Leavenworth, Wash.

Washington's only Bavarian village is a great place to spend the holidays. The former railroad town 117 miles northeast of Seattle reinvented itself in the 1960s as an ersatz German village to attract tourists. The plan worked; the town of 2,000 is home to one of the most famous Christmas celebrations in the West, the Christmas Lighting Festival.

There's also an open-air German market, the Christkindlmarkt, with craft and food booths, decorations and traditional live music.

Leavenworth has an assortment of accomodations, ranging from bed-and-breakfasts to cabins as well as hotels and motels. Many offer special activities like horse-drawn sleigh rides and skiing.

Information: www.leavenworth.org