| Travel Destinations |
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| Augusta, GA |
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| Carmel, CA |
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| Chicago, IL |
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| California, Orange County |
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| Carribbean, BVI |
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| Door County , WI |
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| Kohler, WI, 5-Diamond |
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| Monterey, CA |
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| Vail, CO |
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| Travel: Arts |
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| Travel-Food & Wine Review |
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| Travel: Advertising |
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| Travel: Media Reviews |
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| Chicago. A magical place anytime of year, the city positively teems with merriment at the holidays. It is a world filled with horse-drawn buggies, twinkling lights and freshly falling snow. Festive holiday displays in store windows greet shoppers at the Magnificent Mile as do carolers and performers of all kinds. Chicago is a lure for lovers of art, architecture and the performing arts. A good place to begin your visit is at the Visitor Information Center in the landmark Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. Here you can get detailed information on and directions to Chicago's many cultural attractions. You may also get information in advance by going to the Web site www.cityofchicago.org/ExploringChicago.
 Architecture
Artistic and intellectual innovation coexist here. Architectural marvels, historic landmark buildings and contemporary technological masterpieces shape the skyline. Chicago is a living museum of architecture with the designs of Daniel H. Burnham, Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig Mies va der Rohe, Helmut Jahn and hundreds of others. There are more than 50 guided walking or bus tours of Chicago’s architecture from which to choose. For those who prefer a self-guided tour, visitors can stop by the Chicago Architecture Foundation, 224 S. Michigan Ave. (at the corner of Michigan and Jackson in the historic Santa Fe Building) to purchase a map of the buildings featured on their tours. Hour are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Phone: (312) 922-3432, ext. 226.
McCormick Tribune Plaza and Ice Rink-Millennium Park
While strolling to the Chicago Art Institute, you might want to stop across the street at Chicago’s Millennium Park. Throughout the year, the park hosts a variety of concerts, exhibitions, events and tours. Seating at most events in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion is free of charge and available on a first come, first serve basis. In the summer, park goers can enjoy al fresco dining at the Park Grill Restaurant. Reservations can be made by calling (312) 521-PARK (521-7275).
Chicago Art Institute Have you met Monet, Renoir or Gauguin? Seeing their original works at one of the great art museums of the world, the Art Institute of Chicago, is like meeting them visually on their canvas. The scenes dance before you, mixtures of colors and brush movements. Here you will find Monet’s famous large painting of water lilies; Renoirs’ scenes of women and children; Gauguin's island peoples and water – the broken, vibrating brush strokes of rapidly applied blues, greens, and yellows evokes a sense of immediacy. The Institute houses one of the largest and most significant collections of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, as well as classic modern painting and sculpture.
http://www.artic.edu/aic/exhibitions/faces/index.html. Chicago Holidays
Creating a Norman Rockwell atmosphere, snowflakes gently falling outside, a homespun welcome as the lights inside sparked on the large pine scented tree. Christmas carolers, sporting top hats and fur-trimmed gowns in the 1800s style, sang songs and took song requests, of the season at the foot of a large decorated tree in the hotel lobby as part of the holiday festivities. All who passed through the lobby couldn't hold back the smiles as they saw children sitting on the floor by the gifts and heard the music fill the air. The Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers is located at 301 E. North Water St. Phone: (312) 464-1000.
Jazz on a winter’s eve
For 30 years, the historic Andy's Jazz Club has presented the best jazz Chicago has to offer. Andy's offers casual dining along with live jazz throughout day and evening hours. Local acts focusing on mainstream, traditional, be-bop jazz and blues are featured with sets at lunchtime, late afternoon and evenings. An early evening dinner and jazz combo is available Friday night. The menu ranges from original pizzas to aged prime rib. Andy’s is located at 11 E. Hubbard St.; phone: (312) 642-6805.
| | 7,000 Restaurants: Windy City 
For the more upscale meal, the internationally acclaimed Signature Room at 875 N. Michigan Ave., is in the heart of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. It serves up contemporary American fare with sweeping, dramatic views of the city. The art deco interior complements the casual upscale dining. Features a Signature carving selection, seafood specialties, poultry selections, creative side dishes, succulent homemade soups and gourmet salads. Some of the chef’s personal recipes are available on their web site, www.signatureroom.com. Reservations are recommended; call (312) 787-9596.
Culinary Delights The city has more than 7,000 restaurants that serve a variety of culinary delights for every mood and budget. From haute cuisine, fried clams, pierogies Chicago-style hotdogs to Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza, you’ll find it here. A visit to the well-known Uno’s Pizza at 29 E. Ohio, (312) 321-1000, www.pizzeriauno.com, is like visiting someone’s home. The down-home establishment in a cozy neighborhood welcomes visitors with the aroma of Italian food. The flavors and spices linger after your meal.
Watertower Place
At the pinnacle of Chicago's famed Magnificent Mile, Water Tower Place is one of Chicago's premier shopping destinations. Its stunning, eight-level atrium features more than 100 stores and restaurants, a mix of distinctive specialty shops and boutiques. It is a unique, high-energy urban shopping experience to enjoy.
With eight levels of noteworthy stores, including Marshall Field’s and Lord & Taylor, shoppers will also find stores like Lacoste, Department 56, The Territory Ahead and Misako, plus favorites like Banana Republic, J.Jill, The Sharper Image, Nine West and more. This impressive building is located at, 835 North Michigan Ave. Phone: (312) 440-3166. www.shopwatertower.com.
Where to stay
The Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, overlooking the Chicago River, is located one block west of Lake Shore Drive, within walking distance to Navy Pier, Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, the Art Institute, the Loop Business District, shopping, dining and entertainment. Comfortable shoes or boots are recommended for the long city blocks. The concierge provides excellent individual walking instructions to popular destinations. Each guest room and suite features a spectacular view of either the Chicago River, Lake Michigan or the city skyline.
The Great Hotel Extravaganza
Chicago’s Great Hotel Extravaganza, Winter Delights offers one-of-a-kind experiences of the city’s culture and cultural attractions at premier hotels. More than 25 of the city’s great hotels are transformed into virtual cultural centers, offering culturally themed travel packages complete with entertainment, VIP access to events, backstage tours and conversations with arts experts. Themes range from chocolate, architecture and Chicago sports to blues, jazz, opera, NASCAR, ballroom dancing, and Irish heritage. More than two-dozen theme packages are available; view them online at www.cityofchicago.org/ExploringChicago . The Chicago Experience
Experience all that is Chicago and you just might find yourself humming all the way home. Artistic and intellectual innovation coexist here. Architectural marvels, historic landmark buildings and contemporary technological masterpieces shape the skyline. Chicago is a living museum of architecture with the designs of Daniel H. Burnham, Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig Mies va der Rohe, Helmut Jahn and hundreds of others. There are more than 50 guided walking or bus tours of Chicago’s architecture from which to choose. Phone: (312) 922-3432, ext. 226.
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