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Guide to Virginia

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Getting There

Fly into Dulles International Airport (IAD) and rent a car—an essential for touring this region. Middleburg, the northernmost town in hunt country, is just a half hour's drive from Dulles.

When To Go

The most festive time to visit Virginia's horse country is during Gold Cup race weekends, which happen in October and May every year. See vagoldcup.com for race schedules and tickets.

Where to Stay

Clifton Inn 1296 Clifton Inn Dr., Charlottesville; 888/971-1800 or 434/971-1800; cliftoninn.net; doubles from $235.

Goodstone Inn & Estate Intimate, luxurious rooms and pristine grounds. 36205 Snake Hill Rd., Middleburg; 877/219-4663 or 540/687-4645; goodstone.com; doubles from $330.

Keswick Hall 701 Club Dr., Keswick; 800/274-5391 or 434/979-3440; keswick.com; doubles from $325.

Red Fox Inn Spacious rooms in the heart of downtown Middleburg. 2 E. Washington St., Middleburg; 800/223-1728 or 540/687-6301; redfox.com; doubles from $195.

Where to Eat

Ashby Inn & Restaurant 692 Federal St., Paris; 540/ 592-3900; dinner for two $90.

Coach Stop Restaurant 9 E. Washington St., Middleburg; 540/687-5515; dinner for two $40.

Market Salamander 200 W. Washington St., Middleburg; 540/687-8011; dinner for two $40.

Palladio Restaurant Barboursville Vineyards, 17655 Winery Rd., Barboursville; 540/832-7848; barboursvillewine.com; dinner for two $140.

Where to Sip

C&O Bar 515 E. Water St., Charlottesville; 434/971-7044.

Chrysalis Vineyards 23876 Champe Ford Rd., Middleburg; 540/687-8222; chrysaliswine.com.

Gadino Cellars 92 Schoolhouse Rd., Washington, Va.; 540/987-9292; gadinocellars.com.

Kluge Estate Farm Shop 3550 Blenheim Rd., Charlottesville; 434/984-4855; klugeestate.com.

What to Do

American in Paris An eclectic collection of American country antiques for sale. 694 Federal St., Paris; 540/592-9008.

Monticello 931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy., Charlottesville; 434/984-9822; monticello.org.

Skyline Drive/ Blue Ridge Parkway Sperryville; see blueridgeparkway.org for driving maps, bloom schedules, and road conditions.

Copyright © 2008, American Express Publishing. All rights reserved.