The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Earned Media Coverage

October 23, 2014

Destination: Colonial Williamsburg Zach Patton Winter 2014

Williamsburg served as the seat of Virginia politics and culture throughout most of the 1700s. Today the town’s meticulously restored historic area is one of the world’s best and largest living-history museums—and in recent years it has evolved into as much a culinary destination as a colonial one.

There’s a lot of excitement about farm-to-table and organic slow food,” says executive chef Rhys Lewis, who has led recent efforts to emphasize the past and present foodways of the area. “But that’s the way it was

always done here. We’re trying to embrace it in a new way.” The city’s fresh focus means a greater emphasis on heirloom ingredients, artisanal cheeses and local wines. And above all, embracing the culture of a place that’s been home to farmers, fishermen, bakers and brewers for nearly four centuries. In one of the true birthplaces of America, history has never been so delicious.

The New Colonial Cuisine Williamsburg’s four historic taverns debuted updated menus this past spring, incorporating more vegetables and meats from nearby farms. The finest of them all may be the King’s Arms (416 E. Duke of Gloucester St.; 888-965-7254; colonialwilliamsburg.com; dinner for two, $90*), which opened in 1772. Today it’s known for its signature peanut soup, succulent roasts and savory pot pies.

You’ll find one of Williamsburg’s most innovative food experiences at the recently opened Taste Studio (305 S. England St.; 888-965-7254; colonialwilliamsburg.com; from $34 a class), just steps from the colonial center. In the airy, light-filled space, chefs put a contemporary twist on heritage ingredients during interactive demonstrations. The two-hour sessions—highlighting things like apples in autumn, gingerbread in winter, carrots in spring—are held on Friday and Saturday at 10 a.m. and, in season, include a tour of the area’s historically accurate vegetable gardens and fruit orchards.

Meanwhile, as part of the Wine, Wit & Wisdom (310 S. England St.; 888-965-7254; colonialwilliamsburg.com; $46, advance tickets required; the second Saturday of every month, 2 p.m.) series, sommeliers and chefs lead classes about wines from around the world. Each class focuses on a specific region or grape varietal. “Tempranillo and Beyond,” for example, explores Spanish wines, while “British Fortifications” highlights sherry and port. For two hours, you’ll indulge in wine paired with local fruit and artisan cheese. Check out Pints & Pairings (310 S. England St.; 888-965-7254; colonialwilliamsburg.com; the fourth Saturday of every month, 2 p.m.), a beer-based set of courses that alternate with those offered by Wine, Wit & Wisdom. Focused on U.S. microbreweries, they’re a headfirst dive into ales, porters and lagers—and the best food to eat while you’re imbibing.

Goods to Go Merchants Square, a clutch of shops and eateries just off Williamsburg’s colonial center, is the perfect place to pick up souvenirs—or a tasty nosh. The Peanut Shop (414 Prince George St.; 757-229-3908; thepeanutshop.com) opened as a peanut butter stand 41 years ago and is now a sprawling space filled with peanuts in almost every preparation you can imagine, from sweet- and savory-spiced mixes to candies and chocolate-covered brittle. All the nuts are locally grown and flash-fried by hand, so they have an extra-crunchy bite. The salted nuts are a classic, but other seasonings—dill pickle, wasabi, Thai chili and lime—are popular.

Around the corner is another Merchants Square mainstay, the Cheese Shop (410 W. Duke of Gloucester St.; 757-220-0298; cheeseshopwilliamsburg.com). Family-run since it opened, in 1971, this gourmet store stocks some 200 varieties of artisanal cheese from farms in Virginia and around the world. In the same building, the Fat Canary (410 W. Duke of Gloucester St.; 757-229-3333; fatcanarywilliamsburg.com; dinner for two, $90) is an upscale restaurant run by the son of the couple who opened the Cheese Shop. The seasonal menu changes regularly and features dishes like free-range guinea fowl with a ramp grit cake.

More Spots to Sip In

Wine and beer have been produced in this part of Virginia since the first English settlers arrived at nearby Jamestown, in 1607. Only a 10-minute drive from the Colonial village, the 300-acre Williamsburg Winery (5800 Wessex Hundred; 757-229-0999; williamsburgwinery.com; tastings, $6 a person) is Virginia’s largest. It’s home to award-winning vintages, including Acte 12 Chardonnay; other standouts are the Viognier, from a grape that grows especially well here, and Settlers’ Spiced Wine, an 18th-century-style red infused with cinnamon and cloves. The winery offers year-round tours and tastings, including the two-hour Extensive Tour and Reserve Tasting ($36 per person, reservation required), a private session held in the cellar’s wine library.

A few miles down the road, AleWerks Brewing Company (189B Ewell Rd.; 757-220-3670; alewerks.com; tastings, $5 a person) is a newcomer that manages to be historic and irreverent at the same time. Working with Colonial Williamsburg food historians, AleWerks brewers developed two beers—the Old Stitch, an English-style brown ale; and Dear Old Mum, a spiced ale with coriander, cardamom and long pepper—according to 18th-century recipes. But the microbrewery also plays with modern flavors, which turn up in its spiced Pumpkin Ale and Coffeehouse Stout, a milk stout brewed with locally-roasted Guatemalan coffee. AleWerks has a somewhat renegade feel: The staff numbers just 14, and the whole brewing facility is the size of a two-car garage. But with a taproom that opened in 2013 and expanded this year, AleWerks has established itself as a serious destination for sampling unique local brews. Cheers.

*Estimated meal prices do not include drinks, tax or tip.

STAY RCI affiliated resorts in or near Williamsburg, VA, include: Wyndham Kingsgate 2481 A quiet retreat less than a mile from historic Williamsburg. 619 Georgetown Crescent Member Review: “Kingsgate is very nice and well located for everything in the area. Lots to do on-site as well.” Wyndham Patriots’ Place 1141 Conveniently located near historic Williamsburg, the resort has spacious rooms and tennis courts nearby. 725 Bypass Rd. Member Review: “Wonderful units and calm atmosphere.” Patrick Henry Square A854 Elegant rooms half a block from Colonial Williamsburg’s restaurants and more. 315 York St. Member Review: “The property was very well maintained. We would definitely stay there again.” Parkside Resort 8721 Tee off on the golf course, or take the family to nearby Busch Gardens. 1827 Merrimac Trail Member Review: “The staff at Parkside were wonderful. They went out of their way to make our stay pleasant.”

For complete member reviews (as member reviews have been condensed) and additional resort listings, visit RCI.com or call 800-338-7777 (Weeks) or 877-968-7476 (Points). Club Members, please call your specific Club or RCI telephone number.

