Weekend in Leavenworth, Wash.

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By Clara Bosonetto Maerz

For the AJC

BUDGET:

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Leavenworth Tourism, www.leavenworth.org The vast natural landscape of Leavenworth provides four seasons of activity and adventure.

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Using the Alpine hills to their advantage, the town agreed in the early 1960s to remodel the streets into a Bavarian village.

Leavenworth Tourism, www.leavenworth.org Using the Alpine hills to their advantage, the town agreed in the early 1960s to remodel the streets into a Bavarian village.

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www.bavarianriverhouse.com The decor of the Castle suite at the Bavarian River House is meant to evoke a medieval chamber. It costs $299 a night.

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Getting there: Leavenworth is a 2.5 hour drive east of Seattle. Frequent one-way sale rates from $129; from $142 regularly with a 21-day advance purchase; nonstop AirTran or Delta.

Stay: Guests will find authentic European atmosphere, charm and traditions at the Enzian. Each guest room features hand-painted or hand-carved imported Austrian furnishings and down comforters. Queen room rates from $125-$155 include a full breakfast buffet. On-site are indoor and outdoor pools, hot tub, table tennis, racquetball, basketball and a fitness room; www.enzianinn.com, 590 Hwy. 2, 800-223-8511.

Eat: Squint and you'll think you're in Bavaria at the Andreas Keller Restaurant. Authentic German specialties from schnitzels, sausages to Schweinshaxe (roasted pork hock) are served in a charming setting with live accordion music. Lunch prices from $6-$14; from $17 for dinner entrees. A wide range of German wines and beers are offered; www.andreaskellerrestaurant.com, 829 Front St., 509-548-6000.

Experience: The surrounding Wenatchee National Forest and nearby Alpine Lakes Wilderness and Glacier Peak Wilderness areas provide four-season playgrounds for adventurists and explorers. Hit some of the more than 700 miles of forest service hiking trails. Day passes of $5 are required at most national forest trail heads and are available at select local retailers and all ranger offices. Don't miss peeking into the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum which contains over 5,000 nutcrackers from over 40 countries dating from prehistoric to modern. Free entrance; www.nutcrackermuseum.com, 735 Front St.

MODERATE:

Getting there: One-week advance purchase rates from $282 to Seattle; nonstop AirTran or Delta.

Stay: The adults-only River Haus in the Pines is an ideal destination for hikers, climbers, river rafters, mountain bikers and golfers. This bed and breakfast is surrounded by Wedge Mountain, Icicle Ridge, Tumwater Mountain, and River Front Park. Guest rooms feature luxury beds and linens, fireplaces, soaking tubs, robes and private decks with river and mountain views. Room rates from $189-$250; www.riverhausinthepines.com, 9690 E. Leavenworth Rd., 509-548-9690.

Eat: Enjoy brunch on Sunday morning at the Mountain Springs Lodge. A vast array items are offered at $19.95 adults; $14.95 children age 3-12. Champagne is $2; Mimosas $3. Served 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Afterward, stroll the meadows, trails and along cool streams on the lodge property with a backdrop of the high Cascades; www.mtsprings.com, 19115 Chiwawa Loop Rd., 800-858-2276.

Experience: The Bavarian-style town of Leavenworth sits in a lovely valley surrounded by mountain peaks that rise more than 8,000 feet. The town is best know for its many festivals, including Washington State's oldest festival, the famous Autumn Leaf Festival (Sept. 24-26; www.autumnleaffestival.com) and the the annual Oktoberfest (first three weekends in October), one of the most attended in the world outside Munich, Germany (www.leavenworthoktoberfest.com). The Leavenworth Summer Theater presents three varied productions with reserved seating ticket prices from $14, $22, and $28; www.leavenworthsummertheater.org.

SPLURGE:

Getting there: Walk-up, one-way Business Class rates from $571; nonstop AirTran or Delta.

Stay: Located in town on the Wenatchee River, the Bavarian River House offers a trio of fairy tale suites fit for royalty. Special in-room touches include chandeliers, canopied four poster beds, formal fireplaces, heated floors, clawed tubs, Jacuzzis for two and decks with river and town views. The Palace and Castle Suites are $299 nightly; $429 for the Brookside Suite. Fresh pastries and coffee are complimentary. Other room types available; www.bavarianriverhouse.com, 315 Commercial St., 509-293-6693.

Eat: Dine in a relaxed atmosphere at Cafe Mozart, accompanied by live harp or classical piano. The German trained chef prepares northwest specialties influenced by German, Austrian and French cuisine. The restaurant wine attic stores 1,600 premier wines. Appetizers $12-$14; dinner entrees $19-$29; www.cafemozartrestaurant.com, 829 Front St., 509-548-0600.

Experience: Go beyond town to sample Washington State wines with a guided three-hour chauffeured Cadillac Escalade Limousine tour (the limo seats up to 20 passengers). The tour visits three unique wineries for tastings and lets patrons drink in the gorgeous scenery between stops. Rates are $55 per person. Tours offered Friday-Sunday; www.leavenworthenchantedtours.com, 509-548-8687.

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