Experience the best of Charlottesville

Charlottesville lies in the Piedmont of central Virginia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge. Thomas Jefferson built Monticello, his hilltop house and gardens, on a mountain just outside the city, and designed the University of Virginia, whose Rotunda and lawn of pavilions form a World Heritage site with Monticello. Downtown has a long brick pedestrian mall of cafés, shops and music venues.

Ash Lawn-Highland, the home of President James Monroe, is nearby, and James Madison's Montpelier stands about 40 kilometres to the north-east. The Blue Ridge Parkway and the Skyline Drive of Shenandoah National Park start at Rockfish Gap, a short way west, and the Appalachian Trail crosses the ridge. Vineyards and cideries cover the hills, an industry Jefferson tried to start.

Virginia ham, peanuts, barbecue, fried chicken and local apples are on the menus, with wine and cider from the surrounding farms. The autumn colours along the Blue Ridge peak in October, and dogwoods bloom in spring.