On Feb. 20, up to 100 African American horseback riders will take an 8-mile ride through the Hampton Roads city of Portsmouth in honor of the Buffalo Soldiers, the black Cavalry of the US Army, established in 1866. See more Black History Month events throughout Virginia at www.Virginia.org

It is an honor and a pleasure to be writing for Virginia Tourism's official travel guide for the past 7 years. The 2010 Travel Guide is now available for free at virginia.org or by calling 1-800-VISITVA. In addition to detailing the Commonwealth's nine geographic regions, this year's guide features several new and unique travel features. We love Virginia. Order you free guide and find out why!

This winter we're leading guided trips from the pages of our award-winning Florida Keys Paddling Atlas. Imagine a romantic weekend getaway toasting an island sunset, or spending Spring Break paddling to Key West. Details at BurnhamGuides.com

A great hike can be more than a walk in the woods. These five Virginia hikes provide opportunities for clarity or contemplation—as you sit by a waterfall, watch the moon rise over the ocean, or bask in the rush of reaching a summit. Read More

This elegant Virginia golf resort not only takes pets no matter their breeding, but welcomes them with a Pampered Pooch Package. Read More

Rent a canoe or kayak at Waller Mill Park, head across the small lake in search of scallop shell fossils, evidence of an ancient inland sea. Read More

Meet the new Montpelier, home of our fourth president and his wife, Dolley. The last of the founding fathers' homes to be restored to the public has undergone a renovation of historic proportions. New Excursion packages allow you to dig alongside archeologists. Read More

We’ve just updated our blog: new paddling video from Tangier Island, hiking in the Blue Ridge, Richmond Segway tour, paddling to a winery and an overnight cabin trip on the Eastern Shore. Read More

Launch from Chincoteague Island to paddle around the edge of Assateague, where wild ponies roam and you're eye-level with myriad wading and shorebirds. Read More

After a year's absence, the tiny watermen's community in the Chesapeake Bay is again connected by ferry service to the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Read More

It's Earth Day and "Virginia Green Travel Month!" Celebrate with human-powered recreation and visit green-certified lodgings, restaurants and attractions in the Old Dominion. Read More

Our latest book distills years of camping experience into an idea-packed, picture-driven full-color guide. Gives you the tools to make car camping the pleasure it is meant to be, from choosing a sleeping bag to setting up a tent. Order on Amazon.

New on our blog: We paddlers got to help Holly Grove Vineyards on Virginia's Eastern Shore bottle (and sample!) a new wine.
To read about an Eastern Shore kayak winery tour, click here.

The Foster Harris House is the elegant base-camp for the Tour d'Epicure, a cycling adventure geared to all abilities. Four-course gourmet breakfasts fuel biking to lunch at a winery or along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Read More

It may be snowing in Virginia right now, but it's always a tropical 84 degrees inside the gigantic waterpark at Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg. The trees talk, there's a kids' ice cream spa and storytime every night. Read More

Today is George's birthday! Celebrate by visiting his home at Mount Vernon, where the new 'George Washington and His Generals' exhibit just opened, or paddling on his famous river, the Potomac. Read More

In March, the Boar's Head Inn teams its four-diamond cuisine with exceptional Charlottesville vineyards on Vintner and Culinary Weekends. Let the Inn's fitness and spa professionals help you work off the calories on a customized weekend of wellness. Read More

Looking for a sexy getaway to spice up the cold winter? Something more than the Romance Package at the Victorian B&B with the innkeepers sleeping next door? Pack the Kama Sutra and massage oil for these very private locales. After all, Virginia is for Lovers. Read More

Finding some good powder can be tough in the mid-Atlantic. But it's not impossible, from a ski resort with state-of-the-art snow-making to cross-country trails in snowy West Virginia, here are our picks for getting your fix of the white stuff. Read More

The famous slogan is turning 40 this year, and Virginia Tourism is celebrating by giving away 40 free trips over the next 40 weeks. Experiential excursions are planned throughout all regions of the state, with stays at The Ritz Carlton, Wintergreen and the Homestead, to name a few. One trip will be given away each week through November. Register here