Are you looking for a relaxing and truly interesting vacation close to home? If so, you can do no better than visiting Washington, DC on your way to the beautiful Virginia countryside surrounding the home of James Madison, at Montpelier.

I have been visiting our nation’s capital since I was a child; yet, there are always wonderful new things to discover at the Smithsonian or the many art museums that ring the Mall. I still thrill at seeing our national monuments lit up at night. I was delighted to stay at the Liasion, an Affinia Hotel,www.Affinia.com, at 415 New Jersey Avenue NW, 202-638-1616.

The hotel is trendy, with upscale appointments. Aside from the smiling faces of the staff, what I like best is eating at Art and Soul, where celebrity chef–owner Art Smith oversees all. If you’re a foodie, you’ll enjoy such composed dishes as hoecake with smoked trout as an appetizer, or fall-off-the bone ribs. Yes, the fried chicken dinner is legendary, but they were out of it when we dined early, so pre-order.

Your destination for the country portion of your trip is Orange, Virginia, about two hours from the DC. Riddled with history, wineries and quintessential American South countryside it is four miles from James Madison’s home, Montpelier, West of Orange on route 20. www.Montpelier.org, 540-672-2728.

Montpelier has something for everyone, from authentic culinary demonstrations, to a costumed Dolly or James explaining the way they really lived, to fascinating tours of slave quarters, and the very room in which the Madisons entertained the likes of Jefferson, Lafayette, and Washington. Extensive excavations are taking place which will reveal the domestic slave quarters and the plantation workers quarters as well, and give us a realistic idea of what life must have been like in the late 1700s.

Or dwell in the early 1920s and 30s during the DuPont era. I was fascinated by the displays at the extensive visitor center which included furniture, lighting, and prints from the salon of the home when the DuPont’s owned Montpelier. At present, there is a visiting exhibition of the globes and maps that Madison used in making assumptions about the world around him.  The costumes used in the PBS documentary on Dolly Madison’s life are also on display.

Dotted through the country side are wineries like Barboursville,www.barboursville.com and a newcomer with energy Reynard Florence,www.reynardflorence.com. Go for tastings. Choose from a variety of beautiful inns and bed and breakfasts. Each and has its own website but you can capture the concept of each by visiting innsatMontpelier.com.

The Inn At Willow Grove was our choice, and it is surely one of the finest accommodations in the area;www.theinnatwillowgrove.com, 14079 Plantation Way, Orange, Virginia, 540-672-7001.            .

The Inn has gone through a complete renovation with the intent of creating a unique, upscale experience. Once you make your reservation, you will be called by your personal Butler. Do you have food allergies? Are you interested in golf? Theater? Do you need directions to a nearby site? Once you arrive, the care with which restoration has been made is evident. Rooms are spacious, comfortable and reminiscence of the plantation that was originally Willow Grove.

Eating is an experience not only for its fine menu (don’t be surprised if the executive chef comes out to greet you personally), but because of the cozy, quiet, well appointed settings in which you can choose to eat. Although the main restaurant is elegant, and the outdoor tables are refreshing, I enjoyed the pub atmosphere with its stone walls, rustic tables and modern art. The proprietors, who run a nearby horse farm, saved the property from “who knows what fate”, when it went up for auction. Make your reservations early as there are limited numbers of room, and a few cottages you may want to reserve. Take advantage of the beignets brought to your room with French pressed coffee in the morning, and the tea/coffee and sweets brought with turn down service.