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Moon Virginia

With Washington DC

Contributors

By Michaela Riva Gaaserud

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Description

• Flexible itineraries, such as five days visiting Virginia’s battlefields and breweries and ten days exploring the whole state, with detailed coverage of Washington DC
• The best road trips in Virginia, including the scenic Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway
• Strategic advice for history buffs, foodies, outdoor adventurers, families, and more
• Can’t-miss sights and unique experiences: Visit Revolutionary War battlefields and hear the stories behind Civil War landmarks or immerse yourself in history in Colonial Williamsburg. Stroll the Virginia Beach boardwalk or ride the coasters at Busch Gardens. See world-class museums and monuments in the nation’s capital, pop into indie boutiques in Richmond, or visit the homes of former presidents like Jefferson and Washington. Hike sections of the Appalachian Trail, explore underground caves, or kayak on the Potomac River. Sample authentic Virginia ham, kick back at a local brewery, and discover the best spots for a romantic getaway
• Expert advice from Virginia local Michaela Riva Gaaserud on when to go, what to pack, and where to stay, from campgrounds to historic inns
• Thorough background on the culture, weather, wildlife, and history
• United States
• South Atlantic (dc, De, Fl, Ga, Md, Nc, Sc, Va, Wv)

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Travel Guide

© Sam Dean/Visit Virginia

Virginia is steeped in history and tradition. It's the birthplace of the United States, and has played a lead role in nearly every major American drama, from the Revolutionary War to the Civil Rights movement.

Best Places to Visit

Best things to do, attractions, must-see attractions.

Mount Vernon

Northern Virginia

One of America's most visited historic sites, Mount Vernon was the beloved home of George and Martha Washington.

Colonial Williamsburg

Image by Thomas Faull/Getty Images RF

Arlington National Cemetery

Sprawling across hills above the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia, Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for America’s most revered…

Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah Valley

One of the most spectacular national parks in the country, Shenandoah is a showcase of natural color and beauty: in spring and summer the wildflowers…

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Richmond is a cultured city, and this splendid art museum is the cornerstone of the local arts scene. Highlights of its eclectic, world-class collection…

The Piedmont

The house at Monticello is an architectural masterpiece designed and inhabited by Thomas Jefferson, founding father and third US president, who spent 40…

University of Virginia

Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia, and designed what he called an 'Academical Village' embodying the spirit of communal living and…

Historic Jamestowne

Run by the NPS, this fascinating place is the original Jamestown site, established in 1607 and home of the first permanent English settlement in North…

Top picks from our travel experts

15 top experiences in arlington, virginia.

South of Arlington Cemetery is the Pentagon, the largest office building in the world and the headquarters of the US Department of Defense, the Army, Navy…

Iwo Jima Memorial

Just outside of Arlington National Cemetery is the Marine Corps War Memorial, better known as the Iwo Jima Memorial. It pays tribute to the six soldiers…

Lady Bird Johnson Park

Part of the George Washington Memorial Pkwy, Lady Bird Johnson Park commemorates the First Lady who tried to beautify the capital via greenery-planting…

Pentagon Memorial

At this tranquil memorial, 184 illuminated benches honor each man, woman and child killed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the Pentagon,…

Air Force Memorial

Overlooking the Pentagon and adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery, three graceful stainless-steel arcs soar 270ft into the air. This shimmering…

Arlington House

Set on a hill overlooking the cemetery, this 1802 Greek Revival–style mansion is the former home of Confederate General Robert E Lee and his wife Mary…

Women in Military Service for America Memorial

This memorial is an impressive-looking, semi-circular structure that honors the 2.5 million women who have served in America's armed forces. Inside is a…

The propaganda is served up with nary a chuckle at this heavy-handed museum brought to you by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Exhibits cover the last…

11 of the best free things to do in Virginia: experience the Old Dominion for nothing

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

This lush preserve has hiking trails where you can look for wild horses. There's also beachfront and a lighthouse. The 3¼-mile Wildlife Loop is open to…

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

Blue Ridge Highlands & Southwest Virginia

This seriously beautiful area is well worth a visit for outdoor enthusiasts. Hike, fish or cross-country ski among ancient hardwood trees and the state's…

