Virginia is often called “the little Ireland of the United States,” referring not only to its ethnic makeup but also to its expanse of green meadows and rolling hills

Richmond has always attracted us with its history, so here we arrived right on our way from another major Virginia city, Virginia Beach, where we encountered a shark.

Richmond is definitely a paradox. American history buffs celebrate it as a pivotal city in our nation’s 18th-century fight for independence and our 19th-century fight to remain unified.