It is particularly annoying to get younger kids to cooperate during travel. But it is not their fault, because at their age they are naturally more inquisitive and more active. They are not content to stay put and lounge in the beach or hotel. They want lots of actions, something that your dream beach vacation cannot satisfy. Why not change your dream relaxation vacation to a fun family holiday? Virginia travel offers two exciting and affordable theme parks for your family’s enjoyment.

These theme parks are not prohibitively-priced, meaning you can still afford to stay at nice hotels. Hotels dot the Virginian landscape, and are especially near the theme parks. After all, there is no better way to end a fun afternoon than by sleeping in a cozy room. Although these theme parks are not like Disneyland which have its own hotel, the thrill rides and sights more than suffice for this shortcoming. Paramount’s Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens Williamsburg make Virginia travel something the whole family can enjoy.

Paramount’s Kings Dominion boasts of being a water and theme park in one. It is a 400-acre affair with over 200 attractions and rides. International roller coaster fanatics troop to Kings Dominion for its 13 famous and world-class coasters. Teenagers and daring adults alike enjoy the thrilling loops and drops of these coasters. The park features Hypersonic XLC, the only American coaster that uses compressed air for launch power. Volcano Blast Coaster shoots up over a volcanic crater before diving at over 70 mph. There are also wooden coasters like the Rebel Yell and Hurler. Virginia is famous for its cinema complexes, and its theme park are not complete without movies. There are two rides that are inspired by major motion pictures. Tomb Raider Firefall engages all the senses and makes riders feel that they are part of the big Lara Croft movie or video game. Italian Job Turbo Coaster mimics the stunt chase scenes from the popular movie. Speed through the garage and the tunnels in mini Coopers and relive the film’s thrilling chase. If the younger kids are not up to yelling themselves hoarse on the coasters, the Nickelodeon Central is alive with their favorite characters. Taking pictures and playing with Dora, the Rugrats, Spongebob, Scooby, and Jimmy Neutron are definitely allowed. There are also regular kiddie games wherein toddlers get to play and meet other children. For excitement, there is a spooky mansion and the Mystery Machine. All this fun for a fraction of a beach holiday. Plus, there are also season tickets and family promos.

For around-the-world fun, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is the place to go. The park is divided into six countries: Ireland, France, Scotland, Italy, Germany, and England. Each “country” showcases the best of their cultures with excellent food, landmarks, gardens, and parks. The authentic design and feel of the “countries” are enough to make visitors feel that they are country-hopping. The Busch Gardens is also home to a couple of the planet’s best 25 roller coasters: Alpengeist and Apollo’s Chariot. Virginia travel is not complete without some animal fun. Aside from the rides, the park is also big on environmental issues. It hosts a mini-zoo and animal sanctuary where the kids can see and interact with wolves, raptors, reptiles, and all things feathered, furry, and scaly. There are also lectures about environmental preservation. The park also offers discounts by availing of special cards and family promotions. Free entrance is also awarded to families of US service men.

With these two parks, Virginia travel is fun, easy, and very affordable. It also provides great bonding time for you and your family. Now, who says vacationing with kids is a hard chore?

By: Elizabeth Gilley

This route starts you off in New York, heads south along the east coast and finishes in Miami.

So you are in New York, the biggest city in the US. Undoubtedly you’ll have a huge amount to see and do here before you set off on your trip. Go see the Empire State, visit the Statue of Liberty, go shopping on 5th Avenue, take a walk through Central Park, and soak up the atmosphere in Times Square.

Atlantic City is located about 200 kms to the south of New York. Most of the journey would be on the Garden State Parkway. Just inland of Atlantic City towards the city of Philadelphia you could take some time to visit the million-acre Pinelands National Preserve.

Atlantic City is probably best known for the fact that gambling is legal and you can visit a large number of casinos here. There’s more to the city however, it’s located on the Jersey coast and there’s a beautiful beach to enjoy. The boardwalk between the beach and the city is very popular and a great way to do some people watching and moving between attractions.

Driving on just 150kms down the coast along Ocean Drive will get you to Ocean City. The roadway here goes over a number of coastal islands, many of which are interesting places to do some bird watching or visit on the many beaches. You will need to take the Cape May-Lewes/Lewes-Cape May ferry to Lewes.

Ocean City is a small city on the coast of Maryland (not to be confused with the Ocean City in New Jersey which you will actually pass on your way south from Atlantic City). The main attraction of the city is the high quality 10 Mile Long Beach. Get some accommodation over looking the beach and simply relax for a while.

