(Virginia Beach, Va., May 18, 2010) – The summer season just got a little longer in Virginia Beach. The annual summer savings program for Canadians is back, and this year, offers extended dates. The 2010
“Canada Weeks” offer invites Canadian travelers to enjoy two extra nights free in Virginia Beach when they book a six-night stay at a participating hotel during the travel dates of August 16th through September 3rd and September 6th through October 31st. For information on participating hotels and to book a Virginia Beach vacation, visit
www.vbfun.com/canadaweeks.
“Virginia Beach offers the classic seaside getaway for Canadian travelers,” said Kelli Norman, director of tourism marketing & sales for the Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. “With our extended dates for 2010, Canadians can enjoy even more time to savor all that Virginia Beach has to offer – from our clean, warm water beaches and exciting attractions to our delicious seafood and comfortable accommodations.”
In addition to the extended “Canada Weeks” special, participating kayaking, surfing and eco-tourism outfitters are offering a “book one get one 50% off” promotion to Canadian travelers through September 30th. For those who crave a rush of adrenaline, Busch Gardens and Water Country USA in nearby Williamsburg are offering discounted rates to Canadians that are valid during Canada Weeks.
In
Virginia Beach, cast your cares away and take time to “Live the Life.” Feel the warm sand wiggle its way between your toes as you dive into a sea of brightly colored beach towels dotting the shoreline. Follow the flight path of the American bald eagle as it guides you through the calm, still waters of Back Bay from your kayak. Sink your teeth into delectable Coastal Cuisine such as pan-seared ahi-tuna topped with shitake mushroom salsa or a plump Chesapeake Bay crab cake, prepared to perfection by restaurants throughout the city. Situated where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, Virginia Beach creates the perfect backdrop for < a href=http:// www.vbfun.com/visitors/things-to-do/outdoors/>outdoor adventure.
More than 18,600 acres (75.27 km2) of
state parks and wildlife refuges, over 121 navigable miles (195 km) of waterways and 35 miles (56 km) of ocean and bay beaches give visitors a variety of landscapes for exploring the great outdoors by hiking, kayaking, biking and canoeing. First Landing State Park features interpretive hiking trails through beach, back dunes, upland forest, tidal marsh and cypress swamp. Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park feature extensive wildlife including over 300 species of nesting and migratory songbirds, shorebirds and ducks, otters, white-tailed deer, red fox and a number of interesting reptiles.
The
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is Virginia Beach’s most popular attraction. Harbor seals, sea turtles, sharks, rays, river otters and an outdoor aviary teach visitors all about the wildlife that calls Virginia Beach home. Restless Planet, the newest addition to the Virginia Aquarium, doubled the aquarium’s animal collection and features four modern-day habitats that chronicle Virginia’s ecological history. The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center also offers exciting
dolphin and
whale watching cruises during the summer and winter months.
Virginia Beach maintains a long-standing reputation as a family-friendly oceanfront resort. The three-mile (4.8 km) paved Virginia Beach boardwalk dates back to 1888, and has been ranked among the “best American boardwalks” by Discovery Channel’s, “Dr. Beach,” Southern Living and Coastal Living. Virginia Beach also boasts 35 miles (56 km) of waterfront property, with a total of 14 miles (22.5 km) free and open to the public. If your idea of a "day at the beach" is more relaxed, visit Chesapeake Beach (known to the locals as “Chick’s Beach”) for a tranquil spot along the scenic Chesapeake Bay. Swimmers will enjoy the bay's protected shallow waters. In Sandbridge, located on Virginia Beach’s southern shore, sand sweeps from the ocean to the streets where the traffic is minimal and seagulls leave long-lasting footprints. Just a small community of breathtaking ocean-view rental cottages, condominiums and peacefulness fill the shoreline.
Canadians looking for
close-to-home vacation spots can reach Virginia within a day. Driving south, Virginia is only 12 hours from Québec and 10 hours from Ontario. For those who prefer to fly, Virginia Beach is located just 20 minutes from Norfolk International Airport, which hosts most major airline carriers and offers 200 flights daily. For a vacation that enriches the mind and the soul, Virginia Beach is the ideal warm weather getaway.
Virginia Beach entices visitors to “Live the Life” every season of the year! Located in the southeastern corner of the state, Virginia Beach is four hours southeast of D.C. by car and within a day’s drive or less from two-thirds of the U.S. population. For visitor information, call 1-800-VA-BEACH (800/822-3224) or visit the Web site www.vbfun.com for online trip planning and more information about Virginia Beach’s new $202.5 million convention center. For media information and digital images, click on www.vbpressroom.com.
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