Virginia Travel Stories Series
2008
The Virginia Travel Stories is part of the Live Passionately Virginia is for Lovers campaign. Each month in 2008, the Virginia Tourism Corporation will highlight Virginians who embody the spirit of Live Passionately -- real-life Virginians whose passions for wine, music, heritage, outdoor adventure, and great food make Virginia one of the top destinations in the country.
September - Luca Paschina pours his passion for excellence into every bottle at Barboursville Vineyards
- Virginia Wine Travel Comes of Age with
20th Anniversary of Wine Month (Feature Story)
Luca Paschina pours his passion for excellence into every bottle at Barboursville Vineyards. Virginia wine travel has come of age with the 20th Anniversary of Virginia Wine Month in October. Trail blazers such as Luca Paschina of Barboursville Vineyards have taken Virginia wine to the next level, driven by a fierce commitment to quality. Luca’s passion for excellence appeals to travelers looking to live out their passion for wine in Virginia.
- Virginia Launches 20 Getaway Ideas in Celebration of 20th Anniversary of Wine Month
Virginia's passion for wine marks a major milestone this October with the 20th anniversary of Virginia Wine Month. The state invites travelers to "Find the One You Love" this October among the more than 130 wineries and more than 60 special wine-related events and festivals taking place throughout the month. October is the perfect time of year to celebrate as the wine harvest and 15 million acres of fall foliage are at their peak.
Download as a PDF
Download as a MS Word Doc
To request video of Luca Paschina for broadcast or Web use, contact Georg Horvath at ghorvath@virginia.org
- Download images of Luca Paschina (Please click selection for high-res image)
July - Eric Coulson, a passion for surfing and wave adventures
- Live, Learn and Love on Virginia Vacations (Feature Story)
Eric Coulson knows how to get the best out of people. No matter their age, experience or comfort level, once someone signs on to surf lessons with Eric, they are on to a life-changing experience. Travelers with a quest for knowledge put their trust in Eric as he channels the power of the ocean into a personal playground of waves. Surf camp with Eric along the sandy shores of Virginia Beach is just one of Virginia's learning vacations that turn personal passions into life-long skills.
Virginia's learning vacations entice travelers with a commitment to life-long learning. People looking for more out of their vacation, looking to do more - to be more, and to be better for it when they return home, are quenching their thirst for knowledge and adventure in Virginia. Here are ten ways to live, learn and love on vacation in Virginia.
To request video of Eric Coulson for broadcast or Web use, contact Georg Horvath at ghorvath@virginia.org
- Download images of Eric Coulson (Please click selection for high-res image)
June - Wayne Henderson, A passion for Bluegrass and master luthier
- Cultural Passions Run Deep in Virginia (Feature Story)
Wayne Henderson grew up in the mountains of Southwest Virginia, where the sounds of traditional country music are a way of life, and a personal passion for him. His ability to transform wood into masterful acoustic guitars caught the eyes and ears of Eric Clapton. Ten years later, between jam sessions, concert dates at Carnegie Hall and delivering mail, Henderson finally finished building Clapton's guitar - and the legend was born.
Cultural passions run deep in Virginia - from music to art to food and racing, Virginia's cultural traditions are as beautiful and diverse as the people who keep them alive. Explore these ten destinations guaranteed to offer a brush with authenticity.
- Watch Wayne Henderson as he tells of his passion for Virginia, bluegrass music and guitar making. (Video)
To request video of Mitch Bowman for broadcast or Web use, contact Georg Horvath at ghorvath@virginia.org
- Download images of Wayne Henderson (Please click selection for high-res image)
May - Mitch Bowman, Virginia Civil War Trails
- Passions for History are Rooted in Virginia (Feature Story)
History is alive in Virginia and nobody knows that better than Mitch Bowman, a proud history addict from way back when. Bowman helped lead the charge to create the Virginia Civil War Trails, a driving trail that connects 400 sites across the state, from battlefields to homes and national parks, to lead visitors through Virginia, where more Civil War battles were fought than any other state.
