Encompassing the seven States of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, the Great Lakes of North America region is a cornucopia of history, sights, tastes and sounds. Visitors from all over the world come to the Great Lakes to sample its rich and diverse cuisine, music and stunning landscapes. Nowhere else in North America will travellers find such cities with the ambiance of small towns, old and new cultures living side by side, and popular history where we can touch it!

In this Issue: Chicago Celebrates Christmas Minnesota�s Magnificent Winters Become A �Birkie� In Wisconsin This Winter White Out in Michigan from 4 - 7 February, 2010 Have a Hershey Christmas in Pennsylvania Ohio invites you to �Light the Serpent� on December 20, 2009 Enjoy Chicago�s Magnificent Mile this Christmas. Experience the magical Christmas lights of the Magnificent Mile with a Chicago pre-Christmas shopping break. No other US city does the festive season quite like Chicago and the city lights up with seasonal spirit and welcomes visitors from across the globe. North Michigan Avenue, fondly known as the �Magnificent Mile,� is a key draw for UK visitors with 460 stores across an 8-block stretch. Venture away from the crowds and discover quaint neighbourhood boutiques, ethnic shopping and fantastic outlet malls in the Chicago suburbs. Winter sees the premier of the Addams Family musical at the Ford Center in Chicago and that�s not all! In addition to current shows such as Jersey Boys and Wicked! Chicago will be home to off-Broadway shows including Dreamgirls and Shrek the Musical. Chicago also boasts fantastically diverse theatre such as Second City and the Steppenwolf Theatre at great value prices. New Hotel Openings in Chicago � The Wit (a Doubletree Hotel) � Hotel Felix Minnesota�s Magnificent Winters The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is the longest sled dog race in the lower 48 states of the USA. The 390 mile course of rugged, awesome scenery winds its way up the North Shore of Lake Superior and into the primal wilderness along the Canadian border. This race commemorates the courage and endurance of John Beargrease, the intrepid Chippewa dog-driver who carried the U.S. mail to outposts along the North Shore of Lake Superior in the late 1800�s. The race takes place in 2010 from January 29-February 4, 2010. Log on to www.beargrease.com In 1886, Saint Paul was America�s fastest growing city. Growing from 39,000 residents in 1880 to 120,000 residents in 1886, Saint Paul had also become America�s third largest rail centre. To celebrate their city�s success, Saint Paul business leaders produced the inaugural Saint Paul Winter Carnival, which was held during the first two weeks of February in 1886. Throughout its 123-year history, the Saint Paul Winter Carnival has been an integral part of the social fabric of Saint Paul. The Carnival attracts visitors from all over the world to weave a tapestry of cultures with educational and cultural programming along with an array of winter activities in downtown Saint Paul such as ice carving, public outdoor ice skating rink, two parades and much more. This year, the carnival takes place from January 21-31, 2010. For more information log on to www.winter-carnival.com White Out in Michigan from 4 - 7 February, 2010 If your dreams include zooming through a world of white, follow the tracks to Cadillac, Michigan�s unofficial snowmobile capital. This lakeside city hosts the annual North American Snow Festival, packed with races, cook-offs and live music. Throughout the winter season, sledders converge looking for an adrenaline rush on the 200 miles of trails that fan out into the surrounding countryside. Even the resorts in Cadillac cater to snowmobilers, some you can drive your vehicle practically to the front door. www.michigan.org for further information. Have a Hershey Christmas in Pennsylvania The magic of the holidays comes to life at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane. With a million twinkling lights, rides for all ages, festive decorations, and Hershey's Product Characters decked out in their holiday best, there is something for all to enjoy! Visit Santa and his famous reindeer, sing-along at Christmas shows, and browse quaint village shops for unique gift ideas. Enjoy Breakfast with Santa on selected dates so the children can submit their present lists. Christmas Candylane features many attractions for guests of all ages including over 30 rides including the family-favourite, Twilight Express, and "A Music Box Christmas Show". Log on to www.visitpa.com for more Become a �Birkie� In Wisconsin This Winter Cross- country skiers visiting Wisconsin have the best opportunity to compete against Olympic athletes at the Subaru American Birkebeiner Competition. Founded in 1973, the �Birkie� has grown from a regional competition to one of the largest cross-country ski races in the world, drawing as many as 9,000 skiers and 15,000 spectators for its marquee event. Like the New York and Boston Marathons, the American Birkebeiner is open to anyone but typically draws Olympic athletes from multiple countries as well as amateurs. The list of Olympians who�ve competed in multiple Winter Olympians including Canada�s Ivan Babikov; American Patrick Weaver and American Carl Swenson, a threetime Olympian and a Birkie competitor since 1996. The Birkebeiner trail, which runs from Cable to Hayward along the edge of the Chequamegon National Forest is open throughout the winter, so novice and aspiring skiers can experience it even if they aren�t rubbing elbows with international athletes. The meticulously maintained Birkie Trail is hardly the only opportunity for cross-country skiers in Wisconsin, with more than 700 miles of groomed trails across the state; Wisconsin is one of the leading cross country ski destinations in the USA. Log on to www.birkie.com or www.travelwisconsin.com Light Up Your Winter Solstice in Ohio on December 20, 2009 December is the time of year to celebrate the festive season and this is no exception in Ohio where the Winter Solstice is celebrated with the spirits of the ancient Adena people during the winter solstice. Atop a plateau overlooking the Brush Creek Valley, Ohio, Serpent Mound is the largest and finest serpent effigy in the United States. Nearly a quarter of a mile long, Serpent Mound apparently represents an uncoiling serpent. On December 20th this year, hundreds of luminaries will surround the serpent effigy as you take a casual stroll and reflect upon the history and importance of this world-renowned earthwork. The head of the serpent is aligned to the summer solstice sunset and the coils also may point to the winter solstice sunrise and the equinox sunrise. Today, visitors may walk along a footpath surrounding the serpent and experience the mystery and power of this monument. A public park for more than a century, Serpent Mound attracts visitors from all over the world. The museum contains exhibits on the effigy mound and the geology of the surrounding area. In the late nineteenth-century Harvard University archaeologist Frederic Ward Putnam excavated Serpent Mound and attributed the creation of the effigy to the builders of the two nearby burial mounds, which he also excavated. www.discoverohio.com Cruise Around the Great Lakes of North America with Cruise America RV Rentals If camping is part of your holiday plan, the ideal choice is an RV rental. The Great Lakes of North America is the perfect destination to hit the open road and explore. There are RV grounds throughout each state which will cater for your every need. Cruise America RV Rentals is just one of the companies you can rent vehicles from. Trailfinders is currently offering direct flights from London Heathrow to Chicago with American Airlines and 7 days CT25 Cruise America Motor home from �649 per person including taxes, insurance and 500 miles. Valid for travel throughout March to June 2010 and no book by date. Trailfinders reservations number 0845 050 5871 or visit www.trailfinders.com For further information on the Great Lakes of North America contact: L Anthony Toby McCarrick Executive Director Great Lakes of North America 35 East Wacker Drive Suite 1850 Chicago, Illinois 60601 Tel. 001 312 407 0005 tmccarrick@cglg.org Yolanda Fletcher Director of Marketing Cellet Travel Services Ltd 47 High Street Henley in Arden B95 5AA Tel. 08456 020 574 yolanda@cellet.co.uk