Guide lists things to love about the state

Some say the best things in life are free, and the new Virginia Travel Guide 2008 is one of them.

Between the shiny cover of a flag-waving patriot on a background of vibrant reds and pinks, photos of the beautiful state of Virginia from mountains to coast invite those who open the pages to “Live Passionately,” reminding them once again that “Virginia is for Lovers.”

And the guide, published by the Virginia Tourism Corp., is free to all who ask.

This year’s guide has a different approach to displaying all the wonderful aspects of living in Virginia.

“The 2008 Virginia Travel Guide showcases the personal stories of Virginians from across the state,” Tamra Talmadge-Anderson, director of public relations for the tourism corporation, said Monday. “People whose passion for wine, food, history, music and outdoor adventure make Virginia such a meaningful travel destination.

“This year’s guide features new information about Virginia’s Main Street communities, 130 wineries, artisans from across the state and pet-friendly accommodations and destinations.”

Virginia’s tourism brings in $17.7 billion and supports 208,000 jobs, she said, adding she hopes the guide will spur natives and visitors to explore the state.

Danville is among the places featured in the guide.

On page 154, the city’s Millionaire’s Row is featured as a “pre-eminent collection of Victorian and Edwardian architecture.” A photo of the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, which is housed in the Sutherlin Mansion, gives a peek of what a self-guided tour has to offer.

A listing by the Danville Tourism Division on page 157 also lists various places of interest to visit in the River City. Some of the sites are the Danville Welcome Center, the AAF Tank Museum, the Danville Science Center and Dan Daniel Memorial Park.

Rosalee Maxwell, the city’s director of tourism, said Monday she is pleased with the new tour guide.

“It’s exciting to showcase Southern Virginia because people travel and hit two or three towns or cities, and working together we can be stronger,” Maxwell said.

She noted that visitors who travel within the area usually spend the night in Danville, contributing to the economy through their spending on food, gas and hotel rooms.

Talmadge-Anderson said the guide is designed to appeal to female baby boomers, who are a major buying power in the U.S. and greatly influence household travel decisions.

The agency’s theme -“Live Passionately-Virginia is for Lovers”- continues one of the “longest-running and most loved tourism slogans in the world,” she said.

“The ‘Live Passionately’ invites travelers to visit Virginia to live out their passions for wine, music, heritage, outdoor adventure and other fulfilling experiences that make live meaningful,” Talmadge-Anderson said. “We’ve designed this guide to engage travelers and citizens in the best Virginia has to offer.

“It’s an exciting resource for visitors and for Virginians, it is full of great information to help explore your own backyard.”

Contact Susan Elzey at selzey@registerbee.com or (434) 791-7991.