SEATTLE -- Friday Harbor, Wash. and Portland have been named two of the 12 Distinctive Destinations for 2008 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The Trust annually selects communities in the United States that it says offers cultural and recreational experiences that differ from the typical vacation destination.

The Trust says Friday Harbor is "an antidote to city life," with over 150 historic buildings and half the rainfall than Seattle.

"With a natural grandeur that combines salty breezes, vibrant blue water, pebbled beaches and fragrant woods, it is a rare, unspoiled retreat ideal for outdoor adventurers, wildlife enthusiasts and history buffs alike," says the Trust on its Web site.

Click here to read the write-up on the Trust's website.