Non-RCI affiliated resorts: Bentley Manor Inn A grand four-room Georgian house a short walk from the historic area. 720 College Terrace; 877-334-0641; bentleymanorinn.com; doubles from $125 a night, including breakfast Williamsburg Sampler Bed & Breakfast Inn A stay at this plantation-style property—filled with Colonial-era antiques and period reproductions—feels like stepping back in time. 922 Jamestown Rd.; 800-422-8011; williamsburgsampler.com; doubles from $145 a night Wedmore Place A European-influenced inn with 28 beautifully designed rooms, a library and an outdoor pool on the grounds of the Williamsburg Winery. 5810 Wessex Hundred; 866-933-6673; wedmoreplace.com; doubles from $165 a night Market Square Tavern One of the only Colonial-era accommodations left in Colonial Williamsburg. Thomas Jefferson stayed here while studying law. 136 E. Francis St. (check in at the Williamsburg Inn); 888-965-7254; colonialwilliamsburg.com; doubles from $190 a night

http://www.endlessvacation.com/Destinations/Colonial-Williamsburg.aspx

Top 100 Hotels & Resorts in the World: Reader’s Choice Awards 2014

. . .

Slide 17/ 100

84. Colonial Houses - Historic Lodgings, Williamsburg, Virginia

Readers' Rating: 92.674

"Step back in time" at this property "right in the middle of the action" in Williamsburg’s historic area.

Overlooking Duke of Gloucester Street, brick walkways, and charming gardens, accommodations in

original and reconstructed eighteenth-century buildings come with reproduction period furnishings as

well as trundle beds and wood-burning fireplaces; some are tucked under the eaves, enchanting parents

and children alike. "We really felt like we were back in the 1700s, except luckily we had all the modern

amenities." Dine on regionally inspired contemporary cuisine at the Regency Room, including crabmeat

Randolph, or enjoy barbecue specialties like pulled pork sandwiches at Huzzah! BBQ Grille. The staff "are

beyond accommodating, and the concierge service is the best of the best."

Courtesy Colonial Houses - Historic Lodgings

. . .

http://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2014-10-20/top-100-hotels-and-resorts-in-the-world-rca-2014/17

Top 25 Resorts in the United States: Readers’ Choice Awards 2014

. . .

Slide 3/25

23. Colonial Houses - Historic Lodgings, Williamsburg, VA

Readers' Rating: 92.674

"Step back in time" at this property "right in the middle of the action" in Williamsburg’s historic area.

Overlooking Duke of Gloucester Street, brick walkways, and charming gardens, accommodations in

original and reconstructed 18th-century buildings come with reproduction period furnishings as well as

trundle beds and wood-burning fireplaces; some are tucked under the eaves, enchanting parents and

children alike. "We really felt like we were back in the 1700s, except luckily we had all the modern

amenities." Dine on regionally inspired contemporary cuisine at the Regency Room, including crabmeat

Randolph, or enjoy barbecue specialties like pulled pork sandwiches at Huzzah! BBQ Grille. The staff "are

beyond accommodating, and the concierge service is the best of the best."

Courtesy Colonial Houses - Historic Lodgings

. . .

Williamsburg Inspiration Susan Dickenson

10.16.14

In September, I traveled to Williamsburg to learn more about the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation's licensing program, the oldest and largest museum-based licensing program in the world. Today the Williamsburg brand includes home accents, furniture, textiles, ceramics, rugs, lighting, tablewares, garden décor and more, from 30 manufacturers. A short list includes Global Views, Capel, Nichols & Stone, C&F Enterprises, Andrea by Sadek, Mottahedeh, Carvers’ Guild, Friedman Brothers, Michaelian Home and World Art Group.

When the licensing program started (about 75 years ago), many of the licensees were making direct reproductions of furniture, crockery, decorative objects and such. Today, most of the licensed designs are "modern" interpretations of details found in a piece of fabric, china or decorative object, finials, a backsplat on a chair, or an architectural detail on a building or fence -- the brand's “Trend Meets Tradition” aesthetic. A highlight of the trip was tagging along with designers from the brand’s newest licensee, Robert Abbey, as they toured the Colonial Williamsburg grounds and archives in search of inspiration for their Williamsburg lamps and lighting products. Led by very knowledgeable licensing directors Kris Fischer and Liza Gusler, our fascinating and colorful tour included gardens, buildings, the decorative arts museum, the paper (books and manuscripts) archives, the decorative objects archives, and the furniture archives and conservation labs. I came away with a tremendous appreciation for the national treasure that is Colonial Williamsburg and all it encompasses, and for the creativity, design and teamwork that goes into making a beautiful product – in this case, Robert Abbey lamps. My biggest takeaway was about three hours of video and an equal amount of notes and recorded interviews. The first product of all that information-gathering is presented here, in one of two videos, that looks at some of the licensed products in the retail environment (Williamsburg at Home flagship store in Merchants Square), a couple of the Robert Abbey inspirations that came out of the decorative objects archives, and a visit with one of Williamsburg’s product designers, Jillian Leah. The second video will showcase more of the Robert Abbey products and their inspiration sources – from the furniture and paper archives, architectural elements, and decorative arts museum. My complete story will appear in print in Home Accents Today’s December 2014 issue. Hope you enjoy it all as much as I did.

http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blogpost/13223-williamsburg-inspiration?nid=2376

10.1.14

Using Interpretation and Technology to Revive the 18th Century in Williamsburg, VA Eileen Ogintz

10.16.14

Do you believe in “The World Unseen”? In ghosts? Maybe this time of year; maybe because we’re in a small room lit by candlelight and the question is being posed by a seemingly possessed young woman named Sarah Pelham, who lived in 18th-century Williamsburg and is convinced she’s come face to face with horrible “agents of evil.” “Demons lurk in corners … any dark, sharp angular corner … they are just waiting for the opportunity to enter our world and do grievous harm!” she warns. No, Pelham’s not a ghost, though she did live more than 200 years

ago. She’s just helping us to time travel as she tells her tale to the rapt audience at Colonial Williamsburg during what is one of the most popular tours here all year ’round, not just at Halloween. “Really good!” declares Jenna Denton, 13, here with her dad from North Carolina. Anyone who has ever traveled with a teen knows how difficult they can be to please. Colonial Williamsburg, Jenna added, “Is very informative but in a fun way.” That’s the idea, of course, here in the Historic Triangle — home not only to this recreated 18th-century city but also to the living-history museums Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center, which all use interactive activities, 21st-century technology and costumed interpreters (including kids who volunteer) to engage visitors with activities like pounding corn at the Powahatan Indian Village at Jamestown Settlement, trying on armor at the Jamestown fort, or joining an artillery crew at Yorktown Victory Center’s recreated continental encampment. At the recreated 1780s farm, kids learn that their 18th-century counterparts “had to do so many chores they didn’t have much time to play,” said Julianne Simmons, 10. “You look around, you’ll see actual kids showing you the many ways that kids had fun in the 18th

century, and as you experience their daily lives, you share a connection with the kids who would have been your best friends had you lived then. It’s like learning about a new friend’s favorite customs and getting to try them yourself,” suggested Margaret Perry, 16, one of the junior interpreters at Colonial Williamsburg. “It doesn’t feel like history because you are living in the moment, as if you are really living in the 18th century,” said Tess Gibson, 16, also a junior interpreter.

