Snapshots from Christmas Town 2013

Visting Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Christmas Town for the first time marked a great way to celebrate the holiday season. The European-themed amusement park transforms into a yuletide world of sparkling lights, festive music, live performances, and dramatic decorations - all of which resulted in the following travelogue of photos and memories.

Christmas Town's shows including Gloria, with powerful vocal performances, and Miracles, a dance-themed musical. 

High-powered voices soar in Gloria!

Ballet and modern dance in Miracles

But the real stars of the park were the decorations, with each country sporting a distinctly different style. 

Ireland

Killarney boasted golden tinsel swags and green tinsel shamrocks, all interlaced with colored lights. Green and gold are not only Christmas colors but also colors in the Irish flag - clever. I made two stops at Annie's Pub for Christmas Town hot chocolate with whipped cream, delicious and warming.

Reminds me of Galway Bay Irish Pub in Annapolis,
with all the wood paneling and warm ambiance.

The leprechauns have been at work....

France

France's white, cerulean, and blush pink decor evoked the glitzy lives of bygone bourgeoisie and whimsical reflections of Parisian style. I even got a photo with some bizarre looking jesters. And they say American clowns are scary.

This gorgeous, gigantic Christmas tree sends forth thunderous carols from within... and in English, oddly. Fortunately, the rest of the music throughout France is in French, even a lovely rendition Jingle Bells - I mean Vive le Vent. The tree must be a welcoming committee for foreign tourists.

King, Queen, and Court Jesters do their best to frighten tourists in France.

Wine Tasting

The wine tasting at La Belle Maison left me feeling pretty educated. Turns out all of those fancy wine rituals aren't just for snobs, they actually have a purpose! Mind blown. For instance:

Tip a glass of red wine away from you a little and wiggling your fingers behind it. Whether or not you can see them shows how deep the color is. Color, like taste, makes each wine unique. 

When you swirl the wine around in your mouth, breathing in through your nose helps you taste even more flavors.

Check out Snooth and Vivino for advice on wine pairings, ratings, etc.

I especially had some things to learn about the temperatures that make wines happiest when served. "Americans," said the sommelier Nora, "serve white wine too cold and red wine too warm. You're supposed to serve red wine at room temperature, but room temperature means a cellar... in a medieval castle... in the dead of winter." So, all I need is a medieval castle and I'm all set.

I am now a fan of rosé, something I have never liked in the past. True French rosé "is neither cheap nor sweet," and is instead considered a delicacy in France. The wine tasting featured Rosé d'Anjou, which had a very elegant taste which, the sommelier explained, paired well with smoked turkey.

Beautiful statue in front of La Belle Maison. This statue disappeared
some time ago from France's town square, so I was happy to see it
had shown up again!

Rose d'Angou in my souvenir Christmas Town wine glass

Sadly, I had never done a wine tasting before, and I thought I would be rude unless I drank everything that was given to me. Ooopsie. Is it just me or is it hot in here?

Of course, no wine tasting is complete without a visit next door to... penguins? These penguins are real celebrities, residing in their own Ice Palace near La Belle Maison. I just wish I could have been on the flight to Williamsburg with them - pretty darn cute if you watch the video:

Germany

Dinner at Das Festhaus included a gluten-free pizza (baked in an oven-safe wrapper that prevented cross-contamination with gluten, unfortunately a must for anyone with life-threatening celiac disease like me - Busch Gardens is awesome). The always-festive Das Festhaus was even more bedecked than usual, with stunning chandeliers that reminded me of the Austrian chandelier in the Opera House in the Kennedy Center.

Later, we browsed shops boasting German-made wares ranging from beer steins and nutcrackers to carved hunting horns and cuckoo clocks. Since they were made in Germany rather than China, I could not afford them, but could afford to gawk!

French Canada

Passing through France again we meandered in French Canada, where the Yankee Candle Carver was hard at work as usual and Caribou Pottery was decked out for a woodsy Christmas. Most of the fauna were indoors, with the exception of a beautiful Cooper's Hawk whose keeper was rushing him inside before the afternoon chill set in.