Carlyle House

If you have time for just one historic house tour in Alexandria, make it this one. The house dates from 1753 when merchant and city founder, John Carlyle,…

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum

Once a real tavern (operated by John Gadsby from 1796 to 1808), this building now houses a museum demonstrating the prominent role of the tavern in…

Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center

The National Air and Space Museum in the Mall is so awesome they made an attic for it: the Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. It’s three times…

One of the most photographed buildings in the state, the mill nests in such a gloriously green vale you'll think you've entered the opening chapter of a…

Appomattox Court House National Historic Park

At the McLean House in the town of Appomattox Court House, General Robert E Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to General Ulysses S Grant, in…

Cold Harbor Battlefield

By 1864, Union general Ulysses Grant was ready to take the battle into Virginia. His subsequent invasion, dubbed the Overland (or Wilderness) Campaign,…

Roanoke Star & Mill Mountain Park

Mill Mountain Park has walking trails, a discovery center, a zoo (adult $9, child aged three to 11 years $7) and grand views of Roanoke. It's also home to…

Martha Washington Inn & Spa

This is the region's best-known historic hotel, a handsome Victorian-era hulk set amid formal gardens. The rocking chairs on the front porch are a…

Richmond National Battlefield Park

The dozen Civil War sites and four visitor centers that comprise this park can be visited on an 80-mile driving tour around Richmond. The best place to…

Petersburg National Battlefield Park

Several miles east of town, Petersburg National Battlefield is where Union soldiers planted explosives underneath a Confederate breastwork, leading to the…

Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park

More than 13,000 Americans were killed during the Civil War in four battles fought in a 17-mile radius covered by this park: Fredericksburg,…

Manassas National Battlefield Park

The site of two major Confederate victories early in the Civil War, Manassas National Battlefield Park today is a curving green hillscape, sectioned into…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Free Things to Do

Virginia presents a wealth of things to see and do, and many of them are free. Here's our guide to the very best.

Best Road Trips

From majestic tours of the Blue Ridge Mountains to easy getaways in the DC area and beyond, we’ve compiled a list of the best road trips in Virginia.

Latest stories from Virginia

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Tips & Advice

Apr 4, 2024 • 14 min read

If you want to get to know Virginia, start with these 14 sites from the Chesapeake to the Blue Ridge and beyond.

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Virginia Travel Guide

Looking for an in-depth Virginia travel guide ?

Then you’re in the right place!

There are numerous ways to experience Virginia, a state with so much to offer travelers of all kinds. Whether you’re a history buff, beach lover, outdoor adventurer or foodie, there’s something for you in the Old Dominion.

The state is easy to navigate and gorgeous to drive through, making it perfect for road trips.

In fact, the Blue Ridge Parkway, running from Shenandoah National Park through the Great Smokey Mountains National Park in North Carolina, is known as “America’s Favorite Drive” for its easy views and roadside destinations.

However you choose to explore Virginia, we’ve got you covered.

If you’re looking to venture into Virginia during a trip to Washington, DC, you’ll find that there’s a ton of things to see in Northern Virginia.

Right over the Potomac River is Old Town Alexandria, a gorgeous colonial district that will transport you back in time 250 years. Walk the cobblestone streets, cruise the river or shop some of the local boutiques.

A few miles away, you can visit the historic Manassas National Battlefield, the site of two major American Civil War battles. Take a guided tour with a local historian or just go for a hike on one of the park’s many trails.

Of course, any Virginia tourism guide will encourage you to check out the state’s gorgeous Eastern Shore getaways and Atlantic beaches.

The state’s beaches offer tons of great opportunities to put your toes in the sand and catch some rays, as well as several other unique opportunities you’ll only find in Virginia.

In Cape Charles, you can kayak out to a former World War II cargo ship that’s now a haven for birds and dolphins.

And at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, you can see wild horses roam the shores. You’ll definitely want to bring your camera along!

Keep reading to dive into resources that will help you with planning a trip to Virginia in the United States.

Note: This ultimate Virginia guide contains affiliate links to trusted partners!

