel excursions to and from Seattle to suit all your needs and competitively priced flights and travel insurance to help you on your way. There are many travel insurance options available for people with pre existing medical conditions, so whether you are aged 65 and over or are in your 80s, you will be able to find quality travel cover to suit your needs quickly and easily. Travel cover often includes an online discount and will protect you for travel  to the US, giving you peace of mind to enjoy your trip to the great outdoors of Washington State.

Let Shutter Tours take you on a breathtaking adventure that you will not forget.

Seattle, Washington (PRWEB) June 25, 2012

Shutter Tours, a sightseeing and photography tour company, today announced that it has received a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award. The accolade, which honors hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. Approximately 10 percent of accommodations listed on TripAdvisor receive this prestigious award.

To qualify for the Certificate of Excellence, businesses must maintain an overall rating of four or higher, out of a possible five, as reviewed by travelers on TripAdvisor. Additional criteria include the volume of reviews received within the last 12 months.

“Shutter Tours is pleased to receive a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence,” said Terry Divyak, Owner at Shutter Tours. “We strive to offer our customers a memorable experience, and this accolade is evidence that our hard work and striving to create a tour experience that is both educational and fun, is translating into positive traveler reviews on TripAdvisor.”

“TripAdvisor is pleased to honor exceptional businesses for consistent excellence, as reviewed by travelers on the site,” said Christine Petersen, president of TripAdvisor for Business. “The Certificate of Excellence award gives highly rated establishments around the world the recognition they deserve. From exceptional accommodations in Beijing to remarkable restaurants in Boston, we want to applaud these businesses for offering TripAdvisor travelers a great customer experience.”

About Shutter Tours
Shutter Tours offers both walking and driving sightseeing tours in Seattle, WA. Staffed by Professional Photographers they also help their guests to improve their travel photography skills in a fun and easy way. Creating an exceptional tour experience with the addition of helping improve their travel photography.

About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor® http://www.tripadvisor.com is the world’s largest travel site, enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools. TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 50 million unique monthly visitors*, and over 60 million reviews and opinions. The sites operate in 30 countries worldwide, including China under daodao.com. TripAdvisor also includes TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to TripAdvisor’s millions of monthly visitors.

TripAdvisor, Inc. manages and operates websites under 19 other travel media brands, and together the sites attract more than 69 million unique monthly visitors**.

*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, Worldwide, January 2012
**Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Inc. and its subsidiaries, Worldwide, January 2012
©2012 TripAdvisor, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE TripAdvisor

Link to original press release

The salmon are now spawning and going through the fish ladder at the Ballard Locks. Here is a quick video of what you might see on our driving tour.