Seattle Oasis Vacation Rentals

Copper River Salmon is Here!

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

Copper RIver is a rite of Spring here in the Northwest with the first flight of fish from Alaska receiving great fanfare and chefs in competition to be the first to serve it.

Copper River Salmon is a unique taste sensation. This fish, from the ice cold water of the Copper River in Alaska is high in oil and Omega-3s, so heart healthy It has a deep red color and unique flavor and lends itself well to the grill.

Several restaurants in the area brag about their Copper River recipes, and we invite you to check out one or two of these during your stay in Seattle.

King Tut is Almost Gone Forever!

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

If you are here in Seattle, as a guest or as a local, between now and January 6, do not pass go without stopping by Seattle's Pacific Science Center to view the soon-to-be-gone Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs.

This exhibit has touring North America over the last few years, and Seattle is the last stop before these artifacts head home. Eygptian officials say these items will never leave their country again, so this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I recently got a chance to see it, and was very impressed. Not only are artifacts from Tut's tomb highlighted (and truly the star of the show) but history of Eygpt duirng Tut's time, and directly prior to his reign, was presented in an engaging way, included information about Tut's father, a renagade as Phaoroh's go. Multi-media supplements the exhibits, the most interesting to me the one about extracting the DNA from Tut's mummy. A ten foot piece of a statue of Tut, apparently from a funeral temple, was awe inspiring.

Remaining dates are starting to sell out, and the Seattle Times did a great article about the exhibit and extended hours available. Don't let this pass you by.

Calozzi's Will Feed Your Cheesesteak Cravings!

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

Wow. Seattle Oasis Vacation Rentals does not have an official Philly Cheesesteak place on our list of restaurant recommendations, and rarely direct our guests to locations away from our restaurant-dense Belltown stomping grounds. But when my husband invited me for a quick bite to eat on a recent rainy early afternoon, I had no idea I was walking into cheesesteak nirvana.

Calozzi’s is a Pioneer Square fixture since 2010 that has recently branched out to the industrial Georgetown neighborhood, which is where I found myself (pictured above). Both locations are holes-in-the-wall, but don’t be fooled by the less than luxurious digs. The food here is FOR REAL.

I’ve never been to Philly, so completely unqualified to chime in on the Whiz-No Whiz (that would be Cheese Whiz for the uninitiated) debate. My love for the namesake sandwich comes from its perfect marriage of meat and cheese. That being said, I was excited to try Calozzi’s.

My family ordered a Pepper Steak with American, a Donnie’s (mushrooms) with Whiz, and a Pizza, and passed them around. Not a loser in the bunch. The meat is diced fine, and meat and onions are evenly disbursed with the peppers or mushrooms. The Pizza has a hearty red sauce. The roll soaks up the juices as best it can, and is robust enough to not fall apart, but these are messy sandwiches in the best sense of the word. Flavors are exactly what I was wishing for; savory meat and gooey cheese. All were hearty and filling, with that warm ember of coal in the tummy, food-coma fullness that makes for a cozy afternoon on the couch this time of year.

Prices are a fair $10 per foot long sandwich, $1 more for the Donnie. Menu is limited but this is good, real (well maybe discounting the Whiz—won’t start that fight) food done right. They have fries (which I did not partake in on our recent visit, and didn’t need as the sandwich filled me up), also with or without Whiz, and bottled pops. Location closest to the condos is at 115 Occidental Ave S in Pioneer Square. Closed Sundays, open late night on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Smart Phone Guide to the Pike Place Market

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

The Pike Place Market is bigger than you think. Much, much bigger, in fact. Many of our guests remark that they didn't realize the expansiveness of the area. A casual day could easily be spent at the Market, exploring the Down Under, the adjacent buildings and the main arcade with a sit down lunch, or noshing along the way.

This is why I am excited to tell you about Edibly, a smart phone app that will help you organize your Market visit (or visits). Edibly will help you find products or vendors on a market map, organize your visit with a shopping list, see what's new at the market, and more. From the website, key features include:

Key features include:

• Vendor information (hours, practices, contact info, etc.)
• Product search/browse – to help you determine what’s best for you and discover new products.
• Product information (price, description, photo, availability, etc.)
• Market information (what’s new, hours, parking, etc.)
• Shopping List – to prepare for your visit to the Market and save you time
• Market Map – to find vendors at the Market or map what’s on your shopping list and save you time.

While this app is written, I think, with regular shoppers in mind, it will also be a useful tool for Market tourists. The Market map itself will be invaluable, and being able to determine the best seasonal produce for visitors who are not familiar with our produce will showcase our Washington-grown items to their best effect.

Download the app at the iTunes store.

History and Fun at Klondike Gold Rush National Park

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

I have always had a Seattle secret place for kids, even before I had kids. It’s a place so far off the beaten path that many locals don’t even know it exists. So imagine my surprise when MY favorite museum to take kids was voted Best Museum (period) in Seattle by readers of Seattle Weekly!

In an unassuming store front on the corner of Second Avenue and Jackson Street in Pioneer Square is the story of how Seattle became a city. Klondike Gold Rush National Park is one of the smallest parks in the National Park system, and partners with locations In Alaska to tell the story of the thousands of men and some women who came through this area dreaming of striking it rich!

While the gold itself was no where near Seattle, nearly ALL of the prospective miners came though our city, and outfitted themselves with the required "2 tons" of equipment here. Seattle, directly after the discovery of gold in the Yukon, doubled in size and popuation in the following ten years. Many people don't know John Nordstrom, yes THAT Nordstrom, opened his first store here in Seattle with money he made in the Klondike gold fields.

Two floors in a historic Pioneer Square building illustrate this event in a fun and interactive way for kids and adults alike. Artifacts, videos, personal accounts and hands on displays will transport visitors to 1897 when gold was found in the Yukon of Canada and the Klondike Gold Rush was on. A favorite of any kids I have taken is the log cabin located on the lower level of the museum. Another favorite of mine; ask at the visitor’s desk about the Junior Ranger program, a free program the Park Service does for kids 12 and under. Kids will receive a scavenger hunt and when they complete it, a Junior Ranger badge as a suvenior of their visit.

During the summer, rangers conduct additional activities, including a walking tour of Pioneer Square and gold panning demonstrations.

Save Bag Fees-Stay at Seattle Oasis Vacation Rentals!

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

The joy just keeps getting sucked out of airline travel. Lines, computer glitches, weather delays, indecent X-ray screenings, and bag fees, lunch fees, gate fees, and any other fee the airlines feel the consumer will put up with can make airline travel feel like a trial to be endured instead of the beginning of an adventure.

Spirit Airlines announced last week that beginning November 6, 2012 passengers arriving at their departure gate with a carry-on bag would be charged $100. For a carry on. This does not included fees for checked bags. And they are of course, not the only ones doing this, just at this writing the most expensive.

Airline add-on fees can tack on $25-$200 to the price of your airline ticket.
The good news is you CAN reduce your vulnerabity to these add-on fees. What if you didn’t need 50 pounds of luggage for your week’s vacation? Consider, instead of a traditional hotel, a vacation rental. Besides being larger (usually), and equipped with a kitchen (most), many vacation rentals provide their guests with washers and dryers. ALL of the units available via Seattle Oasis Vacation Rentals come equipped with a washer and dryer. This is an especially attractive feature for families traveling with kids, or people staying longer than a few days, or folks on an extended, multi-destination trip. Instead of packing an outfit a day for each kid, plus jammies, plus “emergency” outfits for example, minimize luggage, add on costs, backache, and stress by utlitizing this vacation rental perk.

