Friday, November 21, 2014

Make shopping part of your Williamsburg Getaway



Williamsburg, Virginia is an American history destination stretching back more than 400 years. When you visit us this fall, take a day to go Christmas shopping and shop from a different century or save 25-65% at our outlets. With a variety of opportunities to shop and dine this holiday season, you'll never want to leave!

The historic shops in Williamsburg are truly one of a kind. Children and families are able to buy replica colonial attire and games. Don’t miss The William Pitt Shop for children’s colonial clothing, hats, toys, games, and books or the Mary Dickinson Shop for 18th-century women’s fashions including petticoats, short gowns, cloaks, mitts, and caps. 

Next visit Colonial Williamsburg’s Merchants Square located conveniently on Duke of Gloucester Street just down from the Historic Area. Here you can visit over 40 unique stores and restaurants. With street music, theater, and Christmas Carolers, you’ll be surrounded by the picturesque beauty of 18th-century-inspired architecture and perhaps spot a strolling Father Christmas! Located adjacent to the Revolutionary City, the retail stores are open daily. Visit this schedule for specific store hours.


On your way back to the Williamsburg KOA Campground, be sure to stop in at the Yankee Candle which is brimming with holiday activities this time of year. Expect to see Santa, watch it snow every 4 minutes, and have Christmas-scented candles fill the air with Holiday fragrance. This place truly captures Christmas in scents and wax. 


A shopping tour of the Williamsburg area is only complete with a visit to the Williamsburg Premium Outlets. This where style meets value and you’ll find an impressive collection of more than 150 designer and name-brand outlet stores with savings of 25-65% off regular retail price and all in a quaint village setting! Featuring: Adidas, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, BCBG Max Azria, Brighton Collectibles, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Coach, Chico’s, Cole Haan, Crabtree & Evelyn, DKNY, Dooney & Bourke, Gap Outlet, Hugo Boss, J.Crew, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Bahama, Tommy Hilfiger, True Religion, Under Armour, White House | Black Market, and others. The Premium Outlets are open Monday through Saturday 10am to 9pm and Sunday 10am to 7pm.
NOTE: You might want to put these Santa sightings on your list.
             
Merchants Square: Santa will be visiting the William & Mary Bookstore and Cafe, each weekend (Saturdays 10am-2pm and Sundays 12-3pm). He has two scheduled story times: Fri., 11/28, 9am, and Sat., 12/13, 9am.
             
Yankee Candle: Santa will be in his chair for photos, daily. He also has two schedules arrivals: by helicopter, Sat., 11/29 and by sleigh, Sun., 11/30. 
The unique shopping the Williamsburg area offers is ANOTHER exciting reason to visit Williamsburg this holiday season.

Friday, November 14, 2014

Special Fall Getaway Idea for Couples - camping and wine tasting in Williamsburg!



With schools back in session, autumn is an excellent time for adults to visit the Williamsburg KOA Campground and the Williamsburg area. The leaves are changing and the campground is alive with the colors of fall. Cooler temperatures offer perfect hiking weather during the day and chilly evenings make for a cozy experience around the campfire each night. The summer crowds have given way to a relaxed, do-not-hurry pace offering quiet visits to Colonial Williamsburg’s museums and events. And what adult-friendly getaway would be complete without a visit to the Williamsburg Winery!
Established in 1985, the Williamsburg Winery produces almost 25% of all the wine made in Virginia. The Winery is located only 20 minutes from the Williamsburg KOA Campground and most wine tastings and tours do not require a reservation which makes participation easy. This is a great break from the numerous historical sites for anyone, but especially for wine connoisseurs.

There are several tour-and-tasting packages to choose from. The Fine Wine Tasting is six dollars and the new Reserve Wine Tasting is fifteen dollars. The Fine Wine Tasting showcases a variety of wines from the Williamsburg Winery’s selection of current release wines while the Reserve Wine Tasting offers the addition of several premium wines. All tasters will take home an etched Williamsburg Winery glass with participants of the Reserve Wine Tasting taking home an oversized glass
 
If you opt for the tour in addition to the Fine Wine Tasting ($10), you’ll see how the Winery is tied into the history of the Williamsburg and Jamestown area.  The tour takes about an hour (including the tasting) and starts with a short film that introduces you to the winery and to the people who make the wine.  From there, you tour the facilities and see the wine-making process in action. 
If visiting around lunch time, you may want to try the Lunch Tour and Tasting ($35) which is paired with a meal at the Gabriel Archer Tavern  overlooking the vineyard. Lunch includes a main course and dessert, coffee or tea, and a glass of wine, of course.  
 You may also consider reserving the Extensive Tour and Reserve Wine Tasting ($36). This tour and tasting takes you to the Williamsburg Winery’s private cellar where you will sample premium wines produced at the Winery and select samples from their library collection paired with assorted cheese and crackers to compliment your personalized tasting. Availability is limited for the Extensive Tour and Reserve Tasting so reservations are required.
Before leaving, be sure to visit the wine shop which offers a large selection of wine as well as non-wine items such as sauces, spreads, and wine-related paraphernalia.
About Williamsburg Winery:
5800 Wessex Hundred, Williamsburg, VA 23185
(757) 258-0899

