rom Dec. 10 to 21, the Hotel Pattee in Perry, Iowa, hosts "A Hometown Christmas," an annual three-hour festivity that includes a four-course Midwestern Christmas dinner and songs, stories and dances celebrating small-town life in 1913, the year the hotel opened. Performances cost $100 on weekends, $90 on weekdays; room rates range from $129 to $289.

Hotel Pattee
Phone:
(888) 424-4268
Web:www.hotelpattee.com

• • •

The Westin Chicago River North and Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers are offering clients a holiday treat of their own: the Holiday on the River deal.

This discount rate starts at $99 per room, per night, and is available through Feb. 28. Bookings must be made by Jan. 31.

While in Chicago, clients can visit Santa and his elves at the Family Pavilion Stage at Navy Pier through Dec. 11; see the Museum of Science and Industry's Christmas Around the World -- Holiday of Lights display through Jan. 4; or catch "A Christmas Carol" at the Goodman Theatre through Dec. 28.

The Westin Chicago River North and Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers
Phone:
(800) 233-4100

• • •

Viking River Cruises is sailing the Danube River and exploring the Christmas markets of Austria and Germany, which feature handcrafted toys and crafts.

The seven-night itinerary sails from Vienna to Nuremberg, Germany (or reverse), on Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 21 and 28.

In addition to the beginning and ending ports, other cities on the itinerary include Durnstein, Melk and Salzburg, Austria, and Passau and Regensburg, Germany.

Rates start at $999 per person, double, and cover all meals and daily shore excursions. Air fare can be added at additional cost.

Viking River Cruises
Phone:
(877) 66-VIKING
Web:www.vikingrivercruises.com

• • •

Pleasant Holidays isn't monkeying around with its Chinese New Year Festival plan. After all, it will be the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese lunar calendar.

The six-night FIT program, departing Jan. 16, 17 or 18, includes roundtrip air from Los Angeles or San Francisco to Hong Kong via Cathay Pacific; accommodations; daily buffet breakfasts; a half-day Hong Kong Island tour; VIP bleacher seats for the Chinese New Year parade; and a special souvenir for all female participants.

Also included is a Museum of History pass, a VIP discount card, a half-day Hong Kong Island tour and a welcome kit with a map. The package is priced from $1,038 per person, double. Air from New York can be arranged for an additional $125; other gateways are available.

Pleasant Holidays
Phone:
(800) 448-3333
Web:www.pleasantagent.com

• • •

Clients can ring in 2004 at Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club in Brewster, Mass., with the Ocean Edge Inn New Year's Eve package.

The overnight plan offers a stay in a hotel guest room or one-bedroom villa, chilled champagne and party favors upon arrival, a five-course dinner for two at the hotel's Ocean Grille restaurant and brunch for two on New Year's Day.

The plan is priced at $298, double, plus tax and gratuity.

Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club
Phone:
(800) 343-6074
Web:www.oceanedge.com

• • •

Inspired by the Dr. Seuss book (and now hit film) "The Cat in the Hat," New York's Muse hotel is inviting kids to its own Seuss Sleepover this winter.

The overnight package, offered through Jan. 31, comes with a breakfast of green eggs and ham; a red-and-white, stovepipe hat; daily story time with milk and cookies and a choice of Dr. Seuss books; as well as a Do Not Disturb sign for an afternoon nap.

Also included is a copy of the book "The Cat in the Hat" and a bowl of goldfish -- the edible kind. Rates start at $309 per night, double. Agents earn 10% commission on the room rate.

The Muse
Phone:
(877) NYC-MUSE
Web:www.themusehotel.com

• • •

D.C.'s Jefferson, a Loews Hotel, is inviting clients to ring in the new year in style with its New Year's Eve party plan.

The overnight package, priced at $200.40 per person, includes luxury accommodations; valet parking; a six-course dinner at the property's Jefferson Restaurant; continental breakfast in bed and late check-out.

Also included in the program is the hotel's version of a hangover kit: a cooling eye mask, an aromatherapy spray, bottled water, Gatorade, ginger ale and Alka-Seltzer.

Additional nights can be purchased for $299 per night.

The Jefferson, a Loews Hotel
Phone:
(800) 235-6397
Web:www.loewshotels.com/hotels/washington_jefferson/
GDS: All systems

• • •

Following the holidays, the Auberge Mendocino Inn is offering a series of exercise and diet retreats based on the Atkins Diet to help guests lose weight and maintain nutritional and exercise habits.

The five-night Atkins Retreats are scheduled for Jan. 11, 18 and 25; Feb. 1, 8, and 29; and March 7, 14 and 21. The inn is located in Mendocino, Calif.

The packages feature guided walks around the property and surrounding area; low-carbohydrate meals at the inn and nearby restaurants; lectures and group programs; and spa and salon treatments.

The program is priced from $673.25 per person, double, and includes daily breakfasts and the features above.

Single occupancy rates and seven-night plans also are available.

Clients booking before Feb. 28 receive up to 40% off lodging and services.

Auberge Mendocino Inn
Phone:
(800) 347-9252
Web:www.aubergemendocino.com

• • •

With the holiday season in full swing, it might be time for clients to plan a post-holiday rest and relaxation retreat at Little Palm Island on Little Torch Key, Fla.

The property's three-night Get Lost package is available from Jan. 1 to 29 for arrivals on Sundays, Mondays or Tuesdays.

The program includes accommodations in a one-bedroom bungalow suite, breakfast and dinner daily, and a $150 per-person credit at the resort's SpaTerre.

In addition, the plan covers a welcome bottle of wine and unlimited use of all water sports, including boat rentals.

The package is priced from $3,925 per couple, including tax and service charges.

Little Palm Island
Phone:
(800) 3-GET-LOST
Web:www.littlepalmisland.com
GDS: All systems using the Noble House chain code NH

To contact reporter Kimberly Scholz, send e-mail to [email protected].

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