Virginia Map

Use this Virginia tourism map to begin planning your trip to this incredible country!

Click here for an interactive Google Map version of the above graphic.

Virginia Travel Guide Destinations

Looking for the best Virginia tourist attractions and places to visit? These posts can help!

How To Have An Incredible Time Visiting Virginia’s Eastern Shore

5 Ecotourism Destinations In Richmond, Virginia

Virginia Beach Travel Tips For Exploring Beyond The Sand

Best Virginia Tours

Explore local culture with a Virginia tour guide through these unique excursions:

• Spirit of Norfolk Dinner Cruise on the Elizabeth River (Norfolk, Virginia)
• The Original Ghosts of Williamsburg Tour (Williamsburg, Virginia)
• Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tours (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
• Mountain Biking Adventure on Narrowback Mountain (Richmond, Virginia)
• Richmond’s Street Art Segway Tour (Richmond, Virginia)
• Virginia Beach Surf Lessons (Virginia Beach, Virginia)

Renting A Car In Virginia

Need a rental car for your Virginia trip?

Use Discover Cars to quickly compare your car rental options.

Public Transportation In Virginia

Getting around Virginia by train, bus, or ferry?

Omio is a must! You can use this tool for all of your public transportation needs when traveling around Virginia.

The site is straightforward and user-friendly — and you can pre-book your tickets in advance at a discount.

They even offer flight and car deals!

Virginia Hotels

Click here to browse the best Virginia travel hotels!

Prefer self-contained stays?

Click here to check out unique local rentals!

You can also use this map to search for local properties:

Virginia Travel Insurance

It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling solo or with a group on a Virginia tour. When visiting Virginia — or any other country in the world — make sure to get travel insurance to protect your health and safety.

In my opinion, the best travel medical insurance for travelers is SafetyWing as they’ve got a large network and offer both short-term and long-term coverage — including coverage if you’re traveling for months as well as limited coverage in your home country).

Additionally, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and offers $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

With coverage, you’ll have peace of mind as you embark on your Virginia travel itinerary.

Click my referral link here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks .

Virginia Travel Guide FAQ

Below, find answers to frequently asked questions about traveling in Virginia .

Q: Where do people vacation in Virginia?

Virginia is home to several unique vacation destinations.

Williamsburg , located in southeast Virginia, is a top spot for history lovers and families. The town and surrounding area are home to several historic sites that give visitors a taste of Colonial American life, such as Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown.

Beyond the historic towns, reenactments and battlefields, you’ll find popular amusement park Busch Gardens Williamsburg and top water park Water Country USA. Both of these parks are favorites of thrill-seekers young and old.

The area also has tons of great parks and waterfronts perfect for hiking and kayaking.

In the summer months, you can catch some rays and relax on Virginia Beach , the state’s top beach destination.

This lively area boats a classic boardwalk lined with hotels, restaurants, and shops that offers easy access to the shore.

The beach’s popularity can make it fairly crowded, so head down the shore to Sandbridge Beach if you’re looking for a bit more peace and quiet.

Want to get up close and personal with some of the local wildlife?

You’ll spot tons of gorgeous birds and marine mammals at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and the next-door False Creek State Park just a few miles down the island.

However you choose to enjoy Virginia Beach, you’re bound to have a great time.

Another popular spot for those looking for outdoor adventures is Shenandoah National Park, located in western Virginia .

This park boasts 200,000 acres of protected land and is particularly gorgeous during the fall foliage months. With 500 miles of hiking trails, there are so many ways to explore this gorgeous park any time of year.

And if you need a break from the great outdoors, check out the Charlottesville .

Here, you can visit Monticello, home of Founding Father Thomas Jefferson, or just take a stroll around the campus of the University of Virginia.

Q: When is the best time to visit Virginia?

Late spring through early fall is probably the best time to visit Virginia. You’ll encounter mild, pleasant weather in the spring and fall and higher temps and humidity in the summer.

The summer months can also bring strong thunderstorms, so keep an eye on the weather during your trip. October is probably also the best time to experience the fall foliage in all its glory.

Q: How much money do you need for a trip to Virginia?

