Traveller's Guide: Spokane, Washington

Getting there:

Simon Calder paid £463 for a return flight on British Airways (0844 493 0787; www.ba.com), which flies once or twice a day between Heathrow and Seattle. Tomorrow, Northwest Airlines (08705 074 074; www.nwa.com) starts flights on the same route. Many other airlines offer connecting flights via various US gateways, and some offer "open-jaw" itineraries that allow you to fly into Spokane and out of Seattle.

Getting around:

Public transport is non-existent along most of the course of Highway 2. Plenty of companies will rent you a car, but Avis (0844 581 0147; www.avis.co.uk) has the benefit of a branch in downtown Spokane and another in downtown Seattle.

Staying there:

The writer paid $150 (£77), including a hearty Alpine breakfast and free Wi-Fi for saddos, for a night at the Pension Anna (001 509 548 6273; www.pensionanna.com) in Leavenworth.

More information:

Washington State Tourism: 001 800 544 1800 (4pm-1am, BST); www.experiencewa.com.