Virginia is an American history icon, with over four centuries of history pre-dating the first permanent English settlement in Jamestown. Add on more Civil War battles than any other state, world historic sites such as Monticello and America's largest history museum in Colonial Williamsburg, and you have the dream destination for history addicts everywhere. Here are ten trip ideas to delve deep into Virginia' passionate beginnings.
To request video of Mitch Bowman for broadcast or Web use, contact Georg Horvath at ghorvath@virginia.org
- Download images of Mitch Bowman (Please click selection for high-res image)
April - Dave Burden, Southeast Expeditions
- Virginia Takes Passions for Outdoor Adventure to New Heights (Feature Story)
Only a few people know what it means to paddle your glass off. Dave Burden of Virginia's Eastern Shore is one of them. His passion for Virginia's outdoors has inspired unique kayak trips to uninhabited barrier islands, authentic watermen cabins and yes, a winery. Burden is one of Virginia's passionate "ecothusiasts" who are designing outdoor adventure trips to feed travelers' life force.
Adrenaline junkies and ecothusiasts looking to push their passion for outdoor adventure to new heights will find what they're looking for in Virginia. Check out these ten getaways to feed your life force in Virginia's great outdoors.
To request video of Dave Burden for broadcast or Web use, contact Georg Horvath at ghorvath@virginia.org
- Downloadable images of Dave Burden (Please click selection for high-res image)
March - Mary Watson-Delauder, sommelier, Lansdowne Resort
- New Wine Passions Await in Virginia (Feature Story)
Wine travel is new and refreshing in Virginia and Mary Watson-Delauder is living proof. She's the spunky sommelier at Lansdowne Resort in Northern Virginia whose creative wine and herb pairings are just one of the new passions awaiting wine-lovers in Virginia.
- Ten New and Refreshing Wine Trips in Virginia (Feature Story)
Virginia is becoming the new hot spot for travelers who are passionate about wine. Home to more than 130 wineries surrounded by lavish scenery, breathtaking views and monumental historic sites, Virginia is a wine destination unlike any other. These ten getaways highlight what makes wine travel new and refreshing in Virginia.
To request video of Mary Watson-Delauder for broadcast or Web use, contact Georg Horvath at ghorvath@virginia.org
- Downloadable images of Mary Watson-Delauder (Please click selection for high-res image)
February - Joyce Blair, Magnolia House B&B
- Virginia Indulges Travelers with a Passion for Pampering (Feature Story)
Virginia is a destination full of southern sophistication that will indulge travelers with a passion for pampering. Joyce Blair, innkeeper extraordinaire of the Magnolia House Bed & Breakfast in Hampton, touches on the heart of upscale travel in Virginia. Joyce is passionate about caring for others, and her passion has translated into an inn that is a respite for travelers seeking luxurious comfort.
- Ten Destinations for Southern Sophistication in Virginia (Feature Story)
Travelers with a passion for pampering know that Virginia’s historic inns, B&Bs and resorts are decadent respites steeped in luxury and comfort. Check out these ten getaways to indulge in Virginia’s southern sophistication.
To request video of Joyce Blair for broadcast or Web use, contact Georg Horvath at ghorvath@virginia.org.
- Downloadable images of Joyce (Please click selection for high-res image)
January - Alex Monteil
- Alex Monteil Leads Virginia's Culinary Revolution (Feature Story)
Virginia is in the midst of a culinary revolution and Chef Alex Montiel and passionate foodies like him are leading the charge. Montiel embodies the heart of culinary travel in Virginia – small, locally-owned treasures with a reverence for authentic cuisine and a love of local ingredients. His southern flare for flavor is feeding travelers’ passion for great food in Virginia.
- 10 Culinary Revolution Hotspots in Virginia (Feature Story)
For people whose travel decisions are based solely on their taste buds - now is the time to feed that passion for great food in Virginia. Check out these ten getaways to taste Virginia’s culinary revolution.
To request video of Alex Montiel for broadcast or Web use, contact Georg Horvath at ghorvath@virginia.org.
- Downloadable Images of Alex (Please click selection for high-res image)