To book, check out our website at www.SeattleOasisVacations.com.

Bisato to close October 14!

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

One of our favorite, and one of the most highly regarded, Belltown eateries, Bisato, is closing its doors after dinner service on October 14. James Beard award winning chef, and Seattle native, Scott Carlsberg indicates in his press release announcing the closure that he is looking to take a break after working nightly for nearly 20 years, and is considering writing a book.

The establishment is definitely going out on top. Just in August of 2012, Bisato was named one of the 50 Best Emerging Italian Restaurants in the WORLD by Restaurant Magazine, and has in the past won many awards and praises including being a 2010 recipient of Mobil’s Four-Star Award, and the #1 New Dish of 2010 for its Orange Confit with Chocolate Caramel Mousse, as selected by Seattle Met.

From now until closing on Ocotober 14, Chef Carlsberg plans on producing a "fan favorites" menu. Bisato uses a "small plates" format to provide fine dining at a lesser price than a full entree elsewhere. Seattle Oasis Vacation Rentals team favorites, which we hope will make Chef Carlsberg's cut, include the Octopus Puttensca and the Lamb Chops. If you are in town, and can make it to Bisato, I highly recommend it. It is a world class eating experience.

Football Season is Here!!

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

Football season is here, with the Huskies kicking off the local action Saturday, September 1, and Seattle is going to be a hotbed of football action this year, with Seahawk home games and Husky games both being played at CenturyLink and even a Washington State Cougar home game being played on this side of the mountains.

All this football means weekends in Seattle are going to full of fun, and we still have great weekend availability for all these games. Check out our website at www.seattleoasisvacations.com for specific availability for your game of choice.

Seattle Seahawks Home Schedule:

September 16th against Dallas
September 24 against Green Bay
October 14th against New England
November 4th against Minnesota
November 11th against New York Jets
December 9th against Phoenix
December 23rd against San Francisco
December 30th against St. Louis

And while you are planning, don’t forget Wildcard Weekend on January 5-6, the Divisional Playoffs on January 12-13th, and the Championship game on January 20th! Seahawks to New Orleans this year for Super Bowl 47, right?

Washington Huskies Home Schedule:

September 1st against San Diego State
September 15th against Portland State
September 27th against Stanford
October 13th against USC
October 27th against Oregon State
November 10th against Utah

Washington State Cougars in Seattle:

September 29 against Oregon

Are YOU ready for some football?!

Seattle Opera's Epic Ring Cycle Coming August 2013

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

What is fifteen hours long, full of magic and drama, incest and thievery, giants, dwarfs, mortals and Valkyries? What story is as epic as Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings combined and has opera fans all over the country planning to attend a performance one year in advance. Seattle Opera’s signature event, Wagner’s legendary drama, The Ring, will be staged in August of 2013, and already THIS summer we are receiving booking inquires for the three cycles for NEXT year!

The titular Ring grants the power to rule the world, and was forged by a dwarf Alberich from stolen gold. The Ring then is stolen from Alberich by the Chief of the Gods, Wotan, who in turn is forced to give the Ring to giants. Wotan tries to get the Ring back, and this quest lasts three generations. His grandson, the mortal Siegfried, finally wins the Ring, but then dies at the hand of Alberich’s grandson. The final resolution has the Valkyrie Brünnhilde, who was Siegfried's lover and aunt, returning the Ring to its rightful owners, the Rhine maidens from whom the gold was stolen in the first place.

Seattle Opera’s Ring was first staged in 2001 with great critical regard, and has been run again every four years to sold out performances. In 2013 the Opera will run the full opera three times. The four parts of the Ring cycle, Das Rheingold, Die Walkure, Siegfried, and Gotterdammerung, with a total running time of about 15 hours, comprise a six night cycle. Das Rheingold and Die Walkure are done on nights one and two, the third night is a break, the forth night is Seigfriend, and then another break before the sixth and final night, and also the longest, Gotterdammerung.

Next year’s Ring will run on August 4, 5, 7, and 9th for cycle One, August 12, 13, 15 and 17th for cycle Two, and August 20, 21, 23 & 25th for the third and final cycle. If you are a fan of opera, this is a not-to-be-missed event. Tickets to the public go on sale in November at SeattleOpera.org. Seattle Oasis Vacation Rentals is conveniently located to McCaw Hall, less than a mile away. It makes a lovely walk on a warm Seattle summer day, or a quick cab ride.

Picture credit: Seattle Opera

Guest Blogger Flathead Mama and her Seattle Experience

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

From time to time we will invite locals and visitors alike to expound on the Seattle experience. Today, we have a lovely travel post from Rebecca Miller, aka Flathead Mama. Rebecca is a freelance writer and editor, pastor's wife, proud mother, and unofficial promoter of the Flathead Valley of Montana. She is also a recent visitor to Seattle, and I loved her take on our fair city. You can connect with her online at her blog: http://www.flatheadmama.blogspot.com.

So, without further ado, read on for a great vacation stay in this awesome city...

I just returned from our family vacation last week. I had been keeping my expectations low for vacation. Would I be able to sleep on the road? (Thanks to insomnia, this is often a problem for me.) Would I feel well enough to walk around and see the sights? Would I be able to eat anything good (thanks to continuing nausea)?

I have to say that things went better than expected. We went to bed early each night, woke up early and spent our mornings (when I had more energy) walking around and doing fun things. When I began to crash in early afternoon, we returned to our hotel and Christopher took Burrito to the pool or somewhere else fun and I laid down and rested. It worked pretty well! I'm a bit disappointed that my nausea limitations kept me from enjoying as much of the ample foodie-friendly cuisine to be found on the coast as I would have liked, but I'm happy that I did manage to try a few highlights. Now, I will simply have to return another time when I am feeling better!

In Seattle, we bought the City Pass (editor's note, this is a GREAT deal and can be purchased directly from Seattle Oasis Vacation Rentals) and found it a great way to save money and simplify our site-seeing. My favorite site was the Space Needle, which was a super classy way to see the views in Seattle. They had one of the best gift shops among the city's attractions too. I will have to return sometime to sip a glass of red wine from the top of Seattle.

We also managed to escape the rain for a day and get to the Woodland Park Zoo, which was fun for Burrito. She also greatly enjoyed the Aquarium, which is super toddler-friendly. In one section, kids can reach into touching pools and touch starfish and other underwater animals. Christopher and Burrito, my science buffs, enjoyed the Science Museum quite a bit. We took a Harbor Tour through Argosy Cruises as well. The boat could have been a bit cleaner but our tour guide was well informed and entertaining and we enjoyed being out on the water.

My very favorite place in Seattle, though, was the Pike Place Market! This, my friends, is foodie mecca! If I lived in Seattle, I think I would do most of my grocery shopping there. From fresh farm vegetables and fruit, freshly caught fish (I forgot how good fresh fish smell), handmade cheese (and you can even see it made at Beecher's Handmade Cheese), sausages and prepared meats, bakeries....This is the home of beautiful food! We spent the morning of my birthday at Pike Place and it was wonderful.

We stopped at the beautiful Le Panier Bakery and sampled pain au chocolat along with gorgeous, colorful macaroons. This may be hard to believe, but I had never had real French macaroons before. Now I see what all the fuss is about! We had orange and lemon macaroons. Little pillows of joy!

