Virginia's longest and least visited stretch of Atlantic coastline, the eastern shore , lies separated from the rest of the state on the far side of Chesapeake Bay. Only the southernmost segment of what's known as the Delmarva peninsula belongs to Virginia, by which point it has narrowed to become a flat spit of sand protected by a fringe of low-lying islands.

US-13 , which runs straight down the center of the peninsula and provides a handy short cut from Philadelphia or points north, crosses seventeen miles of open sea at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel ($10 per car). For most of its length, the roadway runs just a few yards above the water, bringing you almost eye-to-eye with passing ships; it twice burrows beneath the surface between artificial islands, before reaching its southern extremity halfway between Norfolk and Virginia Beach. To either side of US-13, little villages and fishing harbors such as Nassawadox, Assawoman and Accomac are tucked away on rambling back roads.

Eastern shore

• Eastern shore

Explore Eastern shore

• Chincoteague

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