You know all about the rich and deep history that Virginia

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1 TRAVEL PROMOTIONAL SERIES Virginia State Capitol in Richmond. S p i r i t of By BILL LOHMANN Photography Richmond Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau You know all about the rich and deep history that Virginia offers: Jamestown and Williamsburg, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln? As in the movie. Steven Spielberg s Lincoln, nominated for 12 Academy Awards, was filmed entirely in Virginia, mostly around Richmond, the old capital of the Confederacy. During filming, Gov. Bob McDonnell was mildly startled to arrive home one evening at the Executive Mansion which, by the way, is being feted for its 200th anniversary in 2013 to find Union soldiers on the lawn and Lincoln, aka actor Daniel Day-Lewis, in the kitchen. 108 spirit March 2013 March 2013 spirit 109

2 The Richmond premiere screening of Steven Spielberg s Lincoln at the historic Byrd Theater. Fans can follow the Lincoln Movie Trail, on foot or on Segway, which pinpoints film locations as well as restaurants and other sites frequented by stars such as Day-Lewis, Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones, as well as Spielberg himself. This taste of Hollywood is only one of the surprises awaiting visitors to Virginia with the emphasis on taste. Visitors who love to experience local flavors have a lot to discover in Virginia, said Rita D. McClenny, president and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation. In every part of Virginia you ll find local wineries, craft breweries and now even hardcideries to visit. We re also known as the oyster capital of the East Coast, with seven different oyster regions to explore. And when you add in the hundreds of food festivals that celebrate everything from peanuts to Hanover tomatoes, Virginia should top the list for culinary travelers. Wine, particularly, has become both a big business and big attraction in Virginia, where you will find 230 wineries, most of which are small and family-owned. If you visit a tasting room, there s a good chance you will find yourself chatting with the owner or winemaker. In 2012, Wine Enthusiast Magazine ranked Virginia as one of the world s Top 10 destinations for wine travel, and each year more than 1.6 million visitors make their way to the state s wineries, which are found in some of the loveliest settings Virginia has to offer, from the Eastern Shore to Visitors who love to experience local flavors have a lot to discover in Virginia. Photography by Sarah Hauser, Virginia Tourism Corporation 110 spirit March 2013

3 TRAVEL PROMOTIONAL SERIES the farthest reaches in the southwest. Numerous wineries are clustered in the foothills around Charlottesville and in the rolling landscape of Northern Virginia, especially Loudoun County, just 25 miles from Washington, D.C., which features 27 wineries and tasting rooms, the most of any county in Virginia. March is Wine and Dine Month across Virginia or Love By the Glass, as the campaign is called. Throughout the month, Virginia wines will be showcased at more than 500 participating restaurants and wine shops across the state as part of special menu offerings and pairings of local food and wine. Love has long been the theme of tourism in Virginia, whose enduring Virginia Is For Lovers slogan has beckoned travelers to the state since 1969, not so much in a romantic sense though it can be but as an appeal to anyone who might have a passion for just about anything. Grape vines at Sunset Hills Vineyard. And there is much to be passionate about in wildly diverse Virginia. From strolls on sandy beaches to hikes through rugged mountains, from hip city centers to achingly beautiful, middle-of-nowhere countryside. Virginia has something for everyone. Richmond, the capital, boasts considerable history, including its Lincoln-related tours and culture in its numerous museums. The city has also become a destination thanks to its restaurants and craft breweries and its outdoor adventure. In April, the Virginia Museum of Sunset Hills Vineyard offers Chardonnays, Viognier, Merlot and Cabernet Franc for your tastings. Photography by Cameron Davidson/Camerondavidson.com, Virginia Tourism Corporation (Tasting and grapes), Travis Fullerton. