(Fredericksburg, Va., September 1, 2009) – Imagine – savoring the taste of a crisp Chardonnay as you explore acres of lush vineyards. Teeing off on championship-caliber courses and reveling in the perfect drive. Treading lightly through the grounds of long ago battle, feeling the presence of those who’ve gone before you. Experience fall in the Fredericksburg area and soak in the timeless beauty of American history, festivals and events and arts and culture amidst the rich, bold colors of changing leaves and crisp autumn air. The following story ideas are centered around the Fredericksburg area’s fall events and travel options. To plan your travel now, visit www.visitfred.com. For more information or to request a press visit, please contact Mary Douglas at mdouglas@boomyourbrand.com.
Celebrate Virginia Wine Month at Fredericksburg Area Wineries: October is Virginia wine month, and with more than 140 wineries across the Commonwealth, there are more than enough opportunities to savor the grape. The Fredericksburg area boasts an array of award-winning wineries that produce lush, flavorful vintages sure to please the most selective connoisseur. The sprawling, Mediterranean-style Potomac Point Winery in Stafford, Virginia, produces vintages including La Belle Vie, Richland Reserve Voignier, Traminette, and Petit Verdot, and is extending special offers on their wines during October. Rated one of the Top 10 Wineries in Virginia by the Virginia Wine Festival, Potomac Point Winery proudly offers a variety of wine tastings, wine clubs and a beautiful facility to host a special event. Several wine festivals and events are scheduled throughout the fall, including the Fredericksburg Area Wine Festival in historic downtown Fredericksburg and Hartwood Winery’s Harvest Festival.
Enjoy a Sunday Drive on Championship Golf Courses:Execute the perfect swing on the very grounds where Civil War Generals fought to reclaim a nation. Explore miles of lush Bentgrass, Zoysia and Bermuda fairways, rolling hills and scenic farmland. The Fredericksburg Area boasts five championship-caliber courses designed by well-known architects Rick Jacobson, Deane Beman, Bobby Weed and Pete Dye, many of which are situated on former Civil War battlefields. Lee’s Hill Golf Club rests on the property where Robert E. Lee and his troops spent a long, grueling winter in 1862. Cannon Ridge Golf Course features historic cannon emplacements scattered throughout the second toughest public golf course in Virginia. Batter up at Meadows Farms Golf Club, which features a unique baseball hole. With mild temperatures and nearby accommodations, the Fredericksburg area is an ideal location for year-round golf.
History, Haunts and All Things that Go Bump in the Night: Explore the supernatural side of the Fredericksburg area during a candlelit evening ghost tour. Mark Nesbitt, renowned author of the bestselling “Ghosts of Gettysburg” series brings the paranormal to historic downtown with the Ghosts of Fredericksburg walking tours. Many of Fredericksburg’s historical figures are still thought to linger, perhaps because of unfinished business. From a wandering English girl in search of lost love and a lingering worshipper in St. George’s Episcopal Church to a Sioux Indian Princess haunting the estate of Fall Hill and empty rockers, crashing dishes and the booming sound of heavy footsteps through The Chimneys, the Fredericksburg area delivers a heart-stopping, hair-raising ghost tour experience, sure to leave visitors wondering.
Explore History, Culture, Dining in Historic Downtown Fredericksburg: Enjoy a stroll through a classic American downtown as the crisp air ushers you in to explore boutique-style shopping and unique chef-owned restaurants and cafes. Explore Civil War-era historical homes and attractions bursting with character. Peruse through an art gallery and take in the beauty of the local art community, featuring oils, pastels, pottery, stained glass, Civil War photography and more. New to the area is the Courtyard by Marriott Fredericksburg Historic District, boasting 84 luxurious guest rooms and 14 suites, alongside modern conveniences that appeal to travelers. The new hotel, which opened in July 2009, is conveniently located in across the street from the Fredericksburg Visitor Center, offering travelers ample opportunity to explore the timeless treasures historic downtown Fredericksburg has to offer.
The Fredericksburg Area, which includes the city of Fredericksburg and the counties of Spotsylvania and Stafford, is a classic blend of modern life with small town charm. The area is conveniently located along I-95, between Washington and Richmond and is unlike any other in America. The city of Fredericksburg features a variety of chef-owned restaurants, numerous art galleries, a wide range of specialty shops, and one of America’s most authentic, historic downtowns. Stafford is host to George Washington’s boyhood home, Ferry Farm and Belmont, the residence of famous artist Gari Melchers. Spotsylvania is not only the site of 4,400 acres of Civil War battlefields; it is also boasts the beautiful Lake Anna Winery. The Fredericksburg Area rests on the banks of the picturesque, pristine Rappahannock River. For more information, visit www.VisitFred.com.
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