Much of the country’s early history can be traced throughout Virginia, offering unique insight into the evolution of the United States. Begin your exploration in Williamsburg, where colonial life is recreated through working blacksmith shops, shoemakers, taverns and a one-room schoolhouse. The next chapter of American history unfolds with visits to the homes of the founding fathers’, including George Washington’s Mount Vernon, and Monticello, the self-designed mountaintop estate of Thomas Jefferson. In the 19th century, Virginia once again became a historical hotbed as the Civil War’s most historical battles took place across the seceded state’s rolling hills. Visit Richmond, the capital of the short-lived Confederacy, or see where the action took place at battlefield sites in Manassas, Fredericksburg and Appomattox.

But the pleasures of Virginia go far beyond historic episodes. Get a taste of the state’s established wine industry as you drive through the region’s rolling vineyards. Add a little rhythm to your Virginia holiday at a Norfolk music festival, or enjoy a shopping trip through the fashions and artisan wares of Old Town Alexandria or the bargain outlets of Leesburg. Sun worshippers will also appreciate the highly popular Virginia Beach, offering the perfect summertime destination for couples and families.

One of Virginia’s most treasured assets is its rugged mountain landscape. The spectacular Shenandoah National Park offers a gorgeous introduction to the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, which are easily accessible via foot, bicycle or car. Hike up the famous Old Rag Mountain, or bypass traditional Virginia accommodation for a tent as you camp along the rivers, creeks and waterfalls that populate the park. Drive along the beautiful Skyline Drive, or go farther afield on the Blue Ridge Parkway, which extends all the way to North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains.