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Dec 27, 2024 | 
virginialiving.com | Amy White
Ready to get pampered, rejuvenated, and a little awestruck? These spas across Virginia offer peculiar and scintillating treatments to spark relaxation and curiosity. Malee Thai Massage and Bodywork, three Northern Virginia locations A traditional Thai massage combines point pressure across your body, energy meridian work, and yoga-like stretching for an invigorating and balancing experience. When I’ve pushed my body too far and am up for a muscular re-tuning, I head here.
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Dec 19, 2024 | 
virginialiving.com | Amy White
Experience the heart of the Appalachians firsthand. Appalachian Trail: For amazing views, check out the section of the AT along the south rim of Burke’s Garden. However, the access road is steep and rutted, requiringa four-wheel drive vehicle. Cavitt’s Creek Park: This 300-acre park with a 54-acre lake has lots of opportunity for recreation, equipment rental, and campsites and cabins. 750 Recreation Dr., N.
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Dec 16, 2024 | 
virginialiving.com | Amy White
Appa Bagworks: Hand-crafted leather products like cross-bodies, totes, and shoulder bags. Owner Tanner Hale learned the art from his granddad. 145 Main St. Facebook: AppaBagworksBetween Friends: Shop for locally made goods like wood carvings, artwork, jewelry, and bright quilts. 293 Main St. Facebook: BetweenFriendGifts Burke’s Garden Artisans Guild:Showcasing regional artisans and featuring the work of glass artist Nancy Brooks.
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Nov 20, 2024 | 
virginialiving.com | Peggy Sijswerda |Madeline Mayhood |Amy White
Wood smoke rises on street corners as fires blaze in cressets—an early form of street lighting and reminiscent of super-sized torches. A heavenly cinnamon-apple scent wafts by—it’s hot cider and just what you need to warm your bones on a cold December night. Soon the Fife and Drum Corps march into view, drummers keeping a steady rat-a-tat as staccato bursts of fifing—like excited birdsong—add joy. A group of carolers in period clothing sing “Silent Night.” Fireworks explode in the night sky.
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Nov 18, 2024 | 
virginialiving.com | Peggy Sijswerda |Heather Bien |Madeline Mayhood |Amy White
If you like your holidays with a dash of razzmatazz, check out Charlottesville’s Christmas events. The Grand Illumination takes place at Ting Pavilion on the Downtown Mall on Dec. 6. The merriment commences just as evening falls and features vendors selling holiday crafts, tasty treats, and beverages, as well as a kid-friendly wonderland with bounce houses, face painting, games, and photo-ops. Exciting musical acts perform your favorite holiday tunes on stage throughout the evening.
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Nov 15, 2024 | 
virginialiving.com | Peggy Sijswerda |Heather Bien |Madeline Mayhood |Amy White
If you are a bagpipe fan like I am, Alexandria invites you to their unique Christmas celebration: Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade (Dec. 7). Dozens of Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans march through the streets of Old Town, joined by pipe and drum bands, as well as terriers and hounds, community groups, and more. What’s the connection to Scotland? Alexandria was founded in 1749 by Scottish merchants, and the city pays homage to its heritage with this annual event.
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Oct 22, 2024 | 
virginialiving.com | Heather Bien |Elizabeth Cogar |Mary Burruss |Amy White
For 25 years, Scribner’s editor Maxwell Perkins sent them to Welbourne, a Middleburg estate.
At the epicenter of hunt country, Welbourne holds stories of horses, royals, and a secret literary romance. Built in 1750, the Middleburg estate became the home to Colonel Richard Henry Dulany, who fought in the Battle of Gettysburg. A passionate horseman, Dulany founded the country’s oldest hunt club, The Piedmont Fox Hounds, in 1840.
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Oct 16, 2024 | 
gardenandgun.com | Amy White |Gabriela Gomez-Misserian
The ten-acre island in the French Broad River seemed like an idyllic, creative spot. Located in a hundred-year-old former high school, Marshall High Studios hosted more than thirty artists, who stored their materials and much of their finished work there. But flooding brought on by Hurricane Helene roared in and destroyed almost all of it. In Marshall, waters crested above twenty feet.
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Sep 25, 2024 | 
virginialiving.com | Heather Bien |Elizabeth Cogar |Hope Cartwright |Amy White
Photo by Woods Pierce1. Fun-filled eventsFrom Nestled in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, the city of Staunton is a dreamy fall getaway with stunning scenery, historical architecture, and a mixed bag of activities for all ages. Halloween Town (Oct. 26)—with trick-or-treating, a scavenger hunt, and more—to the All Hallows Eve Gala at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel (Oct. 18) to the Shenandoah Fall Foliage Bike Festival offering more than 10 routes over two days (Oct.
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Jul 9, 2024 | 
virginialiving.com | Stephanie Ganz |Madeline Mayhood |Meredith Lindemon |Amy White
Advances in dermatological technology have made it easier than ever to achieve clearer, smoother, more youthful skin. These three high-impact treatments are painless and require zero post-op downtime. Microdermabrasion—This light facial peel is great for improving sun damage, pigmentation issues, wrinkles, and acne scars. It starts with a diamond tip applicator that gently sands away the outer layer of skin and smooths out impurities. A special post-treatment revitalizing serum is then applied.
