ANNOUNCER: Where to go on your next vacation: The rolling Victorian hills of San Francisco? The pulsing mystique of New Orleans? The artistic aura of Paris' Left Bank? How about the Ozarks? That's right, the Ozarks.

Nestled high in the hills is a quiet getaway that looks like San Francisco, and feels like New Orleans with the cultural panache of Paris' artsy set.

RIDENOUR: There is a magentism, there is a mystique that is very difficult to describe until you come. Part of it is because of the great variety that is here. Part of it is because of the beauty that is here. Part of it is because of this quirky, strange little town in the middle of Ozarks and it is very unexpected.

ANNOUNCER: Kim Ridenour is director of the Tourist Center in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. She says that something about the area has attracted people for centuries. Native American legend has it that the springs surrounding the area have healing powers.

RIDENOUR: The natives here have traveled to the springs that are now in the center of town for centuries and, because of the healing powers of the water, all the tribes shared this area and they refused to fight on the ground that is now Eureka Springs.

ANNOUNCER: Later, white settlers came and developed health spas around the springs. Eureka Springs became a hot vacation destination. By the late 1800's, the population reached 10,000.

RIDENOUR: At the beginning of 1879, this was just a forest. People came and found the waters and the town burst into this great population overnight. People came by rail. They came by mule. They walked. In a very short period of time, in less than two years actually, we had thousands and thousands of historic hotels, structures that were bath houses and tourist lodging and restaurants. It all just burst forth from the wilderness overnight.

ANNOUNCER: Today the population has declined somewhat, to around two thousand, but the beautiful Victorian architecture has been preserved. In fact, the entire town is a national historic treasure. It's filled with cafes, more than one hundred restaurants, art galleries and a hopping nightlife. The lodging choices are endless. Bed & breakfasts, cozy cabins, historic hotels and private suites. All for the guest, the perfect accommodation.

RIDENOUR: Eureka Springs has been called "Little Switzerland" because it has a very European feel. It's like a village that is on the side of the Alps.

ANNOUNCER: But don't think that everything in Eureka Springs is that refined. There's plenty to do for those who want to get back to nature. Mountain biking, hiking, fishing, or just walking.

RIDENOUR: The streets were originally laid out over old game trails. You can walk along and what would be cliffs anyplace else are actually streets and staircases here. It's a wonderful place to walk because you dart off in odd little corners and secret paths and staircases. There are hundreds of miles of stone walls, hundreds of steps, there are sixty in-town springs that you can walk by. It is very much like going down a very old European street.

The ambience is very relaxing. The views are beautiful. The leaves are everywhere. It's peaceful. It's quiet. It's safe.

ANNOUNCER: Eureka Springs, Arkansas is a treasure, only described as "timeless elegance," a place where history comes alive and nature has provided the perfect architecture. Let Eureka's past be a part of your future.

You can find out more about Eureka Springs, Arkansas in the in-flight entertainment guide in the seat pocket in front of you or at www.flyeureka.com