EAST OF SEATTLE

Northwest Country
Cross the floating Lake Washington bridges to the foothills of the Cascade Mountains to explore and taste the best of the Northwest. Experience historic Gilman Village in Issaquah, a charming center of more than 40 shops and restaurants, housed in former homes and buildings from the early 1900s. A few blocks east, visit Boehm's Edelweiss Chalet and taste a variety of hand-made confections, all faithfully reproduced from the recipes of Austrian candymaker Julius Boehm. Tours are available by advance arrangement. Next to Boehm's is Hedges Cellars (wine tasting Monday through Saturday). Continue to Snoqualmie Falls. The falls are 268 feet (80 meters) high ... that's 90 feet (27 meters) higher than Niagara! Nearby, take time to shop at Factory Stores at North Bend. To see the region where television's "Northern Exposure" was filmed, continue east on I-90 to Roslyn, a quaint little town nestled in the foothills of the Cascades.

Wine Country
Head to the Woodinville area, home of many of Washington's premium wine-tasting rooms, including Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery. Set on 87 acres (35 hectares) of garden grounds, this facility has taken its place among the classic wineries of the world. Enjoy a tour that allows a romantic yet technologically accurate view of the art and science of wine-making, followed by a sampling. Continue your wine excursion by crossing the road to the Columbia Winery. Founded in 1962 by ten friends, including six University of Washington professors, Columbia is Washington State's first premium winery. Tastings are available daily. Call in advance for tours. For a microbrewery experience, try state-of-the-art Redhook Ale Brewery just next door. Tours are available, and there's a comfortable pub for that all-important taste test.

Leavenworth
This charming Bavarian village is located 130 miles (208 km) northeast of Seattle in the Cascade Range. Driving toward Stevens Pass, majestic Mt. Index dominates the view, and on the east side of the pass Tumwater Canyon is a delight in all seasons, filled with whitewater during spring runoff and ablaze with color in the fall. Set against the foothills of the Cascades, the village features Old World architecture, a variety of fine eating establishments, unique specialty shops and galleries. Festivals are an integral part of Leavenworth's year-round appeal. In winter there is IceFest, a winter play day complete with fireworks, Northwest dogpull championships, and Fasching, a Bavarian event. Spring brings Maifest with its bounty of flowers, entertainment, colorful dancing and Riverfest, an educational river play day. Summer brings Kinderfest, dedicated to children; Accordion Fest with over 100 accordion players in a week of music and concerts; and summer theater, with live outdoor productions. With autumn comes the quilt show, Salmon Fest, Autumn Leaf Festival and Oktoberfest. As the village heads into winter Christkindlemarkt, an open-air market, begins the holidays. Following Thanksgiving, the village is decked out like a winter fairy tale with more than 100,000 lights. Visitors return year after year for the Christmas Lighting Festival, three Saturdays in December, along with concerts and plays.

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