Hotel at a Glance: Alps Romance Suites

Alps Romance Suites takes its dedication to creating a calm-and-romantic atmosphere seriously. The adults-only suites are equipped with electric fireplaces to make the rooms comfortable, and quiet hours keep things peaceful. Suites even feature private, in-room infrared saunas for extra luxury.

• Take a dip in your private outdoor hot tub, which is housed in a curtained gazebo for extra privacy.
• Enjoy the view of the Cascade Range mountains, which can be seen from every suite.
• Go for a hike on 1 of the 19 trails that are easily accessible from town.
• Sip wine at Eagle Creek Winery, located a 13-minute drive from the hotel, where you can try everything from raspberry rieslings to savory syrahs.

Leavenworth, Washington: Bavarian Charm Amid 4 Million Acres of Wilderness

With the carved wooden balconies, half-timbered buildings, and majestic mountains rising in the background, you might think you were in the Bavarian countryside. Instead, it’s the town of Leavenworth, Washington, which has made an effort to embrace German culture since the town was redesigned as a tourist destination in the early 1960s. Once an industrial town, it’s now home to multiple wineries, scenic tours, and several German festivals.

But Leavenworth’s charm isn’t the only draw to the area. More than 4 million acres of national forests and parklands surround the town. The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest proudly provides a little “something for everyone.” Dozens of horseback-riding trails weave through the trees, and hiking paths can wind as high as 9,000 feet or so low they venture underground through natural caves. There’s also plenty of opportunity for wildlife spotting, as the forests are home to animals ranging from bighorn sheep and moose to gray wolves and lynx.

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