TAKE THIS YEAR’S FESTIVITIES ON THE ROAD

November 13, 2007 – Toss the tree lights back in the attic and forget the fruit cake, it’s time to escape for the holidays. From parties with zoo animals to adventures in Indonesia, friends and family can come together this season and experience the holidays in a whole new way. Below is an attractive selection of travel options that are sure to sprinkle joy this holiday season:

CRYSTAL SPRINGS RESORT – New Jersey

The Resorts of Crystal Springs will ring in the New Year with family-friendly packages at Minerals Resort & Spa.  Guests will be able to enjoy on-site amenities including seven pools and waterfalls, indoor tennis, racquetball and basketball, the 6,000-square-foot fitness center and the luxurious Elements Spa.  The New Year’s Eve Celebration package includes either two or four nights in a Minerals Resort & Spa guestroom or condo, and either a family-style buffet dinner in the Diamond Ballroom or a five-course, sit-down dinner at Kites Restaurant with musical entertainment, party favors and a champagne toast.  Rates start from $268 per person. For more information, visit www.resortsofcrystalsprings.com or call (973) 827-5996.

GREENBRIER – West Virginia

Each winter, The Greenbrier decks its halls for Christmas in an estate-wide celebration. During the week of December 22 – 30, guests and families will get to experience all of the holiday season joy. Children escort Santa to his sleigh during the Jingle Bell Parade and can enjoy story-telling, art classes, music and dance events. Hot chocolate and cookies are served nightly in the lobby, and adults and children alike can deck the halls with handbells, jubilant choirs and intriguing authors. Adults can enjoy The Greenbrier Elite Artists Fine Arts Exhibit, a wine tasting seminar, nightly dinner dances and a Twas the Night Before Christmas Gingerbread Ball and Dinner Party with Santa as the guest of honor. In addition, adults and children both have special entertainment options for New Year’s Eve.  Guests ages six-12 are invited to their very own New Year’s Eve celebration called the Children’s “Big Night” Dinner Party. For adults, Wine Tasting Seminars are offered and New Year’s Eve galas featuring live music and dancing are an ideal way to ring in 2008.  The Greenbrier’s New Year’s Day Jazz and Champagne Brunch Buffet and the Rock & Roll Dinner Buffet and Show keep the festivities going on throughout the New Year’s holiday. For more information, visit www.greenbrier.com.

MOUNT WASHINGTON RESORT – New Hampshire

Mount Washington Resort, nestled on nearly 800,000 acres of White Mountain National Forest, is hosting a three-day gala New Year Celebration, taking place December 30 - January 1. It includes an elegant dinner in the Grand Ballroom, dancing to the sounds of a live big band, or a family-friendly celebration with a grand buffet and music in the Dining Room.  Special children and teen parties will also be offered.  Rates for the New Year’s

Celebration begin at $279 per person, based on double occupancy.  From December 21-29, guests can celebrate the holiday season with the Family Holiday Package.  Following full days of skiing and outdoor fun, guests will enjoy storytelling with Santa, sleigh rides and gifts for the kids followed by fireside refreshments.  Children will enjoy the popular Elf Tuck-in and Kids’ Après Ski parties. The Family Holiday Package begins at $189 per person, based on double occupancy. For more information, visit, www.mountwashingtonresort.com.

NORFOLK – Virginia

Seeped in warm holiday tradition, the lovely seaside city of Norfolk, Virginia - which is no more than a day’s drive from most destinations along the East Coast - is brimming with holiday activities and attractions that family members of all ages can enjoy.  With a walkable downtown, nominal attraction admission fees and moderate climate, Norfolk is the perfect remedy for those in search of a fun-filled, yet relaxing holiday experience. Highlights include: the ‘Grand Illumination Parade’ on November 17th during which the skylines of downtown Norfolk and Olde Towne Portsmouth become illuminated with more than 80,000 white lights at precisely 7 p.m.; the ‘Garden of Lights’ display at the historic Norfolk Botanical Garden, a magical two and a half mile drive through an illuminated 155-acre winter wonderland; Ice-skating at the MacArthur Center with the Norfolk Admirals, Norfolk’s hometown hockey team; a leisurely stroll on Norfolk’s Cannonball Trail, a self-guided walking tour of downtown’s 400-year-old historic districts; interactive fun at NAUTICUS, Norfolk’s science and technology center which explores the naval, economic and nautical power of the sea; a performance of “The Nutcracker” by Norfolk-based Virginia Ballet Theatre; holiday dining at Vintage Kitchen, one of Norfolk’s 70 chef-owned restaurants, which features Virginia-inspired dishes. For more information, visit www.norfolkcvb.com.

PALM BEACH COUNTY – Florida

Located far from the North Pole, Palm Beach County Florida offers good girls and boys a spirited and sun-filled festive season of annual parades, tree lighting ceremonies, holiday-themed performances and breakfast with Santa. With so many wondrous things to see and do, visitors and guests to Florida’s best known county this holiday season must have indeed, been very, very good this year.  December 1-2, The Living Christmas Tree at the Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center in Belle Glade, kicks off the center’s 19^th annual “Enchanting Season” which includes a performance of A Christmas Carol: The Musical, December 17.   [Back to Press Releases Main]