The Great Evacuation Fire of 1865 devastated Richmond, but it gradually re emerged to reclaim its title as the crown jewel of the Commonwealth. Today Richmond is a thriving city of 200,000 and home city to many Fotune 500 companies such as Altria Group, Capital One, and Genworth Financial.

The International Airport is the gateway to central Virginia. It has evolved into one of the most modern and well equipped airports in the eastern United States. Located seven miles southeast of Richmond the Capital of Virginia and within an hour drive of historic Williamsburg and a two hour drive from Washington DC, the Blue Ridge Mountains and Virginia Beach, Richmond International Airport is your hub to tourist attractions in Virginia.

Richmond has a good choice of eating options at both ends of the price spectrum, with barbecue being a specialty.

The major historic attractions are in the Court End District. These include the John Marshall House, home of the famed US chief justice as well as the Museum and White House of the Confederacy, home to the Confederacy president Jefferson Davis.

Visit Fan District to admire the magnificent mansions and statues of Civil War heroes, especially along Monument Avenue. It is home to the 200 year old Virginia State Capitol building one of the most prominent landmarks.

The St Johns Episcopal Church, the old English mansion Agecroft Hall. Smell the smoking guns of the past at the Richmond National Battlefield Park where three major battles have been fought.

This former private estate is now a 100acre public park, containing the fully furnished Maymont House, Japanese and Italian gardens and a small zoo. Its the most visited attraction in Richmond and its easy to see why Maymont Park is a lovely place to while away a warm afternoon.

The serene Hollywood Cemetery, perched above the James River rapids, is the resting place of two US presidents, one Confederate president and more than 18,000 Confederate soldiers.

Its mild weather patterns mean that it can extend its southern hospitality all the way from February to November. Having said that, the summer highs, in July and August, can be overbearing, so optimal visiting times are usually in the spring months of April and May, and the autumn months of September and October.

Today it can be described as a major finance and distribution centre and well worth a visit.