At Colonial Williamsburg, kids might follow the fifes and drums as they march down Duke of Gloucester Street, rent a colonial costume to wear while they are exploring the Revolutionary City, carry water from a well or play the very popular game RevQuest through which you must work covertly in the streets encountering secret agents and discovering mysterious documents while pursuing a series of clues and sending and receiving secret messages via text. “You couldn’t predict what would happen,” Jenna said. “I really felt like I accomplished something when I finished.” Kids also like the online Kids Zone that offers more games and activities.

“This is more fun than learning history out of books,” said Noah Simmons, 11, here with his family from the Midwest. “You walk around right in the middle of it all.” He especially liked his meal at one of Colonial Williamsburg’s historic taverns, complete with musicians playing and candle-lit lanterns. He didn’t opt to try an 18th-century dish, he said. “I had a cheeseburger!” Even the hotels make history fun, whether you opt for a bona-fide colonial house at Colonial Williamsburg or the Kingsmill Resort, adjacent to Busch Gardens (free shuttles to Howl-O-Scream!) where we stayed and where you can spread out with kitchens, washer-dryers and you can choose from golf to tennis to jet skis on the James River to another ghost tour. The expansive grounds were once a plantation. Historic Jamestowne is the site of America’s first permanent English settlement — and the place to see a live archaeological dig and museum. The Jamestown Settlement nearby has outdoor re-creations of the three ships that sailed to Virginia in 1607, the colonial fort and a Powhatan Indian Village.Laura Ann James, 8, here from Alabama, was ready to move right into the Powhatan Village. “Life was so simple then,” she explained. Julianne Simmons learned just how young Pocahontas was when she saved John Smith — no older than 12. “My age!’ she said. Visit Yorktown Battlefield, site of the last major battle of the American Revolution and Yorktown Victory Center, which chronicles that era through a living-history Continental Army camp and farm. Come for Thanksgiving and learn about how food was prepared by the Powhatan Indians and first settlers; See what soldiers ate — and how food got from farm to table in those days. In the afternoon at Colonial Williamsburg, kids and adults gather for street theater at its best. Costumed Williamsburg “locals” accuse a shopkeeper of “hoarding” salt when they are going without, Redcoat Benedict Arnold tries to convince townspeople that the Continental Army is finished and slaves argue

whether they could trust Britain’s offer to set them free, if they follow the troops. Did you know that in 1775 more than half of Williamsburg’s population was of African descent, most of them slaves? This is a great place to hear their stories. Like the story of Kate and Eve, who perform during the “Revolutionary City” experience, their friendship frayed because of their differing views on seeking freedom by fighting for the British. “Even if it is a little over the kids’ head, said Casey Simmons, whose kids are 8, 10 and 11, “I hope it will get them excited about learning history.”

She doesn’t need to worry. “Now I get to see what was in my books at school,” said Julianne. “I like it all!” http://www.takingthekids.com/weekly-column/using-interpretation-and-technology-to-revive-the-18th-

century-in-williamsburg-va/#.VEfmXSLF-GM

Taking the Kids to Williamsburg in the Fall Eileen Ogintz

10.16.14

Do you believe in "The World Unseen"? In ghosts?

Maybe this time of year; maybe because we're in a small room lit by

candlelight and the question is being posed by a seemingly possessed young

woman named Sarah Pelham, who lived in 18th-century Williamsburg and is

convinced she's come face to face with horrible "agents of evil."

"Demons lurk in corners ... any dark, sharp angular corner ... they are just waiting for the opportunity to enter

our world and do grievous harm!" she warns. No, Pelham's not a ghost, though she did live more than 200

years ago. She's just helping us to time travel as she tells her tale to the rapt audience at Colonial

Williamsburg during what is one of the most popular tours here all year 'round, not just at Halloween.

"Really good!" declares Jenna Denton, 13, here with her dad from North Carolina. Anyone who has ever

traveled with a teen knows how difficult they can be to please. Colonial Williamsburg,

Jenna added, "Is very informative but in a fun way."

That's the idea, of course, here in the Historic Triangle -- home not only to this recreated

18th-century city but also to the living-history museums Jamestown Settlement and

Yorktown Victory Center, which all use interactive activities, 21st-century technology and

costumed interpreters (including kids who volunteer) to engage visitors with activities like

pounding corn at the Powahatan Indian Village at Jamestown Settlement, trying on armor

at the Jamestown fort, or joining an artillery crew at Yorktown Victory

Center's recreated continental encampment. At the recreated 1780s farm,

kids learn that their 18th-century counterparts "had to do so many chores

they didn't have much time to play," said Julianne Simmons, 10.

"You look around, you'll see actual kids showing you the many ways that

kids had fun in the 18th century, and as you experience their daily lives,

you share a connection with the kids who would have been your best

friends had you lived then. It's like learning about a new friend's favorite customs and getting to try them

yourself," suggested Margaret Perry, 16, one of the junior interpreters at Colonial Williamsburg.

"It doesn't feel like history because you are living in the moment, as if you are really living in the 18th

century," said Tess Gibson, 16, also a junior interpreter.

At Colonial Williamsburg, kids might follow the fifes and drums as they march down Duke of Gloucester

Street, rent a colonial costume to wear while they are exploring the Revolutionary City, carry water from a

well or play the very popular game RevQuest through which you must work covertly in the streets

encountering secret agents and discovering mysterious documents while pursuing a series of clues and

sending and receiving secret messages via text. "You couldn't predict what would happen," Jenna said. "I

really felt like I accomplished something when I finished." Kids also like the online Kids Zone that offers more

games and activities.

"This is more fun than learning history out of books," said Noah Simmons, 11, here with his family from the

Midwest. "You walk around right in the middle of it all."

He especially liked his meal at one of Colonial Williamsburg's historic taverns,

complete with musicians playing and candle-lit lanterns. He didn't opt to try

an 18th-century dish, he said. "I had a cheeseburger!"

Even the hotels make history fun, whether you opt for a bona-fide colonial

house at Colonial Williamsburg or the Kingsmill Resort, adjacent to Busch

Gardens (free shuttles to Howl-O-Scream!) where we stayed and where you can spread out with kitchens,

washer-dryers and you can choose from golf to tennis to jet skis on the James River to another ghost tour.

The expansive grounds were once a plantation.

Historic Jamestowne is the site of America's first permanent English settlement -- and the place to see a live

archaeological dig and museum. The Jamestown Settlement nearby has outdoor re-creations of the three

ships that sailed to Virginia in 1607, the colonial fort and a Powhatan Indian Village.

