It’s been said that Virginia is the state "for lovers;" that while you’re here, one must have the desire to "live passionately." But what makes our state one of the most relaxing and enjoyable places to be?

Perhaps, it’s that in Virginia, you have both the ocean and the mountains in your vast state of a backyard. And lucky for Richmonders, neither are a far drive away.

But while Virginia Beach is one of the most profiled tourist destinations in the state, it’s our neighboring mountain and valley range that seems to take the back seat. At foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and within the peaceful beauty that is the Shenandoah Valley, sits a town rich in cultural and artistic history – Staunton (pronounced "STAN-tun" not "STAWN-tun"), Virginia.

With its historic architecture and eclectic atmosphere, it's no wonder that Staunton is home to a variety of festivals. Two of which promise to bring a little tradition mixed with a little novelty to your summer, proving this town's got more to offer than just a beautiful skyline.

11th annual Staunton Music Festival

Having gained a reputation for its adventurous and innovative programming through the uniqueness and high caliber of festival performers, the 11th annual Staunton Music Festival will now span over 11 days between the months of August and September.

Each concert will be set in some of Staunton's most architecturally beautiful venues including Trinity Episcopal Church, the Blackfriars Playhouse and the President's House located at Mary Baldwin College¸ transforming the night into an intimate encounter with each of the festival's performers.

Per festival tradition, and as the official kickoff to a week of beautiful chamber music, a Gala Dinner and Concert will be held at the President's House on Saturday, Aug. 16. Included is a deliciously catered meal by Eric Stamer followed by a selection of chamber music.

New to the 2008 festival is the Emerging Composers Program, complete with a Composers Forum in which the Staunton Music Festival's Young Artists perform the premieres of works by 2008 Emerging Composers Robert Barrett, Darien Shulman, and Dennis Tobenski.

Rounding out the week, festival-goers will enjoy two performances of Handel's opera "Acis and Galatea," the emotional expression of the joys and sorrows surrounding frustrated love in the pastoral world of nymphs, shepherds and giants. Prefacing the opera will be Handel's Trio Sonata in G minor and David Schrader's "Introduction to Acis and Galatea."

During the second part of the festival, the weekend of Sept. 13 and 14 which has bee deemed as International Weekend, the festival will celebrate traditional and contemporary Chinese Music, as well as new jazz work by JMU professor Chuck Dotas, featuring pipa virtuoso Min Xiao-Fen.

Concert prices range from $8-$18, opera prices range from $10-26 and tickets for the Gala are $65. Online sales begin on July 1. For more information, visit stauntonmusicfestival.com.

First-ever Staunton Theatre Festival

The energetic vibe, historical uniqueness and vibrant creativity of Staunton have made it a perfect place to host the first-ever Staunton Theatre Festival.

The dream is to keep the festival intimate, close in contact between the artists and audience, presenting fifteen performance companies, in five venues, over a span of four festival days, from Thursday, Aug. 28 to Sunday, Aug. 31.

Companies hail from within Virginia, the U.S. and abroad to showcase their finest productions as well as a variety of new works. Paired with the festival will be the downtown event Staunton Jams, a free concert of talented, local musicians.

For its premiere year, festival coordinators opted to limit the number of companies as well as venues, allowing festival-goers to walk from door to door to experience a variety of performances and dining experiences.

Ticket information will be available soon at stauntontheaterfestival.com.

The Staunton File

History

Staunton is located 108 miles west of Richmond in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. Home to President Woodrow Wilson, the city boasts a number of historical attractions and cultural venues.

Lodging

Staunton is known for their charming bed and breakfasts, including the Victorian masterpiece, the Miller House Bed and Breakfast Inn (540-886-3186.) The Miller House is registered as a historic landmark and offers guests elegant rooms with a private bath and fireplace. The Shenandoah Valley Inn (866-466-1733) also offers a dose of history with luxury, located just two blocks from downtown. For something a little more "homey," try the Ashton Country House Bed and Breakfast (540-885-3001.)

Restaurants

From traditional fare to exotic meals, Staunton has it all. Zynodoa (540-885-7775) offers a menu full of delicious seafood, including lobster bisque, sea scallops and oysters as well as a few American favorites such as mini burgers and the chef's daily grilled pizza. Known for their fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs, Mill Street Grill (540-886-0656) also serves fresh seafood and grilled, hand-cut steaks. For a more laid back atmosphere, visit the old style pub and eatery, Marino's (540-886-4551). If you're looking for a home-cooked meal, go no farther than Mrs. Rowe's Restaurant and Bakery (540-886-1833), with their southern-cooked menu of casseroles, fried chicken and home-made sides. And you absolutely cannot leave without trying one of Mrs. Rowe's home-made pies.

Shopping

It's the compact, historic downtown district of Staunton that is something to be treasured. Over 100 retail shops, galleries and restaurants line the streets, making it easy and enjoyable to explore Staunton on foot. Don't feel like walking? Take advantage of the three, free routes on Staunton's Trolley Service.

Attractions

There is plenty to see and do in Staunton, whether you're traveling with the family, a significant other or a group of friends. Take in a play at the world's only recreation of Shakespeare's indoor theatre, the Blackfriars Playhouse (877-MUCH-ADO or 540-851-1733). Tour the home of President Woodrow Wilson at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum (888-496-6376 or 540-885-0897), the only presidential library in the state of Virginia. The Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia (540-332-7850) offers visitors living history exhibits that explore diverse old world origins of the earliest immigrants to America, and the culture they created.

Take in the great outdoors with places such as Grand Caverns Regional Park (888-430-CAVE or 540-249-5705), Natural Chimneys Regional Park (888-430-CAMP or 540-350-2510), and Shenandoah National Park, home to the Valley's beautiful skyline drive (540-999-3500), just a few attractions that are only a short drive away from the city of Staunton.

Also located just outside of Staunton in Waynesboro, is the famous P. Buckley Moss Museum (800-343-8643 or 540-949-6473) which houses the permanent collection of Amish and Mennonite-inspired paintings, by the "People's Artist," P. Buckley Moss.

Have you traveled here before? Have a favorite restaurant or attraction? Have a day trip you want to recommend? Add it to the comment section below.