Here is a unique vacation rental and the ideal definition of a “country resort.”

Two miles from Colonial Williamsburg, the Historic Powhatan Resort offers a slice of American history with a stay in the restored Manor House (circa 1735).

Amid 256 rolling woodland acres, this resort offers a variety of fun during any season including cascading indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, an outdoor pavilion and playground, many golf courses, and hiking and exercise trails. Plan the ultimate family holiday with fully equipped, three-bedroom accommodations complete with a private balcony, loft and hot tub. Enjoy the convenience of the on-site restaurant and fitness center, and indoor and outdoor pools.

Take one of these street maps with you. Getting lost on foot in Williamsburg will waste a lot of your time and even cobbled streets can be a bit tricky.

No one wants to miss anything in Williamsburg and chances are you won’t run into Thomas Jefferson who no doubt would know where everything is located!

Search here for other vacation rental options:

Historic villages, quaint shopping venues, museums, live demonstrations of colonial era craft-making, and fabulous scenic drives…there is something for everyone at Destination “W” – Williamsburg, Virginia.

Getting there…

I’m guessing that most current day visitors to Williamsburg will be arriving via something other than horse – which transportation used to take Thomas Jefferson four days just from Charlottesville! Williamsburg is located halfway between Richmond and Norfolk, Virginia with easy access (driving) via Interstate 64, or by air via one of the area’s three airports (25 to 45 minutes away): Newport News-Williamsburg, Norfolk, and Richmond International.

Get in the proper frame of mind to fully experience Williamsburg by touring any of its museums. The DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum with its store and cafe, also houses a large collection of furniture, metal, glass, and paintings including 17th and 18th century American and British antiques. Tour the Public Hospital of 1773 and make comparisons between medical treatments then and now. Help celebrate this museum’s 25th year in 2010.

Interested more in early artisans and craftsmen? Visit the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum. You won’t be disappointed.

Governors Mansion, Williamsburg

Historic Area

With over 300 acres of grounds and 88 restored 18th century structures, slip on some comfortable shoes and plan a full day walking the paths of Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Patrick Henry. Not all buildings are open to the public so check for a flag at the door before attempting entry. Gardens, colonial architecture, historic trades shops, plantations, and political sites…a day spent in this area of Williamsburg will put you in touch with the past. Don’t forget to “Make way” for the horses!

Note: I took my latest trip to Williamsburg early last November, 2009, and though it was a little chilly, the absence of crowds and cloudless, blue-sky, Virginia days made it well worth the timing.

Horse & Buggy Ride, Williamsburg Historic Area

Shopping and Dining

Although there are many shops and cafes in Williamsburg proper in which to stop and quench your thirst or buy a souvenir or two, the entire area has much more to offer visitors.

I was a little disappointed that the old outlet shopping area in Lightfoot, Virginia is almost empty – the shops and stores having moved to the new outlet shopping centers. There was a certain charm of the old buildings with their flea market atmosphere and their soft ice cream and popcorn vendors. However, most of the former outlet merchants can still be found nearby. You can even download a voucher for coupon savings of up to $100 here.

The James River – Dog exploration!

Don’t forget to allow time to visit Jamestown and the historic James River mansions and plantations. The scenic drive is breathtaking almost any time of year but to me, Fall, with it’s cooler temperatures and remarkable color, provides the best time to tour this historic and unique area.

A huge subject and some great destinations.

History, as a subject, gets a bum rap – partially from the uninspired way it is often taught in schools.  Not sure who said it first, but if you don’t know where you have been, how do you know where you are going???  Take control of the situation and plan some history travel for yourself and your family.

In the United States…

National Park Service – National Register of Historic Places

US taxpayer – here are some of your dollars at work, providing interesting and comprehensive information on historic destinations in the US. Why not take advantage of this research for your next vacation?

Governor’s Palace, Williamsburg, Virginia, US

From the NPS home page, you can develop your own travel itinerary by state, region, or theme. Each itinerary provides:

- Descriptions of each historic place and its importance in American history, plus contextual essays.

- Tourist information for historic places open to the public including hours of operation, tour possibilities, phone numbers, and website links.

- Interactive maps.

- Color and vintage photographs.

- Links to related preservation and tourism web sites.

Take a step further and plan a trip to a Preserve America community. Read more details here.

A list of Preserve America communities can be found here. I can’t think of a better way to research and plan a true “country” vacation in a true “country” location.

Need even more historic travel ideas? Spend some time with National Geographic’s Traveler Magazine. Interested in tours with a military focus? Get some unique military and historic destination ideas at Valor Tours Ltd.

National Trust – UK

If you are looking for historic travel in the UK, why not start with the National Trust. With hundreds of options for walking tours, focus on wildlife venues, garden and historic homes tours, cycling tours, and group travel, the National Trust is a great place to start your UK vacation adventure. The Trust’s strong focus on conservation also makes this an ideal source of “green travel” information.

Search here for properties, venues, themes and destinations listed via the National Trust.

Special values for US visitors to the UK…

Planning travel to the UK? Want to streamline the process and get special savings at the same time? Why not become a member of the Royal Oak Foundation?

The Royal Oak Foundation offers regular opportunities for premium quality international travel. Destinations include, but are not limited to, Europe and British Commonwealth countries. Each tour is unique and staffed by experienced guides – accompanied by experts in relevant fields.

Trips to consider include: Historic House Hotels Garden Tours, and a tour of Italian Gardens and Villas . You’ll have to hurry to catch the gardens at Bruges we discussed in a prior post. This particular tour of the Dutch & Flemish Landscapes, The Netherlands & Belgium aboard The Amadolce begins April 8th, 2010, so hurry if interested…

Find membership info on the Royal Oak Foundation here.

History, whether about your native country, or about any country in the world, can provide fascinating vacation options. Learning about the past can be fun – if you make it so…

And a few vacation rental options in Williamsburg, Virginia. Click anywhere on the image to view additional rentals.

Need more ideas for some great “History” travel? Check out the Country Vacations and Resorts new section, “Traveling with US Presidents.”