pavfec

This year, we're heading down to the US for our vacation. We'll have about 2 weeks. I want to go to the beach for the first week, then to the mountains to hike the second. We're a young couple in our 30's with no children. We love good food, wine, beaches, hiking, biking and camping.

We're looking at Virginia, specifically Chincoteague for the first week, then the Appalachians for the second. Do you think we're on the right track? We're also looking into North Carolina as a possible destination.

Thanks for any tips you can give!

Devonmcj

I think your plan sounds great. If you want to drive further west from Chincoteague, the mountains of West Virginia are little more rugged than Virginia's. Since you like hiking, biking, and camping, you might want to do some white water rafting and caving. West Virginia's New River Gorge would be ideal.

It's getting a little late in the year for reservations in Chincoteague. I wouldn't waste any time finalizing your plans.

GeorgeW

From the little I know of the place, I am not sure I'd spend a whole week at Chincoteague. I prefer the North Carolina beaches myself and have vacationed at Topsail Beach, North Carolina for forty years.

As for the Appalachians, they will be sprinkled with Bed and Breakfasts. The Appalachian Trail runs from the state of Maine in the north to Georgia in the south. A very pleasant part of Appalachia that I have visited is Highland County, Virginia, sometimes called the Switzerland of Virginia.

pavfec

Thanks for your replies. I wanted to get other opinions before we decide on our final itinerary.

It's good to know that a week in Chincoteague might be much. We'll look at heading down the Virginia coast perhaps and maybe heading to a city for a day. What I really want this year is to actually relax, because we usually head to Europe and have a jam-packed itinerary and we never actually rest.

Thanks for the tip about West Virginia. I'll try and get my DH to help me research this further!

Anyone else?

pavfec

Sorry, I forgot to mention that we'll probably be going in August, but it could be July. It'll depend on when my DH's colleagues take their vacation (he just began working in January and does not have seniority).

Thanks!

Dukey

Pavfec,

it would be very hlepful if you could elaborate on what you expect at 'the beach."

I mean do you want to be totally out in the middle of nowhere or do you want to be close to restaurants, shopping, etc.

Any reason you particularly picked Chincoteague? It's a great place but you might also enjoy some spots on the North Carolina Outer Banks, too

pavfec

Dukey, like I said, I want to relax, read and go swimming. We do want to be near towns for restaurants and other activities.

I thought of Chincoteague because the beaches sounded less crowded than on the rest of the Virginia coast and the town sounded very quaint. We also saw that there are wineries in Virginia between the coast and the mountains. However, if there are nice, less-crowded beaches in North Carolina, we'll definitely look into it.

To set things out more clearly, this is what we thought for the timeline (it's very rough):

Days 1-2: drive down from Ottawa

Days 3-7 or 8: coast (beach, swimming, biking, walks, reading, good seafood)

Days 7 or 8: drive to mountains, stop in urban centre perhaps (museum? shopping?)

Days 4 or 8-12 or 13: mountains (hiking, biking, perhaps camping, good food)

Days 12 or 13: head home

ronkala

An enjoyable camping trip would be an overnight canoe trip on the south fork of the Shennandoah River. Parts of it are awesome as you are surrounded by mountains.

A canoe outfitter in Bentonville would shuttle you to a put in near Luray. It is about a twenty four mile trip back to Bentonville, with U.S. govt. land at about the twelve mile mark to camp. This site has a chemical toilet in the woods.

The river varies from swift to calm with a couple of tame class two rapids, and one class three that is a piece of cake to do.

Bentonville is on route 340 10 miles sw of Front Royal. Another option would be to rent the canoe in Luray and have to outfitter pick you up in Bentonville. Both Front Royal and Luray are close to Skyline Drive for a scenic drive through the mountains, hiking and camping.

sherrie

I've not ever been to Chincoteague and I am a lifelong resident of Virginia. I believe it is very remote and good for a day, but not sure I'd go for a week. I would suggest North Carolina as your destination, as the Outer Banks and/or Nagshead has wonderful beaches and then you can head west to the mountains.

Dukey

I am inclined to agree with Sherrie. A lot of what you want to do you could do in the National Seashore areas of the Outer Banks.

You would also be a lot closer to other activities such as shopping, dining, even movies.

pavfec

Wonderful - thanks for the suggestions! I'll have a look at the North Carolina brochure we got and see what I can come up with.

Gretchen

It's been a long time since I was in chincoteague, but I'd think about the NC coast. It could even be more accessible without being more crowded. I thnk Chincoteague is really really "out there".

xrae

You could also go north and try some Maryland or Delaware beaches instead of N.C. It's a good drive from the NC beaches to either Va. or N.C. mountains.

Ocean City, MD, is very developed. But you could stay north of there and drive to Ocean City if you needed the big city lights.

I like Chincoteague. I don't think it would be a bad choice. Or you could do 2-3 days there and 2-3 days at a different beach.

Leaving Chincoteague and heading south, you could do a day in the Norfolk/Va Beach area for your city fix or head to Williamsburg or Richmond before going to the mountains. The mountain ridge in Va. stretches across the state, so there are a lot of mountain destinations to choose from (if you look at a road map, I-81 pretty much follows the mountain ridge). Wineries are scattered throughout the state.

You've got a lot of options, that's for sure! And it sounds like a great vacation.

pavfec

Wow, we certainly do have a lot of options! Thanks for the further suggestions. Choosing ain't gonna be that easy...

jodeenyc

I could be completely wrong about this but isn't Chincoteague camping only?

I'm curious now.

RedRock

My 2¢-- The VA or MD beaches would fit in to what you are looking for. Young couple, no kids, you can travel fast... A days drive west from the beaches.... GSMNP.

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/

GeorgeW

So you're from Ottawa? My mother was born there during World War Two. My grandfather was a Mountie and stationed there during the war. They lived in the suburb of Aylmer, on the Quebec side of the river.

kgh8m

For a state on the Atlantic Ocean, Virginia has surprisingly little in the way of traditional beaches. I agree with the others before me - NC simply offers so many more options in beaches than VA or MD. Plus, with DC people vacationing in the few beaches that VA and MD have (don't worry, they also head to NC, but not in nearly the same numbers), you're better off in NC. Also, getting to the MD beaches and VA can be a real pain.

As for mountains, NC and VA both offer nice mountain getaways. The beach seems to be the limiting factor here, so book that first, then consider the mountain portion.

pavfec

Thanks for the additional suggestions. GeorgeW, my DH and I just moved to Aylmer in December (we were living in Montreal before). What a coincidence that your parents lived here! I can see why - it's a very nice place to settle. Have you been up here?

virginiatraveler

As far as Virginia Mountains go, we just love taking an annual trip to the Shenandoah Mountains and staying at Big Meadows in a cabin-type accomodation. It's part of the national park system. It is about 10 degrees cooler than the rest of Virginia, even in August! Lots of hiking, waterfalls, and wonderful nature!