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Virginia beer

What You Need To Know About Beer, Craft Beer And Beer Tasting In Virginia

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Beer has been a huge part of America’s history and culture. Beer-making is an age-old art that was here well before independence, and it has only grown over the years. In fact, there are more beer styles and brands in America today than in any other market worldwide. Need a quick education on all things beer? Check out the following post: Beer: History, Tips, and Beer Tasting Events It’s not enough that we only know a little about one of the world’s favorite alcoholic drinks —beer. All over the world, millions of people share the same love for beer, in all its glorious interpretations and variations. Beer culture varies everywhere, and this fizzy, bittersweet drink has surely made every occasion memorable as it’s a staple for almost any event. Apart from water and tea, beer is the most widely consumed beverage of the world. It is only fitting, we learn more about the world’s favorite alcoholic beverage. Read full post at Social Scene… Virginia is known for its wines, and it’s now also becoming a favorite destination for craft beer lovers. So what exactly is craft beer? The following post offers a helpful definition of a craft brewery that helps to differentiate craft beer from other beers: An American craft brewery is: Small Annual production of 6 million barrels of beer or less (approximately 3 percent of U.S. annual sales). Beer production is attributed to a brewer according to rules of alternating proprietorships. Independent Less than 25 percent of the craft brewery is owned or controlled (or equivalent economic interest) by a beverage alcohol industry member that is not itself a craft brewer. Read more at Craft Beer… Craft beer usually refers to beer that is prepared in a small brewery, with a lot of focus on the traditional methods of beer preparation, rather than the more mechanized approaches that larger beer companies take. The craft brewery industry has become so large that it currently makes up about 98 percent of all breweries in the U.S. Virginia is for lovers – and craft beer lovers too. As a result, it’s starting to attract a lot of attention, including that of beer experts from all over the world. Don’t want to be left behind? How about a beer tour? Here’s a quick guide for craft beer tasting as you make plans to soak in those local beer flavors: 5 EASY TIPS FOR TAKING CRAFT BEER TASTING TO THE NEXT LEVEL I have to admit that every time I have a craft beer in front of me, my favorite kind of tasting is the purely hedonistic one. And for that reason, unless the beer has considerable defects or I am involved in an evaluation exercise, I prefer drinking without any further pretensions than enjoying it and having a good time, both at home and at the bar. But this does not mean that it is not important to pay attention to a few details. We all know that craft beer is a… Read More »What You Need To Know About Beer, Craft Beer And Beer Tasting In Virginia

Nelson 151 weekend getaway

More Amazing Stops For Your Nelson 151 Getaway!

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When you’re in Nelson 151, you get to choose between several lodging options. A charming Bed & Breakfast is one of them, and one of our favorites is Afton Mountain B&B.  Known for its serene atmosphere, comfy rooms, great breakfasts, and friendly staff, you’ll feel fully refreshed by the time you leave. Afton Mountain B&B is the ideal stop for those that simply want to unplug from the noise and enjoy some restful quiet. They’ll even help you plan your brewery or winery tour (whichever you prefer), just so you can make the most of your weekend getaway. Here’s what one visitor had to say about her stay: Amazing New Year’s Getaway!!!  My boyfriend and I wanted to do something different and get away from the crowds for New Year’s Eve this year.  We spent two nights at the b and b, and it was a first time experience for both of us.  We couldn’t have been happier with our decision.  Orquida and Dan went above and beyond before we even arrived.  Helping me plan a winery tour, as well as accommodating my food allergies.  We stayed in the Mornington room and we loved it!  It was such a quiet, relaxing weekend for us.  Breakfast both mornings was absolutely amazing, and getting to meet Dan and Orquida’s dogs was the icing on the cake… The scenery up there is beautiful… Read full review on Google Maps… While in Afton, be sure to visit Swannanoa, Afton’s marble palace that sits on the crest of Afton Mountain. Built by James Dooley as a gift to his wife Sallie, the building stands as a testament of true romance, and as proof that Virginia truly is for lovers. Its name was inspired by Sallie’s love for swans, not to mention the fact that swans are known for choosing their mate for a lifetime.  The 4000-piece Tiffany stained-window with Sallie’s image on it is something you need to see for yourself. It took hundreds of artisans to carefully craft, cut, and carve the palatial Georgian marble, gold plumbing fixtures, terraced gardens, dumbwaiter, and elevator. The house was so far ahead of its time that its own personal power plants provided it with electricity day and night. But the lavish gift to Mrs. Dooley truly culminates in the 4,000-piece Tiffany stained-glass window in her likeness, with a domed ceiling above. James and Sallie used Swannanoa as their summer retreat from the heat at their Maymont estate in Richmond. Read full post on Afton Mountain News… You also don’t want to miss out on the chance to sample some of the best award-winning beers in the area. Be sure to visit one of the amazing breweries in the area. One of them is Devil’s Backbone, where you’ll get to try lagers that are truly made ‘by nature’ (they take as much time as required to craft and get their beers right). You might also be lucky to be around for one of their popular annual events. Pretty… Read More »More Amazing Stops For Your Nelson 151 Getaway!