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Virginia Tourism Corporation Fine Arts will open Pop Art & Beyond: Tom Wesselmann, showcasing the work of a leading figure in American pop art (April 6 July 28); in November, the museum will become the only East Coast venue for Hollywood Costume, featuring more than 100 of the most iconic movie costumes (Nov. 2 Feb. 17, 2014). Just down the Boulevard, The President s Photographer: Fifty Years Inside the Oval Office, a National Geographic exhibition will open at the Virginia Historical Society (March 4-July 8). The Museum of the Confederacy, the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar Ironworks and the Valentine Richmond History Center are among other museums worth a visit. To truly appreciate Richmond, though, you should head outdoors. In 2012, Outside magazine named Richmond America s best River Town, and the James is indeed the centerpiece of the city s outdoor activities from tubing to rock-hopping to walking and biking on trails of the James River Park The new James W. and Frances G. McGlothlin wing at the Virginia Fine Arts Museum. System. The river is a backdrop for summer concerts on Brown s Island, Dominion Riverrock, (an annual sports and music festival in May), and the Richmond Marathon in November. April s Monument Avenue 10K attracts 112 spirit March 2013

4 Virginia Beach Oceanfront. more than 40,000 participants and features one of America s best races and a huge community party. October brings the Martin s Tour of Richmond Gran Fondo, a 102-mile bicycle race, in advance of Richmond hosting the 2015 Road World Cycling Championships. When it comes to eating, the city has a rising reputation among foodies with restaurants such as Arcadia, The Blue Goat, The Roosevelt, New Zealandinspired Burger Bach, and Proper Pie Co. Thirsty? Legend Brewery, Hardywood and Center of the Universe in nearby Ashland are local craft breweries, and Mekong Restaurant, specializing in Vietnamese cuisine, was voted America s No. 1 Great American Beer Bar on CraftBeer.com. The restaurant scene has always been good, but it s really starting to jell, said Jennifer Carnam, vice president of marketing for the Richmond Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau. Oh, and the NFL s Washington Redskins are moving their summer training camp to Richmond at facilities behind the Science Museum of Virginia, another worthy stop. On the coast, a good place to start in Virginia Beach is at the most iconic attraction in town: the almost 3-milelong boardwalk that stretches from Rudee Inlet at 1st Street to 40th Street and is wide enough for bicyclists, joggers and those who prefer to amble along at a leisurely pace and simply see the sights. Must-sees along the way include JT s Grommet Island Beach Park & Playground for EveryBODY (a handicap-accessible oceanfront park), the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum, the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, the Old Coast Guard Station Museum and the 34-foot King Neptune statue. Virginia Beach offers 14 miles of open, public beaches. Photography by Cameron Davidson/Camerondavidson.com, Virginia Tourism Corporation 400 years of history. Over 60 attractions. Unique shops. Fabulous food. World-class museums. Beautiful year round RICHMOND. VisitRichmondVA.com 114 spirit March 2013

5 Training Champions for Christ since 1971 Liberty University is not just any ordinary insitution of higher educaiton. Its journey is one of facing giants, making the impossible possible, watching fervent prayer move mountains, and Training Champions for Christ. A Courageous History The late Dr. Jerry Falwell, Sr. dreamed of a college that would develop Christ-centered men and women with the values, knowledge, and skills essential to impact tomorrow s world. From the beginning, the vision was to provide academic excellence, world-class facilities, NCAA Division I athletics, and exciting student activities all within a Christian environment. This world-class Christian university began in Lynchburg, Va. more than forty years ago with 154 students and four faculty members. Academic Excellence As a university, Liberty holds the highest accreditation possible and offers career-ready degrees from the certificate to the postgraduate level. Each of Liberty s 273 programs prepares the next generation of leaders to impact their community, our nation, and the world as Champions for Christ. With a 19:1 student-to-professor ratio, Liberty s faculty view their jobs as a calling, taking personal interest in each student s success. In 1985, Liberty pioneered distance education and today students from all 50 states and more than 95 countries take courses on Liberty s 6,800-acre campus and through its thriving online program. Liberty University Online allows students