Charles A. Gargano, chairman of Empire State Development, which administers the I LOVE NEW YORK campaign, today announced that I Love New York Winter 2004-05 Getaways, winter vacation packages spotlighting the Empire State�s cultural attractions, are now available online at www.iloveny.com. Chairman Gargano said, �What better time to take a relaxing, slow-paced getaway than winter? Our cultural packages present vacationers with the chance to see fine works of art, enjoy great meals and wines and stay in warm, welcoming lodgings in some of our many wonderful upstate towns and cities. This is an opportunity not to be missed.�

Gargano stated that each vacation package offers a different taste of New York�s local culture, from music and art in Binghamton to fine wine and wildlife in Central New York.

Music and art lovers will want to take advantage of the Great Performances in Greater Binghamton package, offering two tickets to �Daniel�s Story,� an interactive exhibition chronicling the life and times of one child and his family in Nazi Germany at Binghamton�s Roberson Museum and Science Center. In addition to a night�s stay at a nearby hotel and dinner at a fine restaurant, the package also includes two tickets to a cultural performance of the buyer�s choice, such as the Buffalo Philharmonic.

The Vine and Dine: Wine Tour-Safari package in Aurora and Auburn is an experience like no other! Explore the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge, home to 7,000 acres of habitat with over 300 species of birds and wildlife. This package also includes wine tasting at either King Ferry or Long Point Wineries, dinner at the Aurora Inn, a stay at a local B&B and more. Set aside a few days to relax and discover the local heritage of Owego and Corning with the Southern Finger Lakes Getaway. Tour the Corning Museum of Glass to learn about 3,000 years of glass-making history and experience the Hot Glass Show up close and personal as glassblowers form beautiful bowls and vases. Work up a hardy appetite walking the day away on a self-guided tour of Owego�s 19th century home architecture before heading to the Riverside Restaurant for dinner. Two night�s stay and full breakfast at the Owego Treadway Inn are also included.

Stay, See and Savor Buffalo! In this mini-vacation, travelers will see world-renowned works of art at the Albright Knox Art Gallery and enjoy a quiet dinner at the Gallery�s restaurant, which will hit the spot before a cozy night�s rest at the Buffalo Hampton Inn & Suites.

Travelers can also create their own mini-vacation by using the reservation system online at www.iloveny.com and choosing between various cultural sites in New York State.

For a complete listing of the I Love New York Winter 2004-05 Getaways, visit www.iloveny.com under the �What�s New� section; or, for information about other travel opportunities in any one of New York�s 11 vacation regions, call toll-free 1-800 I LOVE NY.

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Media Contact: Scott Flaherty +1 (518) 292-5131 sflaherty@empire.state.ny.us