Another 150kms to the south of Ocean City is the resort of Virginia Beach. After crossing the border into Virginia you will be passing quite close to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge which is certainly worth a visit if you are into bird watching. The journey will take you through the 30km Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel (there is also a $10 toll) which is an experience all of its own.

When you come back to the mainland after the Bridge/Tunnel, you will come to Virginia Beach. This city is reputed to have the longest pleasure beach in the world. Surfing is a popular option here, as is Dolphin and Whale watching. You might also visit nearby Norfolk which has a number of attractions that might be worth visiting including the Chrysler Museum of Art, the Naval Station Tour or the Nauticus – National Maritime Center.

Located about a 2 hour drive to the south in North Carolina is Kitty Hawk.

Kitty Hawk is the site of the Wright Brothers first flight of a heavier air aircraft in 1903. The Wright Brothers National Memorial is the main attraction of the area. You can also enjoy a variety of activities here including Hang Gliding in Jockey’s Ridge State Park which has some of the highest dunes on the east coast.

The next city on this trek south is Wilmington, some 400 kms to the south and west of Kitty Hawk.

The city of Wilmington is famed for its beautiful beaches, wonderful food and the welcoming nature of its residents. The one must see attraction for anyone passing through the city is the USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial. Fans of the tv shows Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill will enjoy the city as well, as these shows are shot here. You might also visit the nearby Cape Fear, though it doesn’t really live up to its name.

Continuing south west and into South Carolina, you will arrive at Charleston some 270kms later. On the way to Charleston you will pass through Myrtle Beach and Francis Marion National Forest.

Charleston is known as The Holy City due to the large number of steeples you can see overlooking the city. There are a huge number of attractions to see in this city including Fort Sumter, the Citadel, and the French Huguenot Church to name a few.

Moving on you will pass by Hilton Head Island on your way to Savannah about 170 kms from Charleston. Hilton Head Island is a very popular tourist destination; its beaches are renowned but it is especially famed for its many fantastic golf courses (in particular Harbour Town Golf Links).

Savannah was the first settlement founded in Georgia way back in 1733. The historic district is very popular with tourists as it one of the few town centres to survive almost untouched since the 19th century. So during your visit be sure to visit any of the town squares such as the original four public squares which were Johnson, Ellis, Telfair, and Wright.

Continuing south it’s just 175kms to the Florida border, with another 50kms to the centre of Jacksonville.

Once you get to Jacksonville, Florida’s largest city, you will have plenty to see and do. Some sights worth checking out include the Fort Caroline National Memorial, dedicated to the original French fortress in the area; Hemming Plaza, with its post modern architecture; and the Jacksonville Landing which is a popular area for fine dining and to do some shopping.

Heading south again you will come to Daytona Beach after about 150kms.

Daytona Beach is a very popular destination for fans of NASCAR and Daytona 500 racing. So with this in mind it might be good idea to visit the Daytona International Speedway. It’s an interesting visit even if there’s no race on the day you visit. Other activities you can avail of include Robert Strickland Shooting Range, where you can shoot all sorts of guns you would never normally get to; and the Museum of Arts and Sciences, with its Chinese, African and Cuban art; and many more.

You have an option here to take a detour inland and visit Disneyland in Orlando. Either way, when you return to the Atlantic Coast Route you will end up passing Cape Canaveral, where if you are lucky you might see a Shuttle launch.

About 240kms south of Cape Canaveral you will arrive in West Palm Beach. This town is the start of a metropolitan area that extends all the way south to Miami! All together this area has a population of almost 6 million. While in West Palm Beach you could visit any of the many beautiful beaches; or perhaps go snorkelling on Breakers Reef.

Continuing south through the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach Metropolitan area you will get to Miami after about 110kms.

Miami is a very multicultural city with over 30% Cuban, over 30% Non-Cuban Hispanic, and 40% everything else. Some interesting sights to visit include the Ancient Spanish Monastery, which was originally built in 1141 in Spain but was moved to Miami in the 50s; there is also Dolphin Stadium, home ground of the Miami Dolphins American Football team; and there is loads of other things to see and do.

This is the end of the Atlantic Coast Route though you will have the option of carrying on to Key West which is 250kms to the south and west of Miami along the Florida Keys.

By: Mairead Foley

Virginia is one of my favorite states with its colonial charm and friendly people. Romantic destinations in Virginia let you take advantage of both of these benefits while spending quality time with those you love.

Romantic Destinations in Virginia

As the state’s slogan goes, “Virginia is for Lovers”. This state, which includes the best influences of the Northern and Southern East Coast states, is a perfect mix of Southern charm and Northern style. Close to the nation’s capital, Washington DC, but also rural – Virginia offers the ability to stay near one of the country’s biggest cities or in a small village or town. You can choose the historic areas around Washington such as Alexandria or the well known Williamsburg area, or choose a spot near Virginia’s capital, Richmond. Wherever you choose, romantic destinations in Virginia are suited to any couple’s needs.