We lunched at Pike Place Chowder; their clam chowder is the best I've ever had: buttery and flavorful! We enjoyed the joy of the fish tossers and the live musicians and the general happiness among everyone working and shopping in the market. And of course I had to visit the original Starbucks and grab a birthday mocha! Pretty sure it tasted better from the original store!:-)

We also managed to stop by one of the most famous food trucks in Seattle and the United States: Maximus Minimus. This pig-shaped food truck has been featured on a number of TV shows and is known for its pulled pork sandwiches, with either Maximus (spicy) or Minimus (sweet) barbecue sauce. We also got some delicious mac and cheese that is prepared by Beecher's and available in the Market, topped off with some Maximus sauce. It was all pretty crave-worthy.

In my next post, I'll share why keeping Portland weird is not an unreachable goal and how the ocean is the best place to be, even if a toddler is nagging at you the whole time.

The Walrus and The Carpenter Review

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

Today we are featuring guest blogger Lisa Kothari. She is a Seattle transplant from the mid-West, and blogs over at The Ray Doc's Wife about "good food, great travel, and seriously fun living." Lisa is a self proclaimed foodie, and from time to time we will be featuring her reviews of nearby eateries. Today's review, The Walrus and The Carpenter, a French inspired oyster bar, is a venture of award winning Chef Renee Erickson. Featured in Bon Appetite, USA Today, and The New York Times, among others, this is a nationally known and highly acclaimed restaurant located in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood.

The Walrus and The Carpenter

A friend took me out for drinks and dinner to celebrate my birthday last week. Given we are both "foodie" types, we chose The Walrus and the Carpenter in the Seattle neighborhood, Ballard. I knew that they didn't take reservations and so given it was a Monday, I thought I would arrive around 5:15 or so and get a table easily. I was completely surprised when I arrived at that time and the entire place was completely full and there was a wait! Wow! This place does have a reputation.

Here's what they write on their website:

The Walrus and the Carpenter blends the elegance of France with the casual comfort of a local fishing pub. “The idea is to serve the highest quality food and drink in a space that is stripped of pretense and feels like home.”

When my friend arrived, they seated us fairly quickly outdoors. Although it was chilly, they had great heaters on the patio and so we decided to take our seats there.

The Walrus and the Carpenter is known for its oysters. Although I am not a fan, my friend ordered several and very much enjoyed them.

I ended up with a glass of champagne...of course.

From there, I enjoyed a mushroom dish - although classified as a salad, it tasted more like a soup. This was truly delicious. (This was my favorite - so, of course, I forgot to snap a picture and just ate it up quick!) Here's a picture of the bread, though:

My friend then ordered a proscuito platter that we thought would be more interesting that it actually was. It did have an interesting sauce, but the meat was simply piled high on the dish in a boring manner. I wouldn't recommend this to you.

Finally, for dessert, we ordered a cup of drinking caramel - and it was a liquid caramel spiced with pepper. That was interesting and super, super sweet. It's not often you can drink caramel like that so it's worth a try.

I loved the atmosphere and the foodie environment. Of course, when you get together with a girlfriend, the best part is the conversation, right? With a few oysters and champagne thrown in, of course!

Our Review of the Great Wheel!

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

The Great Wheel is the giant ferris wheel that has sprung up, seemingly overnight, along the Seattle Waterfront. It's owner, Hal Griffith, bills it as a way to keep foot traffic up along the waterfront during the upcoming Alaskan Way Viaduct construction project. Locals and tourists alike see it as a fun attraction along the central waterfront, and one I couldn't wait to check out personally.

It has received LOTS of attention building up to its grand opening last Friday afternoon, June 29. Though I wanted to be one of the first riders, life got in the way, and I finally made it to the waterfront a week later. I was lucky enough to have my trip fall on a beautiful Seattle summer day. I joined the line that was, at that point, snaking around the Christopher Columbus statue, and starting to head north. In other words, nearly to Alaskan Way.

I had resigned myself to quite the wait, but was pleasantly surprised by the fast moving line, and 40 minutes later was ponying up my $13 (less for kids, seniors, military). A clue for those who think ahead, buy your Great Wheel tickets online, and you may get to skip the ticket line. More waiting, in the ubiquous maze popular with all ride lines and we were being ushered into gondola number nine of 42.

The ride lasts about 15 minutes, and is smooth as silk. On this calm, sunny day I really couldn't feel the movement of the wheel, just witnessed it with my eyes as we gentled ascended 175 feet to the peak. The air conditioners within the units are not powerful, but adequate, as are the seats. There is very little rock in the gondolas, and the views! Oh my...the Great Wheel actually extends out over Elliott Bay by about 40 feet, and you look up and down the waterfront, to the city, and out across the water to the Olympics.

My only complaint was that with my party of two, we had to share our gondola with another small party. It wasn't so bad, really, and had a nice chat with some other locals downtown for the day, but it did block me from taking a picture looking out toward the water! That being said, I certainly understand the need to double small groups up when the line is as long as it was. On a beautiful sunset evening, I can actually see the Great Wheel being a popular proposal spot, if you can beg or bribe the operator into a seat in the sky for two.

A week after the grand opening, they were still doing some clean up at the Great Wheel site. However, on this jewel of a day, eyes were looking outward and upward.

Excellent Public Transportation Makes Seattle Easy for Those Without Cars

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

Seattle’s public transportation system is one of the most extensive in the country, which is a boon for the budget minded tourist. King County Metro and Sound Transit both offer you the ability to plan your trip, locate your route, schedule, or bus stop; and to track your bus online. Trip itineraries can be planned before your arrive!

An excellent way to use the system becomes apparent the moment you step off the plane. Sound Transit's Light Rail system delivers you from Seatac Airport into the heart of downtown Seattle in about 45 minutes for a tenth of what a taxi or shuttle would cost.

Within blocks of the Seattle Oasis Vacation condos, buses stop that will take you to Woodland Park Zoo, The Museum of Flight, Lake Washington, Capitol Hill, Alki Beaach, the International District, Bellevue, and regional malls such as Northgate or Westfield Southcenter.

There are even APPs for access to real-time transit information. Go to http://metro.kingcounty.gov/ and click on Regional Trip Planner or call 206.553.3000 for assistance in planning your trip on Seattle’s bus system.

Belltown Good Eats!

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

Seattle is a foodie paradise! There is everything a hungry traveler could want, but did you know that you have a wealth of choices located in the same building as your condo? That’s right, for guests staying in our Belltown Court condos, you have dining choices galore by just stepping off the elevator!

Macrina: At the corner of First and Battery. http://macrinabakery.com
Folks staying in our Tuscan Oasis may just be lucky enough to awake to the smell of their award winning breads and pastries as they come out of the oven. They have unbelievable brunch, pastries, and muffins. Great place for coffee and a pastry for a quick morning bite to eat and excellent lunch spot as well. This place wins Seattle’s #1 bakery every year, and one visit should tell you why.

Branzino: At the corner of Second and Wall. http://www.branzinoseattle.com
Here you will find Italian cuisine with a comfortably romantic atmosphere. They also have an excellent bartender with great classic cocktails. Things to try here are the Gnocchi with brown butter and sage, the Parpardelle, and their excellent Brussel Sprouts with balsamic glaze. They also have a great happy hour.

Belltown Pizza: Middle of the block on the First Avenue side. http://www.belltownpizza.net
This is a friendly neighborhood joint with good atmosphere and very nice service. They serve thin crust pizzas and we have heard great things about the artichoke dip! Dinner only, they open at 4pm and are a great place for a casual pizza-and-beers dinner.

