Well, we never expected to be here! Scotte’s in Munich today. On a business trip to Europe, he and his two fellow travelers found themselves with time on their hands and behind the wheel of a rental car. After visiting En Bruge and other sights in Belgium, the consensus was that they ought to travel on down the road. Munich (in October!), Castle Neuschwanstein, and the Rhine Valley are on the agenda. Scotte has the camera with him. Expect photos and full details of Scotte’s visit to Bavaria, the inspiration for Leavenworth’s fabulous transformation from depressed railroad former boomtown to Bavarian style holiday destination.
Accidentally On Purpose
October 19th, 2009Oktoberfest
October 6th, 2009Looking for somewhere to celebrate the harvest, to see the beautiful autumn colors? Leavenworth, Washington has been celebrating Oktoberfest for decades. Close enough to go for the day. . . Far enough to get away!
Hugging the Coast, a Daily Updated Celebration of Coastal Food, has named Leavenworth’s Oktoberfest as #1 in its Top 10 Places to Celebrate Oktoberfest in the US.
Romance
September 30th, 2009Leavenworth, Washington is our favorite romantic getaway. Easy to get to by car, Leavenworth with its many inns, restaurants and beautiful scenery, provides the perfect backdrop for rest, reconnection and romance.
Fall and winter are perfect seasons to visit Leavenworth. One of our favorite itineraries is to arrive on Sunday and stay 2-3 nights. The Christmas Lighting Festival in December now includes Sunday evening. By arriving on Sunday we get a taste of the festival with thinner crowds than on Friday and Saturday nights. And on Monday and Tuesday we have the village practically to ourselves.
If you’ve ever seen the little Bavarian village all lit up for Christmas, you’ll never forget it. The lighting ceremony that takes place on Saturday and Sunday evenings is magical. It makes us feel like children. And strolling hand-in-hand through the lighted village after the shops close for the evening puts us in our own little world.
If you can’t wait for December it’s not too late to plan a getaway for October or November. Oktoberfest runs Friday and Saturday for the next three weekends. Room reservations are most likely impossible to get for these two nights, but weeknight reservations can still be found.
One romantic way to celebrate fall is to visit one of the many specialty food shops, like The Cheesemonger’s Shop on Front Street. Let the friendly, knowledgeable staff help choose a selection of cheese and meat and pack it up for a delightful picnic lunch. Pick up a loaf of homemade sourdough rye bread from the Bavarian Bakery on Highway 2. Finish your picnic with fine handmade chocolates from Schocolat and a bottle of wine from one of the many tasting rooms along Front Street. Now drive west along Highway 2. There are several picnic spots on the south side of the highway along the beautiful Wenatchee River. The rushing water, changing leaves and the presence of heron and other water fowl create a peaceful and romantic setting.
There are a surprising number of intimate and romantic restaurants in this little town. If Italian food appeals try a fireside table at Viscontis. For an even more out of the way, intimate setting, visit Alley Café for Italian and International cuisine. It’s been listed in Best Places to Kiss in the Northwest. For more dining choices visit our Food and Dining page.
Romantic places to lodge abound in Leavenworth. Run of the River Inn and Refuge specializes in romance, with honeymoon and romance packages offered. Nearer to the heart of the village is Enzian Inn, which has several suites available with jetted tubs, and provides a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Stay at Beecher Hill House for romance in an historic setting. Built in 1907 by Samuel Beecher, the restored and renovated mansion once hosted Queen Marie of Romania. For more lodging choices see our stay.
Reservations for Fridays and Saturdays during both Oktoberfest and the Christmas Lighting Festival are booked up to a year in advance. But even now there are some hotel reservations still available for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights. If you book in November, between festivals, a weekend booking is still possible.
We find that exactly what you do is not as important as who you’re with. Make some time soon to get away with your best-friend and lover. Relax, reconnect, romance each other. Spend one night or three, but do it soon.
Cravings
September 25th, 2009I awoke this morning thinking about all of the fun visitors will be having this weekend in Leavenworth at the 45th Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival. All of the fun and all of the delicious food! Here is a list of our favorites: fudge in a multitude of flavors from the Fudge Hut (some of our favorites: pistachio nut, amaretto, maple nut, rum raisin, salty nut, caramel, etc., etc., etc!); fresh Tex Mex at South; Pistachio Gelato at Via Dolce; the delicious breakfast buffet that includes dense German brown bread at Enzian Inn; soft Bavarian style pretzels and sausage sampler at Andreas Keller; sauerkraut (the scent of warm sauerkraut lingers in the air all over Leavenworth!).
I could go on and on. Much of the fun of traveling to Leavenworth is the opportunity to try new and different flavors as well as visiting old haunts to indulge in familiar favorites.
We’d love to hear about your cravings. What’s the best meal you ever ate while traveling either in Leavenworth or elsewhere? Is there a flavor, scent or server you’d love to re-experience once again?
All Aboard!
September 24th, 2009Next Stop: Leavenworth! Beginning this weekend rail service returns to Leavenworth, Washington. Amtrak will begin offering service to the brand new Icicle Station via The Empire Builder. Service will begin westbound on September 25 and both directions beginning September 26. Call 1-800-872-7245 for reservations. The website: amtrak.com hasn’t quite caught up with the brand new route information. The opening of the station this weekend coincides with the 45th Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival.
The new train service means that Leavenworth will be accessible from east and west year around, regardless of weather.
Congratulations, Leavenworth. Eight years of hard work is paying off!