Three Gold Medals at the Beverage Testing Institute:
·      2009 Gabriel Archer Reserve
·      2010 Adago
·      2011 Acte 12 Chardonnay

2014 Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition:
·      2010 Trianon (Platinum Medal for Best Cabernet Franc)
·      2010 Adago (Gold Medal)

 

Fine Wine Tasting  $6 per person

Offered 10:30am-5:30pm, daily
Includes etched Williamsburg Winery glass

Reserve Wine Tasting  $15 per person

Offered 10:30am-5:30pm, daily
Includes all current reserve wines and several premium wines
Doesn’t join the extensive tour and reserve tasting
Includes extra tall, oversize etched tasting glass

Tour and Tasting  $10 per person

Offered 10:30am-5:30pm, daily, every half hour

Tour and Tasting with Lunch  $35 per person

Guests receive a guided tour of the winery and a tasting. Lunch, at Gabriel Archer Tavern (overlooking the vineyards) includes glass of wine, main course, dessert, and coffee or tea.

Extensive Tour &  Reserve Wine Tasting  $36 Per Person (Reservation Required)

Extensive tour starts in the private wine cellar and includes a sampler of assorted cheese and crackers
Includes oversized etched reserve wine glass


2010 Adago Winemaker's Notes:
A very bold upfront wine with loads of jammy fruit. The blackberries and blueberry notes are accentuated with some elegant mature darker fruit such as figs, dates and prunes. There is a hint of spice (warm cinnamon) with molasses and soy. The earthy notes come across with hints of olives and mushrooms with a touch of nuttiness. The oak is very integrated into the weight of the wine and the tannins are smooth and graceful. The wine has a wonderful finish that lasts for quite a while. This is yet another stellar wine from the 2010 vintage.
Technical Information
Aging: Aged in French, American and Hungarian Oak, 43% new oak, 14% 1-year old oak, 29% 2-year old oak, 14% 3-year old oak
Alcohol: 13.12%
Blend: 42% cabernet franc, 30% merlot, 28% petit verdot
pH: 3.8
TA: .611 g/L
Residual Sugar: Dry (0.4)
Bottled: 171 cases, January 2013
Released: September 2013
Awards:
Winner of the 2014 Governor’s Cup
Beverage Testing Institute 2013
2014 Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition

(insert photo of staff from Facebook Profile) About us: KOA Williamsburg Campground has tent sites, patio sites for RV (recreational vehicles), camping cabins, and deluxe cabins. This is camping at its best - history, amusement parks, and KOA! We are located in Virginia's Historic Triangle, just minutes away from Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown, Busch Gardens and Water Country USA. History, fun and relaxation meet at our quiet, wooded 180-acre campground. 


Friday, October 10, 2014

Enclosed are your orders to become a secret agent for Colonial Williamsburg! RevQuest: The Old Enemy™



When you check into Williamsburg KOA Campground and purchase your Admission Ticket to Colonial Williamsburg (we sell them at a discount, here!) you can start a Secret Spy Mission called “RevQuest: The Old Enemy.”
RevQuest (created by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation) starts online, so use Williamsburg KOA’s free WiFi to familiarize yourself with a map of Colonial Williamsburg and the buildings that you’ll be interacting with. You may even be able to uncover the names of your allies and discover your first clues.
Now…  go live (and undercover!). Grab a cellphone (with texting capabilities) and head to Colonial Williamsburg. Arrive at one of the following locations, 30 minutes prior to when you’ll need to catch up with the Williamsburg Agent, according to the color schedule you received:
·       Visitor Center
·       William Pitt Store
·       Lumber House Ticket Office

Once you have your orders in hand (the game materials you received), meet “Our Leader” (on the video screen), grab your cell phone and head out to find the Williamsburg Agent, at one of the times, below:
·       Red Schedule: 10:30am, 11:30am, or 12:30pm
·       Black Schedule: 10:15, 10:45, 11:15, 11:45, 12:15, 12:45, 1:15, 1:45, or 2:15

Now, you are officially a Secret Agent of the Committee for Secret Correspondence, established by the Continental Congress and led by Benjamin Franklin. Hidden clues and the Williamsburg Agents will be found throughout the historical area of Colonial Williamsburg. 
ONLY the Secret Agents that are successful in their mission will receive a souvenir token of appreciation! Best of all, RevQuest: the Old Enemy™ is FREE with the discounted Admission Ticket that you can buy at the general store, here at the Williamsburg KOA campground! Become a citizen of the Revolutionary City, engage with the local community, and experience firsthand the daily struggles of wartime. Perhaps you will even be able to change the course of history and save the cause of American liberty.  

Make your own history, at Williamsburg KOA  after a busy day of playing spy at Colonial Williamsburg come back to the Williamsburg KOA Campground to relax and have fun by the campfire.– book your stay, here, today!