La Vita and Bella: Middle of the block, on the Second Avenue side. http://www.lavitaebella.us/
Their specials are excellent, using the freshest ingredients they can get their hands on for that day. All the pastas are made in-house. Try the wine and bruschetta combination for a snack or light meal. The atmosphere is cozy and occasionally they have a gentleman playing accordion, which really does set a nice mood.

Shiro’s: Corner of Second and Battery http://shiros.com/
If you are a sushi lover, this restaurant is a treat and a must-do. A two-time James Beard nominee, Master Chef Shiro Kashiba has been profiled in every major cuisine periodical and newspaper including Bon Appetit, The New York Times, and USA Today. Chef Shiro uses traditional Japanese sushi technique on the Pacific Northwest's wealth of local seafood. As Zagat says, Shiro’s has "set the bar that others aspire to.” Chef Shiro still works the sushi bar, and if you are lucky, you will be seated in front of him to experience the best sushi on the west coast.

Bisato: Corner of First and Battery. http://www.bisato.com/
This is a tasting menu concept restaurant by award winning Chef Scott Carsberg where you are expected to order two or three entrees, which are “snack sized.” The octopus puttanesca always gets rave reviews here. Food is modern, unique and inventive; this is a true “foodie” destination and unlike any other restaurant in Seattle. Strict 21 and over policy here.

Seattle City Pass is an Excellent Value!

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

City Pass is an excellent way to see the top attractions in Seattle, and save some time and money. City Pass allows you to see THE top attractions in Seattle over the course of nine days for up to 50% off the posted ticket price AND to skip the lines!

As of this writing, Seattle’s City Pass provides admission to the Space Needle (two trips to the top), Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Harbor Tours, Pacific Science Center, EMP, and either Woodland Park Zoo OR the Museum of Flight. This is a $126.25 ticketed value that costs only $69 for adults and $44 for kids 4-12. I will often tell guests that this is a money and time saver even if you don’t plan, or don’t have time, to visit all six attractions. Three attractions will have you just about breaking even on the costs, and a benefit of City Pass is that you don’t have to wait in line (except at your very first venue) so it is a great time saver.

My favorite attraction of the seven possibilities may very well be the most obvious. The Space Needle is the icon of Seattle, and the view from the top is understandably spectacular. This year, the Space Needle turns 50, and the city and Seattle Center have been celebrating. The saucer on the Needle has been painted its original Re-entry Orange, a new glass exhibit, zip line and more have been installed at the Seattle Center, and special events are planned throughout the year. The City Pass admission will get up the Needle twice in a 24 hour period. Go during the day to see the city, neighborhoods, mountains and water spread out before you. Return in the evening to catch the sunset, and the city come to sparkling life below your feet.

Seattle Oasis Vacation Rentals provides beautiful, professionally decorated condos in the heart of Seattle's vibrant and busy Belltown neighborhood. For rates and availability, go to www.seattleoasisvacations.com

University District Street Fair This Weekend-May 19-20, 2012

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

In town this weekend? One of my personal signs that summer is right around the corner is the U District Street Fair, running May 19-20. This, to me, marks the beginning of Seattle’s summer festival season and this year is the 43rd annual edition, making it the longest running street festival in the country!

Eats are always good here; hot hogs, pizza and regular street fair food share equal billing with ethnic, vegan and more unique choices. Food vendors and craft booths will number close to 350 for 2012. Expect to see glassworks, jewelry, ceramics, art prints, handmade toys and more as you browse the artisans. Combine food and art with street performers and live music on three different stages spread throughout the venue, and this makes it a great, and FREE, event for the entire family. Always crowded, always fun. There is a reason it has lived on for 43 years.

The fair stretches from 41st to 50th along University Way and runs from 10-7 Saturday and 10-6 on Sunday. Parking is either very expensive or non-existent, so take the bus or park in the neighborhoods surrounding the District, and walk in. From downtown Seattle, buses to the U District run frequently from 3rd and Pine.

King Tut Returns to Seattle May 24, 2012.

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

When King Tut was last in our area in 1978, it was one of the biggest hits of the art/archeology/history worlds to visit Seattle EVER. In four months, 1.3 million people viewed that exhibit of 55 items from the tomb of the boy king, and it is still one of the most popular exhibits in Pacific Science Center history.

How exciting is it then that we are weeks away from the sequel! The new exhibit, Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs will open May 24, and run through January 6, 2013. Already dates are selling out for this iconic exhibit. It will include more than 100 objects from King Tut's tomb as well as other rulers of ancient Eygpt. With more than twice the number of artifacts than the 1978 exhibit, many of these objects have never toured in the United States. A highlight will be a 10-foot statue of the pharaoh Tut found at the remains a funerary temple of two of his high officials. Items will include jewelry, furniture and ceremonial items, as well as golden sandals King Tut was buried with. It will not include the golden burial mask, nor his mummy, as these items have been deemed too fragile, and are no longer permitted to leave Egypt. However, there will be an exact replica of his mummy on display in the final gallery along with new information authorities in Egypt have found regarding the mysteries about King Tut’s life and suspicious death.

Seattle is the last stop for Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs, before its return to Egypt, so it is the last chance for North America to see this fascinating display. Seattle Oasis Vacation Rentals is situated six blocks from the Seattle Center and the Pacific Science Center. Make a weekend of this, and bring the kids down to the city to see a once in a lifetime (outside of Egypt) exhibit of art, science and history.

May means Seattle International Film Festival

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

May is here, and single tickets just went on sale for the Seattle International Film Festival. Yahoo!

The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) is one of the TOP film festivals in North America, and as of 2011, the largest, most highly-attended film festival in the United States (over 150,000 patrons in 2011!). Variety has dubbed it one of the 50 unmissable film festivals in the world.

This year expect to see features, short films, animated films, and documentaries from 70 countries. Highlights of this year’s festival are ShortsFest Weekend on Memorial Day Weekend at SIFF Cinema Uptown, a free screening of Coal Miner’s Daughter at the Mural Amphitheatre (I am always a sucker for a movie outdoors), and a Films4Families program that will include seven brand new feature-length films, including the first Seattle screening of Brave, Disney/Pixar’s much anticipated new film. Of course, the real draw is the 450 unique films that, quite often, the only way to see is at a festival such as this one. It is truly a treasure in the Seattle events calendar.

SIFF’s Opening Night Gala is on May 17 (as of this writing tickets are still available). This kick-off event is always a fabulous time, and is complete this year with a screening of Your Sister's Sister, starring Emily Blunt, Rosemarie DeWitt and Mark Duplass. The film, which made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, will get a wide release in summer 2012. The movie screening is followed by hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and complimentary cocktails.

Also on deck for this year, 2012 Tribute honorees Oscar-winning actress Sissy Spacek and director William Friedkin (director for The Exorcist, The French Connection) will be recognized for their careers in film.

For a great guide for SIFF, check out this article in the Seattle Times.

Seattle Oasis Vacation Rentals still has condos available for the run of SIFF. Ideally located and close to many of the SIFF venues, come to the city and enjoy the best films of 2012.

Are you Rock n Rolling?

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

This year’s edition of the Seattle Rock n Roll Marathon is Saturday June 23, 2012. Part athletic event, part block party, this series is immensely popular, with tens of thousands of runners and fans flocking to the course each year. Local bands such as DJ Wishbone, Stereo Sons, and Johnny Astro will perform along the route, and the headliner concert at the finish line will be Gym Class Heros.