Nelson 151

Why You Need That Nelson 151 Weekend Getaway And How To Make The Most Of It

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If you don’t already know, there is a growing number of Americans leaving their vacation days unused with each passing year. While that would be great news if the reason for it is that we felt like our jobs were a vacation, this is hardly ever the case. Work pressures and the general pressures of life are more to blame for this unhealthy trend: The research highlights four main reasons for this aversion to vacations, all of which resonated with me both from my own career and from what I’ve read elsewhere. The bottom line is that this is, simply put, a fine kettle of fish. We’re becoming vacation-phobic. Let’s review the four explanations. – Vacations sometimes cause (not reduce) stress. Twenty-seven percent of respondents felt they had “too many projects or deadlines” and 13% fear “the amount of work they’ll return to.” Read more at Forbes… If you’re the kind of person that would find a long vacation unhelpful because you’d only get anxious about falling behind at work, you’re not alone. In fact, that might just be the reason why weekend getaways were invented. They are the perfect and most efficient way to rest. You get a change of scenery and grab some adventure without staying away too long as to get bored. Enter the mini vacation: quick trips that last two to four days. According to Project Time Off, people who take short vacations are happier, calmer, and more energized than those who rarely take time off. The American Psychology Association (APA) agrees. In a 2018 survey conducted by the APA, 68% of respondents said their mood was more positive after taking time off, 66% said they returned from vacation feeling energized, and 57% said they were less stressed. So what are you waiting for? Read full post at Nassau Paradise Island… For weekend trips, it always helps to have a rough plan for each day of your trip. Taking the time to research beforehand will help you make the most of your time. When developing your rough itinerary, consider things like the opening and closing times of the places you want to visit, as well as their proximity to one another. Having a rough itinerary is also useful to help you stay on budget, since the number of places you choose to visit will to some extent also depend on how much you can afford to spend. Not everyone can afford to spend thousands of dollars on each and every trip they take, so setting a rough budget before you do any other planning can help shape your getaway into something you’re financially comfortable with. When planning out your budget, you’ll want to consider the cost of things like transportation, accommodations, activities/sightseeing, and food. Read more at Dangerous Business… One major advantage of the Nelson Route 151 is that the different spots are close enough to each other for your convenience, and different enough from each other for variety. That means you won’t have to spend… Read More »Why You Need That Nelson 151 Weekend Getaway And How To Make The Most Of It

Nelson 151

Three More Places To Consider For Your Nelson 151 Weekend Getaway

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In our previous post, we featured three great places you could visit while on your Nelson 151 weekend getaway. However, if you’re planning for a long weekend and want to fill it with fun and adventure, then three stops will probably not be enough. Here are three more places you should consider visiting while you’re in the area: Bold Rock Hard Cider Virginia is not just known for its rich wines and beers; it also has some of the best ciders in the country. And Bold Rock Hard Cider is the perfect place to get them. Stop by the Nellysford Cidery, or the ‘Chapel of Apple’ for some great drinks and food as you learn a few things about the little-known cider craft. Here’s what one visitor had to say about it: Been wanting to go here FOREVER! Huge Cider fan, drove an hour so from Richmond to check this place out. Super impressed, staff was great, ciders were on point! Even had these “drier” than normal versions that I’ve never seen before. They were amazing! My favorite was the IPA Cider, knocked my socks off. Being right at the base of Blue Ridge Mountains, on a GORGEOUS October fall day, with some amazing cider and atmosphere, it was a fantastic experience! Check out the review on Google Maps… Ridgeside Bed and Breakfast Dubbed ‘the doorstep to the outdoors’, Ridgeside  Bed and Breakfast is the perfect place if all you want is a change of scenery that includes lots of fresh air, as you take in and become part of the beauty of nature. If you love the outdoors, then you’ll be happy to know that you already have something in common with your innkeepers, and they’re ready to share their beautiful surroundings with you. I was fortunate to spend the weekend at Ridgeside while attending a family wedding. It is in a quiet valley surrounded by mountains.  Really quiet. No cars, planes, background radio, TV, or music. Just cicadas, crickets, and birds. The night sky has thousands more stars than in Washington or New York. Guests can hike up the mountains without even taking out their cars. Read more at E21… Wintergreen Resort Located in the heart of Central Virginia, the Wintergreen Resort offers just about everything you need for the perfect vacation – awesome accommodation, great food, a host of fun activities, unlimited natural beauty and outdoor recreation. This is the perfect place to go if all you need is a weekend of pampering to get your productive juices flowing again. It’s equally perfect if all you want to do is get out on the slopes for some skiing. Wintergreen Resort was able to open up a week early because of mother nature…and they were measuring their snowfall in feet! “We’ve been able to get open a little earlier this year,” said Zach Marlowe, the Director of Ski Operations. “The cold weather has been beautiful for us.” Read more at WSET… One major advantage of making Route 151… Read More »Three More Places To Consider For Your Nelson 151 Weekend Getaway

