| There are many places to choose between when | | | | money, but that doesn't mean the food, or the |
| one thinks of going on a vacation, but the deciding | | | | service suffers. |
| factor often has to do with what the person | | | | Another point of interest, that is part historical, |
| taking the vacation wants to do, which in turn, | | | | but also has much going on at the present time, is |
| makes them look for specific places to do | | | | the University of Virginia, which is one of the |
| whatever they wish. Charlottesville, Virginia is a | | | | highest-ranked schools in the nation, and was |
| great place to take a vacation. Not only does it | | | | founded by Thomas Jefferson, who instituted |
| have its share of American historical sites, but it | | | | many of the programs that are still functioning |
| also has a great number of upscale shopping | | | | today. One of the greatest feats that can be |
| locations, serene views of the Appalachian | | | | seen at the University is the architectural school, |
| Mountains, and a diverse sampling of ethnic | | | | which has many structures forming a square, |
| restaurants. Charlottesville has a ton of affordable | | | | around a common, and is used by professors, to |
| hotels, but also has a good number of ritzy hotels, | | | | teach their students about early American |
| along with bed and breakfasts, which makes it an | | | | architecture, while also instilling a great deal of |
| ideal location for honeymoons, or a short, | | | | knowledge about the Roman and Greek ways of |
| romantic getaway. | | | | construction. Many of the school's buildings were |
| One of the most alluring qualities that invoke | | | | designed by Jefferson himself, and are highly |
| many people to travel to Charlottesville is its vital | | | | valued by both visitors and students alike. The |
| role in American history. The town served as a | | | | University is very easy to reach, as is any other |
| vital resource for the Patriots during the American | | | | location in the town, all of which can be gotten to |
| Revolution, and was even considered home for | | | | via the Charlottesville trolleys, which are ideal to |
| Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James | | | | anyone desiring a free ride. |
| Monroe. It also played a vital role in the Civil War, | | | | Charlottesville's surrounding areas have much to |
| and was considered a major point of interest for | | | | offer in the same diverse nature that the town |
| the Confederacy. The main historical attraction | | | | itself offers a vast array of pleasures to its many |
| would have to be Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, | | | | guests. There are a great number of high class |
| which brings in many tourists each year, and is | | | | resorts located in Charlottesville, along with some |
| considered to be a great architectural model. | | | | that are located only minutes away. Many of |
| Monticello is not located far from Montpelier, which | | | | these resorts are known for various atmospheres |
| was the site of James Madison's home, so it is | | | | of dining and lodging, but most of them are highly |
| quite easy for visitors to make the trip to both | | | | ranked by travel guides. Some are even ranked |
| wonderful dwellings in one day. | | | | internationally. Bed and breakfasts also seem to |
| Another advantage of Charlottesville's lush | | | | be a great way to spend a vacation in |
| landscape is the ability for many in the area to | | | | Charlottesville, and while many of them can be |
| own vineyards, which are another huge hit among | | | | located in town, the more prestigious ones are |
| the tourists, and tend to attract more couples to | | | | located out near the wineries, and the more hilly |
| the area, especially in the summer months. Many | | | | regions of the area. Many packages are often |
| different types of wine are produced in the | | | | offered by wineries and bed and breakfasts, |
| mountainous regions surrounding Charlottesville, | | | | which sometimes may work together to provide |
| and some of the wineries are even included in the | | | | deals on wine tasting events, along with discount |
| more upscale editions of the Monticello, and | | | | lodging that can be very beneficial as well. |
| Montpelier tours. Many people know California to | | | | Charlottesville is also a great place to take the |
| be a great location for the production of wine, but | | | | whole family. Many know the town as a place for |
| Virginia's middle region is also well-known for such | | | | more romantic rendezvous, but Charlottesville |
| delicacies. | | | | does have its fair share of attractions that the |
| One of the greatest places for tourists to visit, | | | | whole family can enjoy. Many of the attractions, |
| when in Charlottesville, is the town mall, which is | | | | along with the historical displays, are the gracious |
| not a shopping center, but half of the whole | | | | amounts of lakes and parks in the area, which can |
| town's main street area, which has been bricked | | | | be a perfect way for families to connect with |
| off and turned into pavilions, which can be used | | | | nature. There are also some wildlife attractions in |
| by surrounding stores, along with the surrounding | | | | the area, along with Jefferson National Park, which |
| restaurants, many of which are known to be the | | | | is not very far away from Washington National |
| best in the area. The area is superbly constructed, | | | | Park, both of which are very scenic parts of the |
| and stretches over a third of a mile in length, | | | | Shenandoah Valley. |
| which does not make it seem boring, but only | | | | An excursion into Charlottesville is a very peaceful |
| accentuates the many avenues of creativity | | | | way to enjoy the summer, and is meant as a |
| found in Charlottesville. The town mall is not the | | | | location for relaxation, which is what it is primarily |
| usual shopping joint, but instead has many stores | | | | used for. Charlottesville hosts one of the best |
| ranging in taste. Many of these stores have their | | | | higher learning facilities in the nation, but it also |
| products shipped from other countries, which | | | | hosts some of the best spots that nature has to |
| tends to add an international feel to the city of | | | | offer, along with offering some of the best food, |
| Charlottesville. The restaurants do much of the | | | | and one of the richest historical locations that any |
| same, and have dishes from all around the globe, | | | | buff could ask for. |
| most of which will not cost a visitor too much | | | | |