Virginia Family Escape - RV Holiday Idea
Virginia Family Escape - RV Holiday Idea12 nightsFrom £1175 per person based on four people travelling
Price includes: Flights, one night's hotel accommodation and 11 nights fully inclusive RV rental
A perfect family adventure, this RV holiday idea will take you through some of Virginia’s vast outdoor space, scenic byways winding amidst the rolling green hills and along the pristine shores, and through a wealth of tiny towns. An RV holiday is a perfect road trip, especially when travelling with a family – no need to unpack and repack each time you move on, cooking facilities so you can self-cater and nature on your doorstep in nearly every campground!
Virginia boasts more than 20 National Parks, including Shenandoah National Park and the Blue
Ridge Parkway, and 39 State Parks, each as diverse as the state itself. You’ll find parks along the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, on historic sites, and in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The parks have plenty of campsites, more than 600 miles of trails and convenient access to Virginia's vast number of bays, rivers and lakes.
Day 1 – Fly from the UK to Washington Dulles
No need to head into the city, just take a taxi to Manassas, approx. 20 miles away and spend your first night in a hotel. Manassas has a charming historic district, with family owned shops and restaurants lining picturesque streets, as well as a farmers market, wineries and galleries. It originated in 1852 at the junction of two railroads which linked Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. with the Shenandoah Valley and Richmond, and is most well-known for its Civil War history. History buffs can tour Manassas National Battlefield Park.
Day 2 – Pick-up your RV and begin your road-trip to the Shenandoah Nation al Park, approx. 70 miles
Standard pick-up time for your RV is after 13.00, so you have time this morning to wander around the town or pick-up any supplies you might need. Driving an RV is not difficult and you will be given a full orientation of your RV before you set off, as well as some helpful hints and tips.
Head down the Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park, known as one of the most beautiful parkways in the nation. Shenandoah National Park boasts over 100 species of trees, a variety of wildflowers, 54 different mammals and 59 species of birds, so you are bound to see some form of wildlife! You can hike along the Appalachian Trail or explore the wonders of the park with a Ranger-guided tour. Visit Luray Caverns, a national landmark and home to the world's only ‘Stalacpipe’ Organ that plays its hauntingly beautiful music on natural formations. One of the other natural wonders of this world is the 100- million-year-old Natural Bridge!
There are some basic campgrounds inside Shenandoah National Park and several options with more facilities in the Luray area.
Stay two nights in Shenandoah National Park/Luray area
Day 4 – Continue South to Peaks of Otter/Bucahan, approx. 125 miles
The Skyline Drive becomes the Blue Ridge Parkway as you head further south in Virginia, and the spectacular scenery continues! The Peaks of Otter -
Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill - have dominated the view in this region of Virginia for centuries, first attracting the attention of Native Americans who saw the area as a rich hunting ground. The summit of Flat Top or Sharp Top offers a unique opportunity to enjoy spectacular scenic vistas and sunrises. There is plenty of hiking and climbing in the area, as well as more gentle wildlife and wildflower trails, or you can get on the water and either rent kayaks or canoes, or take a guided paddling trip on the James River, and view the mountain scenery from below. For something more relaxing visit one of the nearby orchards or wineries, or take a stroll across the James River on the Buchanan Swinging Bridge.
Stay two nights in the Peaks of Otter/Buchanan area.
Day 6 – Take the Blue Ridge Parkway to Rocky Knob/Floyd, approx. 95 miles
As you continue on the Parkway, there are plenty of places to stop and do a short walk, or a longer hike, or just to pull over and really soak in the views! The Rocky Knob area is well known for its hiking and you can take a trail into Rock Castle Gorge, known for its beautiful rock crystalline quartz formations. The more adventurous might want to try ziplining at nearby Buffalo Mountailn.
Visit the picturesque Mabry Mill on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, which features a black smith, wheelwright's shop, and whiskey still, as well as the grist mill, and is a perfect place for visitors to get a true taste of American history and beauty.
Close to Rocky Knob is Floyd, home to world-famous live music, artists and craftsmen, wineries, friendly people, and is a popular stop along the Blue Ridge parkway. This is also the home of the famed Friday Nite Jamboree, with local and visiting musicians creating a wonderful venue for music, food, dancing and more. Floyd is a haven for all manners of artists and musicians. You'll find art galleries and studios littered all over the county.
Stay one night in the Rocky Knob area
Day 7 – Drive to North Bend Park, approx. 150 miles
North Bend Park is located on the John H. Kerr Reservoir, a 50,000-acre lake that extends 39 miles up the wooded, cove-studded shoreline of the Roanoke River in Virginia and North Carolina.
Kerr Reservoir, also known as Buggs Island Lake, boasts 800 miles of wooded shoreline stretch across six counties and offer countless recreation opportunities for visitors. North Bend Park is the largest park on the lake and has great opportunities for wildlife viewing, including waterfowl and Bald Eagles. It has lots of forested areas offering plenty of shade, swimming beaches and plenty of walking trails. A great place to relax and unwind.
Stay two nights in North Bend Park
Day 9 – Head to the coast and First Landing State Park, approx. 150 miles
If you have been longing for the sight of the ocean this is where you will find it. Located at the northern end of popular Virginia Beach, First Landing State Parks lets you enjoy all the fun of this resort, without staying right in the thick of it. This is where the early settlers first came ashore in 1607, and there are historic markers which give you a great insight into the area.
Soak up the sun on the long stretches of golden sands, surf, skim or boogie board on the waves, take a kayak through the pristine waters of the back bay, or explore some of the many bike trails. A great place to really do as much or as little as you like!
Stay two nights at First Landing State Park/Virginia Beach area
Day 11 – Head north to the Chesapeake Bay/Urbanna area, approx. 80 miles
Known as Virginia’s River Realm, this is where the majestic Rappahannock River meets the Chesapeake Bay, and includes the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck regions along the Chesapeake Bay. The area is known for world-class oysters, pristine coastal views, and waterfront activities. Rent kayaks or paddleboards and head out onto the bay or the river to explore from the water, enjoy bay beaches or hunt for shark teeth from Westmoreland State Park on the Potomac. The state park is also a great place for spotting American bald eagles, ospreys, kingfishers, great blue herons, common terns, green herons and gulls, as well as wintering waterfowl. Enjoy fresh local produce in the shops and markets, as well as great Virginia wine – Ingleside, one of Virginia's most prestigious vineyards is located here.
Stay two nights in the Chesapeake Bay area.
Day 13 – Drive back to Manassas, approx. 115 miles and drop-off your RV before heading to the airport.