Nelson 151

Nelson 151 – Your Perfect Weekend Getaway

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Do you need a break from the noise and busyness of everyday life? You’re the perfect candidate for a weekend getaway in Virginia, and the Nelson 151 trail is one option you certainly won’t regret.  Otherwise known as ‘Virginia’s Weekend Address’, you’ll get the perfect combination of fresh air, amazing views, great food, rich wine and beer, as well as comfy lodging to give you that fresh new lease of life you so badly need. About Nelson 151 Upon arrival, you’ll immediately notice the spectacular views, country feel, and rustic charm. And that’s what Virginia Route 151 is about. It’s a scenic byway on the Blue Ridge Mountains and is the central point for the destination. With tree covered streets, winding turns, and lookout points, it’s a quaint setting that’ll get you in the mood fast. Ahh, weekend vibes! Read full post at Intoxicating World… Beer, Bed and Breakfast The WildManDan Beer Centric B&B is a great option for ending your day and starting the next. Wild Man Dan is known as the home brewer extraordinaire of Nelson 151. He’s the kind of genius that is so passionate about his trade that he’s willing to share his brewing techniques with visitors. It’s the perfect place to kick back, relax and add to your beer knowledge. Here’s what a happy camper had to say: Amazing experience. Great hospitality, awesome home cooked breakfast, and great craft beer. Terri and Dan are great host, makes you feel like you are part of their family. Had a great time meeting new people, hanging out playing games, drinking beer and enjoying great conversation. We visited many of the wineries and breweries, while there, also. I highly recommend Wild Man Dan B&B to anyone who wants to have a great time. We will definitely be back and tell everyone about it. Thanks again Terri and Dan! See full review at Google Maps… Dan will even teach you how to tell if there are any off-flavors in your beer. If you’re up for great beer and some good laughs, then you really don’t want to skip this one. Virginia Wines A Nelson 151 getaway would be incomplete without the fine wines that Virginia is so famous for. We recommend the Valley Road Vineyards. Just 20 minutes from Charlottesville, you get to enjoy wine tasting the classic way, pairing each with the perfect cheese. And although it’s one of the newest wineries in the area, visitors always come away impressed at just how good they are at what they do. One of the reasons why VRV has become so popular so fast is their unique, fun approach to wine tasting. Here’s what Brenda had to say about her experience: We came in for a tasting and as soon as we walked in, we knew the laid back, unpretentious vibe was for us. The person leading our tasting was amazing and could speak to groups with all levels of knowledge. I didn’t taste a wine I didn’t like, in… Read More »Nelson 151 – Your Perfect Weekend Getaway

