Williamsburg salutes Fife and Drums

• By CYNTHIA V. CAMPBELL
• Travel editor
• Published: May 4, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05am

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Colonial Williamsburg’s Fifes and Drums have been entertaining visitors at the reconstructed village in Virginia for decades. This year the musical group is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Founded in 1958, the Fifes and Drums perform in the historic area nearly 500 times during the year in daily programs. The musical organization is made up local boys and girls aged 10-18. They perform as members of either the junior or senior group.

Signature 50th anniversary events this year start with Drummer’s Call, May 16-18, when fife and drum units from across the U.S. will perform military field music during special programs.

Independence Day, July 4, old and new members of the Fifes and Drums will meet for a reunion. The alumni will perform alongside the current group in a concert prior to the traditional fireworks. Visitors to Williamsburg, Dec. 7, for the Grand Illumination, Dec. 7, will be treated to a concert by the Fifes and Drums in a special holiday celebration.

This summer, Colonial Williamsburg’s Fife and Drums will make its first international appearance, July 15-19, at the Basel Tattoo in Basel, Switzerland. It is the only U.S. group invited to perform in Basel. Forty-one senior youth performers and five adult performers will travel to Switzerland for the performance.

The Basel Tattoo is the world’s only tattoo to take place where the tattoo originated, in the courtyard of a historical barracks. In the 17th century, a tattoo was the command given by the commander to the publican serving his troops to close the beer taps so that the soldiers or sailors could return to their quarters. For info, visit http://www.baseltattoo.ch.

Travelers visiting Colonial Williamsburg this year can learn more about the 18th-century military musician during a program, “The Art of Fifing and Drumming.” The program is scheduled throughout the year. A separate ticket for each event costs $12, adults and $6, youths, six to 17; and $6, children under six. For program dates and reservations, call (800) HISTORY.

Take note. Anyone who want to take the sounds of the Fifes and Drums with them, ring tones for cellular phones can be downloaded from Colonial Williamsburg’s Web site at http://www.history.org/media/downloads.cfm.

Send Mom packing
The national day of recognition for mothers is Sunday, May, 11. She’ll love a greeting card and a breakfast in bed, but why not step it up on Mother’s day with something — a journey she’ll always remember. Many hotels and resorts are offering special getaway packages for Mom. They come in all descriptions and prices, and many can be arranged for Mother’s Day itself or in the months ahead. Here’s a few ideas:

• For moms who like to be pampered, La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa, a Rock Resort, is offering the “Luxurious Three-Night Spa Retreat” package that includes three nights accommodation, one 50-minute Adobe mud wrap per person, one 50-minute flowing water massage per person, a 50-minute facial, one classic manicure and a daily $40 breakfast credit at the Viga Restaurant. The package starts at $1,716 for two. Valid through Dec. 31. Based on availability. Call (866) 331-7625.
• The Caribbean island of Aruba is honoring mom the entire month of May with discounts, spa credits and more. The Westin Aruba Resort is offering a $100 credit at its spa, valid until Aug. 31. Call (877) 822-2222. The Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino is offering a four-night stay with the fifth night free, rates starting at $319 per room, per night. It includes a 50-minute pregnancy massage or a 50-minute reflex foot massage. Call (800) 223-6388. The Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort is serving a free bottle of wine upon check-in to all moms, and a 10 percent discount off water sports from Pelican Adventures. Call (800) Holiday. All Aruba special packages are based on availability. When calling, be sure to ask about taxes and additional fees. For more information, contact the Web site: http://www.Aruba.com.
• For the mom who loves the outdoors, the Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands, N.C., has a fly-fishing getaway. Give her two-nights in the Great Smoky Mountains, where she will receive eight hours of fine fishing for brook, brown and rainbow trout with fly rod, reel and waders provided. Then she can tack on a Journey to Bliss facial (priced at $200) to cleanse the day away. The package starts at $1,118 for two, including tax and tips. Available year-round. Contact http://www.oldedwardsinn.com.
• Moody Gardens Hotel in Galveston has a Mother’s Day special that combines a spa getaway with a Mother’s Day buffet, Sunday, May. 11. The buffet costs $32.95, adults; $26.95, seniors; and $16.95 for children, ages 4-12. Give mom a spa gift card (priced at different levels) so she can get extra pampering while the family tours the island. Room rates at Moody Gardens range from $199 to $249. For dinner reservations call (741) 8484, ext. 4465. For the hotel, visit http://www.moodygardenshotel.com.
• Moms who enjoy shopping and living the high life in Dallas, will love the package at the newly renovated Stoneleigh Hotel and Spa. It includes a one night stay, brunch for two at Bolla Restaurant with fare from iron chef challenger chef David Bull, and a choice of one 50-minute Maple Avenue body sugar scrub or one 50-minute blueberry antioxidant body masque at The Spa at Stoneleigh. Cost begins at $535 per night. Valid through May 17. Based on availability. Contact http://www.stoneleighhotel.com.
• Throughout May, the Ix-Chel Mother’s Day Escape Package at the Ka’ana Boutique Resort in Belize starts with round-trip transportation from Belize International Airport to your luxury casita (little house). It includes a bottle of champagne upon arrival, daily meals, a candlelight dinner at La Ceiba, tour of the Belize Zoo, one full day private tour of a Mayan ruin of your choice and more. Rates for the 3-night/four-day package start at $1,605 per person. Mothers who choose to escape with their kids will like to know that that up to two kids under the age of 12 stay free with parents. Valid until June 1. Taxes and surcharges are additional.

Gulf Coast gas incentive
Sterling Resorts, one of the largest vacation rental management companies in the U.S., is offering guests who drive to its more than 20 luxurious condominium resorts a fuel credit of up to $200 now through Aug. 31. The company will provide guests staying a minimum of three nights with a $100 fuel credit upon check-in. To be eligible for the gas credit, travelers must book a new reservation by June 8, and upon arrival at their resort present a gas receipt showing a fill-up during their trip to the beach. Additionally, guests staying for seven nights or more will receive a $200 fuel credit.

Sterling condominium resorts are located in Biloxi, Miss., Gulf Shores, Ala.; Destin, Panama City Beach and the Beaches of South Walton, Fla.

Amenities include unlimited DVD rentals, Wolfgang Puck coffee and Gilchrist and Soames bath products. Also guests receive access and discounts to area golf courses and spas. For information and reservations, contact http://www.SterlingResorts.com or call (866) 5Resort.

Houston extended stays
Travelers seeking alternative lodgings in Houston for an extended period because of work, relocation or medical treatment can now contact Modern Corporate Housing. The company has a collection of exclusive furnished, all-inclusive housing packages in key Houston locations, Galleria, Downtown and Medical Center.

Accommodations are fully furnished apartments, not hotel rooms, that blend the mix of prominent location with high-end living. Flexible lease terms are available. The company offers one and two bedroom units starting from a daily rate of $89. The company caters to traveling business executives, relocating executives, long-term medical patients and anyone needing deluxe, extended-stay accommodations, such as entertainers. For detailed information, contact http://www.ModernCorporateHouing.com.

Nova Scotia vacations
Maxxim Vacations, one of Canada’s respected travel companies, is offering a weeklong fly-drive vacation through Nova Scotia this summer. Participants trace the coastline and stay at country inns. A sample itinerary might include two nights each at Halifax and Lunenbaurg and one night each at Annapolis Royal and Wolfville. Awake to Scottish breakfasts of eggs, bacon, spicy beef sausages, potato scones and black pudding.