The following information is from the Travel Berkeley Springs office:

Berkeley Springs is truly a winter wonderland and a white Christmas is a sure thing. Bring your cross country skis for some winter hiking on steriods. There are plenty of welcoming mountain trails, the C&O Canal towpath and countless back roads to try your skill.

Everything is as it always is up to Christmas Eve except that all the shops are focusing on making your holiday shopping fun and rewarding -- rewarding in that you are successful in finding treasures for everyone on your list. There is the usual complement of interesting and unusual shopping opportunities from art and antiques to quilting and bellydancing supplies. Most shops are open until 5pm on the day before Christmas and closed on Christmas Day.

Creekside Creamery has designated now through the end of the year as super sale time. Everything in the store is at least 25% off with holiday merchandise half off and clearance items up to 75% off. They even have food specials where every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in December you can buy one sandwich and get a second one half off. And, to brighten your spirits while shopping the day before Christmas -- they have free apple cider. Fairfax Coffee House is also ready with a shopping pick-me-up, and they invite you to enjoy the exhibit of nature photography now on display. At the Ice House Co-op Gallery, there is a special exhibit -- Out of the Box -- with artist created gifts focusing on boxes. And there are plenty of tiny items especially jewelry, that fits in them. And, if you cannot find the perfect art gift at the Ice House, try Mountain Laurel Gallery.

The spas in town are prepared to keep you loose and relaxed in the stressful time before -- and after Christmas. At the Country Inn spa, they are even providing services from 10am to 2pm on Christmas Day BUT ONLY by appointment so plan ahead. All the spas will be back up and rubbing down after Christmas so put some gift certificates on your wish list.

Food is always fun in Berkeley Springs -- it is something we are REALLY good at. Temptations Cafe greets the first day of winter with a new seasonal menu including four different homemade soups daily. Through end of month, they are luring you for breakfast with their 2-2-2, an under $3 special of two eggs, two pancakes and two bacon strips!

Speaking of morning food, the Country Inn is back to serving a spectacular buffet brunch on Sundays from 11am to 3pm.

Restaurant hours over Christmas are always tricky but there will be no one going hungry in Berkeley Springs -- we promise, except for Lot 12 fans who must bite the bullet instead of Chef Damian's fabulous food from Tuesday through Friday but they'll be back after Christmas for a few days.

Christmas Eve, Panorama at the Peak has its last seating at 7pm with a special local foods holiday menu. The Country Inn has a seafood buffet from 6-9pm. Tony's Pizza is open until 5pm and Temptations until 8pm. Cacapon State Park has a wonderful prime rib special planned on Christmas Eve from 4:30 to 7:30pm.

While most of our restaurants are not open on Christmas Day both the Country Inn and Cacapon State Park will be serving wonderful food -- although reservations are recommended. The Country Inn has a marvelous Christmas menu -- with brunch from 11am -1pm and a traditional English dinner from 5-7pm and will be open in their Tavern from 11am to 10pm. Cacapon State Park's Christmas buffet is served from 4:30 to 7:30pm featuring traditional roast turkey and baked ham with stuffing.

Visiting Berkeley Springs for Christmas is different than all the other weekends since the draw is often gathering friends and family together. So...pick the right lodging place for the adventure you have planned. The Country Inn is high on the list for a first choice since they will feed and massage you in the heart of town throughout the holiday -- and their exquisite decorations inside and out offer a multitude of photo opportunities. Cacapon State Park is the other full-service choice for hearty, outdoor visitors who look forward to wandering the mountain trails. Berkeley Springs Cottage Rentals has a wide range of vacation homes,cabins and in-town suites available and they can fill you in on which are a four-wheel challenge and which are walkable or easy access as well as which may have fireplaces or wood burning stoves. The Manor Inn is another charming choice with Victorian decor and breakfasts that you will talk about for years.

Wherever you choose to stay and dine and spa and shop -- the people of Berkeley Springs wish you a very special holiday season and hope to see you now and in the future.