tacky lights tour

We’ve Kicked Off Our Tacky Lights 2018 Tours

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It’s December, and for we at Camryn Limousine, that means Christmas and Tacky Lights Tours. Richmond Tacky Lights Tour 2018 Christmas Limousine Services Launched Charlottesville limo rental company Camryn Limousine announced that it will be offering guided Tacky Lights Tour throughout the month of December, offering clients the chance to see some of Richmond’s best decorated homes. Read more at ABC6… Tacky Lights? This is a well-known Christmas tradition in Richmond – residents set up their most creative festive light displays on their homes, decks and lawns, attracting thousands of visitors each year. ‘Tacky’ because the more outlandish it is, the better. It’s a fun tradition in which neighbors are always trying to outdo one another, so the displays only get wilder and brighter every year. Did you know that the Tacky Lights tradition originally started off as an indoor activity? This was back in the 1800s, and those tiny lights would not be redesigned to survive outdoors until eight decades later. History of the Tacky Light Bulb Tacky lights date all the way back to 1882 and can be attributed to Edward H. Johnson, the forefather of tacky lights and an associate of Thomas Edison. On December 22 of that year Johnson placed a Christmas tree that was hand-wired with 80 walnut-sized lights in the living room of his Fifth Avenue home in New York City… He was vice-president of Edison Electric Light Company (now known as Con Edison electric utility) and commissioned employees to patriotically wire the tree with red, white and blue lights. Read full post at Tacky Lights Tour… We’ve certainly come a long way from that one lit tree. And this is a tradition that appears to have a lot more life in it than most. Check out the following post for the list of participating homes this year: The 2018 Richmond Tacky Lights tour house list Every year, the Richmond Times-Dispatch puts together the Tacky Lights List of over-the-top holiday displays around town. Houses must have at least 40,000 lights. Translation: We’re talking extra-bright, eye-popping displays. Last week, several houses lit up early for the Tacky Lights season. Now with the Downtown Grand Illumination on Friday, Nov. 30, most of the rest of the houses that will be featured on the Tacky Lights List will be lighting up this weekend. Read full post at Richmond.com… Participating homes lit up last month, so make sure you schedule your tour early enough. That way, you won’t miss out on the Camryn Limousine Tacky Light Tour experience – it certainly makes a difference. How so? We’ve been doing this for years, and our chauffeurs know the best selection of decorated homes to ensure your tour is spectacular and memorable. In addition, you’ll get to ride in a professionally driven limousine that includes special interior lighting, privacy partitions, ice-chests, stemware and drink holders, and equipped with HD TVs, full smartphone connectivity and electrical sockets. For your chance to see Richmond’s best-decorated homes the Camryn Limousine way, call us… Read More »We’ve Kicked Off Our Tacky Lights 2018 Tours

escape rooms

Escape Rooms – A Fun Group Activity To Consider This Cold Season

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As the cold weather settles in, there are fewer fun activities for groups to choose, since outdoor activities are not as appealing as they were in the summer. However, if you can think outside the box, and with proper planning and timely booking, there are still a lot of fun activities to get into. One of them is the relatively new craze called escape rooms. What are Escape Rooms? Basically, an escape room is an interactive, physical adventure game. Participants are tasked with solving complex puzzles, riddles and challenges using hidden clues and hints, all in hopes of figuring out a way to escape the room. Usually, the rooms will have a special theme or plot behind them, as well as a time limit on how long the players have to complete it. Read more at All Island Transportation… What makes escape rooms a lot more fun compared to your typical game night is that they are much more interactive, engaging and exciting. They require participants to work as a team in order to ‘escape’. Beating an escape room requires good communication between escapees, and each of your individual perspectives will certainly help to figure out the multiple clues and tips that will get you out. That’s why an escape room can actually be a great idea for corporate team building. Escape Room Themes There are all sorts of themed escape rooms out there, ranging from horror scenarios to fantasy and adventure. Certain escape rooms are also educational, giving participants the opportunity to improve their historical knowledge, all while having lots of fun. The following is an example:  Through the setbacks, the Rieses set up their first history-themed room, which is based on Jefferson’s daring escape from Monticello on June 4, 1781, following Jack Jouett’s warning that British troops were arriving. …The Rieses have worked to create the urgency Jefferson likely felt by having a 60-minute time limit to solve the room’s puzzles. Participants must locate clues within the room and find passageways to escape before the time runs out. Read full post at Daily Progress… You’ll be happy to learn that the above-mentioned (Unlocked History Escape Rooms) are actually located in Charlottesville. That’s one good reason to book your visit soon. Escape Rooms in Charlottesville Wondering whether there are other options available locally? Yes, there are. Cville Boasts THREE Escape Rooms It’s getting colder. Escape rooms are heated. Also fun. And there are THREE of them here in Charlottesville. Try one. Try them all! Bring the family. Corral the office. Coax your friends. If you want to  ~escape~ without any strangers in the room, make sure to bring enough of a crew with you. Check the website ahead of time (all three escape rooms have comprehensive FAQ pages). Read full post at Visit Charlottesville… For more information about the escape rooms in Charlottesville, you contact them directly. Here are their contact details: Cville Escape Room 310 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902 (434) 566-9499 https://www.cvilleescaperoom.com Immersion Escape Rooms 2125… Read More »Escape Rooms – A Fun Group Activity To Consider This Cold Season

