Alexandria, VA—Visit Alexandria is pleased to announce two new Virginia road trip itineraries produced for tour operators in partnership with the Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The Birthplace of American Cuisine” is a six-day itinerary that showcases Virginia's vibrant culinary scene and experiences. “The Ultimate American Road Trip” eight-day itinerary highlights a range of experiences, from Old Town Alexandria to Shenandoah National Park to Virginia Beach.

“The state of Virginia offers visitors a taste of real America, from historic urban downtowns to breathtaking national parks to beautiful beaches,” said Lorraine Lloyd, vice president of sales and international marketing. “These comprehensive and creative itineraries offer tour operators new and unique products to easily sell to their clients and customers.”

About the Birthplace of American Cuisine Itinerary

When the first colonists landed in Virginia, they knew they had found something special. They soon discovered the wealth of the Chesapeake Bay waters; the lush, forested mountains of the west; and the rich, fertile land that lay between. They dipped into the waters, dug into the land, and brought forth America's famed bounty to their tables, beginning our nationals long and storied love of food. “The Birthplace of American Cuisine” itinerary invites groups to discover the origins of American gastronomy and taste how today's culinary crusaders are building on the backs of history to create a new, acclaimed American cuisine.

Itinerary Highlights:

• Start in Virginia Beach, hiking or biking at First Landing State Park, exploring the Oceanfront Resort Boardwalk and enjoying a sunset with King Neptune.
• Learn about oysters at an oyster farm, take a kayak tour and discover the Back Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Discover historic Jamestowne, the birthplace of America and the first permanent English settlement in the New World.
• Step back in time at historic Williamsburg.
• Explore historic Alexandria, within eyesight of Washington, D.C. where celebrity-chef driven restaurants, a former World War II torpedo plant turned art factory and more await.
• Bike or boat to George Washington's Mount Vernon, home to America's first president.

About The Ultimate American Road Trip Itinerary

Just across the Potomac River from America's capital of Washington, D.C., you'll find the Commonwealth of Virginia. So close, you just have to cross a bridge. But what you'll find with that crossing is an entirely different world. A world of cobblestone streets and scenic mountain drives. Small towns and beach-side cities. A land that embodies what authentic America is all about.

Itinerary Highlights:

• Discover Alexandria, Virginia's historic sites such as the Carlyle House, one of the grandest mansions in early Alexandria, and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, the colonist's pharmacy.
• Stroll one of the “Great Streets” of America, King Street in Alexandria, and find independent boutiques and restaurants.
• Embark on a cruise to George Washington's Mount Vernon, the most visited historic estate in the nation.
• Take in mountain views at Shenandoah National Park and explore the charming small town of Luray, Virginia.
• Step inside eastern America's largest and most popular caverns system, Luray Caverns.
• Enjoy the coastal life in Virginia Beach where activities and dining options abound.
• Take a kayak tour of the Chesapeake Bay, tour the Military Aviation Museum and enjoy an authentic American seafood experience.

These new itineraries and others can be found at VisitAlexandriaVA.com/USA or contact Lorraine Lloyd LLloyd@VisitAlexandriaVA.com for additional information. (703)652-5360.  Or stop by booth 1019 at IPW.

ABOUT ALEXANDRIA, VA

Named the #1 Best Value U.S. Travel Destination 2018 by Money magazine and one of the South's Prettiest Cities 2018 by Southern Living, Alexandria hums with a cosmopolitan feel and a walkable lifestyle—a welcoming weekend escape next to our nation's capital. A nationally designated historic district founded in 1749, Old Town Alexandria is home to more than 200 independent restaurants and boutiques alongside intimate historic museums and new happenings at the waterfront. At the heart of it all is bustling King Street, a walkable mile recognized as one of the “Great Streets” of America. New restaurants tucked in to 18th- and 19th-century architecture still intact from the city's days as George Washington's hometown ignite historic and off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods as the waterfront district evolves with new energy.

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