Travels In Virginia Blog

Get ready for another week of great deals from Virginia’s new Like! to LOVE Virginia campaign - offering daily travel deals via the Virginia is for Lovers facebook page throughout April.  

Take a look at this sneak peek of the deals we're offering next week and get a head start on planning your next getaway in Virginia!  These deals will be posted at 9 a.m. on thier scheduled date and open on a first come first serve basis. 

To take advantage of the daily travel deals go to www.facebook.com/VirginiaisforLovers and choose "like" now through April 30.

Monday April 18:

·         Summer Savings Spectacular at the Craddock Terry Hotel in Lynchburg - Stay 2 days, get the 3rd free from June 30th - July 5th at this residential-style boutique hotel, blending urban architecture with fashionable styling.

Tuesday April 19:

·         BOGO offer at the Natural Bridge of Virginia - For a limited time, buy one adult Natural Bridge and Caverns combo ticket online - get one for just 81 cents. 

·         Personal Retreat at South River Highlands - Save 25% on a two night stay in your own private cabin with modern amenities at South River Highlands in Lexington. This 250-acre farm that also functions as a retreat, teaching facility and nature preserve is perfect for romantic getaways and is a tranquil place to relax and recharge.

Wednesday April 20:

·         Stay 2 nights before 6/16/11 and get the 2nd night free at Ramada on the Beach, the number one Ramada in North America. New oceanfront rooms provide a contemporary and comfortable environment and Mahi Mah’s, the hotel’s award-winning restaurant is a favorite of guests and locals alike.

·         Be at the center of the action in Virginia Beach with and enjoy all the fun of a seaside, Virginia Beach vacation with this special offer from The Dolphin Inn. Check in Sunday, Stay 2 nights before 6/16/11, and get the 2nd night free.

Thursday April 21:

·         Buy one admission to Peninsula Fine Arts Center and get one free, for up to six people. The Peninsula Fine Arts Center, an affiliate of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, is Newport News’ premier arts advocate featuring dynamic changing exhibitions, thought-provoking educational programs, a year-round studio art school, an interactive gallery for children, evening mixers and family friendly activities.

Friday April 22:

Buy one night, get the second for 50% off, plus a $25 Tap House Certificate at Hampton Inn Oceanfront South, conveniently located near the Virginia Beach Convention Center, the Virginia Aquarium, the Norfolk International Airport and a wide variety of local shopping and dining.

You don’t have to go far to spend a day on an exotic island this summer! The Ocean Breeze Water Park in Virginia Beach announced they will be conducting renovations for the park’s 2011 season, which include updating the park to a Caribbean style theme.

With summer just around the corner, there’s no better way to spend a warm sunny day with the family then experiencing slippery slides and thrills on the park’s new additions. Neptune’s Revenge, a state-of-the-art waterslide new to 2011, features a challenging four-slide complex that includes serpentine tunnels, open and closed funnels, and high-speed drops. Grab a friend, or take the challenge alone and choose from one of the four slides, “The Trident,” “Sea Serpent,” “Earth Shaker” or “Vortex.  

For the younger ones, take them to the new children’s play area, Hook’s Lagoon, where they can explore the pirate ship, float along the pint-size lazy river and play under the topping bucket.

Now the family can visit the water park all summer long, with season passes offered at $59.99 for a limited time.  

For more information visit www.oceanbreezewaterpark.com.

Virginia’s new Like! to LOVE Virginia campaign - offering daily travel deals via the Virginia is for Lovers facebook page throughout April is in full swing.

If you like to save on vacation, you are going to LOVE next week’s offers – here’s a sneak peek of the deals we’re offering.  These will be posted at 9 a.m. on their scheduled date and open on a first come first serve basis.

To take advantage of the daily travel deals go to www.facebook.com/VirginiaisforLovers and choose "like" now through April 30.

Monday April 11 Offers:

• 50% tickets for Blackfriars Playhouse at The American Shakespeare Center in Staunton
• Save 50% off the 2nd night at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage Bed and Breakfast

Tuesday April 12 Offers:

•  Virginia is for Racing Lovers deal from Richmond International Raceway and Kroger, offering 2 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Tickets AND $20 worth of groceries for $90! (Retail value $160).
• 2-for-1 Historic Walking Tours from the Valentine Richmond History Center.

Wednesday April 13 Offers:

• Fredericksburg Segway is offering a buy one Segway Tour at full price and get one for FREE. 
• Fredericksburg Suite Deal at Wytestone Suites - take advantage of this BOGO offer from Wytestone Suites in Fredericksburg. Stay one night, get the second night free, plus a 15% off dinner coupon at this all suites hotel.

Thursday April 14 Offer: 

•  Ski for free at Wingate, Lynchburg Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre Package; $119.99 single, $129.99 double. Includes 2 hour pass to Snowflex with equipment rental, room with scenic view of Lynchburg with 40-item buffet breakfast, 70 miles of hiking trails nearby, year-round indoor pool with Jacuzzi, less than ½ mile away from Snowflex.

