Extra Mile Club: Experience Portland Like the 'American Ninja Warriors' Hosts

With the advisors’ help, Matt and Akbar experienced Portland in signature Extra Mile Club style — unwinding in world-class luxury, racing on private tracks, exploring the coast, soaring above vineyards, sampling incredible wines, conquering rapids and stepping into the action with VIP sports access. Let this recap of their journey be your guide to experiencing Portland like a star and a reminder of the true value travel advisors can bring to your next vacation.

Luxury Stay: The Ritz-Carlton, Portland

Upon arrival, Matt and Akbar settled into The Ritz-Carlton, Portland, the perfect home base for their action-packed itinerary. This downtown luxury property blends contemporary elegance with Pacific Northwest charm, offering panoramic city views, a serene spa and refined dining options.

An Arrival to Remember: Curtis treated them to a spa experience complete with personalized robes, so relaxing that Akbar fell asleep. Afterward, Leslie had a pair of custom Nikes waiting in their rooms, including a baby-sized pair for Matt’s baby on the way, along with snacks and drinks, making it an extra-special welcome.

Portland International Raceway

Matt and Akbar wasted no time diving into the action at Portland International Raceway, which was closed exclusively for their use. Their competitive sides came alive as they learned to drag race in vehicles provided by Skyline Ford and pushed their limits with stock car racing under the guidance of Pro Drive Driving School. The result? High-octane fun with a side of friendly rivalry.

Full-Throttle Fun: Leslie orchestrated the entire experience, securing private access to the track so Matt and Akbar could go head-to-head. The thrill of the race left a lasting impression—Akbar even called it his favorite travel experience ever.

Coastal Exploration & Crabbing

Next, the adventure headed west to Oregon’s dramatic coastline. With First Nature Tours, Matt and Akbar explored Ecola State Park before heading to Nehalem Bay for a hands-on crabbing experience, outfitted by Kelly’s Brighton Marina. The day ended with a private curated beach dinner, featuring the catch of the day paired with local wine — an unforgettable Pacific Northwest experience.

Surprises by the Sea: Curtis organized the nature tour, including a crabbing challenge to see who could catch the biggest crab. Matt, who normally isn’t a seafood fan, loved the fresh crab served at the beach dinner. The hosts had an incredible mix of laughter, competition and relaxation along the coast.

Helicopter Ride Over Willamette Valley

From the coast, the journey took to the skies. Leslie tapped into Matt and Akbar’s love of pranks by dropping them off in the middle of an empty field with no explanation. Just as they were wondering what was happening, a private helicopter from Precision Helicopters swooped in to pick them up. As they lifted off, Matt and Akbar were treated to sweeping views of Willamette Valley’s vineyards, rivers and rolling hills — an unforgettable perspective on Oregon wine country.

Life-Off Laughs: The prank had Matt and Akbar cracking up — and the views left them speechless. What started as confusion turned into one of the most memorable surprises of the trip.

Private Wine Tasting at Antica Terra

Their aerial adventure ended in style as the helicopter touched down at the vineyards of Antica Terra, where Matt and Akbar were welcomed for an exclusive private tasting. Known for its expressive Pinot Noirs and intimate setting, Antica Terra was the perfect stage for a playful, wine-focused experience.

Toast-Worthy Moment: Leslie’s attention to detail shined — she knew Akbar was a wine enthusiast, and she crafted a tasting that blended sophistication with fun. Matt and Akbar learned about the winery before sampling wines in a lighthearted challenge that had them laughing between sips.

Whitewater Rafting

After savoring Oregon’s wine country, it was time to turn up the adrenaline once again. The duo headed to the Columbia River Gorge for a thrilling whitewater rafting experience with First Nature Tours and Columbia River Outdoors. Surrounded by towering cliffs and lush forest, the rapids offered an entirely different way to take in Oregon’s natural beauty.

Making a Splash: Akbar admitted to being a little hesitant at first, but once they hit the rapids, the excitement was contagious. By the time they went over the waterfall, he was all in — literally. He fell out of the raft but came up laughing, making it an adventure he’ll never forget.

Portland Timbers

The trip wrapped with a dose of Portland’s electric sports culture. Curtis secured VIP access to a sold-out Portland Timbers game — the team’s 50th anniversary match, no less. Matt and Akbar received personalized jerseys, sideline access and a front-row seat to the unforgettable atmosphere. Even better? They witnessed a Timbers win, capping off their Portland adventure in style.

Front-Row Finale: Matt and Akbar soaked up the energy from the sidelines, jerseys on, cheering alongside the Timbers Army as the home team secured the win — a picture-perfect end to their Pacific Northwest journey.

Unlock Extraordinary Travel

The real secret to unforgettable travel? A Global Travel Collection advisor. Their expertise, insider access and attention to every detail turn trips into once-in-a-lifetime experiences. From exclusive excursions to seamless logistics, a GTC advisor ensures every journey is curated, effortless and uniquely yours.

Connect with a Global Travel Collection advisor to ensure your next adventure goes the extra mile.