Hand-dyed and handmade mushroom candles

A gentle, mellow Cooper's Hawk - gorgeous

I was dying to paint something at Caribou Pottery, but it takes a couple hours and the day was going by fast. We decided that next time we will have to take two days for Christmas Town.

Italy

Voyaging from French Canada into Italy unveils a vintage Christmas theme, replete with oversized mutli colored lights, giant clowing Santa heads (eeek!) and retro holiday-themed bill boards. Dean Martin replaces ancient Roma, and apparently his tradmark drinks abounded as well, as evident in the behavior of a gentleman who rushed up to me and enthused about how AWESOME!!! my outfit was. Attired in a curly brown scarf, my favorite winter hat (a huge furry ushanka), and a camel-colored winter coat, I thought I looked more like a terrifying squirrel, but to each his own.

Italy was one of my favorite sections in Christmas Town, being a vintage girl myself. My mother felt herself yanked back into her childhood memories of 1950s and 60s Christmases, but the panic in her eyes soon changed to enjoyment... I hope.

By now solidly nighttime, we boarded the train skirting around the perimeter of the park. I got yelled at by the conductor for leaning out of the train to get this shot. Whenever I see potential for a good photo all common sense goes out the window. Whoops.

By foot, the lights were spectacular as well, since you became immersed in the visual festivities on all sides. Such as:


...the smashed-up car at Verbolten, which joined in the holiday festivities...

...the clock tower in Banbury Cross...

...and Escape from Pompeii, now the Polar Pathway...

...and the O Tanenbaum light show in Oktoberfest...

Vaudeville comes to Virginia

This week, I visited the famous metropolis of... drum roll... Dumfries, Virginia! (Yeah, I had never heard of it either.) From my brief visit there, I can attest that the town abounds in sweet, hospitable people and confusing thoroughfares. I had made the trek in order see one of my favorite comedians, Taylor Mason, before his national tour took him to lands far away. A ventriloquist and musician, his talent for improvisation shows in this video I managed to covertly shoot during the performance. The only problem was that I kept shaking the camera from laughing so hard.

I cannot help but think of old Vaudeville when I see him perform, for Mason belongs in the comedic family tree of classic performers like Red Skelton and Groucho Marx, rather that of the over-rated potty-mouths so common nowadays. What a gem.

Outdoor Concert Chronicles

Pink Martini at Wolf Trap

Oh, where to start... Pink Martini is one of my favorite bands ever. Wolf Trap is my favorite outdoor venue. So, Pink Martini + Wolf Trap = Yay!

Ridiculously talented, the group blends sultry world sounds with the nostalgic styles of the 1940s and 50s. Their lead singer, China Forbes, recently returned from successful vocal chord surgery, so it was a huge treat seeing her perform on July 1st.

I would have died for either of the dresses she wore for the concert. The first was a sweeping cherry-colored high-low gown which she wore with a sparkling bib-style necklace. The second, following intermission, was a black one-shoulder gown with embellishment at the shoulder and a side leg slit. I totally agree with my friend Maya, who turned to me and sobbed "I. Want. That. Dress!"

BSO at Oregon Ridge, Star Spangled Spectacular

This was both my first time visiting Oregon Ridge Park and my first time hearing the fabulous Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Our group wisely commandeered a picnic bench in the shade near the top of the hill, and covered it in a spread including chips, salsa-cream cheese chutney, avocado-yogurt dip, Chardonnay, pink lemonade, and gluten-free Trader Joe's cookies. A refreshing setup while we waited for the sun to set. By the time the fireflies came out, we were enjoying a cool, relaxing evening.

Emerging opera soprano Katie von Kooten presented patriotic songs from various eras, including selections from vaudeville & Broadway composer George M. Cohan (love him - he wrote "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandee" and "You're a Grand Ol' Flag"). She also performed modern Broadway favorites like "I Dreamed a Dream" from Le Miz and "Think of Me" from Phantom of the Opera. Being a bit misty-eyed over the Le Miz rendition, I didn't have the presence of mind to film it, but did catch most of the Phantom pick. Lovely, rich voice:

The program ended with a nostalgic fireworks display. We endured a long wait leaving the parking lot - tons of cars (shudder)! But well worth it, honestly.