The average traveler spends about $134 USD per day on transportation, accommodations, food, activities, and other travel expenses in Virginia.

This number can vary depending on your itinerary as some destinations are less expensive than others.

Q: How many days do you need in Virginia?

You can see a fair amount of Virginia over a three-day weekend, particularly if you have a car.

The state’s major destinations and attractions aren’t too far apart from each other, making it easy to see a lot in a short amount of time.

You may want to tack on a few extra days if you’re planning on visiting Williamsburg and Virginia Beach, as these destinations have several all-day attractions you won’t want to miss.

Q: What are the best things to do in Virginia?

No USA trip would be complete without visiting Virginia, and here’s why:

Virginia is a top destination for historical tourism — and for good reason! Some of the best examples and recreations of Colonial American life are on display at Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown.

At Colonial Williamsburg , you can tour original 18th-century buildings, watch costumed interpreters demonstrate folk arts and crafts, and learn more about how the United States became a country.

Jamestown is home to the first British settlement in North America, and while only some of the original foundations of those first buildings remain, you can explore several recreations of 17th-century settlements and ships.

Virginia is also home to several important battlefields of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, including Yorktown Battlefield and Manassas Battlefield . Today, these battlefields act as both important historic sites and nature preserves that are definitely worth exploring.

Speaking of nature, there are plenty of ways to explore the great outdoors in the state of Virginia.

The Blue Ridge Mountains , a stretch of the Appalachian Mountains that run from Northern Georgia to Northern Virginia, is a gorgeous and iconic escape for anyone looking for a little fresh air.

The mountains are one of the highlights of Shenandoah National Park , one of the state’s top attractions. They’re perfect for hiking, fishing, canoeing, birding, and even skiing in the wintertime. If you’re big on outdoor activities, you won’t want to miss this area.

Visiting in the summer time? Head down to one of the state’s beach and waterfront destinations for a little fun in the sun.

Virginia Beach is probably the state’s most popular shoreline, offering tons of great spots to eat, stay, and play along the beach.

If you ever read (and loved) Misty of Chincoteague as a kid, you’ll definitely want to visit Assateague Island and see the wild horses of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge run along the white sand beaches. Further north, you can enjoy some of the beaches on the Chesapeake Bay .

Norfolk is a top destination for fans of the bay, boasting several gorgeous beaches and plenty of great restaurants and breweries to enjoy.

Q: Where is Virginia?

Virginia is located in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States.

It shares borders with the US states of Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia. It also shares a border with Washington DC — which is not technically a US State — and the Atlantic Ocean.

Q: Are credit cards accepted in Virginia?

Credit cards — mainly Visa and Mastercard — are widely accepted around Virginia. That being said, it is always wise to carry some cash for smaller establishments and in case of emergency.

Q: Can you drink the tap water in Virginia?

Yes, you can drink the tap water in Virginia.

Q: What is the local currency in Virginia?

The local currency in Texas is the US Dollar (USD).

What would you add to this Virginia travel guide?

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Want to visit Virginia but not sure where to start? We've got plenty of trip inspiration for you! 

Plan your Virginia getaway with ease by exploring dozens of trip ideas and itineraries across Virginia's ten distinct regions, or review our trip ideas for family fun, fall weekend getaways, and road trip routes to find some of the 300+ love signs across the state - perfect for photo ops - with our LOVEwork road trip ideas below.   

