Hotels

Alexandria has two new refreshing, chic hotels – Lorien Hotel and Spa and Hotel Monaco – that go beyond ”pet-friendly”. Hotel Monaco offers a Doggie Happy Hour every Tuesday and Thursday, and actually allows two dogs per person. At Lorien, your sidekick will receive a VIP (Very Important Pet) gift, bowls, bed, leash and tidy bags. Want a special spa touch for sweetie while you enjoy one, too? Pet grooming and massage services can be arranged!

When in the Richmond area, check out Aloft Richmond West, a trendy, clean-line hotel that boasts grand Short Pump shopping just a mile away. What’s in it for pooch? A bed, bowl, “woof-alicious” goodies, and toys! Also see Aloft Chesapeake, Aloft Winchester, and Aloft Dulles Airport North.

Also in the Richmond Area: The Berkeley Hotel  *  Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa  *  The Jefferson Hotel

B&Bs

If you’re destined for the Chesapeake Bay, consider Hope & Glory Inn in Irvington. Not only does it boast Conde Nast Johansens, Fodor’s, and Travel + Leisure accolades, but certain cottages are available to those traveling with pets (fee).

On Chincoteague Island is the Garden and Sea Inn with their Shiraz Suite. You’ll want to book this one for the private pet-friendly fenced yard that accompanies it!

• 700+ Pet-Friendly Accommodations
• Traveling with Pets
• Pet Bakeries, Boutiques & More

For more vacation ideas for traveling with pets, or to request your free Virginia is for Lovers® Travel Guide, visit us at www.Virginia.org or call us at 1-800-VISIT-VA.

 If you love the beach and great cuisine, then a trip to Virginia Beach is a must this summer. On my recent trip there with some friends, we stayed at the beautiful Sheraton Oceanfront. It had great accommodations and even better views of the beach. The beds were so comfortable and the linens were luxurious. So much so that I asked where they buy them, and I am going to order some for myself. With two relaxing pools and beach front access, what more could you ask for?

A walk along the boardwalk allows you to get exercise and people watch while checking out the scene.  You never know what you will stumble upon. There is something that will interest even the most discriminating travelers. The trolley is also a fun and unique way to get around at the beach. It has tons of stops for your convenience.

To top off a fun day in the sun, nothing can beat a great meal, and Virginia Beach has plenty of options. For lunch, Taste Unlimited offers amazing sandwiches as well as other gourmet foods and unique gift baskets.  We couldn’t get enough of it, considering we went back every day! If you are interested in a restaurant for the night scene, Catch 31 is the place for you. Whether you go for drinks, appetizers, or a full meal, the energy at the restaurant is electric. Whatever time of day you go you will be guaranteed a good time.  The staff is friendly and attentive and willing to offer suggestions that will heighten your experience. Catch 31 features live music during the summer and cozy outdoor fire pits, so no matter what the season, they can always accommodate you.

After all the amazing experiences I had there, I’m definitely planning another trip to Virginia Beach soon!

Plan your Virginia vacation at www.Virginia.org or call 1-800-VISIT-VA to order a Virginia is for Lovers® Travel Guide.

Courtesy: Mariners Landing

Families rejoice! You probably can’t beat this deal … book three nights at Mariners Landing at Smith Mountain Lake and get two nights FREE with their Family Fun Under the Sun package! More Info

Tucked away in the quiet village of Sperryville is Hopkins Ordinary Bed and Breakfast, an 1820s roadside inn that served as a stagecoach stop. Settle into one of their herb-themed guest rooms or The Garden Cottage (for families and pets), for two nights and get the third night half price! The only catch is that your visit must occur Sunday through Thursday to qualify. More Info

Only have two nights to stay, or would you like to stretch it to four? The Carriage House Bed and Breakfast in Lynchburg will give you 40% off your second, third or fourth consecutive night. Additionally, you’ll enjoy a three-course breakfast and might even want to book an on-site spa service since you’re saving money on the room! More Info

If you’re a planner, this one’s for you … Wyndham Virginia Beach invites you to “Buy Now, Play Later” and in doing so you’ll capture up to 20% savings depending on how far out you book your stay. More Info

Lexington George Washington Inn in Williamsburg is having a summer sale that expires September 1st. Book now to cash in on 30% off one- and two-night stays, and 40% off three nights or more! More Info

Find more exciting deals and discounts at Virginia.org!

You can't get a better seat than an RV overlooking the track!

The grand prize winner and three guests will fly to Virginia for VIP treatment at the TUMS Fast Relief 500.  The grand prize puts the winners at the edge of the action, literally, with the use of a 30-foot luxury recreational vehicle parked trackside at Martinsville Speedway’s Champions Overlook.  The RV, courtesy of McGeorge Rolling Hills RV Supercenter, will be filled with groceries provided by Kroger and decked out in Virginia is for Lovers® apparel and prizes.   As part of the package, the winning family will have a VIP meet and greet with a Sprint Cup driver and be treated to sights and destinations in and around Martinsville.  Virginia is for Racing Lovers Ultimate Fan Sweepstakes prize details are as follows, with complete rules and entry form at www.martinsvillespeedway.com/sweepstakes.One grand prize winner will receive:

• Economy roundtrip airfare for four from the major airport nearest winner’s location to Roanoke, Virginia
• A rental car for duration of stay
• Use of one RV, courtesy of McGeorge Rolling Hills RV Supercenter, including a stocked kitchen provided by Kroger, for four nights in the Champions Overlook area at Martinsville Speedway® including admission for four to the racing events scheduled for October 22 – 24, 2010 at Martinsville Speedway®; and Meet and Greet with a Sprint Cup Series driver.
• Virginia is for Lovers® apparel for four
• Lodging for two nights at the Comfort Inn Martinsville
• Complimentary admission for four to the Virginia Museum of Natural History and VIP Behind the Scenes Tour
• Complimentary admission for four to Baseball Heaven: Indoor Batting Cages and Driving Range
• VIP boat tour for four of Philpott Lake and guided tour of the museum at Philpott Dam by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Complimentary dinner for four at Wild Magnolia
• Ultimate Fan Gift Basket from the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation’s Tourism Division

What are you waiting for? Enter now at www.martinsvillespeedway.com/sweepstakes!

Wintergreen Performing Arts’ Summer Music Festival and Academy - Vienna – has already kicked off, but it’s not too late to experience four centuries’ worth of amazing Viennese music and art!

The standard works of Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert and others will waft through the mountains from Wintergreen through August 1, 2010. Special activities include cooking classes, seminars, a film festival, wine tastings, and of course, the Academy classes.

Events of Note:

• Saturdays, July 17, 24 and 31
  • 11:00 – Build-an-Instrument Workshop
  • 11:30 – An Austrian Heuriger … Wintergreen Style
  • 4:00 – Austiran Wine and Beer Tasting (also scheduled for July 31st)
  • 8:15 – Imaginary Letters: Mozart Remembered
• Monday, July 19
  • 5:00 – Film Festival Opening – Quadruple Bill – Wine Reception to Follow
• Wednesday, July 21
  • 7:30 – Pops Concert: Elisabeth von Trapp and The Blue Train
• Thursdays, July 22 and 29
  • 6:00 – Dinner at Monticello followed by Mozart at Monticello at 7:30
• Wednesday, July 28
  • 7:30 – Pops Concert: Viennese Pops

For a full schedule of events, click here. Tickets are available online, but some events are sold out (noted through the link). It’s amazing music in the most amazing settings.