Laura Ann James, 8, here from Alabama, was ready to move right into the Powhatan Village. "Life was so

simple then," she explained. Julianne Simmons learned just how young Pocahontas was when she saved John

Smith -- no older than 12. "My age!' she said.

Visit Yorktown Battlefield, site of the last major battle of the American

Revolution and Yorktown Victory Center, which chronicles that era through a

living-history Continental Army camp and farm. Come for Thanksgiving and

learn about how food was prepared by the Powhatan Indians and first

settlers; See what soldiers ate -- and how food got from farm to table in those

days.

In the afternoon at Colonial Williamsburg, kids and adults gather for street theater at its best. Costumed

Williamsburg "locals" accuse a shopkeeper of "hoarding" salt when they are going without, Redcoat Benedict

Arnold tries to convince townspeople that the Continental Army is finished and slaves argue whether they

could trust Britain's offer to set them free, if they follow the troops.

Did you know that in 1775 more than half of Williamsburg's population was of African descent, most of them

slaves? This is a great place to hear their stories. Like the story of Kate and Eve, who perform during the

"Revolutionary City" experience, their friendship frayed because of their differing views on seeking freedom

by fighting for the British.

"Even if it is a little over the kids' head, said Casey Simmons, whose kids are 8, 10 and 11, "I hope it will get

them excited about learning history."

She doesn't need to worry. "Now I get to see what was in my books at school," said Julianne. "I like it all!"

http://www.travelagentcentral.com/mid-atlantic/taking-kids-williamsburg-fall-48366

Taking the Kids – to Williamsburg in Fall Eileen Ogintz

10.17.14 Do you believe in "The World Unseen"? In ghosts? Maybe this time of year; maybe because we're in a small room lit by candlelight and the question is being posed by a seemingly possessed young woman named Sarah Pelham, who lived in 18th-century Williamsburg and is convinced she's come face to face with horrible "agents of evil." "Demons lurk in corners ... any dark, sharp angular corner ... they are just waiting for the opportunity to enter our world and do grievous harm!" she warns. No, Pelham's not a ghost, though she did live more than 200 years ago. She's just helping us to time travel as she tells her tale to the rapt audience at Colonial Williamsburg during what is one of the most popular tours here all year 'round, not just at Halloween. "Really good!" declares Jenna Denton, 13, here with her dad from North Carolina. Anyone who has ever traveled with a teen knows how difficult they can be to please. Colonial Williamsburg, Jenna added, "Is very informative but in a fun way." Come for Thanksgiving and learn about how food was prepared by the Powhatan Indians and first settlers. That's the idea, of course, here in the Historic Triangle -- home not only to this recreated 18th-century city but also to the living-history museums Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center, which all use interactive activities, 21st-century technology and costumed interpreters (including kids who volunteer) to engage visitors with activities like pounding corn at the Powahatan Indian Village at Jamestown Settlement, trying on armor at the Jamestown fort, or joining an artillery crew at Yorktown Victory Center's recreated continental encampment. At the recreated 1780s farm, kids learn that their 18th-century counterparts "had to do so many chores they didn't have much time to play," said Julianne Simmons, 10. "You look around, you'll see actual kids showing you the many ways that kids had fun in the 18th century, and as you experience their daily lives, you share a connection with the kids who would have been your best friends had you lived then. It's like learning about a new friend's favorite customs and getting to try them yourself," suggested Margaret Perry, 16, one of the junior interpreters at Colonial Williamsburg. "It doesn't feel like history because you are living in the moment, as if you are really living in the 18th century," said Tess Gibson, 16, also a junior interpreter. At Colonial Williamsburg, kids might follow the fifes and drums as they march down Duke of Gloucester Street, rent a colonial costume to wear while they are exploring the Revolutionary City, carry water from a well or play the very popular game RevQuest through which you must work covertly in the streets encountering secret agents and discovering mysterious documents while pursuing a series of clues and sending and receiving secret messages via text. "You couldn't predict what would happen," Jenna said. "I really felt like I accomplished something when I finished." Kids also like the online Kids Zone that offers more games and activities.

"This is more fun than learning history out of books," said Noah Simmons, 11, here with his family from the Midwest. "You walk around right in the middle of it all." He especially liked his meal at one of Colonial Williamsburg's historic taverns, complete with musicians playing and candle-lit lanterns. He didn't opt to try an 18th-century dish, he said. "I had a cheeseburger!" Even the hotels make history fun, whether you opt for a bona-fide colonial house at Colonial Williamsburg or the Kingsmill Resort, adjacent to Busch Gardens (free shuttles to Howl-O-Scream!) where we stayed and where you can spread out with kitchens, washer-dryers and you can choose from golf to tennis to jet skis on the James River to another ghost tour. The expansive grounds were once a plantation. Historic Jamestowne is the site of America's first permanent English settlement -- and the place to see a live archaeological dig and museum. The Jamestown Settlement nearby has outdoor re-creations of the three ships that sailed to Virginia in 1607, the colonial fort and a Powhatan Indian Village. Laura Ann James, 8, here from Alabama, was ready to move right into the Powhatan Village. "Life was so simple then," she explained. Julianne Simmons learned just how young Pocahontas was when she saved John Smith -- no older than 12. "My age!' she said. Visit Yorktown Battlefield, site of the last major battle of the American Revolution and Yorktown Victory Center, which chronicles that era through a living-history Continental Army camp and farm. Come for Thanksgiving and learn about how food was prepared by the Powhatan Indians and first settlers; See what soldiers ate -- and how food got from farm to table in those days. In the afternoon at Colonial Williamsburg, kids and adults gather for street theater at its best. Costumed Williamsburg "locals" accuse a shopkeeper of "hoarding" salt when they are going without, Redcoat Benedict Arnold tries to convince townspeople that the Continental Army is finished and slaves argue whether they could trust Britain's offer to set them free, if they follow the troops. Did you know that in 1775 more than half of Williamsburg's population was of African descent, most of them slaves? This is a great place to hear their stories. Like the story of Kate and Eve, who perform during the "Revolutionary City" experience, their friendship frayed because of their differing views on seeking freedom by fighting for the British. "Even if it is a little over the kids' head, said Casey Simmons, whose kids are 8, 10 and 11, "I hope it will get them excited about learning history." She doesn't need to worry. "Now I get to see what was in my books at school," said Julianne. "I like it all!"

http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2014/10/17/taking-kids-to-williamsburg-in-

fall/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+foxnews%2Finternal%2Ftravel%2Fmixed+(Internal+-+Travel+-+Mixed)