Central Virginia

Getaway to charlottesville area wineries, a charming, romantic & historic getaway in the country, central virginia food and wine getaway, getaway to richmond for walkable city fun, getaway to richmond history: always in season, explore pocahontas: the park & the story, northern virginia, a wine getaway in northern virginia, agritourism getaway to northern virginia, couples getaway to loudoun, family fun awaits in loudoun, i propose the potomac, red, white & blue stafford getaway, touring & tasting dc’s wine country®, coastal virginia - hampton roads, getaway to virginia beach, norfolk family getaway, un-wine'd in chesapeake, escape to yorktown and sail into the sunset together, tides of history, three full days to find alexander hamilton in greater williamsburg, visit genuine smithfield for hams, history, hospitality & heart, coastal virginia - eastern shore, from seaside to bayside: an insiders tour of the eastern shore, natural beauty: virginia's eastern shore, chesapeake bay, getaway to the northern neck and chesapeake bay, getaway to mathews and the chesapeake bay, tour de seafood: middle peninsula waterways, 48 hours in kilmarnock: a couples guide to shopping, dining and exploring in virginia's river realm, 48 hours with the family at belle isle state park, shenandoah valley, shenandoah valley adventures by land river and sky, shenandoah valley: your base camp for outdoor adventure, getaway to the shenandoah valley to hike, bike and sip wine, cabin capital and the great outdoors, lexington foodie finds & more, 48 hours of shenandoah living, giggles & grins family getaway, guilt-free getaway: wild side of natural bridge, history & wine: five wineries paired with historic natural bridge, adventures on the maury river, shenandoah valley and virginia mountains, wine and dine your way through shenandoah county, a getaway from the bridge to the ridge, virginia mountains, family fun in virginia's blue ridge, getaway to the star city in virginia's blue ridge mountains, how to: a wine weekend in virginia's blue ridge, find your passion along the blue ridge mountains, mountain getaway to virginia's blue ridge, get cozy in botetourt county, get out on the wine trail of botetourt county, make mountains move on a summer mountain vacation, blue ridge highlands, taste of abingdon - a culinary scene rooted in appalachia, primland resort: your mountaintop retreat, claytor lake state park getaway, heart of appalachia, a breaks interstate park getaway, explore natural tunnel state park, southern virginia, family lake getaway in southern virginia, getaway to buggs island lake, getaway to southern style romance in lake country, foodie fanatic tour of the salty southern route, southern virginia farm getaway, from moonshine to motorsports, reconnect in southern virginia, family fun getaways, lovework roadtrips, fall getaways.

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VIRGINIA is the oldest American colony: its recorded history began at Jamestown, just off the Chesapeake Bay, with the establishment in 1607 of the first successful British colony in North America. Though the first colonists hoped to find gold, it was tobacco that made their fortunes – as Native Americans were driven off their land and slaves were imported from Africa to work the plantations. Many of the wealthy Virginian planters had an enormous impact on the foundation of the United States: Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and James Madison among them. Later, as the confrontation between North and South over slavery and related issues grew more divisive, Virginia was caught in the middle, but joined the Confederacy when the Civil War broke out, providing the Confederate capital, Richmond, and its military leader, General Robert E. Lee. Four long years later, Virginia was ravaged, its towns and cities wrecked, its farmlands ruined and most of its youth dead.

Colonial Williamsburg

Shenandoah national park.

Richmond itself was largely destroyed in the war; today it’s a small city with some good museums, the best ones historical in nature. The bulk of the colonial sites are concentrated just east, in what is known as the Historic Triangle, where Jamestown, the original colony, Williamsburg, the restored colonial capital, and Yorktown, site of the final battle of the Revolutionary War, lie within half an hour’s drive of each other on the Colonial Parkway. Another historic centre, Charlottesville – famously home to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello – sits at the foot of the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, an hour west of Richmond. It’s also within easy reach of the natural splendour of Shenandoah National Park and the little towns of the western valleys. Northern Virginia, a short hop from Washington DC, holds well-preserved estates, cottages, churches, barns and taverns tucked away along the quiet backroads, in addition to the antique architecture of Alexandria, Manassas, the scene of two important Civil War battles, and the very popular longtime home of George Washington, Mount Vernon.

The splendid re-creation of Colonial Williamsburg is an essential tourist experience for anyone with a flair for American history. While you have to buy a pricey ticket to look inside the restored buildings, the grounds are open all the time, and you can wander freely down the cobblestone streets and across the green commons.

From the Wren Building on the William and Mary campus, separated from Colonial Williamsburg by a mock-historic shopping centre, Duke of Gloucester Street runs east through the historic area to the old Capitol. The first of its eighteenth-century buildings is the Episcopalian Bruton Parish Church, where all the big names of the Revolutionary period were known to visit, and which has served as a house of worship for nearly three hundred years. Behind the church, the broad Palace Green spreads north to the Governor’s Palace. West of the church, the 1771 courthouse and the octagonal powder magazine, protected by a guardhouse, face each other in the midst of Market Square. Further along, Chowning’s Tavern, a reconstruction of an alehouse that stood here in 1766, is a functioning pub with lively entertainment.

