There’s something about this place. A sparkle. An indigenous vibe.

You’ll feel it. Tugging on your 80-pound-test line. Under your feet in First Landing State Park. Biting into a sweet Pungo strawberry. Is it the land that fosters a carefree, independent spirit? Or is the source an ever-present ocean and bay – stimulant, tranquilizer, multivitamin in one? Explainable or not, beautiful things happen here. Spontaneous things.

This is your chance. To stage a coup – of yourself. Permission granted to do exactly what puts wind in your sails. To dive in and Live the Life. And hold on tight to what you live for.

With mild temperatures year-round, the opportunities for outdoor adventure in Virginia Beach are virtually endless. Visitors can tee off on award-winning golf courses or charter a boat for a day of fishing. Embark on a dolphin adventure in the fall or whale watching adventure in the winter, kayak through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, hike and more. More than 18,600 acres of state parks and wildlife refuges, over 121 navigable miles of waterways and 35 miles of ocean and bay beaches give visitors a variety of landscapes for exploring the great outdoors.

Dive in to the aquatic environment of the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, where visitors can explore more than 700,000 gallons of aquariums, 300 interactive exhibits and an IMAX theatre. The Aquarium’s newest exhibit Restless Planet opens May 2009 featuring habitats and animals that chronicle Virginia’s ecological history.

After the adventure, it’s time to spend lazy days luxuriating on sun-drenched beaches. Virginia Beach’s 3-mile boardwalk boasts a separate bike path, perfect for strolling, rollerblading, biking or just people watching.

As the sun sets, the stylish and chic all gather in Virginia Beach’s new downtown area, Town Center, spanning 17 blocks of exciting retail, exclusive dining and nightlife. Enjoy the taste of coastal cuisine as you savor succulent seafood dishes, from steamed shrimp to oysters on the half shell. New to Virginia Beach is the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, a 1,300 seat performance venue hosting regional and national artists in dance, music and theater.

Virginia Beach laid the groundwork to become one of the nation’s most sought after year-round meeting destinations. Center stage in the city’s renaissance is the new $202.5 million Virginia Beach Convention Center. The facility boasts more than 500,000 gross square feet of space and includes a 150,000 sq. ft. column-free exhibit hall, 28,929 sq. ft. of meeting space and a 31,029 sq. ft. ballroom. The center is also certified Virginia Green, the Commonwealth’s campaign to promote environmentally-friendly practices in all aspects of the Virginia tourism and hospitality industry.

The Virginia Green program also has recently certified Virginia Beach as a green destination. To date, more than 60 Virginia Beach hospitality businesses are certified Virginia Green, including restaurants, hotels, events and attractions.

For more information go to www.vbfun.com or call (800) VA-BEACH.