Holiday romance in Newport

NEWPORT, R.I. - The romance of the season comes alive this weekend at Holiday Evenings at The Breakers.

The historic 70-room Italian Renaissance-style Newport villa gets lavishly dressed for the event, with evergreens, wreaths, fresh flowers, and 19th-century-style ornaments creating a spectacular display.

Visitors can leisurely wander the Gilded Age manse and enjoy the period silver, china, and various mannequins dolled up in Victorian holiday fashions.

The elegant evening features a sampling of holiday sweets, along with sips of eggnog and warm cider. Capping the event will be the St. Andrews Choir in concert in the Great Hall.

Inspired by the 16th-century palaces of Genoa and Turin, The Breakers was built between 1892-95 by Cornelius Vanderbilt II. In 1972 the Preservation Society of Newport County purchased the home from the family, and it was designated a National Historic Landmark.

"We find that people come again and again to our Holiday Evenings at The Breakers, because there is something very magical about seeing it at night, with its spectacular holiday decorations lit by the soft glow of its chandeliers and sconces, while listening to wonderful live choral music," said Trudy Coxe, chief executive of the society.

Holiday Evenings at The Breakers, Nov. 29, 6-8 p.m. Also Dec. 6, 13, and 27. Adults $25 in advance, $30 at the door, ages 6-17 $10. www.newportmansions.org.

KIMBERLY SHERMAN