A favourite warm weather holiday destination for generations, Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara is counting down to another joyous winter season by the sea, announcing values and experiences designed to help guests make magical memories.

The season will kick off on November 26, 2011 with the lighting of the beautifully decorated 15-foot Christmas tree during a celebration that will include a Champagne toast, music, and for the kiddies, hot chocolate and cookies. Dressed in holiday style (think hundreds of cheerful fresh poinsettias), the Resort will be spreading good cheer with special touches such as s’mores, roasted chestnuts and spiced cider, and a turndown amenity on December 24. Guests will even be treated to a parade of sweets courtesy of a travelling “candyman.”

At Bella Vista, Executive Chef Alessandro Cartumini is making sure diners don’t go hungry. Special plated and buffet lunch and dinner events on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will offer a classic yuletide spin on Cartumini’s signature seasonal, farm fresh California-Italian cuisine. Guests can also partake in a merry holiday-inspired rendition of Bella Vista’s acclaimed Afternoon Tea.

In addition to imagining a host of creative cocktails, Ty Lounge is adding serious sparkle to the season with a “World of Bubbly” menu of sparkling wines by the glass. From France’s Veuve Clicquot to Spain’s Poema Cava, Lunetta Prosecco from Italy and bubbles homegrown in California, the selection showcases more than 20 different labels from around the globe. Furthermore, master mixologist Aaron Piatkowski will be getting guests in the holiday spirit with lessons in Champagne cocktails. After discovering how to use Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne to whip up four fizzy, festive drinks, guests will take home a collection of Aaron’s favourite recipes to create at their next party.

Sugar and spice will be making spirits light at The Spa, with three delicious treatments designed to relieve holiday stress. A delightfully scented, organic full-body Sugar Scrub featuring extracts of chamomile, myrrh and passionflower will banish dry, winter skin and leave it deeply moisturised. A relaxing Spice Massage uses an aromatic massage oil made exclusively for The Spa – an enticing blend of orange, patchouli, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, pine and rosemary essential oils, it’s sure to spice up the season. For a true holiday delight, guests can enjoy Sugar & Spice in an indulgent combination treatment

Children’s eyes will be all aglow over the abundance of holiday themed offerings for kids. At check-in, kids will receive a special toy and a kit for writing a letter to Santa, which they can post to the North Pole via a special mailbox stationed in the Lobby. Or, they can go straight to the source at story time with Santa when, on select dates, the whole family can gather in front of the fireplace to enjoy some old-fashioned entertainment along with milk and cookies. And on Christmas Day, all little guests will awake to find a personalised stocking filled with goodies left by Santa’s elves as they dreamt.

On Sundays in December (except Christmas Day), Mrs. Claus will join experts from the pastry kitchen in leading holiday cookie workshops for kids. At these popular events, children and their parents can go behind the scenes for a fun and creative afternoon of supervised cutting and decorating freshly baked sugar cookies with an assortment of colorful toppings. The Resort’s Teddy Bear Tea – an annual tradition benefiting local charities – offers yet another opportunity for parents to cherish special moments with their child (December 18).

For moms and dads in need of a break, the complimentary Kids For All Seasons program will be offered daily on November 23-26 and December 23-31, keeping children ages 5-12 occupied and engaged with seasonal activities such as ornament making, reindeer scavenger hunts, holiday face painting and much more.

City.Mobi

Also in US today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to Santa Barbara.

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