Our holiday trip celebrates gardens and Austen’s birthday

Spend a December day amid the natural beauty that is Longwood Gardens, then celebrate the birth of beloved author Jane Austen when we travel north for a holiday trip to Pennsylvania and Delaware on Tuesday, December 16. We’ll depart from the Village Center at 7:30 a.m., arriving at Longwood Gardens to see a luminous display of living wreaths and dazzling holiday displays. Following our garden visit, we’ll enjoy a festive feast at Brandywine Prime. Please make menu choices at sign ups (details on website). Then we’re off to the Delaware town of Odessa as “A Jane Austen Christmas at 250” transforms the Wilson-Warner House into a Georgian-era holiday celebration inspired by Austen’s novels. The cost of the trip, transportation, three-course luncheon, admission to Longwood Gardens and Odessa houses, and taxes, is $165. Residents who sign up by Dec. 6 pay $155. Registration begins immediately at the Village Center for Village residents and one guest. Nonresidents may sign up beginning Dec. 7 and pay $175. There are 24 spaces available. We should return by 7:30 p.m. A portion of the cost of this trip has been covered by a generous donation from the estate of Ana Gardano.