Inspired by the nostalgic vibe of the Virginia is for Lovers slogan and the analogue philosophy of Lomography, Love Unexpected spotlights Virginia’s well-loved small towns and off-the-beaten-path treasures that offer a sense of discovery for travelers – places such as old-school diners, drive-in movie theaters, roadside wonders, music jam venues and craft wineries and breweries found statewide in Virginia’s small towns. To learn more about these destinations and see Lomographs and videos that capture the essence of Virginia, visit www.Virginia.org/OldSchool.

Starting February 3 Lomography will issue a new photo challenge each month themed around love. Ten monthly winners will win a Virginia is for Lovers camera, and from those winners four grand prize winners will be chosen to each experience a separate, over-the-top vacation in Virginia. The contest runs through December 2012.

The Trips

Each trip is themed to the spirit and adventure of each vacation including the Roadside Wonders trip, the Wines, Brews and Spirits trip, an Old School Seaside Eats trip, and the Music Jams trip, where the winner will receive an all-access pass to the 2012 FloydFest and bear the title of “official event photographer for Virginia is for Lovers.”

Virginia is for Lovers is about love – pure and simple – and has been since its debut in 1969. The slogan is one of the most recognizable tourism slogans in the world and is the longest running state tourism slogan in the country. For a limited time, the old-school Virginia is for Lovers logo which was made popular in the 1970’s will be featured on a special line of apparel available for purchase at www.Virginia.org/OldSchool as well as on the Virginia is for Lovers Lomography camera, which are also for sale online.

The Love Unexpected photo competition is the first time Lomography has partnered with a US tourism office for a special promotion.

Go to www.Virginia.org/OldSchool and start planning a trip to Virginia or to learn more about the Love Unexpected photo competition.   Follow Virginia is for Lovers on Facebook or on Twitter @VisitVirginia.

From Atlantic beaches to woodland lakes and freshwater mountain streams, Virginia is awash in aquatic fun for families, providing experiences that connect loved ones together in memories that last a lifetime. The LOVE Aquatic Sweepstakes highlights a sampling of the best of these Virginia experiences.

Adults 21 and over can register to win one of four aquatic adventures based in Norfolk, Smith Mountain Lake, the Tides Inn in Irvington, and Richmond. Drawings will be held March 16, May 11, June 15 and August 10th.

Each of the four prize packages is for a family of four and includes air fare, rental car, overnight lodging, cash card, admission to attractions and a specific aquatic experience with personalized expert instruction.

>> ENTER NOW <<
See Official Rules and Prize Details

© Casey for Virginia's Travel Blog, 2012 ]]> http://blog.virginia.org/2012/01/a-new-family-vacation-sweepstakes/feed/ 1 LOVE Aquatic Sweepstakes Tall Ship in Norfolk Boating on Smith Mountain Lake The Beach at the Tides Inn Sunrise on the James River in Richmond http://blog.virginia.org/2012/01/get-real-in-virginia/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=get-real-in-virginia http://blog.virginia.org/2012/01/get-real-in-virginia/#comments Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:46:30 +0000 Casey http://blog.virginia.org/?p=1851 ]]> Reality TV loves Virginia, in case you haven’t noticed. Guy Fieri has shown off and sampled some awesome eats on his Food Network Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives episodes (get the scoop here), and the ball has continued to roll from there.

Carla Hesseltine of Just Cupcakes

In the past year Virginia has cheered on two Food Network Cupcake Wars contestants, one of which finished second in their challenge.

Just Cupcakes is a Virginia Green certified cupcake shop with three locations – two in Virginia Beach and one in Norfolk. Owner Carla Hesseltine and her staff bake several fresh batches of cupcakes each day. With names like “Frankly Scarlett” and “Puckerup Buttercup,” how can you pass up these treats?

Just Cupcakes was included in the Season 3 premiere “Kentucky Derby” episode which aired on June 14, 2011. See Carla’s audition.