 Friday April 15 Offer: 

•   Summer Kickoff Special - VSA Locations in Virginia Beach! Choose from three resorts - Ocean Sands Resort, Ocean Key Resort or Atrium Resort - all located in the heart of Virginia Beach’s Oceanfront area - with this exclusive buy one night, get the second half off deal from VSA. 

The Virginia Tourism Corporation recently organized a temporary art installation in Dupont Circle in Washington, DC.  We were informed by the National Park Service that due to the temporary artwork's connection to marketing, it was outside of their guidelines.  VTC removed it immediately along with images posted online to avoid any further issue.

Spring is here, and there's no better way to welcome the season than by experiencing the 78^th annual Historic Garden Week in Virginia during April 16-23, 2011. During this week, Virginia gardens from the beaches to the mountains will be on display and offer special events and tours to visitors.  With over 250 private homes, gardens and historic landmarks opening their garden's doors to the public, it's the only opportunity to see many of the beautiful gardens Virginia has to offer.  In celebration The Garden Club of Virginia put together ten reasons to love Historic Garden Week in Virginia!

1.  Proceeds raised benefit the restoration of important historic grounds and gardens throughout the state.

2.  Garden Week officially starts spring in Virginia.

3.  An excuse to wear your "comfortable" shoes in public.

4.  Pure inspiration. From the gardens to the artwork, antiques and renovations.

5.  Road trip! Skip work and spend an afternoon catching up with friends.

6.  The stunning floral arrangements by Garden Club of Virginia members.  Go soak some oasis and try your hand at one.

7.  A great way to show off Virginia in all her springtime glory to visiting friends and family.

8.  The exciting extras, from bird watching aboard a luxury yacht in Virginia Beach to a special appearance by the Warrenton Hunt foxhounds.

9.  Named among Virginia's "Preppiest Events" by Virginia Living magazine.

10. It's America's oldest and largest statewide house and garden tour. 

Keep your eyes posted for new Virginia is for Lovers television ad that was just unveiled on Monday by Governor Bob McDonnell.  Geared toward family travelers, the commercial features experiences found across the state that allow loved ones to completely connect while spending time together in Virginia.  We’re hoping the new presence on television in key markets will help us to spread the word about Virginia’s treasures.  From beaches to history to amusement parks and outdoor recreation, Virginia has what it takes to be a top family travel destination.  

My goodness how time flies!  It’s hard to believe it was a year ago that the first-ever Virginia Wine Week was launched.  In the inaugural year, about 100 restaurants and wine shops participated by offering at least two Virginia wines by the glass as part of the wine week promotion – not too shabby.  

Now a year later, we are back at it again, and the number of participants has tripled! From March 18-27 more than 300 restaurants and wine shops throughout the state will feature Virginia wine by the glass for the 2^nd Annual Virginia Wine Week – Love By The Glass.

I am not surprised with the increased interest in wine week as Virginia wines continue to gain respect and popularity in the wine world.  In the past year alone, more than 30 new wineries opened, bringing Virginia’s total number of wineries to 191.  In 2010 Virginia wine sales increased nearly 13 percent over 2009.  Virginia was recently named one of the top five up-and-coming wine regions by Travel + Leisure magazine and currently ranks fifth in the U.S. for wine production.

People who wish to take a Virginia Wine getaway to celebrate Virginia Wine Week can take advantage of special Virginia Wine Week travel packages at The Boar's Head in Charlottesville, The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond and The Carriage House Inn in Lynchburg. Details on each package can be found on www.Virginia.org.

Want to find out if your favorite restaurant and/or wine shop is participating in Virginia Wine Week?  Visit www.VirginiaWine.org. 

This morning I had the privilege of attending the media preview of Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris at The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts here in Richmond.  The exhibition opens to the public this Saturday, February 19 and runs through May 15, 2011.  Virginia is the only place on the East Coast where art lovers can get a peak works produced during every major artistic period of Pablo Picasso’s eight-decade career.  It includes 176 works from Picasso’s personal collection.  The pieces are displayed chronologically – telling the story of Picasso’s inspirations and evolution as an artist - as you wind through ten galleries with pieces from Picasso’s Blue Period, Rose Period, Cubism, the return to Classicism, Surrealism and his later work. 

I was surprised by the variety of works represented in the exhibition. I had a certain expectation when I entered the first gallery. I thought I would only see     abstract art that was difficult to “understand” (at least to someone like me who doesn’t know a lick about art history).  That was not the case.  In fact, as I walked through the entire exhibition, I found quite the opposite.  Upon arrival at the first gallery, there is a wonderful companion handout that explains the pieces represented in each gallery in just enough detail as not to overwhelm.  There is also an audio tour for this exhibition available as a free download (a limited number are available for rent on-site; $5 each, first come, first served).

Personally, what struck me the most were the photographs included in the exhibition. Some were taken by Picasso himself and some of them were of Picasso with his family and friends.  As you walk through eight decades of amazing art from a legend like Picasso, it is a wonderful addition to be able to get a glimpse at who Picasso was as a person – not just as an artist.  Just go and check it out and you will see exactly what I mean.

Give me a museum and I'll fill it ~ Pablo Picasso

Yes, Picasso, you surely can!  Visit http://www.vmfa.state.va.us/Picasso/ for details about the exhibition.