Mount Welby offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and mountains, but if you want to be in the thick of it, there are plenty of day trips to put you in the heart of Virginia’s landscape and natural beauty. Sixty miles east is Washington, DC, the nation’s capitol and the upper-South’s cultural epicenter. The history and importance of the city cannot be overlooked, and if you haven’t stood on the mall and looked up at the Washington monument, you’re missing one of life’s great experiences. The historic town of Middleburg is about fifteen miles to the northwest and offers everything from shopping to antiquing to great food and wine. About an hour south and a bit to the west is Charlottesville, Virginia, a cultural center of a different sort. Charlottesville is home to Thomas Jefferson’s home, Monticello, and also his favorite creation, the University of Virginia. Of all his accomplishments – including being the third president of the United States - Jefferson wished for just three things to be written on his gravestone: author of the Declaration of Independence; author of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom; and founder of the University of Virginia. Monticello, the UVA grounds (including the original “academical village” and Rotunda designed by Jefferson himself), and the Charlottesville downtown walking mall make for a worthy day trip. The Shenandoah National Forest offers ample and beautiful hiking trails, including comfortable hikes to beautiful waterfalls. With such a mixture of history and breathtaking beauty, you will never be wont for something to do while staying at Mount Welby. |