The city of Williamsburg, Virginia is unique among areas in the state. There is a modern side to this city, with the Busch Gardens theme park located here, as well as a brewery, many outlet stores and other shopping areas – but there is also so much more. Williamsburg is the United States’ largest and most well known Colonial recreation village, with an entire portion of the city being designated as Colonial Williamsburg. This part of the city is restored to just the way it was before the Revolutionary War, and it draws history buffs, as well as families, from throughout the country to see the sites.

A spot to stay at while experiencing Colonial Williamsburg is the Legacy of Williamsburg Tavern Inn. This Inn is situated just five blocks away from Colonial Williamsburg, and it was designed to evoke the feeling of an authentic 18th century inn and tavern. There are six functional fireplaces scattered throughout the Inn, which houses just three guest suites. A full breakfast is served each morning by the Innkeeper who will be dressed in 18th century attire, and you can feel free to enjoy it in the authentic Keeping Room. A Romance package is available and includes two nights’ stay, champagne, flowers and chocolates.

Another place that is sure to keep you in the historic spirit is A Williamsburg White House, also located close to Colonial Williamsburg. Themed rooms recreate the atmosphere of the “real” White House, and fireplaces throughout all the common areas add to the authenticity and charm of the inn. A full breakfast is served each morning with delights like Eggs Benedict, and the small size of the inn (just four guest rooms) means there will be much attention to detail. Romantic destinations in Virginia are made even more special by the romance package available at A Williamsburg White House, which includes chilled wine, lunch and dinner gift certificates, chocolates and more.

Staying in the historic regions of Virginia is a different way to experience the romance that this state has to offer. Not just for families or class trips, the historic spots throughout this state are perfect places for romance.

By: Richard Rspad

Virginia is a state in the southern United States, with a coast on the Atlantic Ocean. The state is named after Queen Elizabeth I of England who was known known as the “Virgin Queen” because she never took a husband.

The Virginia coast was explored by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1584, and Virginia became the site of the first permanent English settlement established in the New World. At one time, the colony even included Bermuda (once known as “Virgineola”).

Virginia was one of the original thirteen colonies which revolted against Britain during the American Revolution (1775 to 1783), and has played an important part in the history of the United States. The state is sometimes known as the “Mother of Presidents”, having produced more Presidents than any other state: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor and Woodrow Wilson.

The capital of Virginia is Richmond (which was also the capital of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War of 1861 to 1865), and the state’s largest city is Virginia Beach. Other important cities in Virginia include Alexandria, Bedford, Bristol, Buena Vista, Charlottesville, Chesapeake, Colonial Heights, Covington, Danville, Emporia, Fairfax, Falls Church, Franklin, Fredericksburg, Galax, Hampton, Harrisonburg, Hopewell, Lexington, Lynchburg, Manassas, Manassas Park, Martinsville, Newport News, Norfolk, Norton, Petersburg, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Radford, Roanoke, Salem, Staunton, Suffolk, Waynesboro, Williamsburg and Winchester. Additionally, being so close to Washington D.C., Virginia is home to much of the “over spill of the national capital: Over a dozen government agencies (including the Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of Defense, the Immigration & Naturalization Service, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife service and the U.S. Trade & Development Agency), are headquartered in the state – many of them being located in Arlington or Rosslyn.

There are many places of interest of Virginia, most especially numerous historic sites and national monuments, including Arlington House and (both in Arlington), the Marine Corps War Memorial in Rosslyn, the George Washington Birthplace National Monument near Colonial Beach, the Museum of the Confederacy (which includes the White House of the Confederacy) in Richmond, and the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford,

- Some of the major companies with their headquarters in Virginia are AOL (in Dulles), Dominion Resources (in Richmond), Freddie Mac (in McLean), General Dynamics (in Falls Church) and Sprint Nextel (in Reston).

- Major airports serving Virginia include Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, and Washington Dulles International Airport in Chantilly.

- Probably the best known educational institution in Virginia is the University of Virginia which is in Charlottesville.

- Sports teams in Virginia include the Lynchburg Hillcats (Carolina League baseball) in Lynchburg, the Norfolk Tides (International League baseball) in Norfolk, the Potomac Nationals (Carolina League baseball) in Woodbridge, the Richmond Braves (International League baseball) in Richmond, and Salem Avalanche (Carolina League baseball) in Salem.

By: Sunil Tanna