TORONTO — Virginia’s Cultural Region in Northern Virginia was well represented at media events in Toronto and Montreal this week, with representatives from five destinations in the northern part of the state.

Northern Virginia is a nine-hour drive from the GTA, or a one-hour flight. Air Canada flies into both Washington-Dulles and Washington-National and Porter Airlines flies into Washington-Dulles.

Representatives were on hand from Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Loudoun County and Prince William County & Manassas. The region offers plenty of getaway ideas with museums, restaurants and shops aplenty. Virginia is also home to more than 250 wineries. Loudoun County-based winemaker Sebastien Marquet took part in the media event, hosting a reception and wine tasting. One of Virginia’s top chefs, Chef Hill, was also on hand for a culinary demonstration.

Virginia is halfway to Florida and very accessible, said Sana Keller, who represents Virginia Tourism in the Canadian market. Travellers landing at Washington-National or Washington-Dulles are in fact in Virginia, she said, and the state’s Cultural Region charms are just an hour’s drive away. For more details see virginia.org/VirginiasCulturalRegion/.