A hosted weekend in Astoria, Oregon designed to help you experience the North Coast the way locals do — with intention, warmth, and just enough structure to let the magic unfold.

North Coast

Field Notes

Wood-paneled room with sauna, a wood stove with rocks, a glass window showing greenery outside, and stacked firewood inside.

This is a hosted, small-group weekend rooted in place: Scandinavian-style sauna heat and cold plunges, deeply local food and brews, river views, long conversations, and time in the forest.

You’ll stay right on the Columbia River, gather with like-minded travelers, and experience Astoria beyond the highlights — through the people, stories, and rhythms that give it soul.

February 27 – March 1. 6 spots total.

A round tray of ice with six oysters topped with various garnishes and sauces, surrounded by glasses of white wine and water on a white table.

What’s Included*:

  • 2 nights at the Bowline Hotel, right on the Columbia River

  • A hosted, small-group experience, Led by A Local

  • An oyster Farm tour, tasting, and wine pairing

  • A sauna and cold plunge experience at Imzadi Sauna

  • A chef-led dinner with Dine Wabi Sabi

  • Coffee tasting with Flat Four Coffee

  • Forest time, river walks, and hosted group moments

  • Attendance to the Annual local festival of written word: FisherPoets Gathering (February only)

The Itinerary

Friday, Feb 27th | Arrival + Optional Meet-Up

Arrive in Astoria, check into the Bowline, and settle in. Join us for an optional, casual happy hour meet-up with the group — no agenda, just good company.

Saturday, Feb 28th | Wellness, Food & Place

A slow morning leads into sauna and cold plunges, followed by a visit to the local oyster farm for a tour, tasting, and wine pairing. If you’ve never learned how to shuck an oyster, here’s your chance! Enjoy some time to rest, explore town, and prepare for an intimate chef-led dinner with a stunning view of the Columbia River. End the evening with a visit to one of the many venues in town offering Fisher Poets gatherings — soak in the written word of local fishermen and women!

Sunday, March 1st | Coffee, Forest & Farewell

Gather for a coffee tasting with a local coffee aficionado and head into the forest for a gentle walk up to the Astoria column before closing the weekend and heading home by midday.

Join us in February for Fisher Poets!

With just 6 spots, we are soft launching our first North Coast tour, and we can’t wait to host you.

$1,300 per person
Includes lodging, most meals, and all scheduled activities.

What’s Not included:

  • Transportation (we’ll help coordinate carpools)

  • Friday night optional meetup food & drinks

A woman and a man sit at a table inside a cozy café, smiling and laughing. The woman has blonde hair, is wearing a gray sweater and a large blue and gray scarf. The man, with red hair and a beard, wears a gray cap, a black jacket with patches, and has a cheerful expression. There are large windows behind them showing a street scene with buildings and parked cars.

About the Host
North Coast Field Notes is hosted by Meridian Boutique Travel, a boutique travel company rooted in regenerative travel, thoughtful design, and meaningful connection to place.

Founded by Astoria-based travel curator Lizzy Atwood Wills, MBT designs small-group experiences locally and internationally — from the Oregon Coast to Japan, Portugal, and Mexico — for travelers who want more than a checklist.

These North Coast weekends are designed to be both a standalone experience and a doorway into MBT’s longer international journeys.

What our Travelers are Saying

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What our Travelers are Saying *

  • "Millennial Luxury Group Travel"

    This trip is designed for travelers that want to stay in nice accommodations, eat local/farm to table food, support local economies all while staying active and maybe drinking a little local wine and port along on the way! It was great to just show up and have everything organized for us. Thank you for the great trip MBT.
    -Alice, Portugal traveler

  • "Special: a great combination of comfort zone push and joyous comfortable adventures. "

    It was a wonderful experience that contained a good balance of historical sites, 1:1 experiences with artisans, nature adventures, and time to explore on your own. Something for everyone or every one of your areas of interest.
    - Iris, Japan traveler

  • "Something I could have never experienced solo"

    As someone who travels a lot, I didn't think that a group trip was for me. Traveling to Portugal with MBT was such a different experience, and something I could have never experienced solo. I walked away with new friends and great memories without a lot of time spent planning.
    - Megen, Portugal traveler

  • "Well worth it!"

    We couldn't have had a better travel guide experience than from Lizzy at Meridian. Thorough, timely, imaginative, flexible, responsive, problem-solver....and fun. I hope we can avail her services again. Would not have been the same trip by far.
    -Stephen, Vietnam + Cambodia traveler

  • "Enchanting"

    Traveling to Portugal with Meridian was an enchanting journey that felt truly magical. The experience was enriched by the incredible women we traveled with. We explored Portugal’s diverse landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history, cuisine making every moment unforgettable. This trip stands out as one of my all-time favorites, thanks to the beautiful connections and the captivating allure of Portugal.
    - Maylin, Portugal traveler

  • "Traveling with a small group made every moment feel shared."

    An unforgettable and transformative experience — inspiring, memorable, and sparking a desire to return and continue exploring.

    - DeAnna, Japan traveler

  • "Fulfilling, life changing, challenging, fun."

    Lizzy makes it easy by taking care of logistics every step of the way. The unique experiences and her established relationships offer access to things most people might never think to try. You only have to worry about showing up and being open to the culture.

    - Maylin, Japan traveler