to receive the same quality course offerings as Liberty s resident students with the flexibility of online classes. Commitment and Perspective Coupled with its high standards for academic excellence, Liberty emphasizes a commitment to Christian values. Students put their faith and their education into action by serving others through local community projects and global missions trips. Three times a week, Liberty hosts the world s largest weekly gathering of Christian young people, when all resident students gather for Convocation to worship and then to hear from nationally recognized political, religious, and business leaders. This is an amazing school... all over the world they are talking about it. donald Trump Athletics, Recreation, and Student Activities Outside the classroom, there are concerts, theater productions, movies, and artist events, as well as skiing, snowboarding, ice-skating, hiking, and an extensive list of clubs and organizations to keep students busy. Students can also choose to further enhance their education by traveling locally to historical and cultural sites or internationally through the study abroad program. Liberty s 20 NCAA Division I athletics add to an already exciting college experience. The Liberty Flames have captured over 100 Big South team championships in their first 20 years in the conference, including multiple Big South Football Championships and Sasser Cup wins. Many students also participate in a variety of club and intramural sports. Equipped for the Future Firmly established biblically, financially, and academically, Liberty continues to grow, adding programs and facilities, serving its expanding student body, all while maintaining its original vision. This is an exciting time to be at Liberty. Momentum is building and methods are changing, but the mission remains the same Training Champions for Christ. Training Champions for Christ Liberty was a school that wasn t supposed to happen. Everybody said a conservative Christian school could not survive but we did, Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. said. We will stay faithful to our mission until the end and we will take Liberty University to the next level. Once thought of by many as impossible, the dream is now an extraordinary reality. Today, the university is educating nearly 100,000 students both residential and online and influencing the world. Liberty has grown with intention, purpose, and boldness, building a foundation for sustainable achievement and a proud Flames legacy. NEARLY 100,000 RESIDENT & ONLINE STUDENTS pioneering distance education since 1985 Liberty is now the nation s LARGEST nonprofit online educator 20 division I athletics 273 PRogRAmS of STUdY LARGEST CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY in the WoRld Paid advertisement for Liberty University

6 TRAVEL PROMOTIONAL SERIES In all, Virginia Beach offers 14 miles of open, public beaches, and a resort area that features live music, street performers, outdoor cafes and nightlife. In contrast with the vibrancy of the busy oceanfront, the area also features 18,000 acres of parkland and national wildlife refuges, including First Landing State Park, False Cape State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, where the dunes, marshes and maritime forests are home to wild horses, feral pigs and loggerhead turtles, as well as American bald eagles and a large variety of migratory birds. Neighboring Chesapeake is an outdoor enthusiast s dream with 22 miles of waterways with opportunities for paddlers of all ages and abilities and the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge next door. Kayakers and canoeists can paddle the Dismal Swamp Canal, carved from an area surveyed by a young George Washington 250 years ago, and in May hundreds gather for the annual Paddle for the Border, a 7.5-mile event that begins in North Carolina and ends in Chesapeake (May 4). The annual KayaXpedition is a weekend of history, demonstrations and hands-on experience (June 8 9). Lake Drummond, a 3,100-acre natural lake in the heart of the swamp, also beckons paddlers. The swamp itself, more than 100,000 acres of Sailboat on the waters of the Eastern Shore of Chesapeake Bay. Kayaking in the Chesapeake Bay at the Mouth of Mobjack Bay with New Point Comfort Lighthouse, built circa 1804, in the background. Photography by Cameron Davidson/Camerondavidson.com, Virginia Tourism Corporation (Kayakers), Virginia Tourism Corporation (SAILING), Newport News Tourism Development Office (PROPELLER) forested wetlands and far more