The real architectural highlight is the Capitol, a monumental edifice at the east end of Duke of Gloucester Street. The current building, a 1945 reconstruction of the 1705 original, has an open-air ground-floor arcade linking two keyhole-shaped wings. One wing housed the elected, legislative body of the Colonial government, the House of Burgesses, while the other held the chambers of the General Court – where alleged felons, including thirteen of Blackbeard’s pirates, were tried.

The “merchants” of Duke of Gloucester Street have been done up as eighteenth-century apothecaries, cobblers and silversmiths, and the docents inside are an excellent source of historical information on their respective crafts; taking part in a casual conversation or working demonstration can be an excellent way to get into the spirit of things – learning about anything from making bullets and saddles to printing presses and wigs. The Raleigh Tavern along Gloucester Street was where the Independence-minded colonial government reconvened after being dissolved by the loyalist governors in 1769 and again in 1774; the original burned down in 1859.

The imposing two-storey Governor’s Palace, at the north end of Palace Green, has a grand ballroom and opulent furnishings, and must have served as a telling declaration of royal power, no doubt enforced by the startling display of swords, muskets and other deadly weaponry interlaced on the walls of the foyer.

One of America’s most familiar buildings – it graces the back of the nickel – Monticello, three miles southeast of Charlottesville on Hwy-53, was the home of Thomas Jefferson for most of his life. Its symmetrical brick facade, cantered upon a white Doric portico, is surrounded by acres of beautiful hilltop grounds, which once made up an enormous plantation, with fine views out over the Virginia countryside.

From the outside, Monticello looks like an elegant, Palladian-style country estate, but as soon as you enter the domed entrance hall, with its animal hides, native craftworks, and fossilized bones and elk antlers (from Lewis and Clark’s epic 1804 journey across North America, which Jefferson sponsored as president), you begin to see a different side of the man. His love of gadgets is evidenced by an elaborate dual-pen device he used to make automatic copies of all his letters, and by a weather vane over the front porch, connected to a dial so he could measure wind direction without stepping outside. In his private chambers, he slept in a cramped alcove that linked his dressing room and his study – he would get up on the right side of the bed if he wanted to make late-night notes, on the left if he wanted to get dressed.

With the price of a tour ticket you can also visit the gardens, in which extensive flower and vegetable gardens spread to the south and west, while other parts of the plantation site focus on the remains of Mulberry Row, Monticello’s slave quarters. Despite calling slavery an “abominable crime”, Jefferson owned almost two hundred slaves and recent research indicates he probably had one or more children with one of them, Sally Hemings. At the south end of Mulberry Row, a grove of ancient hardwood trees surrounds Jefferson’s gravesite, marked by a simple stone obelisk; the epitaph, which lists his major accomplishments, does not mention his having been president.

The dark forests, rocky ravines and lovely waterfalls of SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK, far from being untouched wilderness, were created when hundreds of small family farms and homesteads were condemned by the state and federal governments during the Depression, and the land was left to revert to its natural state. With this history, it’s no surprise that Shenandoah, meaning “river of high mountains”, has one of the most scenic byways in the US, Skyline Drive, a thin, 105-mile ribbon of pavement curving along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It starts just off I-66 near the town of Front Royal, 75 miles west of DC, and winds south through the park, giving great views over the area. However, the road was constructed using the latest in 1930s technology and it can be quite narrow at points for modern vehicles. Some of the vertiginous slopes alongside, combined with wildlife such as deer and smaller mammals that cross over the road, also make a trip on the Drive a bit hazardous in places – hence the 35 mph limit in force throughout the route.

Any time of year you can get the best of what the park has to offer by following one of the many hiking trails that split off from the ridge; most are two to six miles long. One begins near Byrd visitor centre and winds along to tumbling Dark Hollow Falls; another trail, leaving Skyline Drive at mile marker 45, climbs up a treacherous incline to the top of Old Rag Mountain for panoramic views out over the whole of Virginia and the Allegheny Mountains in the west. More ambitious hikers, or those who want to spend the night out in the backcountry, should head for the Appalachian Trail.

