Christmas Town at Busch Gardens

We arrived in "England," anxious to soak in the ambiance of a quick trip to Europe.

Without airfare or a trans-Atlantic voyage, we found the Globe Theatre and Squire's Grille.

But, we were anxious to take a ride, however - to the point of braving a rollercoaster. Or, perhaps, even taking a stroll down "Sesame Street."

All, of course, can be found at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va.

Decades after this sprawling attraction opened, the European-theme amusement park remains a must-see and ever-evolving attraction, highlighted by high-rising rollercoasters, a "Rhine River" ride and a festive, educational atmosphere.

You don't have to speak French to enjoy visiting this theme park's "France" or to be fluent in German to stroll through the spruced-up Oktoberfest in "Germany."

But, of course, knowing such languages would make the European experience that much more enjoyable, especially in the timeless Das Festhaus of Germany, where the dancers sing in German - and encourage you to sing, too.

Relaxing ride

Busch Gardens thrives in the heat of summer, of course, as do most theme parks offering water-rides like the "Le Scoot," an addictive, old-fashioned log flume ride that carries you on a mildly-thrilling drift through France.

Oh, yes: You are going to get wet.

Bring a coat in the shoulder seasons of autumn or spring, and head skyward from England on the England Skyride, lifting you across the park to destinations at Germany or France.

Afraid of flying?

OK, then hit the rails: The park offers a train excursion that provides not only a relaxing ride; it's also a convenient way to get around to various places like the Festa Train Station of Italy; the Caribou Train Station of New France; and the Tweedside Train Station of Scotland.

For years, Busch Gardens was subtitled "The Old Country," as it is situated just outside the Colonial-era towns of Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown in eastern Virginia, and "The Old Country" tag referenced places where Americans had come from in Europe.

It was also, for years, part of Anheuser-Busch, the makers of beer brands like Budweiser.Today, Busch Gardens in Williamsburg stands separate from the nearby Anheuser-Busch brewery, and the monorail that once shuttled visitors from the park to a hospitality center overlooking the brewery no longer runs.

But, inside the park, there are enough rides to satisfy a 12 or 14-hour day.

That ranges from the fast-moving thrills of coasters called Loch Ness Monster and Alpengeist to tiny rides for tiny tykes in "Sesame Street: Forest of Fun." Here, Oscar the Grouch even invites riders on his moving and grooving Whirly Worms.

Bring walking shoes and pack a camera.

The grounds of Busch Gardens are simply gorgeous, bursting with flowers and flora and fauna, skirted by streams trickling through the imaginative landscape of Scotland, Ireland and Italy.

The National Amusement Park Historical Association has, also, for 21 years, named Busch Gardens "The World's Most Beautiful Park."

' christmas flowers italy Town'

Like Dollywood, a similar-sized theme park at Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Busch Gardens changes themes from season to season.

The fall season becomes time for Howl-O-Scream, with Halloween events. The summer hosts Illuminights, with fireworks shows.

“Christmas Town: A Busch Gardens Celebration” creates the anticipation of the season and fills visitors’ senses with all things christmas flowers italy blogs .

In December, visitors can experience festive attractions, shows and shopping filled with the holiday spirit.

From more than two million twinkling lights, the smell of fresh baked Christmas cookies and one-of-a-kind gift ideas to a spectacular 50-foot, light-animated Christmas tree, Christmas Town promises to produce a smile in a European-themed fantasy land.

All without the airfare and trans-Atlantic voyage