The course is all new this year, starting and finishing at the Seattle Center. Besides rockin’ out every mile to live music, the signature of Rock n Roll events the world 'round, participants will be treated to a running tour of Seattle, seeing the Space Needle, downtown Seattle, Lake Washington and the I-90 floating bridge before returning to finish in the shadow of the Space Needle.

If you are planning to run the Seattle Rock n Roll this year, and haven’t yet made your reservations for accommodations, HURRY! There are more people running than there are hotel rooms in Seattle! Here at Seattle Oasis Vacation Rentals, we are perfectly situated within blocks of the Start/Finish line to make your race day stress free and convenient. Walk to and from the race through Belltown, relax in our spacious condos, make the perfect pre-race meal in our fully equipped kitchen. 7 am start? No problem, as you are literally minutes from the event!

As of this writing, we only have three condos left for Rock n Roll race weekend. Enjoy the pool, hot tub, and European courtyard in our 1 Bedroom Belltown Water View Oasis. Take in a sparkling view of Seattle in our 1 Bedroom Sweeping City View Oasis. Enjoy all that Seattle has to offer in our 1 Bedroom Downtown Seattle Oasis. Whatever you do, don't tarry! We sell out for Rock n Roll weekend every year.

Eat Like a Local: Garlic Fries

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

Eat Like a Local: Garlic Fries

The glory days of our local baseball team seems eons ago, but with April, hope springs eternal with a new Major League Baseball season upon us. Perhaps this is the year our boys will carry the day right into October? One can only hope, and graze your way around the Safe as you do so.

Seattle’s game food culture is a unique signature of the city, and has been for years. Tailgating at Seahawk games is an art form, and often a competition that aligns with the game on the field (Anyone remember the Seahawks game day Philly Steak versus Smoked Salmon throw down?) Husky games bring their own flair as folks tailgate on their boats, one of the coolest and most unique sights in college sports.

The baseball stadium, in many people’s minds, tops it all, and for many reasons. First off, Safeco Field is one of the few venues in MLB where you can bring in outside food. Vendors line up along the access to the stadium and you can bring in your own peanuts and cracker jacks for a fraction of the inside prices. I have actually seen folks carry in pizzas!

Secondly, if you decide to partake in the grub inside the Safe, you can actually walk around the stadium completely, grazing your way from snack to snack without missing a pitch. Choices range from the traditional hot dogs and beer to Dungeness crab sandwiches, Garden burgers and Ichi-rolls (Safeco Field’s take on a spicy tuna roll). New to the Safe’s offerings for 2012, local Celebrity Chef Ethan Stowell has brought his A game to new concession offerings including grass-fed BBQ brisket and pulled pork sandwiches, an updated "anti-fast-food" burger, and an Oyster Po' Boy.

All of this sounds yummy, and since I have eaten most of these, I can attest to the fact that pretty much everything tastes great as well. However, if you are eating at the ballpark, Safeco’s signature “eat” is not a hot dog, or cracker jacks, but rather Garlic Fries. Take what seems to be a normal order of fries, add about a pound of garlic and a dusting of parsley. They are more than the words on the page, so delish they are habit forming and for many non-baseball fans the only reason to go to the ballpark. So popular, the air in the Safe is infused with the scent of garlic. Combine that with the spectacular city skyline beyond the stands, the sun setting over Elliott Bay and it is a not-to-be-forgotten eating AND ballpark experience.

We are an "Rated Excellent" Property on Flipkey!

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

We are SO proud and excited!

Recently we found out we have been singled out as a "Rated Excellent" Property on Trip Advisor's Flipkey! This means that we averaged four stars or above in our guest reviews over the last year. Many thanks to our past guests for making this distinction possible!

Now, we know we offer the best vacation rental experience in Seattle, with beautiful and luxurious condos in the exciting Belltown neighborhood. And we work HARD to make sure each guest experience is second to none, with a smooth check-in process, immaculately clean residences, and recommendations for things to do and ratings of local restaurants available right in the condo. We are always available for our guests if something goes go wrong, or if they just need a question answered.

It is great to be recognized for all our hard work by those people who have stayed with us in the past. Thank you! And believe me when I say, we are striving to be repeat recipients in 2013!

Spring is Finally Sprung--Go Check Out the Arboretum This Weekend!

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

Seattle has a generous amount of open, green areas in its neighborhoods, but as locals, the Washington Arboretum and Japanese Garden is a special place we never get tired of. This large park consists of a collection of over 2,000 botanical species; a true arboretum. It doesn’t matter what time of year you visit, Mother Nature will have something to show you. Cherry Blossoms are dazzling you currently with their sweet frothy pinkness, and the show continues with late April sweet-smelling clethra, rhodies in May for Mother’s Day, all the way through to the Arboretum’s winter garden that boasts blooms even in the dark of January.

The paths through this amazing place twist here and there and take you from open and sunny Azalea Way to woodsy little grottos were you would expect to see woodland fairy creatures, and makes a great place to enjoy the outdoors with your kids. Let them lead the way, and have snacks and drinks ready when they tire.

Near the visitor’s center (on the hill), they have display gardens, and down toward Lake Washington from there, they have a wetlands trail/boardwalk that you can follow through Foster Island toward Husky Stadium and the Montlake Cut to watch the pleasure boat traffic.This makes a soggy springtime walk, so bring the Wellies, but as the season progresses, it DOES dry out.

A favorite summertime outing includes a blanket and a good book in one of the Arboretums sunny meadows. Add some snacks, and it makes for the perfect, lazy summer day.

While the large Arboretum is free, the Japanese Garden at the south edge does have an entry fee of $6 per adult and additional $1 to feed the koi (prices subject to change). It’s a lovely little piece of the larger park and an excellent example of Japanese landscaping. The garden took a pretty significant hit from the winter ice storm but caretakers have repaired and it was ready for its annual first-viewing ceremony in early March.

There is a large pond with turtles and the aforementioned (well fed) koi, and all types of Japanese plants that are beautifully maintained in the Japanese style. A handout is available that lists the plants and meanings of certain aspects and symbolizations of the garden. There is also a formal Japanese tea ceremony program available here during summer months.

Sakura-Con: Exciting is building for April 2012!

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

Sakura-Con is one of the biggest conventions to hit Seattle in 2012, and promises to be its biggest one yet for the 15th Anniversary of this annual celebration of everything related to Japanese pop culture. The Washington State Convention Center will be packed to capacity with gamers, amine fans, music fans and more April 6-8, 2012

Sakura-Con is completely volunteer, run by the fans for the fans, and will offer around the clock gaming, special guests in both music and fashion industries, a masquerade ball, fashion shows, fan and industry panels, contests and more.

Besides appearances by STEREOPONY, Kanon Wakeshima and Japanese fashion powerhouses Yuko Ashizawa and Fumiko Kawamura, there will a very special appearance by GoFa. GoFa stands for "Gallery of Fantastic Art" and is a Japanese non-profit organization dedicated to bringing Japanese anime, manga, and SFX to the world. This will be world class Japanese art rarely seen in person outside of Japan.

The highlight of the convention is the Masquerade Ball. A family friendly event, it promises to be a visual delight, with attendees dressing as their favorite (usually anime) character, and masks are required.

Seattle Oasis Vacation Rentals provides the finest accommodations available within walking distance of the Washington State Convention Center, and will give Sakura-Con attendees plenty of room for preparing for the Masquarade Ball, including an ironing board and iron, and washer and dryer in the condos! For more information, go to www.seattleoasisvacations.com.

Whatever You Do, Don't Miss the Market!

