GET A HEAD START ON YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING
[REMOVED GRAPHICS] GET A HEAD START ON YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS "Tis the season to be jolly" so forget your local high street for your Christmas shopping spree this year and head to Chicago, Illinois! In between the shopping, why not enjoy the plethora of holiday and cultural activities that are happening all over the city. Chicago is a great place to visit during the festive season: this year during the Chicaglo Holiday Festival there will be special activities such as ice skating in Millennium Park. Many restaurants in Chicago have holiday themed menus, which are brilliant fun for all the family. You will also find that a number of the city's hotels will be offering special rates from 15th November 2002 to 1st January 2003. While enjoying the Christmas spirit, get ready for some serious shopping on the Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue) as the street is home to three spectacular shopping malls, with more than 200 shops! Chicago Place at 700 North Michigan Avenue is anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue. Bloomingdale's is the main attraction in the 900 North Michigan Shops, a six-story emporium including Gucci and Max Mara. A great spot for girls to share the magic of the holiday season is at American Girl Place(TM), an entertainment destination located at 111 East Chicago Avenue, across from the historic Water Tower. It's like a dream come true - beautiful boutiques full of things girls love. You'll see exquisite dolls with clothes, furniture, toys, and accessories just for them. Big spenders won't want to miss Oak Street, situated just west of Michigan Avenue. Visitors will enjoy an array of specialty stores and upscale boutiques comprising a diverse mix of American and international designers from Versace and Chanel to Armani - perfect for those looking for a cosmopolitan feel, where excellent personal service is standard. Nearby is State Street, another shopping mecca in the heart of Chicago's theatre district. Founded by the same Mr. Selfridge who later opened Selfridges in London, State Street is home to the original Marshall Field's department store. Through the years Marshall Fields has expanded its offerings to include a food court and visitor's centre, but still offers its famous Frango mints, a must buy here and the perfect gift to take home. If one-stop-shopping is your thing then go and search for incredible finds at Woodfield Mall and Oak Brook Mall, where you will discover hundreds of shops and boutiques presenting top-of the line- goods ideal for those stocking fillers. Even better, and only 45 minutes from Chicago, is Gurnee Mills, which is the Midwest's largest value retail and entertainment mall with over 200 outlet stores including Abercrombie & Fitch, Gap, and Polo Jeans. The mall is filled with family entertainment such as a reptile house, ice rink and themed restaurants. So you can shop together, eat together, play together - all under one roof! If you think all of this sounds too good to be true, it just gets better when you look at the great Christmas shopping deals on offer. For more information or to obtain a brochure, just call the Chicago/Illinois Tourist Office's Brochure Line on 01628 418163 or visit their internet site at www.chicago-illinois.co.uk. UNITED VACATIONS CHRISTMAS SHOPPING PACKAGE Two people sharing a room based on 4 nights accommodation at the Holiday Inn City Center starting from just £487. The price is based on 25 November departure from London, Heathrow and includes airport taxes. The package offers an Ultimate Shopping Discount Card. The reservation number to call is 0870 606 2222. -ENDS- For further information or photography, please contact Edelman: Nicola Law Tel: 0207 344 1564 nicola.law@edelman.com Tory Hobbs Tel: 0207 344 1242 tory.hobbs@edelman.com ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/09/16/20020916BIT00670/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/09/16/20020916BIT00670/wkr0002.pdf