accessible than the word swamp might suggest, is perfect for hiking, biking and birding. The swamp s annual birding festival is held at the height of the spring songbird migration (April 25 27). Less than an hour up the road is Newport News. The city center at Oyster Point is evolving into a nighttime destination with the additions of Toby Keith s I Love This The Mariners Museum in Newport News. Bar & Grill and Tucanos Brazilian Grill. Keith s restaurant is the only one the country singer has opened in Virginia, while Tucanos serves Latin-American meat and veggies that are cooked on skewers over an open-flame grill. Those restaurants will be joined by Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant with craft beer and made-from-scratch American cuisine. Also opening in 2013 is a Paragon Theaters movie house that will feature 12 high-definition digital screens, including two 70-foot wide PepsiMAX screens, similar to IMAX screens. The theaters will boast plush, luxury chairs, a restaurant that includes tapas-style Spanish food, burgers, pizza, as well as craft beers and wine. Opening in June at The Mariners Museum, America s National Maritime Museum, is Fragile Waters, a traveling exhibition focused on the ISN T IT TIME FOR A LITTLE Historic Homes Virginia Living Museum newport-news.org U.O.U. Come to Chesapeake in the heart of Coastal Virginia and relax amid the natural splendor of wooded preserves and miles of shoreline. Dine overlooking the famous Intracoastal Waterway. Tap your toes at an outdoor music festival. Shop til you drop. And choose from accommodations ranging from cozy B&Bs to avant garde. Your you-owe-you is here in Chesapeake. Toll free (888) Get Closer Fredericksburg Richmond Williamsburg Newport News Washington DC Virginia Beach Over 30 Parks The Mariners Museum Virginia 118 spirit March 2013

7 120 spirit March 2013 Information sign and cannon at Marye s Heights at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Battlefields Memorial. works of three iconic photographers and environmentalists: Ansel Adams, Ernest H. Brooks II and Dorothy Kerper Monnelly (June 1 Aug. 31). Around the same time (May 25 Sept. 2), the Virginia Living Museum will offer Bodies Revealed, an exhibition that will provide a rare and amazing look into the human body through carefully preserved, real anatomical specimens. Different galleries will provide up-close views inside the skeletal, muscular, reproductive, respiratory, circulatory and other systems of the human body. Virginia also is home to a remarkable variety of colleges and universities that welcome visitors for cultural and athletic events and are worth a visit, if just to look around. Thomas Jefferson s University of Virginia in Charlottesville, the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, and Virginia Military Institute and Washington and Lee, neighbors in Lexington, are walks through history. Another institution, less known in some quarters, is Liberty University, which describes itself as the largest Christian university in the world and the largest private non-profit university in the nation with nearly 100,000 students enrolled in its online programs and at its 6,800-acre campus in Lynchburg. Liberty was founded in 1971 by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell Sr. In addition to its academic buildings, Liberty has an ice-skating rink, a skate park and the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre for year-round skiing, snowboarding and tubing on Snowflex, a synthetic material that simulates snow. Bill Lohmann, born and raised in Virginia, is a columnist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELDS More Civil War battles were fought in Virginia than any other state, and commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the war is in full swing statewide at museums, battlefields and special events. More than 250 of Virginia s most beautiful gardens, homes and historic landmarks will be open during the Garden Club of Virginia s 80th Historic Garden Week, dubbed America s Largest Open House (April 20 27). Salamander Resort & Spa, a much-anticipated luxury resort with 168 rooms and suites, a 23,000-square-foot spa, fullservice equestrian center and conference and event facilities, will open this summer on 340 acres near Middleburg in Northern Virginia. Center in the Square, long the hub of cultural activity in Roanoke, will reopen in 2013 after an extensive renovation. The center is home to museums and theaters and will return with a 5,500-gallon coral reef aquarium and a green