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

If you had time to see only one thing in Seattle, without hesitation we would say that “one thing” has to be the Pike Place Market!

Believe it or not, the Market was almost torn down in the 1960’s and replaced with "Pike Plaza", an urban renewal project that would have included a hotel, an apartment building, office buildings, a hockey arena, and a parking garage. Can you imagine?! This was supported by the then mayor, the city council, and unbelievably some of the market property owners. Thankfully, a large contingent of community activities saved the day, most noteably Victor Steinbrueck who is the namesake of the park at the north end of the Market, and the Market lives on as a National Historical Landmark, and the true soul of the city of Seattle.

Over 400 vendors call “the Market” home, and it is actually much bigger than it appears as your approach. The Market is built on the edge of a steep hill, and consists of several lower levels located below the main level. Shops such as antique dealers, comic book sellers, and small family-owned restaurants populate this area, and really should not be missed.

The joy of the Pike Place Market is that it can be something different each time you go. If you are looking for souvenirs to take home, check out the “Down Under” or head to the north end of the main pavilion to check out truly unique items from local craftspeople. Hankering for a casual lunch? From the main Public Market sign, head north. On the right side of the street, at almost every step there is a new taste street waiting for you from the numerous food stalls. Filipino, Chinese, Italian, Russian, a fresh bakery, a cheese maker, produce stands and seafood places all beckon. Many have seating, and tucked into nooks and crannies of the historic buildings are more seating areas, just keep an open eye. Are you planning on making dinner at the condo tonight? Shop the main pavilion for Italian deli delicacies, handcrafted sausage, sustainable seafood, the butcher shop, the tea and spice market, and some of the best produce you have ever laid your eyes on.

The Pike Place Market is truly our favorite spot in Seattle, enjoyable on a warm sunny day or gray and rainy one. It is a mix of all that we love about our great city; the restaurants, the produce, the people, the sights.

Last Weekend for Rosalie Whyel's Museum of Doll Art

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

A true treasure in Western Washington is about to close its doors forever on March 1.

Rosalie Whyel's Museum of Doll Art, located in the downtown Bellevue, is a wonderful place; a unique museum that draws visitors in with history, beauty and fun. Due to declining attendence, the museum will close its doors for good next Thursday, and I encourage you to make a visit with someone special this weekend.

A recent visit with my own daughter found the museum busy. While many visitors appeared to be moms and daughters, or aunts and nieces, or grandmothers and grand-daughters, there were men and boys in attendance as well, and all seemed to be enthralled with the displays.

Dolls range from wax models to Barbies and everything in between. Displays of tribal wear document garments worn by many Native American and African tribes. Period dolls display fashions of the day of both men and women, and I myself was fascinated by the early mechanical features in dolls. There were dolls from the 1800s that walked and ate, but also dolls that played the harp, powdered their nose, or rode a camel! The museum is interactive, with videos and pull out drawers to add dimension to the displays.

I highly recommend this fantastic place. Spend a few hours here this weekend before you lose the chance forever!

Picture courtesy of Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art

Oklahoma at the 5th Avenue

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

On Friday, February 3, one of the most beloved Broadway musicals of all time will open at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre. Oklahoma! by Rogers and Hammerstein, originally opened on Broadway in 1943 and follows the love story of a cowboy and a farm girl in Oklahoma Territory at the turn of the century. It won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1955, and a Pulitzer Prize in 1944.

Seattle is lucky to have the 5th Avenue Theatre, and all of the Broadway touring companies the presence of the venerable theatre brings to town. Tickets for Oklahoma! are available now, and the show runs February 3-March 4. As an extra bonus, after the professional version of Oklahoma!, local kids will produce their own version of Olahoma, with local teens doing the on-stage work, plus all the production behind the scenes! The Seattle Youth Symphony will play the score, and all this will be done under the direction of theatre professionals. Show dates are March 16-17, 2012. Whichever you choose, Broadway professionals or the local students, Oklahoma! is sure to be a "can't miss" show at the 5th Avenue.

Come to downtown Seattle, take in this awesome show, and make a weekend of it in one of our fantastic one or two bedroom vacation condos.

Seattle Inside! With Kids on the Waterfront Edition!

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

To me, February is the longest month. Perhaps it's because my birthday is the beginning of March, and as a child, the days seemed to drag. Perhaps because, here in Seattle, February tends to be one long stretch of gray and rainy days. Whatever the cause, looking to break up this last full month of winter with some fun ways to get out, by staying in.

For an enjoyable afternoon with kids big and small, check out the Seattle waterfront. Starting at the north end, start your day at the Seattle Aquarium. A brand new baby sea otter was born January 14, and is unbearably cute and fluffy. Besides the big draw of a cute baby for your baby, they have a couple large touch tanks, the underwater dome, and octopus feedings daily.

Next, head a few piers south to Miner's Landing at Pier 57. At the end of the pier find an indoor carousel. This is the same place that was featured on Extreme Makeover-Home Edition, and is a joy for kids of all ages, and at $1.50 a ride, feel free to go 'round a couple times.

Finish your afternoon at Ye Olde Curiosity Shop. Full of tourist-friendly merchandise and curiosities from around the world, including Northwest Native art, Sylvester the Mummy, a two-headed calf, and "real" shrunken heads.

Stop anywhere along the way for a lunch or snack, as restaurants line the piers from start to end. If the weather breaks, pack a picnic to eat at Pier 58, between Miner's Landing and the Seattle Aquarium.

Make Plans for Beauty and the Beast!

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, the smash hit Broadway musical, is coming to Seattle! Based on the Academy® Award-winning animated film, which was just re-released in 3-D, this is sure to be a Broadway event, and a great reason to enjoy the arts as a mom and daughter night out, girls' night out, or romantic evening for two.

Don't get caught up with BEAUTY AND THE BEAST being a "kids" show, this is a classic love story, with complex and well thought out characters. Belle is a beautiful young woman living in a small (I always assumed French) town. The Beast is no beast at all, but really a handsome young prince trapped by an evil spell. The Beast must learn to love and be loved in his ugly form before time runs out for the spell to be broken. Beautiful costumes, breathtaking sets, and wonderful choreography and music, including songs from the movie, such as “Be Our Guest” round out the experience.

Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST will be playing February 21-26, 2012 at the Paramount Theatre. Tickets are sure to go fast for this very short run of this wildly popular Broadway show, so don't delay.

Are you planning to come into Seattle from out of town to see the show? Why not make a weekend of it? Enjoy downtown Seattle before the crowds of tourists come in, have dinner in one of many world class restaurants, and stay with us at Seattle Oasis Vacations.

Children's Film Festival Seattle 2012

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

The Children's Film Festival 2012 is right around the corner, and for those of you who enjoy the Seattle International Film Festival, or used to enjoy SIFF before your own foray into parenthood, this is the event for you.

This year's edition of the Children's Film Festival Seattle 2012 opens on January 26 with "Tales of the Night" fresh from this year's Berlin Film Festival and done by Michael Ocelot, a french aminator regarded as highly as Japan's Hiyao Miyazaki.

There is a wild blend of live performances (including Casper Babypants, the kids' band fronted by Chris Ballew of The Presidents of the United States of America), animation, features, film shorts, historical films, and hands-on workshops.

This year's festival runs January 26-February 5, 2012 and if you are interested in coming into town to check out an internationally acclaimed field of the best of children's cinema, check out the availability of our one and two bedroom vacation condos located iin the heart of Belltown and less than a mile from the Children's Film Festival cinemas on 12th between Pike and Pine.

