Virginia is (still) for Lovers

Keeping the "Homestead" Fires Burning at Allegheny Mountain resort No one knows exactly why the slogan "Virginia is for Lovers" has been so durable, but part of the mystique of the slogan is that it has meant many things to different people. The slogan has been around since the 1960s. Today, a new generation is discovering love for Virginia's mountains, beaches, history, theme parks, vibrant cities, outdoor activities, sports and hospitality. The Year was 1969 when the Virginia State Travel Service (now the Virginia Tourism Corporation) adopted what would become its world-renowned "Virginia is for Lovers" slogan. The Travel Service could not have known that the Yippies would become Yuppies - and later, Boomers - or that the Volkswagen microbus with the peace sign on the dashboard would give way to the station wagon as the official car of a generation, but they knew where the future was in tourism: a new generation of visitors. A favorite book in 1969 was Erich Segal's Love Story. Jacqueline Susann's The Love Machine was a best seller. Henry Mancini scored with Love Theme from "Romeo and Juliet." The Woodstock Music and Art Fair in 1969 drew more than 300,000 young people for a weekend of peace, music and mud. Given the tenor of the times, the roll-out of "Virginia is For Lovers" appealed to younger consumers who were the market of the future. The phrase was considered bold and provocative, but it was also just plain smart from a marketing perspective. It planted a seed - a new image of a more exciting Virginia - with a generation that would become the most sought-after group of spenders ever to wield a credit card. And the love story continues. Timeless Treasure Among Historic Luxury Resorts A cherished destination for generations of travelers, one Virginia luxury resort invites its guests to rediscover life's many grand and timeless pleasures in a setting steeped in history and Southern hospitality. Welcome to The Homestead, one of the world's finest golf and spa destinations. Here, you can enjoy many of your favorite activities at the highest level and try your hand at a few new ones. The challenge isn't finding something to do, but finding time to do it all. Experience three championship golf courses, one of the world's premier spas, a world-class shooting club, fly fishing with Orvis-endorsed instructors, 100 miles of trails to explore, and an award-winning KidsClub. And that's just the beginning. No matter how much or little you wish to do, our historic luxury resort in Virginia offers endless vacation adventures for the entire family. Nestled amidst the splendor of Virginia's Allegheny Mountain lies The Homestead, one of Virginia's premier mountain resorts. As one of the country's leading historic resorts and a National Historic Landmark, The Homestead has been providing luxuriously appointed resort accommodations to Presidents, Princes, and sports enthusiasts alike since its founding in 1766. A true retreat in the Virginia countryside, The Homestead offers acres of excitement and relaxation for the entire family. Resort amenities include three premier golf courses and world-renowned luxury spa services. Sports enthusiasts will rejoice with a host of exciting outdoor activities including golf on three championship courses, horseback and carriage rides, trap, skeet and sporting clays, tennis, miles of scenic hiking trails, indoor and outdoor pools, fitness center, fly fishing, falconry, ice skating and mountain biking. The Homestead is one of Virginia's pioneer ski resorts, offering guests the opportunity to ski, snowboard and snow tube their way through mounds of fresh snow. No matter how much or little you wish to do, The Homestead mountain resort offers endless vacation adventures for the entire family. For more information, please call The Homestead's toll tree telephone number: (800) 838-1766. Amtrak travel arrangements can be made by calling The Homestead Activities Department at (800) 838-1766, option 3. Advanced reservations required. If you need transportation inside of three days of your arrival or departure, please call The Homestead Transportation Department directly at (540) 839-7711. While staying at this luxury resort guests can choose from a variety of lodging options including: 483 guestrooms which include 88 suites, with mini-bars, daily maid service, plush terry bathrobes, in-room safes, hairdryers, iron & ironing board. Virtually every room offers views of the surrounding Allegheny Mountains. Virginia family vacations at The Homestead are full of adventure no matter the time of year. Choose from dozens of activities to please a variety of discriminating tastes at this Virginia resort - from indoor pursuits such as bowling, billiards and movies, to outdoor adventures including mountain biking, shooting and fly fishing. This Virginia mountain resort also offers a full-service Spa and Salon featuring massages, mineral baths, facials, manicures and much more to ensure you have a relaxing luxury family vacation that is also fun. Most of the recreational amenities at this luxury resort in Virginia are offered year round, weather permitting - including golf on the Old Course - but the winter months bring additional possibilities for outdoor fun while on your family vacation. The Homestead boasts seven ski trails and an Olympic -sized ice skating rink at the base of the slopes at our Virginia resort. We also have snow tubing, a Ski Shop and restaurant, a top-rated Ski School, a Bunny School, ski equipment and snowboard rentals. Snowshoeing and snowmobiling are also offered as weather permits. Renowned in the region as the perfect destination of fun family vacations in Virginia, this luxury resort is also known as the premier learn-to-ski area. Affordably priced Ski and Skate Packages are offered each winter through the ski resort.