rooftop. Musical icon and Winchester native Patsy Cline will be the subject of an exhibition, Becoming Patsy Cline, at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester (Aug. 30 Feb. 2, 2014). Kings Dominion, an amusement park north of Richmond, will open the world s largest Peanuts -themed children s area in the spring with its new Planet Snoopy. In the far western part of Virginia, you can hike the Appalachian Trail, visit Breaks Interstate Park (known as The Grand Canyon of the South ), bike the quiet roads of Burke s Garden (Virginia s highest valley, known as God s thumbprint ) or bike the serious singletrack Virginia Mountain Bike Trail, a 480-mile, world-class route between Strasburg and Damascus, which calls itself Trail Town USA because so many hiking and biking trails converge there. To enter, go to SPIRITMAG.COM and register by March 31, (ONLY ONE ENTRY PER PERSON.) VIRGINIA Wine travel in Virginia offers a rare combination of all the sensory delights that flavor-seekers love. Imagine savoring a crisp, delicious Viognier as you watch the afternoon sun set over the Blue Ridge mountains. Or enjoying Cabernet WHERE LOVE GROWS Franc and a quiet moment together along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. Or gathering with friends to discover new varietals, basking in the comfort of a tasting room to rival any stylish restaurant. You ll find dozens of wine trails to lead you from small, family-owned vineyards offering lovingly crafted artisanal wines, to thriving wineries producing awardwinning efforts year after year. And yes, they have figured out how to bottle this experience. The wines you take home may prove to be the best souvenirs ever. BOXWOOD ESTATE WINERY Middleburg, Virginia WIN Package includes two tickets on Southwest Airlines, plus a full travel itinerary: DAY 1 Fly into Washington Dulles Airport and pick up rental car. LEESBURG/LUCKETTS Premier tasting at Tarara Winery. Wine tasting, tour and picnic lunch at Lost Creek Winery. A culinary walking tour of historic downtown Leesburg with DC Metro Food Tours. ($124 value). Stay at the Holiday Inn Dulles Airport. A 3-Night Wine and Dine Vacation for Two in Loudoun County, Virginia DAY 2 HILLSBORO/WATERFORD Private premier wine tasting and vineyard tour experience for two at Sunset Hills Vineyard. Tasting for two at Corcoran Vineyards & Brewing Company. Full flight wine tasting and paired lunch with the winemaker at Loudoun Valley Vineyards. Dinner at The Wine Kitchen in historic downtown Leesburg ($100 gift certificate). Stay at the Holiday Inn Dulles Airport. DAY 3 MIDDLEBURG/ROUND HILL A private guided tour with the winemaker of Boxwood Estate Winery, complimentary tasting and a bottle of the winner s choice to take home. Wine and tapas experience at Bogati Bodega & Winery. Dinner for two at Grandale Restaurant and a wine tasting at the restaurant s winery, 868 Estate Vineyards. Stay at Goodstone Inn in Middleburg with a full country breakfast. DAY 4 Fly out of Washington Dulles Airport. OFFICIAL RULES: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE AN ENTRANT S CHANCE OF WINNING. To enter, go to spiritmag.com, and click on the Sweepstakes. Entries must be received no later than midnight, March 31, Entrants must be at least 21 years of age. Employees of Pace Communications, Inc., Southwest Airlines, participating travel partners, all contest sponsors and their immediate families are not eligible. The winner will be selected in a random drawing at Pace Communications, 1301 Carolina Street, Greensboro, NC 27401, on or about May 15, Only one entry per person is allowed. Odds of winning are dependent upon number of entries received. For a list of winners, send self-addressed, stamped #10 envelope to SOUTHWEST AIRLINES SPIRIT SWEEPS/VIRGINIA, Pace Communications, 1301 Carolina Street, Greensboro, NC The winner will be notified (by or phone). If the winner does not agree with the rules of the contest, or does not meet the requirements of eligibility to enter this contest, he/she will be excluded as a possible prize winner. Federal, state and local taxes are the responsibility of the winner. The Approximate Retail Value of the prize package is $1,800. The winner will receive a 1099 IRS tax form. Void where prohibited by law, and all federal, state and local laws apply. Prizes are non-refundable, non-transferable, are not redeemable for cash, and may not be substituted. Round-trip airfare for two included. Rental car driver must be at least 25 years of age. Selected blackout dates may apply. Please drink responsibly.