Seattle Boat Show 2012-we have accommodations!

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

The Seattle Boat Show is here again, and again it is the biggest boating show on the west coast. This year's event will feature more than 1,000 recreational watercraft, seminars and the latest accessories indoors at CenturyLink Field. In addition, boats afloat will be on South Lake Union. Free shuttle will run between the two venues (CenturyLink Field and South Lake Union) every 30 minutes every day of the show. A great plus for this year's event; January 30th is free admission for women with a pass printed from the website.

Are you coming for the boat show, either as an exhibitor or to attend? Seattle Oasis Vacation Rentals is perfectly located between the two venues. Our one and two bedroom condos make a great alternative to a hotel, with a fully equipped kitchen and comfortable living spaces.

Seattle International Chamber Music Festival

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

The Seattle Chamber Music Society presents its 32nd Annual Winter Festival February 2nd - 5th. The main Winter Season consists of four main concerts featuring Beethoven, Suk, Brahms and Schubert, among others, aling with three pre-concert recitals. The family concert, on Saturday morning, features the The Bremen Town Musicians. All concerts and recitals are at Benaroya Hall in downtown Seattle.

Enjoy this weekend of world class chamber music by making a weekend of it in downtown Seattle. Seattle Oasis Vacation Rentals has one and two bedroom vacation condos one half mile from Benaroya Hall. Our condos come fully equipped for a weekend away, and many offer city or water views. Take a vacation in the city!

Cavalia-what an experience!

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

Cavalia, delayed slightly because of the terrible weather Seattle has had, is on, and playing through February 19th.

Talk about a magical experience! It is part circus, part Lippizaner Stallions, and all magic. It is for horse lovers, and more. It is a fantastic show! Playing under the big top in Marymoor Park in Redmond, about the only negative thing is the tightness of the seats.

The stylistic leanings is toward Cirque de Soleil (who is in fact a producer of the show), with drama and theatre. Acrobats share the limelight with the horses, and breathtakiing stunts and beautiful horse groupings abound. It's a show I highly recommend, for a romantic night out (they are doing Cavalia special for Valentine's Day), or a mom's special time with the horse crazy daughter.

If you are coming in from out of town, and want to make a weekend of it, Seattle Oasis Vacation Rentals has great availability for both our one and two bedroom vacation condos. Combine Cavalia with a romantic Valentine's Weekend and get a free bottle of wine. Mention our Valentine's special when booking before January 29th!

Make Valentine's Day Special This Year

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, just a bit more than a month out. I have suggestions today for both couples and singles to make Valentine's Day 2012 memorable!

First off, for the couples. May I suggest a night at the ballet? Pacific Northwest Ballet is staging Don Quixote February 3-12. From the PNB website: "Based on an episode from Cervantes' famous novel, Don Quixote de la Mancha, the story follows its title hero, a middle-aged country gentleman absorbed with tales of chivalry and a dream-lover, Dulcinea. With his squire Sancho Panza, Don Quixote ventures to the legendary city of Barcelona and discovers spirited young lovers Kitri and Basilio. When Kitri's father plots her marriage to a wealthy fool, the couple hides with a troupe of actors whose play-acting causes the Don to be transported by visions fair and foul. Kitri is eventually discovered and feigns a broken heart when Basilio pretends to stab himself in despair. Don Quixote intervenes for the lovers so persuasively that Kitri’s father must give his consent, and all celebrate the wedding as the Don resumes his quest." This is the American Premiere of this ballet, and the actor Tom Skerrit is starring in the title role. The music is vibrant and the ballet actually has funny bits! Really! It sounds immensely entertaining, and I highly recommend it.

Make a weekend of it by booking one of our fantastic 1 or 2 bedroom vacation rentals, and team the ballet with a romantic dinner at Chez Shea (in the Market) or The Coterie Room, plus a peaceful get-away in the heart of Downtown.

For all you singles out there, time to get crazy with it! Gather some friends and head to your own private karaoke room at Venus Karaoke in the International District (601 S. King St.). They are open 'til 4am, and have a HUGE song list. It is private rooms, so buy a banquet permit from the liquor control board, BYOB, and let the good times roll! Also, interestingly, food fights are allowed for a $50 fee. Hmmmmm.....

Chocolate Paradise

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

Visiting Seattle for business or pleasure this cold, rainy month of January? I have just what you need to bulk up on calories burned shivering in the damp and dodging raindrops; The Chocolate Box Experience.

The Chocolate Box is "celebration of the best chocolatiers in the Northwest" and their Chocolate Box Experience is a tasting experience of the best they have to offer. Spend a weekend morning learning the best way to melt chocolate (and experiment with dipping media-yum!), learn the best way of making the perfect ganache, and enjoy coupious amounts of samples from Seattle's premium chocolate producers. End the experience with a discount in their Pine Street store, where the likes of Fran's, Theo Chocolates, and Dilettante are sold. They even have sugar free and vegan varieties to choose from.

Space is limited for this unique foodie experience. The Chocolate Box Experience tickets run $49 a person, and run weekends from now until April 6. Store and tour is located at 108 Pine Street.

There is never a bad time to visit Seattle!

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

Being a native, I am most definitely partial to this beautiful city. The water, the mountains, the green trees even in the depth of winter; I even like the rain. Our mild climate means we don’t get the extremes in temperature common in other parts of the country, and that means ANYTIME is a great time to visit this picturesque and trendy part of the country.

Events, festivals, and happenings are year-round. Bring a coat during fall and winter, and be prepared for rain year-round. Here are some highlights to put on the must do list when planning your Seattle vacation:

For the Arts crowd, the Seattle Art Museum has scored a coup with its presentation of Gauguin & Polynesia: An Elusive Paradise, running February 9 through April 29, 2012. Described as a “landmark show highlighting the complex relationship between Paul Gauguin's work and the art and culture of Polynesia” it is making its only US showing here in Seattle.

In April, paradise can be found 60 miles north of Seattle in the tulip fields of Skagit County. Acres upon acres of fields blooming in every color of the rainbow make the Skagit County Tulip Festival a memorable day trip from the city. Fields can be viewed as a driving tour, or rent a bike and enjoy a mostly flat roll through the fertile Skagit Valley.

In May, the unofficial start of the outdoor festival season occurs with the University District Street Fair. In its 43rd year, this grand-daddy of street fairs features over 350 craft, information and food booths, three main stages and street performers. Last year 50,000 attendees enjoyed this uniquely Seattle rite of Spring.

In June, the Rock n Roll Marathon takes center stage. With a new route that starts and ends at the Seattle Center, participants will be rocking out to bands every mile of the route. We are expecting 30,000 entrants to this year’s event, making Rock n Roll Marathon one of the biggest events on the 2012 calendar.

Going to the Wedding Show?

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

...or are you an exhibitor looking for last minute accommodations for Wedding Show weekend? The Seattle Wedding Show is consistantly voted the best wedding show in the Northwest by attendees, so you don't want to miss it!

Seattle Oasis Vacations is a smart alternative to the big hotels. If you are traveling with a colleague, our two bedroom condos are perfect, providing you with two private bedrooms, a full kitchen and comfortable living area to plan for the day ahead.

Are you coming in to attend the show from out of town? Make a weekend of it, and attend both days. Properties have last minute availability for Seattle Wedding Show weekend. Staying in our beautiful Belltown condos with mom, or a couple of girlfriends will make this a fun and productive girls weekend out. Dining and shops are steps away, and the Seattle Wedding Show 2012 is a walk or short cab ride away.

