Travel is one of those impacting experiences that not only refreshes the mind and soul–which it does– but also broadens horizons, creating far better and more accurate ideas of people, places, and cultures that are very different than our own. That’s the magic of travel… of spending time in places that are very different from what we know.

My husband and I absolutely love to travel. We’re fanatics, really. We’ve found that there’s just nothing that compares to the thrill of discovering authentic ancient cities carved out of stone… castles that have witnessed centuries of exciting history… iconic landmarks that we’d only read about in books until now… of actually experiencing the sites that we’ve anticipated for a very long time.

Whether we’re in Paris, Florence, Copenhagen, Rome, or anywhere else in the world, we’re always captured by the innate need to feel part of that culture as much as possible– to feel it from the inside, not just from the outside looking in. Realistically, we know we’re never going to be able to actually live in any of these exotic places… but we can dream. And for the space of time that we’re there, we want to imagine that we actually belong. We’re not interested in being “tourists.” We want to pretend we really are Parisian, or Italian, or Danish…

Consequently, in Europe we never get our coffee at a Starbucks; we never lunch on a classic American hamburger while we’re there; and we never stay in a touristy hotel. Instead, we seek out local cafes, indulge in the cultural specialties, and go “home” at the end of the day to a cozy apartment or vacation rental tucked into a side street somewhere surrounded by locals.

That’s also why we believe so strongly in what we do: managing vacation rental properties in a beautiful Bavarian village surrounded by rugged mountains here in the Pacific Northwest. We love that we can offer the traveler a very unique European-styled experience surrounded by rivers, forests, and mountains- just 2 short hours from Seattle, yet a world away from it. It’s our work to help others completely enjoy the time they’ve carved into their schedule to become part of a place that’s completely different from their own.

We cater to the travelers who don’t want to be just “tourists” to our town. Most of them will never be able to live here– but for just a little while, they can come and dream that they belong in this beautiful place, staying where the locals stay, eating where the locals eat, getting their coffee at the local cafes.

While their minds and souls are being refreshed, these are the travelers who take their vacation dream even further, up to a whole new level– they truly “experience” what it feels like to live in the place. Through professionally managed vacation rental properties, we’re helping travelers who dare to dream!

Visit DestinationLeaveworth.com to learn more!

Leavenworth, Washington turns into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. Don’t miss your chance to make amazing memories with your family by spending your winter vacation in the charming town of Leavenworth. Experience the Leavenworth Snow Train and related holiday events! There are a number of professional vacation rental companies in Leavenworth that have an amazing selection of homes perfect for your cozy and festive winter stay in the mountains.

White Water Lodge for a Holiday Get Together

White Water Lodge in Leavenworth is another great option for a large family. It sleeps 16 and is gorgeously designed so as to provide the comfort and relaxation you’re looking for. Surprisingly spacious, the living area features a cathedral ceiling and full-view windows that seem to bring the snow covered mountains and icy river right indoors!

Leavenworth Snow Train

The snow train is a big one. Board the train in Seattle and settle into your seat for breakfast. As you travel through the snow covered mountains, carolers, magicians and Santa will be making rounds through the aisles. Before you know it, the snow train will arrive in Leavenworth to continue the celebration in the streets of the Bavarian village. The experience is truly magical, see the Christmas lights twinkle, purchase holiday treats from street vendors and admire the horse drawn carriages as they glide down the snow sprinkled roads. Space is limited and seats sell out quick so it’s best to reserve the Leavenworth snow train as soon as possible.

Although the snow train in December is a big part of the winter spirit here, the fun starts in early November with Nutcracker Hunts at the famous Nutcracker Museum in Leavenworth. Every November, the Nutcracker Museum puts on scavenger hunts where everyone from children to adults scour the museum for every last nutcracker hidden throughout. Hunters will be given a list of nutcrackers, a clipboard, and a pencil and are set loose to search.

Thanksgiving Cooking Classes

Graham cracker crusted coconut caramel pumpkin pie. Are you salivating yet? Prepare for the biggest feast of the year and learn how to make this amazing dish and more with Chef Colin at his Thanksgiving cooking class at Mana Mountain. Come hungry and ready to learn how to balance flavors and textures to impress your dinner guests.

Cross Country Skiing

The best way to experience the beauty of the snow in Leavenworth is cross country skiing. Glide over open meadows and through forests. Embrace the natural beauty that surrounds you whether your an experienced or beginner skier.

