CRUISE THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

In 1804, Meriweather Lewis and William Clark set off to find the legendary Northwest Passage across the newly expanded United States – and you can follow part of their journey on a cruise along the Snake and Columbia rivers in Washington state and Oregon, where the ship passes through eight dams and sails past ochre-coloured cliffs, scrubland and vast apple-growing estates.

On board will be a host of speakers, including historians and members of the indigenous Nez Perce people, and stops include a visit to the Tamastslikt Native American museum on a reservation outside the Oregon city of Pendleton. You can get a taste of the Wild West at the city’s Hamley Steakhouse or take an underground tour leading down into the basements of what used to be the gambling and red-light district.

Excursions include tastings at local vineyards, a train trip to Mount Hood and a visit to Multnomah Falls, a 611ft-tall waterfall. There’s also the chance to see Fort Clatsop in Astoria, Oregon, where Lewis and Clark spent a winter, and near Portland is Mount St Helens, the volcano that blew with such ferocity in 1980.

YOU’LL NEVER FORGET

Bouncing across rapids in Hells Canyon – the deepest gorge in the US – in a jet boat. Do this on a pre-cruise excursion from Clarkston, Washington.

American Cruise Lines (americancruise lines.com) operates modern river boats and paddlewheelers along the Snake and Columbia rivers between Clarkston and Portland. Fred Holidays (0800 028 4272; fredholidays.co.uk) offers nine nights including a seven-night cruise and a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay from £4,699pp including flights, meals and excursions. Departs April 22