For current availablity, go to Seattle Oasis Vacations.

Which Burger is Best?

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

One of the most frequent questions we receive at Seattle Oasis Vacations as we are welcoming guests to our fantastic 1 and 2 bedroom vacation properties is where is the best place to eat? Seattle is a foodie paradise, with world class sushi, high end steak houses and eclectic ethnic restaurants all within steps of the front door of our Belltown properties.

WIth that being said, it is still true that almost nothing is as good as a burger done right, and in the January 2012 issue, Seattle Magazine dishes on the best burgers in the city. No surprise to us, Belltown is well represented with not one, but two, category winners!

Two Bells Bar and Grill: Two Bells won the best Dive Bar Burger with its Tavern Burger (and don't be fooled, this really is a tavern, not a bar, so the ambiance may not be for everyone). Darik, owner of Seattle Oasis Vacations, agrees, and gives this place a big thumbs up. Burgers are cooked to order (which means you CAN get it done medium, if that is your choice) and served with thick bacon, onions, mayo, mustard, tomatoes, pickles and Tillamook cheddar on a sourdough baguette. It is a burger that has been around for YEARS, and with good reason. No fries here, but get the home-made baked beans as your side, free with your burger. Also, a great selection of beers. Located at 2313 Fourth Ave.

Local 360: Local 360 places an emphasis on local sourcing of food, with the majority of what they serve produced within a 360 mile radius of Seattle. This tasty version of a burger is on a classic bun and won the Best All American Burger category with a specially seasoned blend of locally produced ground beef that again is cooked to order, and can come with their awesome skin-on thick cut fries. Standard burger fixin's here include mixed greens, bread and butter pickles (made here) and aioli. 2234 First

MLA Conference is coming to town

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

The Modern Language Association is one of the larger conventions to come to Seattle in 2012, and it is starting the year off with a bang, as dates run January 5-8, 2012. This convention is for MLA members and others involved in the study or teaching of language and literature, and honestly, as a non-MLA member who loves books and the origins of language, I would love to be able to sit in on some sessions that are open to the public!

If you are coming to town for the MLA Convention and are looking for last minute MLA convention accommodations, consider Seattle Oasis Vacation Rentals. They make a highly attractive alternative to hotels, especially if you are bringing the family or traveling with collegues. Our one and two bedroom condos in the heart of Belltown offer a fully stocked kitchen, private bedrooms and comfort that the hotels can't match. All of our vacation properties are a mile or less from the Convention Center.

For availability and to check out our awesome properties, search Seattle Oasis Vacation properties here.

Give the Gift of Seattle

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

The holidays are upon us! We are down to the last minute. Stress levels are rising. Those gifts for the hard to please, or relative-who-has-everything have NOT been checked off the list. Argg! May we at Seattle Oasis Vacations suggest the gift of Seattle, and all it has to offer?

Imagine…your teen-aged or pre-teen daughter has everything she could ever want or need, and you really don’t want to buy her MORE stuff. How about a stay in a modern and luxurious condo in hip Belltown? A trip to EMP, time at the Pike Place Market and waterfront (check out Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe, a kid favorite for good, touristy fun), or head to the top of the Space Needle for the quintessential Seattle experience. This would be a holiday gift she will never forget, and give you and her valuable bonding time.

Your in-laws are coming in from out of town, and always complain about the noise the kids make. How about a quiet, plush condo near top restaurants, the theatres, and more? Throw in tickets to a show for extra brownie points (for upcoming events, check here for the Paramount or here for the 5th Avenue Theatre)!

You and your honey have been frazzled, and haven’t sat down for a conversation (what’s that?) in weeks? Imagine giving him or her a get-away in the heart of Seattle, complete with romantic dinner at Chez Shea or El Gaucho? Oh la la! What a way to relax, recharge, and reconnect with one another.

Give us a call at206.456.5251 or check out the website Seattle Oasis Vacations and we can help plan a stay at one of our fabulous vacation properties. We still have limited availability the week between Christmas and New Year’s, as well as January, and provide a suitable certificate announcing your gift to the receipient. We would love to host your holiday gift!

Holidays are Magical in downtown Seattle!

SeattleOasis@seattleoasisvacations.com

Are you looking to give experiences, rather than gifts, this holiday season? There is no more magical an experience that downtown Seattle during the holidays, and we at Seattle Oasis Vacation Rentals love to share all that our beautiful city has to offer! The glow of the Macy’s star reflecting in the eyes of bustling shoppers along 4th avenue, the holiday carousel at Westlake Center, and the horse draw carriages all add up to a one of a kind experience.

Seattle Oasis Vacation Rentals still has limited availability during this most joyous season. One bedroom properties are available weekend and mid-week in the time leading up to Christmas and New Year’s Day. Are you looking for a quiet get-away with your honey? Or a last minute shopping trip with the girls? Our one bedroom condos are six blocks away from the Seattle Center, and the world famous New Year’s Eve Space Needle fireworks show. What a great way to usher in 2012!

There is so much to do to celebrate the season, I couldn’t possible list everything, but here are some of my favorites, and all are a short walk from our vacation properties:

A Christmas Carol at ACT Theatre: The staging of this classic is a Seattle tradition, and the story of Scrooge and his Christmas Eve transformation serves to remind us what's really important during special time of year. Some performances are already sold out, but there are still shows with good availability. For more information or tickets, go to ACT Theatre.

Gingerbread Village at the Seattle Sheraton: For 19 years, the master bakers at the Seattle Sheraton have partnered with local architects to whip up amazing gingerbread creations during the holidays to raise money for Juvinile Diabetes. Their hard work is on display until New Year’s Day, and you can vote for your favorite creation. This event is FREE to the public. For more information to go to the Gingerbread Village website.

Ride the Ducks Wine and Lights Tour: I love driving around the neighborhood and seeing the holiday lights, but I have to admit this tour has my little family excursion totally beat! Part one of the evening will have you singing carols and having fun with the wacky Duck captains as you traverse downtown Seattle taking in the beautiful light displays. Part two will find you partaking in the best wine and food the northwest has to offer. 21 and over, please, on this. To book, or for more information, go to Ride the Ducks

Photo credit: Jack Lok, The Seattle Times

Seattle Oasis Vacation Rentals

David@InstaManager.com

True to its name, the Seattle Oasis Vacation Rentals truly are a haven amidst the hustle and bustle of Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Oasis gives avenues for anyone wanting to take a condominium unit in downtown Seattle as it gives superior class amenities and services to its clients. From one night rentals or more, Urban Oasis hopes to give the same grand level of comfort to anyone wanting to recapture the meaning of great accommodation.

What makes the Seattle Oasis really remarkable is its strategic location. It’s not far from major attractions and establishments in the city and even makes for walking distance to Starbucks. To note, it’s also just five blocks away from Waterfront shops and Pike Place Market. Other malls, parks, and centers are less than half a mile away, as Urban Oasis is matter of fact in the Belltown neighborhood of downtown Seattle.

Various events are also spread in downtown Seattle all year round. The ‘Picasso in Seattle’ art exhibit until the 17th of January has taken the city by storm as more than 200,000 visitors have already graced the event. There’s also the ‘Harry Potter Exhibition’ until the 31st of January which makes visitors see and feel real costumes, props, and assortments from the movies. Other than that, there are also concerts and shows that refine downtown Seattle. One must definitely not miss out on these events when coming to downtown Seattle. So if you have been meaning to stay in the place, consider staying in one of the beautiful Seattle Oasis vacation rentals.