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The best holidays to book for July 2024, from Italian lakes to Devon escapes

Summer will – hopefully – start hotting up in july, and whether you’re keen on a greek island getaway or some turkish delight, here’s some inspiration for your break, article bookmarked.

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With the general election taking place on 4 July, you’ve got plenty of opportunities afterwards to take a summer holiday before schools break up later in the month and prices start to shoot through the roof.

With the British spring doing its usual stop-start thing, you might want to look further afield for some summertime sunshine and warmth.

Spend a week in one of Italy ’s quieter and lesser-known lakes in an elegant waterside hotel, or escape to a Greek island and feast on grilled meats by the Ionian Sea. Hole up in a Turkish bolthole overlooking the Aegean, or follow in the BBC’s Race Across the World ’s footsteps in Malaysia .

Stay closer to home with hikes in the Lake District or spend days on sandy beaches in North Devon . Whatever type of holiday you’re planning in July, some of these ideas will inspire you.

Read more on travel inspiration :

• The tiny twin-island nation that’s become a celebrity holiday hotspot
• The world’s most beautiful over-water villas and bungalows (that aren’t in the Maldives)
• Visiting David Attenborough’s ‘favourite place’ – why you should explore the reefs and rainforests of North Queensland

While Lakes Como, Garda and Maggiore draw the crowds, head instead to little and less-known Lake Orta. Stay at the Hotel Giardinetto in the village of Pettenasco and soak up the romance of being right on the lake, with its own private boat and landing stage. There’s also an outdoor pool to go with a pretty restaurant terrace. Citalia has a five-night break at the Hotel Giardinetto departing 5 July from £878pp, including flights and transfers; half-board is also available.

Enjoy lovely views of Gaios, the diminutive capital of equally tiny Paxos, from one of the Theodora Apartments run by Sunvil . Each apartment comes with a double bedroom and a balcony or patio looking out over the Ionian Sea, while to the rear is a relaxing shared garden with a swimming pool. The village centre is only a few hundred yards away. Seven nights’ self-catering from 8 July costs from £699pp, including flights and transfers.

Lake District

Hassness Country House on the shore of Buttermere makes an idyllic setting for this self-guided walking holiday offered by Ramble Worldwide . Choose from a selection of Lakeland hikes, including walking from Buttermere to Rannerdale Knotts and to Haystacks from Honister, as well as around Crummock Water and through Borrowdale. A three-night self-guided break from 26–29 July costs from £449pp – down from £536 – and includes breakfast, packed lunches and dinner.

High in the hills above Kalkan is a beautiful retreat with everything you need for a romantic holiday. Simpson Travel has availability in its Simpson Secret Uzumlu, a one-bedroom stone and wood house surrounded by greenery, and with its own pool and hot tub – plus views of the Aegean from one of its balconies. It comes with a hire car so you can drive to the coast and flop on one of Kalkan’s beaches when you’re not dining in a village restaurant in Uzumlu. A week’s self-catering departing 7 July costs from £1,500pp, including flights and hire car.

If you’ve been bitten by the Race Across the World bug and want a taste of Southeast Asia, book a holiday at Rebak Island Resort & Marina on its own island off the northern Malaysian island of Langkawi. This is the place to kick back and chill out on the sandy beach beside the hotel, or in its swimming pool and spa. Away Holidays has seven-night half-board breaks in July from £1,139pp (or £1,029 B&B), including flights.

Soak up views of the estuary where the Taw and Torridge rivers meet when you stay at Gulls Cry, in the fishing village of Appledore. This period two-bedroom cottage has its living space on the upper floor to make the most of those views. You’ll have Appledore’s pubs and restaurants on your doorstep, and the beaches at Instow, Westward Ho! and Saunton Sands a short drive away. Booked through Marsdens Devon Cottages , it costs £711 for a seven-night rental, down from £876, from 12 July. One medium-sized dog is welcome at an additional £20.

Mary Novakovich is editor at large at  101holidays.co.uk

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