Scythian at the Annapolis Irish Festival

My favorite local (more or less) band, Scythian is a DC-based group with a celtic-gypsy-world-americana sound. It all makes sense when you hear their distinct, infectious sound. The Annapolis Irish Festival, now in its third year, was crowded to the point that people had arrived early and set up tents in front of the main stage. Great to see it's taking off, but a challenge to find a place to stand without getting in people's way. We ended up standing a bit off to the side and shading ourselves from the sun with my rainbow-colored umbrella, which at least has some green in it. I may want to invest in an old-fashioned parasol next time. Every girl needs one, just sayin'.

It was hot, about 85 degrees, and the humidity made it feel about ten degrees hotter. But I wouldn't have missed Scythian for the world, even for a cold, refreshing mimosa. Especially since I'd already had one this morning. Anyway....

Scythian drew from a variety of their repertoire, including some of my favorites like "Hey Mama Ya," a 'Nawlins style number; "Dance All Night," and - my favorite - "Jack Dempsey." They're always fun and always great at interacting with the crowd.

Sure, Maryland's summers are blistering and humid, but it's worth braving the energy-zapping heat for the outdoor concerts in the area. And now, I'm going to go drink three gallons of iced tea. And maybe pour some of it on my head.

The Story of Busch Gardens, Part III

In my last post, I thought about how Busch Gardens Williamsburg's mini-version of Italy seems to have sprung to life after passing through the lens of romance and nostalgia, like a transplanted immigrant fondly remembering the Old Country. But isn't that true of all of the countries?

Take Ireland, for instance. Rather than a replica of the village in County Kerry, Killarney breathes life into the memories and tall tales of great-grandmother Siobhan or great-great-uncle Seamus. The best of every old memory of Ireland, from crumbling castles to bustling pubs. 

Replacing the boring Hastings section of the park in 2001, Killarney brings energy and beauty in a sweet homage to old Eire.

You cannot walk a step in Killarney without finding yourself surrounded by brilliant greenery and the sound of Irish reels and jigs. Celtic Fyre's hard shoe rhythms, coming from the Abbey Stone Theater, come without a sign of the potato famine or British interlopers. Except perhaps for the cute one buying the claddagh ring and Phil Coulter CD for his girlfriend at the Emerald Isle gift shop. Which, by the way, is the best gift shop in the entire park! You can find real Irish imports there like Waterford crystal, tweed hats, wool sweaters, and even Irish-made packaged snacks.

Or take Germany, where phantasmal castles, colorful may poles, and vivid garden patches create the land, where the modernity of high-tech coasters and motion-simulated rides give way the aura of ancient legends. Even the brand-new coaster Verbolten (which opened on May 18), whose cars resemble classic European touring automotives, features a story line of modern transportation in a losing battle with the Black Forest.

The huge Festhause in Oktoberfest has always been dramatic, but when I first visited in the 90s, it housed a nice cuckoo clock shop and a gigantic ballroom where live performers would serenade luncheoners with traditional German songs and dances. Cute, but it got old pretty fast. Now, the ballroom's walls sport quaint little cottage fronts that create the feeling of being in the town square of a little German village. 

A new show, Entwined, has even opened on the central stage. It's a children's musical play based on several of the Grimm Brothers' fairy tales rolled into one playful jumble.

Germany is coming back to life!

Though Ireland and Italy remain my favorite countries at the Gardens, during my time in Germany I had to constantly resist the urge to go dancing around the May Pole.

The Story of Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Part II

Continued from The Story of Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Part I.

The Loch Ness, as seen 

from the Aeronaut sky ride

In 1978, Anheuser-Busch constructed the Loch Ness Monster, a steel roller coaster that took three exciting honors. It was the world's tallest coaster, the world's steepest coaster, and the world's only coaster with interlocking loops. Although two other coasters with interlocking loops later opened (the Orient Express and the Lightening Loops), they have since shut down, so Nessie again holds the honor as the world's only!  

