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12/23/2012 05:00 AM

Travel with Val: Holiday destinations aim to brighten the season

A trip down south can provide some last-minute ways to light up the holidays with your family. Valarie D’Elia has more.

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It is nearly impossible to dim the dazzle of the Dyker Heights Christmas displays in Brooklyn, but travelers who are headed south for Christmas can up the wattage on a holiday drive.

The Christmas lights on Sesame Street burn brightly over the holidays at Sesame Place in Pennsylvania. The family theme park 90 miles south of New York City is transformed into a winter wonderland with a "Very Furry Christmas." The theme park is decked out on select dates, culminating on New Year's Eve with a parade and fireworks. Visit www.sesameplace.com for details.

You can really "turn on the brights" by driving through 100 miles of lights in Virginia, where holiday illuminations span six cities, from Richmond to Virginia Beach. All of the cities have hotel packages making it possible to stay at different points along the route. View www.Virginia.org/100MilesofLights for details.

One of the largest lighting displays anywhere in the country takes place in Williamsburg, Va., at Busch Gardens. The annual "Christmas Town" exhibit expands this year with "Holiday Hills," meaning there are now six million twinkling lights that adorn nearly every building and tree in the 100 acre theme park.

Busch Gardens' signature 50 feet tall, animated Christmas tree dazzles with nearly a quarter-million twinkling lights that move to a musical score. The park's tallest ride, Mäch Tower, is operating in observation mode during Christmas Town, so guests can take a leisurely 240-feet ride above the park to take it all in. Christmas Town is open on select days through December 31. For more information, visit www.ChristmasTown.com.