VIRGINIA: THE OLD DOMINION STATE
BY CLAY
LARROY
People
in general consider traveling
as their personal interests. Traveling
can quickly became an interests simply because it is such an enjoyable
experience. When you travel around the world and you will see a variety of
different cultures and people. There
are two things to remember while traveling. The first thing is to be
open-minded about people and their culture. The second thing and the most
important, is to respect other cultures no matter how different. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!
A thrilling fusion of inspirational scenery and fascinating
history, Virginia packs in sweeping beaches, forested mountains, exceptional
wine and stories aplenty.
From tales of swashbuckling pirates to fierce Civil War battles,
Virginia racks up more history lessons than a high school syllabus. It boasts
the USA's birthplace at Jamestown, where the first English colony set up shop
in 1607. Then there's Colonial Williamsburg, aka the Revolutionary City, where
the quest for independence from Britain kicked off and where you can dive
head-on into revolutionary life with uncannily authentic townspeople.
Go all out and immerse yourself in a full-scale battle
re-enactment, complete with thundering hooves, flaming log cabins, clashing
swords and smoking guns. Richmond was the capital of the Confederacy during the
Civil War, and more battles took place in Virginia than in any other state.
If these skirmishes have you reaching for a glass of something
strong, you're in the right place. Wineries are ubiquitous in Virginia, which
has also hopped aboard the craft beer express; hit the Blue Ridge Beer Loop for
a round-up of thirst-quenching mountain ales.
A brisk dip in the ocean will vanquish your hangover. As well as
shimmering waters, Virginia offers 45km (28 miles) of glorious sandy beaches.
Insider tip: escape the crowds on the sugary beaches of Assateague Island
National Seashore. At Norfolk, you can also dive into maritime history, tour
the world's largest naval base and slurp fresh-from-the-Chesapeake oysters.
Take a road trip on the spectacular Blue Ridge Parkway, which
curls 755km (469 miles) along the Appalachian Mountains, from Shenandoah
National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina. Scenic hiking
trails, cascading waterfalls and stellar views will lure you out the car at
every turn.
Where to stay in Virginia
Hotels
Virginia's
accommodation is bursting with character. Visitors looking for self-catering
options away from it all, can chose from cozy farmhouses and quaint cottages,
while many of Virginia's vineyards offer rooms on their land. There are plenty
of camping options throughout the state, and those looking for a glitzy hotel
will easily find something in one of the main cities.
Things to see and do in Virginia
Arlington National Cemetery
Visit Arlington National
Cemetery (www.arlingtonnationalcemetery.org), where an
eternal flame burns at the gravesite of John F Kennedy.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Follow the Blue Ridge
Parkway (www.blueridgeparkway.org) along the spine of the
Appalachians. This drive, one of America's most scenic, overlooks lush
farmland, fertile valleys and winds through forests vibrant with rhododendrons,
azaleas and wildlife.
Busch Gardens
Catch a ticket to
adventure on wild rides, stage shows and family entertainment at Busch Gardens (www.buschgardens.org)
in Williamsburg.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Follow the Chesapeake Bay
Bridge-Tunnel (www.cbbt.com) to
Virginia's Eastern Shore, a 112km- (70-mile-) long peninsula bordered by the
Atlantic on one side and Chesapeake Bay on the other.
Cruise the Potomac River
Cruise the Potomac River
for scenic views of Alexandria, Washington, DC and the Mount Vernon Estate.
Edgar Allan Poe Museum
Explore the intriguing
Edgar Allan Poe Museum (www.poemuseum.org) in Richmond, which highlights
his life and career with photos, relics and writings.
Iwo Jima Marine Memorial
See the Iwo Jima Marine
Memorial, dedicated to all Marines who have given their lives in defense of
America.
Jamestown Settlement
Visit the Jamestown
Settlement (www.historyisfun.org) and see a full-scale replica
of James Fort on display, along with reproductions of three 17th-century ships
that brought the English settlers to Virginia.
Join the carnival
Join in the Chincoteague
Carnival in July and watch the 'saltwater cowboys' herd the Chincoteague ponies
across the Assateague Channel at low tide.
Mansions
View some of the
Virginia's beautiful mansions: Thomas Jefferson's beloved Monticello (www.monticello.org);
the 216-hectare (535-acre) Ash Lawn plantation that belonged to President James
Monroe (www.ashlawnhighland.org); and James Madison's home,
Montpelier (www.montpelier.org).
Mount Vernon Estate
Tour George Washington's
Mount Vernon Estate (www.mountvernon.org), and enjoy the gardens that
overlook the Potomac River.
Norfolk
Tour Norfolk, home of the
largest naval base in the world, and inspect the USS Battleship Wisconsin, the
last battleship built by the US Navy. Fish off the pier, learn to sail or take
a harbor cruise on a 19th-century cargo schooner.
Paramount's Kings Dominion
Spend the day at
Paramount's Kings Dominion theme park (www.kingsdominion.com),
32km (20 miles) north of Richmond, and enjoy the best rollercoaster collection
on the east coast.
Skyline Drive
Travel the scenic Skyline
Drive, which traverses the Shenandoah National Park and follows the crest of
the Blue Ridge Mountains. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, canoeing, horse
riding and a variety of naturalist programs.
Virginia Beach
Enjoy the fun and sun at
Virginia Beach (www.vbfun.com), a popular seaside town offering a
range of attractions and facilities.
Walking tour of Richmond
Take a walking tour of
Richmond (www.visitrichmondva.com), the state capital that
was also the capital of the Confederacy. This compact city is ideal for walking
tours of historic districts and is ringed by Civil War battlegrounds.
Whale-watching
Take a whale-watching
excursion from Virginia Beach, and see the humpback whales and bottlenose
dolphins at play.
White-water canoeing
Try white-water canoeing
on the Shenandoah, Maury and James rivers. Rapids as high as class IV are found
along urban Richmond's stretch of the James River.
Williamsburg
Travel back in time to
'Colonial Williamsburg', a recreated colonial village with working artisans in
period costume. Formerly the state capital, Williamsburg is the largest
restored 18th-century town in America and home to William and Mary, the
country's second-oldest college.
REFERENCE
SITES:
And later, if I ever felt that I was getting
swept away by the craziness of being in a band, well, I'd go back to Virginia.
Dave Grohl
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