Sleigh Rides

Feel the brisk air hit your face as you smoothly glide over snowy hills and through valleys. Listen to the pitter patter of the horse hooves as they carry you past rivers and into the woods.

Christmas Lighting Festival

Join the town of Leavenworth in celebration as the welcome Christmas at one of the best Leavenworth winter events. The celebration takes place for 3 days where these will be musical performances, a parade, roasted chestnuts, spiced wine, and even a visit from Santa! The event takes place early December.

Bavarian Ice Fest

The ice fest celebrates winter’s bounty and beauty! There will be snow sculptures, ice carving, fireworks and more! January 13th and 14th 2018. There are still Leavenworth vacation rentals available for the winter season, but they’re going fast! Book your stay now for the Leavenworth Snow Train and other can’t miss winter events in Leavenworth.

Call or book online for the best price for Leavenworth Vacation Rentals

Plain Red Cabin , located in the Plain area – about 25 minutes from downtown Leavenworth and sleeping up to 5 people is the perfect “get away from it all” kind of place and Cary Ordway of Northwest Travel Advisor, says Plain Red Cabin “Takes you back to nature”. Check out his article below:

The nice thing about vacation rentals is that, if you choose carefully, you can find well-designed lodgings that have all the advantages of owning your own vacation home, but without the monthly mortgage. It’s fun to pretend this is your cabin, house or condo to enjoy whenever you like.

Okay, you do have to go home eventually, but the vacation home experience will be memorable and is likely to become a regular family getaway. If you don’t return to this particular place, there are many more to choose from — all without a mortgage.

We’ve discovered several such vacation homes in North Central Washington, our favorite part of the state because of the forests and lakes and trails, and sunny year-round weather. The latest is a cabin near Plain, a small town tucked between Leavenworth and Lake Wenatchee.

The Plain Red Cabin is what they call it. While not a cabin in the traditional sense — i.e. log cabin — the Plain Red Cabin has a great layout for a small family or maybe two couples (as we experienced it), with separate upstairs and downstairs bedrooms and bathrooms. The living room and kitchen are located together in a kind of great room with a high ceiling and loft upstairs. It’s a great gathering place for you and your guests, especially with the gas fireplace.

Out on the deck is a hot tub with views of the Wenatchee National Forest. This is not a wilderness kind of lodging because it is located in a residential area where other vacation homes have been built on large lots. But the Plain Red Cabin is hidden away behind the trees and, for all intents and purposes, feels like it’s the only place around. It actually was even a little difficult to find when we first arrived.

The cabin is great but, as they say, it’s location-location-location when discussing real estate, and that also holds true when discussing your vacation home rental. The Plain Red Cabin is located in an area that is rich in beauty and loaded with outdoor activities.

Lake Wenatchee is just a few miles away, and offers excellent fishing, boating and other water activities. Kahler Glen golf course is within seven miles. The town of Plain is small, but it’s less than two miles from the cabin and has a market, some restaurant service and a hardware store for various needs that might arise during your vacation.

Also just a few miles away is Mountain Springs Resort with its zip line adventures, horseback riding and, in winter, snowmobile rides. Sprinkled throughout the area are all variation of trails that are perfect for family adventures.

The Bavarian Village of Leavenworth is about 25 minutes away and, when you get there, you’ll have many restaurants to choose from, as well as several blocks of small shops. City parks and hiking trails are close at hand.

But if a quiet retreat in the woods is your top priority, you may just want to hole up in the Plain Red Cabin , a comfortable, relaxing place to forget about work and every-day hassles and get back to nature.

For more information on the Plain Red Cabin , please visit www.destinationleavenworth.com or phone 866-904-7368.

Looking for a way to relax and enjoy fabulous music this July while in Leavenworth, WA? Look no further than the 22nd Annual International Chamber Music Festival at Icicle Creek Center for the Arts from July 1-16, 2016. Festival Concerts take place at 7pm each Friday and Saturday with free Young Artist concerts at 1pm on each Sunday.

Icicle Creek Center for the Arts invites you to, "Come early, stay late, spend the weekend, and enjoy the unforgettable musical experiences and the breathtaking beauty of the Cascade Mountains. We invite you to join us for inspired works by the world’s most beloved composers, performed by world-class artists in an intimate, stunning, and acoustically perfect setting."

This is truly not to be missed! A gem of artistic excellence right here in Leavenworth. For a schedule of events and venues and to get tickets, Click Here.