Baby back ribs, Irish stew, take your pick!

I have just posted new information on dining safely with food allergies at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg! After all, you don't want a run in with gluten (or whatever you're allergic to) putting a damper on your adventurous spirit during your travels. Go to "Make the Most of Your Visit" at the Unofficial Guide to Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and click on "Food Allergies." Personally, I am leaning towards the scrumptious-sounding dining at Trapper's Smokehouse in New France and Grogan's Grill in Killarney.

The Story of Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Part I

The "Rhine" comes to Williamsburg

Busch Gardens' The Old Country, as it was initially called, opened in Williamsburg VA in 1975. Despite soggy weather delaying the opening (this is, after all, Virginia), The Old Country opened in May to rave reactions. Marylanders, Virginians, and Washingtonians flocked to the park, and by the end of just its first season, over 3.1 million visitors had passed through its gates.

The Unofficial Guide to Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Voted the nation's most beautiful theme park for twenty-one consecutive years, Busch Gardens Williamsburg  successfully merges beautiful gardens and European architecture with top-notch rides and shows. 

BGW is the only place where you can watch an Irish dance show, plummet straight down at 71 mph, stroke a Clydesdale's nose, ride the world's only coaster with interlocking loops, admire the handiwork of Italian artisans, channel your own inner pottery muse, scream your head off on a dive coaster, scratch the back of a cuckoo bird's head, survive the Alpengeist, escape the wrath of Mount Vesuvius, lose yourself in natural beauty, and take on a wild coaster ride through a "Verbolten" forest all in the same day.

So, take a stroll through my cool new website, The Unofficial Guide to Busch Gardens Williamsburg!

Roses and Rollercoasters

Busch Gardens Williamsburg has something for everyone. My mother, for example, loves the shows, architecture, gardens, as do I.  As kid, I once brought a sketch pad and spent hours in San Marco's Pompeii-style gardens sketching the statuary.

However, my delicate-lover-of-art-and-roses phase gradually transitioned into a yeah-cool-gardens-now-show-me-the-roller-coasters frenzy.

The Gardens boast fantastic roller coasters, ranging from the smooth and soaring Apollo's Chariot to the wild Alpengeist and record-breaking Griffon. Busch Gardens not only has something for everyone, but also something for whatever phase in life you're going through. My Irish dance craze was (is) easily met at Killarney.

Anyway, returning to coasters, I cannot wait to ride Verbolten, due to open in Germany in Spring 2012! BGW's official site describes the coaster as "an all-new multi-launch, indoor/outdoor roller coaster."  The storyline involves a German tourist car going out of control in the "verboten" (German for forbidden) Black Forest. I don't know any more about the concept, but I can say one thing: by altering "verboten" to "verbolten," BGW more than hints at the roller coaster's speed. The coaster also, wisely, maintains the plummet off the cliff towards the Rhine--one of the most distintive features of the Big Bad Wolf, which Verbolten is replacing.
The Big Bad Wolf had many of devoted fans (including yours truly), and it will be missed. As TheUltimateRollerCoster.com reported when Wolf closed in 2009:

The Big Bad Wolf is notable since it's the world's first suspended coaster and is credited with taking roller coaster design to a new level when it opened in 1984. Since its debut more than 29 million guests have ridden this roller coaster.
Besides its signature drop over a cliff above the Rhine River, one of the best attributes of The Big Bad Wolf is its 42-inch height requirement, which is six inches less than most comparable roller coasters its size. As a result The Big Bad Wolf has many fans — young and old alike — who often cite it as their introduction to the coaster experience. 

In fact, it was the only roller coaster I could ever get my mom to ride--it was just so much fun, even she forgot how much she hated coasters! Verbolten, Mama better like.

About Verbolten: BGW's official website describes the coaster as "an all-new multi-launch, indoor/outdoor roller coaster."  The storyline involves a German tourist car going out of control in the "verboten" (German for forbidden) Black Forest. And by altering "verboten" to "verbolten," BGW more than hints at the roller coaster's speed.

Check out BGW's official site for a really cool teaser video, a making-of video, and a lot more!