Details: Stargazing in Va.

GETTING THERE

United and US Airways offer round-trip flights from Dulles to Greensboro, N.C., starting at $325. Meadows of Dan is about an hour's drive from the Greensboro airport, on scenic, two-lane roads. Primland offers transportation to and from the airport for $100 each way. The drive from downtown Washington takes about five hours, primarily following interstates 66 and 81.

WHERE TO STAY

Lodge at Primland, 2000 Busted Rock Rd., Meadows of Dan, 276-222-3800, http://www.primland.com. Abundant reclaimed wood and earthy tones warm up the modern, minimal interior design of this sophisticated mountain retreat. Introductory rates from $199 per night, with a two-night minimum, available for a limited time.

Meadows of Dan River Walk Cabins, 4444 J.E.B. Stuart Hwy., Meadows of Dan, 336-312-1421, http://www.meadowsofdanriverwalkcabins.com. Newly constructed, roomy wood cabins on 135 acres (including a 70-acre Christmas tree farm) provide an idyllic, comfortable setting for naked-eye stargazing. The property includes a mile of Dan River frontage and a three-mile hiking trail. Rates: $160 per night, $800 per week.

WHERE TO EAT

Lodge at Primland. At Elements, chef Andrea Griffith's simple, elegant cooking emphasizes locally sourced ingredients, with dishes such as roasted quail with curried lentils, butter-basted trout with ratatouille, and pork loin with sweet potato puree, beets and smoked maple syrup sauce. Three-course prix fixe, $55; five- and eight-course tasting menus with wines, $90 and $105, respectively. Griffith lets her hair down in the lively 19th Pub, where menu standouts include the moonshine pork barbecue sandwich and 48-hour braised beef short ribs with truffled grits. Prices from $15.

Pine Tavern, 611 Floyd Hwy. North (Route 221), Floyd, 540-745-4482, http://www.thepinetavern.com. Traditional Blue Ridge cooking such as country ham, fried ch icken and roast beef, served family style or a la carte. Family-style meals are $12 per person for three meats and sides including biscuits, mashed potatoes and dumplings.

WHAT TO DO

Primland. Consisting of 12,000 unspoiled acres at high elevation, Primland is a mecca for outdoor sports, including golf, hiking, horseback riding, sporting clays and guided trout-fishing and wing-shooting tours. Open only to resort guests; additional fees required for guided activities.

Blue Ridge Wine Trail, Floyd and environs, http://www.blueridgewinetrail.com. The name is slightly misleading, but in a good way: The wine trail encompasses wine, hard cider, mead and ales, all made and presented in rustic, unpretentious settings. The Foggy Ridge Cider mill (http://www.foggyridgecider.com) and Chateau Morrissette winery (http://www.chateaumorrisette.com) best capture the local flavor.

-- J.B.