Wicked cupcakes from Frostings

Most recently, Frostings in Glen Allen appeared in the Cupcake Wars “Wicked” episode of Season 4. You can see Matt Fraker and Jessica Jones compete during these upcoming encore presentations: January 12 at 11 PM, January 13 at 2 AM, and January 14 at 1 PM. The original air date was January 1, 2012. See Matt and Jessica’s audition.

Stop by Frostings through the end of January to have a taste of their Wicked creations - Dark Chocolate Port Wine, Tiramisu, Hummingbird, and Mexican Hot Chocolate.

If you would, take a step back from Virginia’s sweet treats and admire the rolling countryside.

Now in its 5th season, Ax Men, a series you’ll find on the History Channel, is branching out. Previously focused on big timber logging in Alaska and swamp logging in Louisiana, Ax Men is bringing in a new type of logger. The season premiere aired Sunday, January 8, bringing regular viewers up to speed with the loggers they’ve been following for several seasons. However, on March 4th you can expect to be introduced to the Rutledge men of H. H. Horse Logging Healing Harvest Forest Foundation in Floyd, Virginia. Tune in at 9 p.m. EST!

H. H. Horse Logging

If you’d care to actually meet the men, walk the woods, and maybe be introduced to the horses, give 24 hours’ advance notice and kindly bring a tax-deductible donation for Healing Harvest Forest Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit founded by Jason Rutledge.

Until your visit, we pose a question for you to ponder. Does your work provide you with a “dignity dividend?” Hear how H. H. Horse Logging’s Biological Woodsman Chad Miano defines it in this video clip from Restoring the Americas.

From chopping down trees to hiding behind them, take a glimpse of the illegal art of making moonshine. Keep in mind, this is not an endorsement for moonshining, but another view of how Virginia is capturing reality TV. Dive in …

Discovery premiered a brand new series December 6, 2011 that just concluded January 4, 2012. Perhaps you saw Moonshiners?

The show follows a third generation Pittsylvania County, Virginia moonshiner (Tim) and his apprentice (Tickle) as they fire up the still to produce and sell white lightning (shine, hooch, corn liquor, rot gut, creek water, squeezin’s, mountain dew, etc.). Also included is a Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control agent (Jesse), who is out for a big take-down. For Tim and other ‘shiners, money is the prize, but is it worth the heat of being chased?

See an encore presentation of the season finale of Moonshiners on January 16 at 10 PM or January 17 at 12 AM.

Should you care to see the production of legal Virginia liquor and perhaps purchase a bottle, visit one of Virginia’s distilleries. Tim paid a visit to Stillhouse Distillery in Culpeper to learn what it takes to legally produce moonshine. Tours are available during normal business hours of Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM, April 1 through December 24.

Other Virginia distilleries include A. Smith Bowman in Fredericksburg and Copper Fox in Sperryville.

Where else have you seen Virginia on the tube lately? Leave a comment and let us all know!

Old Town Alexandria

If the blahs of winter have gotten you down, fear not. A good dinner out will always raise your spirits!

Virginia is chock full of great dining and five areas are polishing their silver and perfecting their pairings for their annual restaurant week events. Which one do you plan to partake of?

January 9-15: The Northern Virginia / DC Restaurant Week is an occasion of fine dining that stretches across the cities of Alexandria, Arlington, Clifton, Fairfax, Falls Church, McLean, Reston, and Vienna. Choose a prix fixe three-course lunch or five-course dinner at one of the 52 participating Virginia restaurants. Lunch is $20.12 per person and dinner is $35.12 per person.

January 13-22: Alexandria Restaurant Week boasts 56 participating restaurants and $35 can buy you either a single three-course dinner OR a dinner for two at a range of atmospheres. Choose from formal dining to comfortably casual.

January 15-22: Virginia Beach Restaurant Week is in its 7th year and now has 70 restaurants on board! Go out for a three-course lunch for $11.12 or do dinner at your choice of two price rates – either $20.12 or $27.12.

January 22-29: Downtown Norfolk Restaurant Week has 22 restaurants offering three-course dinners for either $20 or $30, depending on your choices. Eight of those participants also have a $10 two-course lunch menu exclusive to this week.