Taking the Kids – To Williamsburg in the Fall Eileen Ogitz

10.16.14

Do you believe in "The World Unseen"? In ghosts? Maybe this time of year; maybe because we're in a small room lit by candlelight and the question is being posed by a seemingly possessed young woman named Sarah Pelham, who lived in 18th-century Williamsburg and is convinced she's come face to face with horrible "agents of evil." "Demons lurk in corners ... any dark, sharp angular corner ... they are just waiting for the

opportunity to enter our world and do grievous harm!" she warns. No, Pelham's not a ghost, though she did live more than 200 years ago. She's just helping us to time travel as she tells her tale to the rapt audience at Colonial Williamsburg during what is one of the most popular tours here all year 'round, not just at Halloween. "Really good!" declares Jenna Denton, 13, here with her dad from North Carolina. Anyone who has ever traveled with a teen knows how difficult they can be to please. Colonial Williamsburg, Jenna added, "Is very informative but in a fun way." That's the idea, of course, here in the Historic Triangle -- home not only to this recreated 18th-century city but also to the living-history museums Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center, which all use interactive activities, 21st-century technology and costumed interpreters (including kids who volunteer) to engage visitors with activities like pounding corn at the Powahatan Indian Village at Jamestown Settlement, trying on armor at the Jamestown fort, or joining an artillery crew at Yorktown Victory Center's recreated continental encampment. At the recreated 1780s farm, kids learn that their 18th-century counterparts "had to do so many chores they didn't have much time to play," said Julianne Simmons, 10. "You look around, you'll see actual kids showing you the many ways that kids had fun in the 18th century, and as you experience their daily lives, you share a connection with the kids who would have been your best friends had you lived then. It's like learning about a new friend's favorite customs and getting to try them yourself," suggested Margaret Perry, 16, one of the junior interpreters at Colonial Williamsburg. "It doesn't feel like history because you are living in the moment, as if you are really living in the 18th century," said Tess Gibson, 16, also a junior interpreter. At Colonial Williamsburg, kids might follow the fifes and drums as they march down Duke of Gloucester Street, rent a colonial costume to wear while they are exploring the Revolutionary City, carry water from a well or play the very popular game RevQuest through which you must work covertly in the streets encountering secret agents and discovering mysterious documents while pursuing a series of clues and

sending and receiving secret messages via text. "You couldn't predict what would happen," Jenna said. "I really felt like I accomplished something when I finished." Kids also like the online Kids Zone that offers more games and activities. "This is more fun than learning history out of books," said Noah Simmons, 11, here with his family from the Midwest. "You walk around right in the middle of it all." He especially liked his meal at one of Colonial Williamsburg's historic taverns, complete with musicians playing and candle-lit lanterns. He didn't opt to try an 18th-century dish, he said. "I had a cheeseburger!" Even the hotels make history fun, whether you opt for a bona-fide colonial house at Colonial Williamsburg or the Kingsmill Resort, adjacent to Busch Gardens (free shuttles to Howl-O-Scream!) where we stayed and where you can spread out with kitchens, washer-dryers and you can choose from golf to tennis to jet skis on the James River to another ghost tour. The expansive grounds were once a plantation. Historic Jamestowne is the site of America's first permanent English settlement -- and the place to see a live archaeological dig and museum. The Jamestown Settlement nearby has outdoor re-creations of the three ships that sailed to Virginia in 1607, the colonial fort and a Powhatan Indian Village. Laura Ann James, 8, here from Alabama, was ready to move right into the Powhatan Village. "Life was so simple then," she explained. Julianne Simmons learned just how young Pocahontas was when she saved John Smith -- no older than 12. "My age!' she said. Visit Yorktown Battlefield, site of the last major battle of the American Revolution and Yorktown Victory Center, which chronicles that era through a living-history Continental Army camp and farm. Come for Thanksgiving and learn about how food was prepared by the Powhatan Indians and first settlers; See what soldiers ate -- and how food got from farm to table in those days. In the afternoon at Colonial Williamsburg, kids and adults gather for street theater at its best. Costumed Williamsburg "locals" accuse a shopkeeper of "hoarding" salt when they are going without, Redcoat Benedict Arnold tries to convince townspeople that the Continental Army is finished and slaves argue whether they could trust Britain's offer to set them free, if they follow the troops. Did you know that in 1775 more than half of Williamsburg's population was of African descent, most of them slaves? This is a great place to hear their stories. Like the story of Kate and Eve, who perform during the "Revolutionary City" experience, their friendship frayed because of their differing views on seeking freedom by fighting for the British. "Even if it is a little over the kids' head, said Casey Simmons, whose kids are 8, 10 and 11, "I hope it will get them excited about learning history." She doesn't need to worry. "Now I get to see what was in my books at school," said Julianne. "I like it all!"

http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/travel/sns-201410161100--tms--takekidstp--f-a20141016-20141016-story.html

Family Travel: Great Williamsburg Brings Generations Together! 10.10.14

This past summer, my family got a jump start on celebrating my father's 70th birthday with a multi-generational trip to Greater Williamsburg, which was the perfect locale in which to embrace our nation's history while remaining squarely rooted in the present. It's no easy feat to find a destination that simultaneously caters to parents, grandparents and kids of all ages, and Greater Williamsburg not only does that in spades, but also manages to bring generations together to jointly experience all this engaging area has to offer. Indeed, there was so much to see, do, eat and explore in Greater Williamsburg that we had trouble packing it all into our one-week stay!

No visit to Greater Williamsburg would be complete without spending time in the "Revolutionary City," aka Colonial Williamsburg. This impeccably preserved living history museum provides a glimpse at what life was like during revolutionary times, both via actors who are exceedingly convincing as shopkeepers, tradesmiths, political figures and more, and through the structures and grounds of the city itself. Daily re-enactments transport visitors to an era when an angry mob stormed the Governor's Palace to demand the return of gunpowder, George Washington galloped into town atop his steed, and news of the Declaration of Independence reached the Revolutionary City. My family particularly enjoyed the mustering of the troops to prepare for Yorktown, as it was accompanied by much pomp and circumstance, including the requisite fife and drum ensemble and several cannon

firings! There's no charge to wander the area and observe the outside activities, but you'll need an admission ticket to enter the homes, shops, government buildings and gardens where the colonists lived, worked, and, inevitably, talked politics. If traveling with kids, be sure to pick up a free scavenger hunt card, as it makes the experience much more interactive, particularly for younger kids who might not yet have any grasp of the historical context. My 6-year-old daughter Sadie quickly became a mini detective as she raced to obtain the answers to the scavenger hunt questions and claim her hard-won prize (spoiler alert - it was just a small pin, but Sadie treasured it because she'd earned it). She quizzed the gunsmith on making bullets

from lead, learned about plants in the colonial nursery, challenged her 2-year-old brother Ben to a race through the Governor's Palace hedge maze, met the bookbinder, played the math game "Shut the Box" in the James Geddy House, and joined Ben in picking up every shiny object in the silversmith's workshop. Along the way, Sadie asked insightful questions and seemed genuinely interested in learning how the colonists lived (although she remains convinced that they resided there in the 1980s, which to Sadie is indeed "ancient history"). Our family was treated to a Tavern Ghost Walk, during which our lively guide led us on a hunt to find the ghosts reputed to haunt the taverns and historic buildings of Colonial Williamsburg, all the while imparting tales of ghost sightings and background on the former occupants of many of the structures. Sadie and I were completely drawn in by our guide's adept and dramatic storytelling, while my husband and Ben were not so easily convinced. My advice is to just suspend disbelief and go with the flow, as it really is a fun experience.

