THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 4, 1996 TAG: 9608030053
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STEPHEN HARRIMAN
LENGTH: 132 lines
SURE, IT'S A LONG drive from the Tidewater flatlands to the southwestern Virginia mountains - it would take the better part of a summer's day to get there - but the Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon sounds particularly appealing.
They must be doing something right. The 16-day event, which begins this weekend in one of Virginia's most delightful towns, is entering its 48th year. Recently the festival has drawn around 300,000 annually to the town of 7,000.
This celebration of American culture (Aug. 3-18) features 16 days of shopping for antiques, fine arts and crafts; the renowned Barter Theatre offering four plays in two days; performances by musicians, international dancers and a puppet theatre; workshops for creative writing, watercolor painting and the music of the Carter family; and lots of family activities.
The appeal of Abingdon, beyond its historic charm, is that it sits within 10 miles of the easternmost of the TVA lakes, the Appalachian Trail and the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Also, the Virginia Creeper Trail, a converted railbed, is a great source of community pride. The nature trail, suitable for hiking and cycling, runs 30 miles from downtown Abingdon to North Carolina.
Info: (800) 435-3440. FROM HERE TO THERE
The Great Atlantic Travel and Tour Co. has put together a grandparents-grandchildren fall day trip to the Eastern Shore of Virginia that includes a visit to the Assateague Island Wildlife Refuge, lunch at the Chincoteague Inn, a stop at Pony Tails candy factory and a narrated cruise around the island. Departure by motorcoach will be at about 8:30 a.m. Oct. 19 with return about 6:30 p.m. Cost: $55 for adults, $45 for children under 12. Info: (757) 422-9001. YOUR MONEY'S WORTH
Naples (Fla.) Beach Hotel & Golf Club celebrates its 50th anniversary with $50 pp/do per night (two kids under 18 free) through Sept. 30. Info: (800) 237-7600.
Loews L'Enfant Plaza hotel in Washington, D.C., marks the 50th anniversary of Loews Hotels by offering 50 percent off regular rates at their hotels in the United States, Canada and Monaco if guests turn 50 or mark 50th anniversary (must show proof). Through Dec. 31. Info: (202) 484-1000.
Westin Hotels & Resorts has launched a year-round Westin Weekend package, available Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights worldwide and featuring special room rates (from $79), in-room movie each night, breakfast for two, late checkout and award points with any of its nine airline partners. Info: (800) WESTIN-1.
Great Tampa Getaways from $79 pp/do. Reservations and info: (800) 36-TAMPA. Free ``Tampa, What a Great Idea'' coupon book with $250 worth of discounts: (800) 44-TAMPA.
Greater Fort Lauderdale Summer of '96 promotion, to Oct. 15, includes discounts and special offers at hotels, attractions, restaurants and cruises. Example: three-night hotel package, $96 pp/do. Info: (800) 22-SUNNY.
Norwegian Cruise Line passengers enrolled in frequent-flier programs with American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, TWA, United and USAir will earn 10,000 miles Sept. 1-Dec. 15 when booking a standard inside or outside cabin, or 25,000 miles for a suite. Info: A local travel agent.
Which way Europe? Kemwel Group's brochure ``To Help You Plan Your Trip'' provides descriptions of European cars, pictures of road signs, table of distances between major cities and a map. Call (800) 678-0678.
Hawaii Reservation Service can book hotels from budget to luxury, as well as B&Bs and condos on all five islands, 24 hours a day. Tell them where and when you want to visit, and they'll tell you what's available in your price range (standard rooms start about $70 a night; beachfront, about $125). There's no fee for the service, which passes along available hotel discounts. Call (800) 895-0012. HOSTELS AREN'T HOSTILE
Hosteling is not for everybody, but if you haven't tried it, don't knock it. I've tried it; I didn't dislike it. They aren't just for youth, and you can't beat the prices. For instance:
The Hosteling International-American Youth Hostels network has two new outposts, in Clearwater Beach, Fla., and Johannesburg, Calif. Rates at each are $12 daily for Hosteling International members, $15 for nonmembers. Private family or couples rooms can be reserved in advance.
The Florida hostel is two blocks from the beach, has a pool, tennis, volleyball and shuffleboard, provides free use of canoes and rents bicycles. Call (813) 443-1211. The California hostel, in Mojave desert gold-mining/ghost-town country an hour and a half northeast of Los Angeles and two hours from Death Valley, offers bike rentals and tours. Call (619) 374-2323.
In Philadelphia, the elegant 19th century Chamounix Mansion house offers dormitory style rooms in Fairmount Park, with nearly 9,000 acres of woodland, jogging, bike and bridal trails, sailboat, canoe and bicycle rental, tennis and golf.
Renovation of the carriage house is expected to be completed this month, adding up to 40 beds and bringing the hostel's capacity to around 75. Overnight rates are $11 for members, $14 for nonmembers; $5.50 for children. The mansion is on the National Register of Historic Places. Info and reservations: (800) 379-0017.
For a free brochure with map and directory of U.S. hostels in the network, or for membership information, call (202) 783-6161. LEAVE THE DRIVING
Top motor-coach destinations, according to an annual survey of members of the National Motorcoach Network in Fairfax:
1. Branson, Mo.
2. Myrtle Beach, S.C.
3. Washington, D.C.
4. Nashville
5. New York
6. Orlando, Fla.
7. Williamsburg
8. Quebec City/Montreal, Canada
9. Chicago
10. Las Vegas, Nev. CIVIL WAR SITE-INGS
A new brochure offers information on 36 of North Carolina's Civil War sites along seven trails spanning the state. The brochure helps explain North Carolina's role during the conflict and covers all aspects of the war, including the Cherokees' participation to the escape of slaves into the Dismal Swamp. For a free copy, call (800) VISIT NC.
In conjunction with the 134th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam, the annual Sharpsburg (Md.) Heritage Festival will be held Sept. 21-22. Included are band concerts, a craft fair, living-history encampments, lectures on tracing Civil War ancestors, walking tours of the village and a Sunday ceremony honoring descendants of soldiers and freedmen. The Torchlight Tour is Sept. 21. For tours and park activities, call (301) 432-5124; for festival and accommodations: (800) 228-STAY.
The recently opened National Museum of Civil War Medicine in nearby Frederick, Md., features military and civilian heroes as well as medical techniques developed during the war. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
MIKE PIERRY JR.
Lace making is one of many crafts that will be demonstrated at the
Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon through Aug. 18. by CNB