wine tour

How To Not Lose Your Cool During Your Wine Tour

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Taking a wine tour with your friends or significant other is one way to learn new things and sample some great wines, all while having lots of fun. And if you do it right, you’ll also get a nice buzz and some great laughs without losing your sophistication or embarrassing yourself. That’s also (or should be) one major difference between a wine tour experience and hanging out with your pals at the bar. Here are some useful tips to ensure your wine tour is a success: Make lunch part of your itinerary Eat lunch And breakfast, too. It’s Drinking 101, but it’s still surprising how many people skip this step. Don’t think for a second that the palate cleanser crackers, or even a cheese and charcuterie board are going to soak it all up. Read more at Eater.com… Make sure everyone eats beforehand. If your tour will start in the morning, have a lunch stop as part of it. Bear in mind that if you’re starting early, it will mean that you’ll likely be taking wine earlier than your bodies are typically used to, so you might start to feel the effects pretty fast. A good breakfast is essential in such a case. Sharpen your sense of taste and smell Smell and taste are equally important when it comes to fully experiencing all that the wines have to offer. That’s why it’s important to ensure that nothing comes in the way of these two: No lipstick before tasting To properly appreciate a wine, your palate should be as ‘clear’ as possible. So don’t drink coffee, smoke or brush your teeth at least two hours before a wine tasting. If you can, also avoid lip balm or lipstick as the oils in these can interfere with the taste of the wine. Keep your nose ‘clean’ too Avoid wearing perfume and hairspray when you taste wine, as the strong scents can interfere when you try to smell the wine. 80 per cent of what you taste in wine is what you smell (this is why when you have a blocked nose, you can barely taste any flavours), so this is indeed a very important rule to remember. Read more at Lifestyle Food… Skipping on lipstick and perfume may sound weird, but not to the pros. You’ll certainly look like you know what you’re doing at the winery. And if someone asks, you can take advantage of the opportunity to share what you know and be the wine pro. Don’t get drunk Wineries are not the place to lose your cool. Although they do not discourage their guests having fun, they are also less tolerant of disruptive behavior than your local bar. It therefore helps to know your limits, and decide just how many wines to taste (or swallow, for that matter). Do spit Wine tastings are dangerous places for the uninitiated! Of course you can swallow if you want to, but do this towards to end or you’ll end up horribly drunk… Read More »How To Not Lose Your Cool During Your Wine Tour

rent a car

Should I Rent A Car Or Drive My Own?

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The question of whether to drive your own car or get a rental for long-distance road trips, work travel and other special needs is one that may boggle you at some point. So many factors may run through your mind, such as which one is more convenient, which one is cheaper, and is my car fit to travel across the country? Read on to find out the most important factors to consider: Money Matters There are a few ways to look at driving your own car vs. renting a vehicle for your next road trip. One is to crunch some numbers – gas mileage, vehicle depreciation, etc. We’ll walk you through the dollars and cents of it all, as it’s largely based on what kind of car you drive and the specifics of your road trip. Then there are the emotions to consider. Perhaps the possibility of having your sweet little coupe exposed to the real world just gives you too much anxiety. Or maybe you’re the tight-fisted type who would never hand cash to a rental company when you have a perfectly fine car sitting in your garage. Read more at Allianz Travel Insurance… One major factor to consider when it comes to making this decision is your budget. Surprisingly, renting a car can be cheaper than using your own car for a road trip or other long-distance trips. The convenience is also a major factor to consider when it comes to this. How Exactly Will You Save By Renting? Savings sensei Clark Howard says that you could save money in the long run if you rent a car for travel rather than drive your own. If you drive your own car, because you’ll be putting additional miles on it, you’ll be literally driving down the resale value of your vehicle. “If you shop and find a good deal on a rental car, you put those trip miles and the depreciation that goes with it on that rental car instead of your own,” he says. Those highway miles will end up costing you more money than renting. “Figure putting miles on your vehicle — at a minimum “50 cents a mile,” he says. Additionally, a rental car may get you better gas mileage, which translates to lower fuel costs for your trip. Of course, it depends on which make and model you choose, but the market for car rentals favors consumers right now, Clark says. Read more at Clark.com… Say you have a car that consumes a lot of gas, and you don’t typically drive it over long distances. Two ways driving your own car will cost you more include spending more on fuel, and the depreciation of your car. If you really think about it, driving someone else’s car keeps your car in tiptop condition until you come back from the trip. Second, you can get a car with better fuel efficiency and save yourself money in terms of fuel cost. Consider Other Factors Aside from Money Sometimes… Read More »Should I Rent A Car Or Drive My Own?