If all this exploration has you working up an appetite, fret not, as you can dine in one of the historic taverns located within the Revolutionary City, or wander over to nearby Merchants Square with its numerous shops and restaurants. A "must visit" is the Cheese Shop, which is deservedly renowned for its sandwiches served on house-baked bread and topped with any number of meats, cheeses and spreads. My favorite was, of course, the Virginia Ham with the Cheese Shop's addictive House Dressing. Indeed, Merchants Square was our most-visited stop during our time in Williamsburg, as we enjoyed excellent meals at both The Trellis Restaurant (regional cuisine in a casual setting) and the Cheese Shop's

sister restaurant, Fat Canary (more upscale and a bit pricey). Sadie and Ben relished each visit to Merchants Square, as it meant they'd be able to stop into the well-stocked Wythe Candy & Gourmet Shop and stock up on treats! The most family-friendly meal we had in Williamsburg was our dinner at Huzzah! BBQ Grille, where we enjoyed friendly service and tasty comfort food in a casual setting. After a day of exploring, it was a treat to sit down to a family meal in such a relaxed

atmosphere, and of course it didn't hurt that Huzzah! carries an extensive selection of local beers. Sadie and Ben loved the selections on the kids menu, and Sadie particularly enjoyed getting to "make" her own personalized pizza.

We continued our history lesson at Jamestown Settlement, which immerses visitors in the world of America's first permanent English colony via an extensive indoor gallery and three outdoor living history areas which re-create what life was like for the colonists and Native Americans. Sadie loved learning about the world of Pocahontas in the Powhatan Indian Village, where historical interpreters demonstrated how the Powhatan tribe processed animal hides, made tools and pottery, and wove natural fibers into cordage. The most exciting part of this for Sadie was that she actually got

to try her hand at each of these tasks. Ben got a kick out of climbing aboard the replicas of the three ships that brought America's first English colonists to Virginia in 1607, and our whole group enjoyed exploring James Fort and witnessing the artillery demonstration.

The next day, we drove from Williamsburg to Yorktown along the scenic Colonial Parkway and took a self-guided driving tour of the Yorktown Battlefield, which is maintained by the National Park Service and was the site of the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. I didn't really know what to expect from the tour, yet found myself overwhelmed with emotion as I took it all in. After all, this was the hallowed ground on which our country's freedom was fought for and won, including the very spot on which Cornwallis surrendered. Sadie and Ben of course failed to grasp the significance of any part of the battlefield tour, and mostly used

it as an excuse to use their electronics and snack, but for the adults in the group it was an hour very well spent. In addition to its historic battlefield, Yorktown also boasts a gorgeous waterfront area, where we had a fabulous lunch at the Carrot Tree. Greater Williamsburg is certainly steeped in history and tradition, but it's also a treasure trove of decidedly modern pursuits. Case in point? Water Country USA, where older kids will go nuts for the water park's multitude of huge, thrilling water

features, which have names like "Nitro Racer," "Jet Scream," and "Colossal Curl." But fret not if you are traveling with a toddler or grade schooler, as Water Country USA has attractions for every age group, including a set of "Kidsiderate Attractions" geared especially to the younger set. Sadie loved feeling like a big kid as she conquered the tame (but not to her, of course, so please don't spill the beans!) Little Bopper's kids waterslide, as well as the floating log obstacle course, while Ben was content to splash away in the interactive Cow-A-Bunga and Kitter Korral zones, each of which was chock-full of water features, mini slides, water cannons and spray areas. The park was well maintained, and there were plenty of covered concession areas that offered relief from the sun. My one quibble with Water Country USA is that it's tough to navigate, given that the park doesn't print maps, and the staff wasn't very good at communicating directions or offering suggestions as to what features might be best suited to younger kids. Adventure seekers will love Busch Gardens, which has some of the most daring roller coasters I've ever seen, as well as a bevy of rides catering to the younger set. Sadie and Ben went nuts for the flying airplanes, bumper cars,

and mock horse race, and I absolutely loved watching them enjoy these rides together. In fact, this was the first time I've ever visited an amusement park and not actually gone on any rides! Busch Gardens also features an entire area devoted to the beloved Sesame Street franchise, and younger kids will adore greeting their favorite Sesame Street characters and riding the Sesame-themed attractions built just for them. Busch Gardens is intimate enough that you could see it in a day, but if you want to make sure to get to everything at a leisurely pace you might want to allocate two days. We were able to see most of the

park in a day because our kids were too young for the larger coasters and we also opted to skip the animal attractions since Sadie is irrationally afraid of all animals. Although we enjoyed Busch Gardens, the experience was disappointing in some respects, mostly because the park is difficult to navigate (the printed maps are confusing and fail to list most rides or point out which attractions are best for younger kids) and the staff was unhelpful, to say the least. Indeed, the photo person at the Sesame Street character greeting was downright hostile to us (say it ain't so, Elmo!). As much as they loved Water Country USA and Busch Gardens, the place that most captivated Sadie and Ben was actually one of the most low-key places we visited - Williamsburg's Bounce House. This paradise in a strip mall was

everything Sadie and Ben ever could have wanted in a diversion, and they spent several hours over the course of two days bouncing to their heart's content, while I had panic attacks over the lack of supervision and the roaming packs of older kids who would enter the toddler areas and knock over the little kids. Panic-inducing moments aside, the Bounce House was a dream come true for Sadie and Ben, and it was something they'd never be able to experience in Manhattan! Indeed, I think they'd make us move to the suburbs if they knew these places existed outside of Williamsburg (please don't tell them, as I'm not quite ready to give up city living!). Now, I can't let you go without extolling the virtues of one of my favorite discoveries in Greater Williamsburg - the Astronomical Pancake House! The Williamsburg area is chock-full of pancake houses (which are all only open until 2pm, so plan accordingly!), but

Astronomical Pancake House stands out among them not only for the astronomical size of its pancakes, but also for the sheer deliciousness encapsulated within each oversized pancake. Couple this with friendly service and reasonble prices, and you have yourself a recipe for what is arguably the best meal in town! Greater Williamsburg captured my family's hearts and imaginations in a way that few other places have done, and we are hoping to return in the not-too-distant future to explore more of what the area has to offer. For more information, go to www.visitwilliamsburg.com.

http://nyceast.macaronikid.com/article/820543/family-travel-greater-williamsburg-brings-generations-together

Vintage Vacations: Travel back in time on an authentic vintage vacation Ilona Kauremszky

5.16.14

Up at the crack of dawn, ready to roll down the highway for the annual family vacation — remember when everyone packed into the car, the folks up front and the pillow-toting kids slumbering in the backseat because Dad insisted an early start would get you to the destination sooner?

