Richmond

Richmond, the capital, is located at 100 miles south of Washington. It had been here, in St. John church, that the patriot Patrick Henry launched his sharp speech on “freedom or death”. At the Confederation Museum, you will discover the Southern point of view on the American Civil War. And the noble residences all along the James River, just at the exit of the city, await your visit.

Kings Dominion

Located 20 miles north of Richmond on the Interstate 95, Lion Country Safari is a vast promenade through an African game reserve, constituting the first stage of the immense Kings Dominion, a family theme park with its 86 000 acres of surface.

Within the Lion Country, herds of camels, giraffes, elephants, antelopes, lions and other animals of Africa, wander around almost freely.

Mount Vernon

About a few miles south of Washington, on the Potomac, you will find George Washington's Tomb, final resting place of the first American president, as well as his house, wonderfully restored, which he inhabited between 1754 and 1799.

Williamsburg

Fifty miles south-east of Richmond, Williamsburg, the restored capital of The Colonial Virginia, recreates in an authentic way the time when America emerged for the first time as a nation. You will visit there the Capitol, the Courts, Governor's palace, the prison, Raleigh Tavern and other buildings which faithfully revive the life at the 18th century in Virginia.

Busch Gardens

Situated at less than dour miles south-east of Williamsburg, Busch Gardens is an amusement park devoted to the "Old Country", America of the 17th century. It illustrates the European heritage and particularly of France, England and Germany. France is represented there with its cafés, its Three Musketeers, and a replica of Le Mans circuit with old cars.

Jamestown

Jamestown, 8 miles in the south, was the first durable English colony in the New World, founded in 1607. The old bell-tower of 1639 still remains. In the proximity, the reconstructed Fort James, and the lifesized replicas of three ships which preceded the Mayflower for 13 years. Event: Jamestown 2007

Hampton

Hampton, 30 miles further to the south, founded three years later, remains the oldest remaining English Pioneer site. From there you can visit the Port of Hampton Roads.

Within a few miles to the south we arrive at Virginia Beach, on the Atlantic coast, close to Norfolk. One can explore walking more than 18 miles of beach, an accessible sea, fishing points for the amateurs and abundant tourist equipments.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville, 70 miles west of Richmond, home of Monticello, the splendid residence of Thomas Jefferson, has become today a national place of pilgrimage. This three story construction with 35 rooms, is a perfect example of the American classical architecture. Jefferson devoted all his life to build, arrange and develop the residence and its gardens. He died there on July 4, 1826, 50 years exactly after having signed the declaration of independence.

You can also visit Edgar Allan Poe's dormitory room at the university of Virginia.

It is in Lexington, in the south-west of Charlottesville, where the General Lee and Stonewall Jackson were buried.

You will also see there the famous Natural Bridge. The Indians worshipped it, and called it the Bridge of God. George Washington raised the sides and engraved his initials on the south-eastern wall. Thomas Jefferson became its owner by buying it from the English King George III.

New Market, 75 miles north of Lexington: fantastic underground formations of the Bottomless Caves at Luray Caverns.

Skyline Drive

The Skyline Drive, which extends over more than 100 miles and crosses in all its length the Shenandoah National Park, is perhaps the most spectacular panoramic motorway of the Atlantic littoral. Start your journey in Royal Front, in the south direction towards Blue Ridge Parkway, another splendid route. It will lead you to the National Park of Smoky Mountain in North Carolina and to Tennessee.