January 23-29: Charlottesville Restaurant Week welcomes you to choose from 20 restaurants offering $26 three-course dinners.

For all of these restaurant week events, reservations are strongly recommended. Click the links above to begin the online reservation process or locate phone numbers. We hope you find tastebud LOVE at the end of your fork this January in Virginia!

Weekend Ideas

Wintergreen Resort

Wintergreen Resort has packed the weekend of January 13-16 to include Demo Days by Freestyle, the Wintergreen Rail Jam, a DJ keeping the fun going all weekend long, and more.

Wish to get unplugged and maybe even snowed in? Shadow Mountain Escape in Luray is offering a fourth night free when you stay three nights in one of their timberframe cabins. This is an ideal escape for couples, tucked in the  mountains near Shenandoah National Park.

Skiiers will love this special discount near The Homestead. Stay at Meadow Villas at Warm Springs for two nights and get your third night at a 50% discount. The Homestead slopes are just five miles down the road.

Just a Day Away

Saturday, January 14 is Snow Days Festival at the Children’s Museum of Richmond. The 3rd Annual Snow Queen will be crowned and kids will have a chance to talk with her and then enjoy some winter activities.

Sugar Hollow Park in Bristol is the site of Winterfest, an event that includes sled dogs! See working dogs demonstrate their skills, enjoy some clogging, and stay for the spaghetti dinner. Winterfest is January 14.

The Children’s Museum of Virginia in Portsmouth is celebrating African American heritage on the 14th. Join in the festivities with drumming, stories, crafts, and more.

Put love at the heart of your Virginia day, weekend, and vacation! For more events for this month, go to www.Virginia.org/JanuaryinVirginia/.

Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum in Staunton, Virginia.

Visit the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum in Staunton today – for free – until 5 p.m. On display is his Pierce-Arrow limousine, and you’ll be intrigued with the new state-of-the-art World War I trench exhibit. Children will enjoy the interactive Kids’ Corner, and it’s a beautiful day for a stroll through the boxwood garden.

Can’t make it today? Visit 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday or from noon until 4 p.m. on Sunday (winter hours). Admission is $5 to $14 depending on age; kids 6 and under are free.

Additionally, the Virginia Historical Society in Richmond, Virginia is hosting a multi-gallery long-term exhibit called The Story of Virginia in which Woodrow Wilson is included in the Americans Again segment focusing on World Wars I and II, the Great Depression, and the Cold War. The Historical Society is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 ’til 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Learn more about Virginia’s Presidents at http://www.virginia.org/BirthplacePresidents/.

Winchester New Years Apple

Technically, “First” Night should be “Last” Night, especially for those of us who don’t make it past 12 anymore. But ever since the family-centric movement started in Boston in 1976, these celebrations have popped up in hundreds of cities around the country.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly, arts and culturally-based event on the last night of December, look no further than a First Night.

Of course, your kids need the stamina to stay up that late, but you’re sure to find a high-quality, beer-bottle-free good time. Just don’t forget the right “bottles” for your little ones.

Some notable First Nights in Virginia:

• First Night Alexandria
• First Night Leesburg
• First Night Winchester (Don’t miss the Apple Drop!)
• First Night Harrisonburg
• First Night Williamsburg

For a more complete list of First Night and New Years events in the Old Dominion, check out this page on Virginia.org.

Think of it. It’s dark, the stars are bright and twinkling, and you’re not a bit cold even though it’s December.

Consider these planetarium events in the coming weeks as you entertain children on break from school.

Star of Wonder at the Virginia Living Museum

In Newport News is the Virginia Living Museum Planetarium. This month you’ll find a variety of special star shows, including “Star of Wonder,” an immersive look at the journey of the Magi following the Star of Bethlehem. See “Star of Wonder” on these dates at these times:

• December 14-16, 18 @ 2:30
• December 17 @ 2:30 and 6:30
• December 19-23, 26-31 @ 11:30 and 2:30

Also at the VLM is the show “Virginia Skies,” an ever-changing program with an astronomer. Take a current look at the skies above while the astronomer highlights visible planets and details signs of upcoming astronomical events. Q&A is encouraged! Visit December 14 through 31 for 1:30 p.m. showings.

