Country Vacations & Resorts

If you’re looking for something interesting to do on September 16th or 17th, 2011, take a drive to Monticello.

The 5th Annual Heritage Harvest Festival will be held on the beautiful grounds of Monticello – located about 2 hours south of Washington, DC in Charlottesville, Virginia.

If you are interested in heirloom plants and vegetables, sustainable agriculture, and enjoy local produce, this will be a great event for you. Even if not, get out of the city and enjoy what should be great weather out in the Virginia countryside.

Get your tickets in advance and save a couple bucks. Sponsored by the Southern Exposure Seed Exchange.

Read more about Charlottesville, Virginia from our “A to Z Destinations” page.

Time in Office: 1801 to 1809
Terms: Two
Birthday: April 13, 1743
Birth Place: Shadwell plantation, Albemarle County, Virginia.
Date of Death: July 4, 1826
Place of Death: Monticello, near Charlottesville, Virginia
Buried: Monticello Estate, Charlottesville, Virginia

Notes:

~ Vice President to John Adams. Both died on the same day.
~ One of the United States most intelligent and well-traveled Presidents.
~ When his father died, Jefferson, then only 14, inherited nearly 5000 acres of land and dozens of slaves.
~ His original tombstone is located on the campus in the University of Missouri’s Francis Quadrangle.
~ Governor of Virginia (1779-1781)
~ First United States Secretary of State (1789-1793)
~ Second Vice President of the United States (1797-1801)

Jefferson bronze statue
University of Missouri

How can one say enough about Thomas Jefferson, and not only as a two-term President of the United States? This founder of the University of Virginia focused his attention and curious mind on politics, architecture, music, horticulture, new inventions, and a host of other interests.

College of William and Mary, Virginia

In 1760, at the age of 16, Jefferson began his formal education at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg. In 1775 he attended the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he was first tasked with writing the Declaration of Independence. As a state legislator, Governor of Virginia, and member of congress, Jefferson made numerous 8-day trips from Virginia. In 1765, he was appointed Minister to France.

Arriving in Paris, Jefferson found a home on the Champs-Élysées. He enjoyed the local cuisine so much he paid to have one of his accompanying slaves trained to be a proper French chef. Due to his love of wine, Jefferson also visited many of Europe’s most famous vineyards. Jefferson remained in Paris, where he became fluent in French, until the Revolution in 1789. To travel some of the same paths Jefferson did while in France, visit Jefferson in Paris, 1784-1789.

Jefferson remained politically active and by the end of 1793 decided to take a break and returned to his then under-construction plantation, Monticello. By 1801 he was the third President of the United States. As President, Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory from France – doubling the size of the United States and opening up numerous new opportunities for American travelers.

Thomas Jefferson left Washington by horse March, 1809 with three wagons containing his belongings from his years in Washington. Through a trip and snow storm lasting four days, he arrived at Monticello

Jefferson Memorial

Modeled after the Pantheon in Rome, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial is part of the National Mall and Memorial Parks system. Completed in 1943 and dedicated on Thomas Jefferson’s April 13th, 200th birthday, the bronze statue of Jefferson was added in 1947. It is home to the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

It might be said that even when Thomas Jefferson was not physically traveling, his mind was always on the move. For the 17 years after his retirement (in 1809), Jefferson never left the State of Virginia – occasionally visiting his second home, Poplar Forest, when things got too hectic at Monticello. But even from Jefferson’s “down time,” today’s society still reaps the benefits.

Next – travels with the 4th President on our hit parade, James Madison.

“Traveling with American Presidents” list.

Our “C” travel wish destination is Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.

Charlottesville is in Albemarle county, near the center of the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, nestled near the Blue Ridge Mountains, and full of American history. At only 150 miles from Washington, DC and about 75 from Richmond, Virginia, a trip to Charlottesville is both easy to navigate and rewarding for tourists and other interested visitors.

Home to the beautiful University of Virginia, Charlottesville was named for Charlotte, Queen Consort of King George III of England.  One has to wonder how George then viewed his wife after England lost the American colonies!  Those pesky Americans may have had something to do with George’s bouts of madness later in his reign, but the American colonies did manage to hang on to Virginia and Charlottesville is one of Virginia’s true gems.  Thomas Jefferson designed the Rotunda at the University of Virginia and the campus itself is a tourist attraction.

History and things to see…

Plan on making at least one if not two days of your time in Charlottesville devoted to the manors and mansions formerly owned by early political luminaries such as Thomas Jefferson (Monticello), James and Dolley Madison (Montpelier), and James Monroe (Ash Lawn-Highland). If you love colonial architecture, you will not be disappointed.

The nearby Shenandoah National Park offers recreational activities and beautiful scenery, with rolling mountains and many hiking trails. Skyline Drive is a well-known scenic drive that runs the length of the park, alternately winding through thick forest and emerging upon sweeping scenic overlooks. The Blue Ridge Parkway, a similar scenic drive that extends into neighboring North Carolina, terminates at the southern entrance of Shenandoah, where it becomes Skyline Drive.

You’ll want to have or rent a car to do justice to this rural area of Virginia.  The drives, whether through the Shenandoah Park, up or down Skyline Drive, or back and forth between the historic manor houses, require a bit of thoughtful navigation but it is well worth the effort and you’ll find scenic and tourist attractions clearly marked for your convenience.

Stop here and you’ll never be sorry or hungry!

One of my favorite stops in Charlottesville is The Ordinary at Mitchie Tavern. Don’t stop anywhere else for your mid-day repast if anywhere near this location!

Great and plentiful food such as Colonial fried chicken, Black-Eyed peas and stewed tomatoes, baby beets and killer coleslaw and let’s not forget the homemade biscuits and corn muffins. Wash this down with a mason jar full of sweet tea and you’ll be ready for the rest of your day’s travels and adventures. The building and shop offer a quaint look back in time and the staff is capable of handling an enormous crowd in record time so don’t panic if a tour bus or two is there when you stop by. You’ll be refreshed and rested once you’ve visited The Ordinary at Mitchie Tavern.

Back to downtown for the afternoon? The Albemarle Historical Society offers walking tours of the downtown area. Check their web site for details and schedules.

Shopping and entertainment

Don’t miss the Charlottesville City Market if you happen to be in the area on a Saturday from April to November.

Local fresh produce, herbs, plants, grass-fed meats, crafts, and baked goods are waiting for you. How about making your own picnic basket for a day’s driving tour of the area? Like fresh food? You’ll find it here. November 28th to December 19th sees the Market take on a holiday flair. Wreaths, ornaments and everything you can think of handcrafted for Christmas decorating and gift-giving is available for winter visitors and tourists.

Do you like antiques – looking or buying?

If you don’t, stay clear of Charlottesville since it is an antique lover’s paradise!

Here’s a great list of all local shopping venues.

Charlottesville is a scenic area, a great historical destination, and full of fun things to do…traveling solo or with your family. What better place to stay in Charlottesville than a B & B? Start with the best…bedandbreakfast.com!

Search Charlottesville,Virginia, USA

Or visit here to win a
$2500 Romantic Bed and Breakfast Escape

You’ll want to take a lot of pictures while touring this area.  I found a great deal for file storage perfect for heavy-duty vacation digital photography.  You won’t want to leave home without a FreeAgent once you have one.

Have fun!

Charlottesville Vacations