Seattle is…

Nestled between the snow-capped peaks of the Cascade Mountains and Puget Sound, lies the wildly diverse city of Seattle—a blend of art, nature, technology and culture. This crown jewel of the Northwest never fails to amaze. Whether you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of a humpback whale or attempting to become a coffee connoisseur, Seattle’s got it covered. A music mogul As the city that gave the world musical legends such as Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain (to name a few), Seattle has long been distinguished by its breadth of musical creativity. Whilst the Seattle natives may have a soft spot for grunge music, the city also boasts a vibrant range of genres, from hip hop all the way through to rock. If you’ve got time on your hands, make your way over to the Experience Music Project, a non-profit museum, where Seattle’s pop culture is brought to life. A beautiful wilderness Beyond the urban city walls lies a vast expanse of forests, mountains and coast line, meaning no trip to Seattle and Washington State would be complete without a foray into the abundance of natural wonders here.Clamber up to the Olympic National Park’s summit to catch some of the best panoramic views in the state. Keep your eyes peeled for marmots, black bears, eagles and black-tailed deer as you wander through the green utopia before climbing aboard an ocean cruiser as you set sail across the San Juan Islands in search the world’s oldest orca. A foodie’s paradise. With an abundance of seasonal and local produce on Seattle’s door step, you’ll find no end to the glorious culinary offerings. Head to Pike Place Market where dozens of artisan food vendors come together to sell their authentic dishes under one roof. We understand all that eating could be a tiresome business, so why not pop next door into the first original Starbucks for a flat white. Alternatively, if you want to avoid the crowds, head to Slate Coffee.  At this family run café, the baristas endeavour to bring you the ultimate cup of coffee, brewed exactly to your tastes. Perfection. With more coffee shops per capita in all of the US, it’s no surprise that Seattle knows how to make a good cup of coffee.  As the day progresses, you’ll no doubt be  looking for something a little stronger, so head to L’Ecole No 41 Winery where you can sip and savour award-winning Merlot. We promise it’s well worth the four hour drive; Seattle has been silently cultivating their wine scene for a while now, so whether you prefer red or white, dry or sweet, light bodied or full bodied, there’s guaranteed to be something for all palates. Tom Marchant is Co-founder of Black Tomato. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.