A hosted wekend 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

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 at Bowline Hotel, gather with like-minded travelers, and experience Astoria beyond the highlights — through the people, stories, and rhythms that give it soul.

February 28 – March 1. 6 spots total.

What’s Included*:

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

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

  • Most meals, featuring seasonal and local ingredients

  • 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)

Book your spot

The Itinerary

Friday | Arrival + Optional Meet-Up

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

Saturday | 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 | 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

This experience is for people who:

Want to go deeper at the Oregon coast, without planning every detail.

Care about where their food comes from and supporting local.

Enjoy wellness experiences that feel grounded and real.

Crave community — but not anything performative.

Want a taste of what Meridian Boutique Travel is all about, close to home.

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.

Learn more

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