Back then, vacations meant old-timey log cabins tucked in a wooded area by a lake. By night, fireside chats with the occasional raccoon sighting made for great bedtime stories. By day, hikes and lake dips became fodder years later for nostalgic dreams. Today there’s a growing trend of capturing the essence of distant memories and perhaps a simpler time. Many iconic destinations have held mass appeal since President Teddy Roosevelt first walked the secluded swath of Yellowstone National Park.

Most of these haunts haven’t changed much, save for a nip or tuck here and there and, of course, a bow to modern amenities. Plenty of these experiences cross niche markets like experiential or senior travel. Grandparents head back with their grandkids while executives head out on nature retreats. Personalization is huge, and so is the demand for authenticity. ACROSS AMERICA, VINTAGE has huge street cred. Just take a look at the roster of annual fairs, flea markets and authentic street festivals as vendors and collectors unite.

For the great outdoors, the U.S. National Park Service maintains a host of spots to turn back the clock. Xanterra Parks and Resorts, the biggest operator of lodges and concessions in national parks like Yellowstone National Park and Zion National Park, joined the “made in America” movement. Find nationally produced traditional gift shop items and set your smartphone clock by Old Faithful. Most park buildings post prediction times of the historic geyser’s eruptions. For sleep, nothing beats the iconic American Airstream camper trailer. Check out a cluster of them at The Shady Dell trailer park in Arizona for a mid-century slumber. KOA rents out a bunch of the iconic chrome four-wheeler rigs at specified campgrounds across the country. Retro campers can’t get enough at state parks, either. Kentucky is home to a slew of river stone-faced gems, many located in the Daniel Boone National Forest with BYOL (bring your own linen) at some lodgings. Think camping extraordinaire in the tree-lush Adirondacks. Once owned by the Vanderbilts, Lake Kora’s historic lakefront property is a classic

throwback with lodgings mired in nature but offers plenty of luxury for the modern-day camper, including a gourmet chef on the premises. Connect with the company’s BeautifulPlaces concierge to arrange the dream-come-true vacation. “Bookings are up for this type of camping as people really want off-the-grid getaways,” says Arlene Winnick, communications director, BeautifulPlaces — who adds that VIPs particularly crave privacy and luxury. On the posh side, industrialists of the day demonstrated their love of nature. Among the Fortune 500 companies, Laurance Rockefeller of the Rockefeller oil and banking dynasty created a fabulous bungalow seaside haven inside Virgin Islands National Park, a park he established on St. John. Unplug in the ultimate nature sanctuary — no phones, no televisions and accessible only by boat. Immerse in Mother Nature at Caneel Bay and watch the surf roll in on Hawksnest Beach. The fabulous ’50s architecture meshes seamlessly with the recreational activities: tennis, hiking, water sports and, of course, the sumptuous sundown candle-lit dinners. At Colonial Williamsburg, watch history unfold as interpreters re-enact the olden days. Kids can dress up and participate in activities such as planting seeds and learning traditional salutes. Sip tea with a costumed interpreter, play the piano and spend hours wandering the massive site housing countless buildings like the Governor’s Palace. This fully restored living museum, another project with a Rockefeller connection (Laurance’s father, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., restored one of the nation’s treasures), casts its spell on the history buff’s imagination and remains a favorite destination for young and old. The Leave It to Beaver cast would probably approve walking the streets of historic Palm Springs, sprawling in mid-century homes and manicured lawns. Sign up for a walking tour, dine at the renowned Melvyn’s Restaurant, order a dry martini Rat Pack-style and hit the golf greens once graced by funny man Bob Hope, legendary in these parts along with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and other Hollywood greats. Retro amusement park hubs like New York’s Coney Island are swinging back post-Hurricane Sandy. Roller coasters, Nathan’s famous hot dogs and the lively midways are Americana classics in this vivid pop culture landscape. Watch for the return of the legendary Thunderbolt roller coaster at Luna Park at Coney Island this year. By the Wreck Bar at Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel, visitors sight mermaids in a thrilling underwater swim show called the MeduSirena, staged since the 1950s, and organizers report there’s no shortage of them. Expect a vintage act on Friday and Saturday nights. Lovers of Annie Oakley and Sitting Bull head to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Wyoming to rekindle the Western era. Crowds flock here for powwows, museum treks and family programs. For Old West fun and cowboy re-enactments in Yuma, Ariz., groups dress up as cowboys and replay gun-toting skills at the annual Gathering of the Gunfighters held at the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park. Empty-nesters rekindle the old days in a throwback trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C. Not just budget- and family-friendly, high luxe meets its match. Overnight at the posh Marina Inn at Grande Dunes, a AAA 4-diamond award-winner, and rewind time along Myrtle Beach’s 60 miles of yesteryear. Peaches Corner,

Myrtle Beach’s oldest eatery, serves its famous burgers and shakes on the boardwalk; and Fat Harold’s offers free shag dancing lessons on Tuesday nights. Door County, Wisc., is synonymous with nostalgia. Old-fashioned crowd-pleasers — like a family-run vintage drive-in movie theater — bustle in summer as the family-packed vehicles line up for a spot. By day, cycle across the quaint towns and take a break at one of the cafés or ice cream shops that dot Green Bay and the Lake Michigan shoreline. BRITANNIA ALSO RULES for old-fashioned fun. The Downton Abbey TV craze translates into some doozy holidays; in the United Kingdom, you can act like a laird or enjoy refined relaxation like actress Maggie Smith’s dowager countess. Scotland’s been vintage vacation territory for TV’s Crawley family and even Queen Elizabeth. Seemingly around the bend from the royal summer home of Balmoral Castle in Cairngorms National Park deep in the Highlands is another wondrous locale, the Strathspey Estate, also located in the park. While the house was built in the 18th century, expect comfy lodgings big on tartan carpets, roaring fires and fabulous river-view nooks. With the country promoting Homecoming Scotland 2014, dare to vacation like the Scots. The Highlands exude pure bliss. The Historic Houses Association represents 1,500 homes, castles and gardens sprinkled across Britain, many owned by dukes and duchesses, boasting modern amenities and sumptuous settings. About 300 HHA houses are open to the public for day visitors. Pick any major city across the U.K. and find classic vacations that tug at the heartstrings. London’s huge roster of attractions includes some fabulous, inspiring old haunts. Head to the Grosvenor House for afternoon tea and later enjoy a shaken-not-stirred martini at Dukes, where James Bond creator Ian Fleming was a regular. The former earned “The Tea Guild Special Award of Excellence 2013” for its exceptional experience, while high-brow publications laud the latter as “The hotel bar which some say concocts one of the world’s best martinis.” On Burgh Island off England’s south Devon Coast, a posh hotel aptly named after the isle has attracted glitterati like Edward and Wallis Windsor since the Roaring Twenties. Sit in the Palm Court at the Peacock Bar for cocktails and classic tales. Suites bear the names of pre-War guests — Noel Coward and Agatha Christie among them — and the modern menu changes daily. Quintessentially English, the Cotswolds revs up its vintage tours with the Best of Britain on four favorite routes. Rent bespoke vintage wear, get behind the wheel of a classic car and roll out the map to pick your classic road trip. Health spas kick up the options, too. In Jane Austen country, Bath (the city synonymous with Roman baths and the U.K.’s No. 1 spa destination) prepares to welcome Britain’s first natural thermal spa hotel, the 5-star Gainsborough Bath Spa, which will open this year in the heart of Bath, an ideal spot for city sightseeing.