Natural Tunnel State Park. Courtesy Virginia State Parks

In Duffield, the Heart of Appalachia, lies Natural Tunnel State Park. It’s a beautiful setting year ’round, but something really exciting for visitors of every age happens around this time of year: 8 Days of Christmas!

Eight Days of Christmas at Natural Tunnel occurs December 9, 10, 16, and 17, and is a light show with a twist: experience the lights from the chairlift! Thousands of bulbs and animated figures are delightful sights as you descend. The fun doesn’t end when the chairlift does. There are carolers and other entertainers by campfire for your enjoyment. Add a cup of hot chocolate to this peaceful night and you’ll realize you’re in a real winter wonderland.

Care to stay? There are still cabins available for this weekend, but the weekend of the 16th is sold out.

Park Fees:

• Weekday Parking: $2
• Weekend Parking: $3
• Chairlift: $3; under age 6 is free
• Off-Season Nightly Cabin Rate: 2BR $88; 3BR $110; 6 BR $275

Natural Tunnel State Park. Courtesy Virginia State Parks

Getting There:

1420 Natural Tunnel Parkway
Duffield, VA 24244

Natural Tunnel State Park is about 13 miles north of Gate City and 20 miles north of Kingsport, TN. From I-81, take U.S. 23 North to Gate City (about 20 miles). The turn-off to the park is at mile marker 17.4 on Rt. 23. Take Natural Tunnel Parkway about one mile east to park entrance.

Quick facts about Natural Tunnel:

• The Commonwealth of Virginia acquired the tunnel and 100 surrounding acres in 1967, and later acquired an additional 850 acres. The park was opened in 1971.
• The tunnel is 850′ long and 100′ high inside.

Dailey & Vincent. Photo Credit Jim McGuire

This Saturday, December 3, Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent take to the stage at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts in Fairfax. Not familiar with Dailey & Vincent? The New York Times calls them, “the most celebrated new bluegrass act of the past few years,” and they’ve had two albums debut at #1 on the Billboard charts. The performance is from 8 to 10 p.m. and tickets are $24-$48. Family-friendly. Youth through high school are half price when accompanied by an adult.

Also this Saturday is A Convergence Christmas in Alexandria featuring the 7 Sopranos and Harpist Mark Martin. In addition to the performance is a dramatic reading of “The Gift of the Magi,” and a carol sing-a-long. Tickets are $15 and the event begins at 4 p.m.

The Master Singers of Virginia are traveling to spread their “Festival of Lessons and Carols” production. Hear these talented voices at Our Savior’s Way Lutheran Church in Ashburn on December 10 from 8 to 9 p.m., Church of the Epiphany in Herndon on December 11 from 7 to 8 p.m., or Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville on December 17 from 7 to 8 p.m. All performances are $18/adult and $15/student or senior. If purchasing at the door, add $2 to the price.

Grammy nominee Natalie MacMaster will be performing traditional and contemporary Celtic melodies and Christmas carols at George Mason University on December 17 from 8 to 10 p.m. The Los Angeles Times hails, “MacMaster’s a ball of fire, performing jigs and reels with unstoppable, foot-tapping energy and ballads with irresistible, keening passion.” Tickets are $25-$50. Family-friendly. Youth through high school are half price when accompanied by an adult.

Nearby Lodging:

Fairfax
-  Hampton Inn Fairfax City
-  The Mason Inn Conference Center and Hotel
-  Courtyard Marriott Fair Oaks

Alexandria
-  Hilton Garden Inn Arlington/Shirlington
-  Best Western Pentagon - 25% Off Deal!

Ashburn
-  Hilton Garden Inn Dulles North

Herndon
-  Staybridge Suites Chantilly Dulles Airport
-  Courtyard Dulles Airport Chantilly

Upperville
-  Blackthorne Inn & Restaurant
-  The Ashby Inn & Restaurant

For more great upcoming musical performances or to extend your stay, visit Virginia.org.  LOVE is at the heart of every Virginia vacation.