WITH VINTAGE VACATIONS, getting there is half the fun. Some companies foster elegance in their classic approach to travel. Airlines in the fashionable ’50s saw passengers and crew dressed to the nines. Porter Airlines, a Canadian company, looks to regal haute air travel as cabin crew — donned in 1950s-inspired wear designed by Canadian fashion house Pink Tartan — dish out snacks and offer libations for their

short hauls. The ultimate river cruise harks back to a time when indulging in leisure meant a long, slow journey sailing past breathtaking scenery. These days, time-starved travelers still wish to cruise but without the long voyages. Splurge on shorter jaunts to match memorable discoveries. Ever since Thomas Cook took passengers on a magical cruise

down the Nile River in the 1800s, travelers have had a love affair with Ancient Egypt. The stretch between Aswan and Luxor passes ancient temples, the wondrous desert and Bedouin villages clinging to the riverbanks. U.S.-owned Sonesta Collection’s Sonesta Amirat Dahabeya offers an unparalleled luxury cruise experience. Find bow-tied dining service, gourmet cuisine and customized day excursions with an Egyptologist. The traditional small vessel reminiscent of luxury cruises in the 1920s is furnished in teak with Occidental themes. It’s the classic Nile River cruise at its best. In Europe, Uniworld River Cruises, the award-winning U.S. company offering boutique luxury cruises along legendary waterways, continues to push the envelope in its flawless portfolio and fleet. Expect white-gloved dinner service, exceptional cuisine, the finest wines and custom-made furnishings that mirror the haute living. Rail travel once held huge glamour, too. Passengers clad in their Sunday best marveled at the new steam engine technology as they peered at the storybook countryside from plush cabins. The Orient-Express from Paris to İstanbul was the highly sought-after ticket of the day before World War I. Lovers of Agatha Christie’s iconic novel Murder on the Orient Express are in for a treat. Recreate the ambience on a classic British Pullman or Northern Belle and embark on a shortened rail route aboard the Venice-Simplon Orient-Express. Those stainless steel, streamlined rail cabins from the 1950s are fabulous when traveling VIA Rail Canada’s The Canadian. The cross-country rail journey features an exceptional dining car and a glass-roofed vista dome car ideal for critter-watching in Banff and the Rockies. With the abundant collection of yesteryear journeys, that trip down memory lane doesn’t sound old-fashioned after all.

http://www.globaltravelerusa.com/vintage-vacations/

http://visitsouth.com/lifestyle/article/williamsburg-for-beginners

Williamsburg for Beginners: What to do on your first visit 10.16.14

For many native Virginians, Williamsburg is high up on the list of in-state travel destinations. Whether you are packed onto a bus with elementary school classmates, brought by history buff parents to learn about the state’s heritage, dropping your

college-aged child off at William and Mary, or visiting with local friends and family, there are so many reasons to visit this area. But for those making their first trip, we have a few beginners’ tips to make your visit fun and stress-free. First, Williamsburg is most popular for its restored historic area of the city, what many people know as Colonial Williamsburg. Located close by is the modern area of Williamsburg, also a college town as it is home to students and staff of the College of William and Mary. These combined make up the City of Williamsburg, and coupled with nearby cities of Jamestown and Yorktown (the Historic Triangle), this area receives an average of four million tourists a year. Tips for Parking As with any new destination, parking can be one of the most stressful and expensive parts of a venture. There are many places to park in downtown Williamsburg, but for a cheap and easy option we recommend parking at the Visitor’s Center. The Visitor’s Center has hundreds of free parking spaces, located within walking distance of downtown Williamsburg (and for those looking for a quicker option, there is also a shuttle service). Stop inside and buy tickets for all of the colonial sites, check out the gift shop, and get maps and information pamphlets from all of the helpful guides.

Colonial vs. Modern Experience The actual city of Williamsburg is split in two sections—the colonial, touristy area (nicknamed "The Revolutionary City") and the modern area home to numerous shops and restaurants. While walking

over the bridge and following the path from the visitor’s center, you will see both. The path starts through some of the colonial sites (many of these you can only view from afar unless you purchase a ticket) and ends in the main colonial square right in front of the Governor’s Palace. This is where you can choose to stick around and check out all of the colonial buildings, shops, and gardens, or you can continue a bit further and reach the modern town filled with stores you may be more familiar with. In my most recent visit, I made sure to get down the road at an early hour, so by the time we parked and walked around, it was almost time for lunch! Places to Eat There are so many choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner; it’s hard to choose where to sit, rest your legs and fill your stomach! Luckily, almost every restaurant had a menu outside for you to browse through their selections. Stop in to the King’s Arms Tavern or Chowning’s Tavern to try food served to you by traditionally-dressed waiters. These are the places that mimic the historic cuisine of people such as Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. For those looking for modern options, you can try some of the many restaurants serving everything from brunch to seafood. Check out The Cheese Shop, a local favorite that has William and Mary alumni coming back year after year, or for something easy and close to the historic district, the Dog Street Pub.

October Means It’s Fall Foliage Time Adrienne Mayfield

10.19.14

Williamsburg Community Foundation Awards Largest Round of Grants to Date 10.19.14

Colonial Williamsburg Announces American Indian Theatrical Programming 10.18.14

Chocolate Making To Be Offered At National Park 10.8.14

Birr to give Wine Tasting 101 class during festival 10.9.14

‘Beloved Women of Chota: War Women of the Cherokee’ debuts Oct. 18 in Colonial Williamsburg 10.16.14

Colin Campbell discusses civics 10.11.14

Learn about voting at lecture at library 10.11.14

Opportunity to heal Steve Vaughan

10.11.14

Join Colonial Williamsburg’s Edward

Joyner every Friday at 4:15 pm for

Career Corner

Tune in to WMBG AM 740

http://www.wmbgradio.com/