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One Week in California: The Ultimate Multi-Centre Holiday

 

We all know that the USA is mind-blowingly huge, with plenty of incredible states, cities and towns just waiting to be discovered. It’s impossible to see it all in one go, but it is possible to choose one state and focus your time on that by booking a multi-centre holiday instead. Without doubt, one of the most popular US states to visit is California; with it’s glorious beaches, vibrant cities and bucket-list tourist attractions. Whether you’re looking to tick off the original Disneyland, make your way to Hollywood or take a ride over to Alcatraz, California offers something for everyone. With this in mind, I’ve joined forces with the wonderful team over at TravelPlanners to show how multi-centre holidays are a great way to travel, and I’ve included three of my dream destinations. Here’s how you can create your own itinerary and have the trip of a lifetime over in sunny California too…

 

San Diego – 2 nights

 

Fly to San Diego airport, hire a car and let your Californian road trip begin. In this super cool city, that’s thriving with nightlife and an abundance of things to see and do, there are attractions which will appeal to all ages. San Diego is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean and boasts numerous beaches as well as its famous natural deep-water harbour. For those looking for an active start to their multi-centre holiday, why not check out one of the many green parks that are dotted across the city? The Sunset Cliffs nature reserve is worth a visit, with glorious walks, stunning coastal views and fantastic beaches to enjoy, but Balboa Park is arguably the most popular, with beautiful buildings, neatly manicured lawns and spectacular fountains. Spend your first night in San Diego checking out the bars and restaurants in the Downtown or Pacific Beach areas as you immerse yourself in ‘Navy Town USA’.

 

 

 

 

If you’re into your history, a trip to the USS Midway Museum on day 2 is an absolute must see. Enabling visitors to follow in the footsteps of former soldiers, this interactive museum offers an eye-opening insight into what life was like on board 20th century America’s longest serving US Navy carrier. Spend the afternoon chilling out at La Jolla, meaning ‘The Jewel’ in Spanish, and discover why this place is such a gem. Perched on rocky cliffs overlooking the ocean, La Jolla is the perfect place to swim, surf and kayak in the sea or just relax on the golden sandy beach. Other attractions include San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, Legoland California and Coronado Island, a small peninsula between San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean that boasts its own beach, hotel and a funky Downtown district.

 

Los Angeles – 2 nights

 

Check out of your hotel and get straight on the road, heading 120 miles north towards the city of stars, Los Angeles. Most people choose to do this three hour drive all in one go, or with a couple of comfort stops, but if you do want to break it up and see some more of California, I’d recommend stopping at Anaheim for 4 or 5 hours. Home to the original Disneyland, this magical theme park should be on everyone’s bucket lists, especially because no visit to the States is complete without a trip to Disney, right?! Depending on how early/late you get to LA, spend your first afternoon/evening doing the famous Hollywood sign and visiting the iconic Walk of Fame, looking out for the stars of your fave A-listers along the way. Afterwards, why not wander down Rodeo Drive for the ultimate shopping experience, or spot Beverly Hills from afar? You’ll feel just like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman.

 

 

LA is incredibly busy, and with so much going on at all times of day, it can be a little overwhelming. If you’re looking to recharge your batteries after a busy day of sightseeing, why not head to one of the city’s many beaches? Santa Monica pier is packed with carnival rides, food stalls and has glorious mountain views. Continuing on from Santa Monica Beach, Venice Beach is fast becoming the hottest place in LA, with insta-models working out at Muscle Beach, volleyball or basketball nets up for activity lovers, and a fantastic boardwalk that enables you to walk the entire stretch of sand whilst soaking up the Californian vibes. If you’re a foodie, Downtown LA is a great place to go for an evening meal; there’s plenty of restaurants offering all types of cuisines, with Chinatown and Little Tokyo particularly popular with locals and tourists alike.

 

San Francisco – 3 nights

 

After a busy few days, and a huge 420 mile drive, you’ve certainly saved the best til last with super cool San Fran! Before you get there it’s definitely worth breaking up the journey with stops at the likes of Malibu, Santa Barbara and Big Sur (maybe a few hours in each/an overnight stop to do them all!) Once you’ve arrived in SF, three nights here is a good amount of time to see pretty much everything on offer, but you could easily spend longer exploring California’s 4th largest city. On your first day you’ll want to see some of the sights, so head over to the Golden Gate Bridge to take in one of the most photographed landmarks in the entire world. Next up is Fisheman’s Wharf, with Pier 39 and Ghirardelli Square to the East and West of the Wharf respectively. Both areas boast trendy shopping and eating areas, as well as rides, aquariums and San Fran’s iconic sea lions. Head to the Richmond neighbourhood or the Marina for the best restaurants/bars to soak up the lively nightlife that this city has to offer.

 

 

Spend your second day hopping on a ferry over to one of America’s most notorious islands; Alcatraz. A former federal prison, Alcatraz is located on a rocky island in the middle of San Francisco Bay, and is one of the city’s most visited attractions. Self-guided or audio tours are essential to getting the most out of your visit, and don’t miss the hospital area too for an insight into the medical care during the prison’s working days. On your third and final day why not head to Union Square to shop and people watch, and if you’re there during the Christmas holidays you can go ice-skating too! For something different, I’d recommend catching a ferry from Pier 41 and heading to Angel Island, famed for its history as a civil war fort and, more recently, its Immigration Station Museum. For a once in a lifetime experience you’ll want to go hiking right to the top of Angel Island, where breath-taking views over San Francisco Bay below will be waiting for you with open arms.

 

As you can see, I’ve based this itinerary on a one week road trip, but you could adapt this to 10 days or 2 weeks to spend more time in each destination, and to include more cities along the way too! Despite starting my own American adventure in Los Angeles three years ago, I never got to explore the area or see anything of California at all, so these three cities are at the top of my US bucket list and California is certainly a state I want to explore properly one day! Have you considered taking multi-centre holidays before? I think they are a fantastic way of seeing so many cities in such a short time and I’d recommend this style of travel to anyone looking to make the most of their epic US road trip!

NB.  This post was brought to you in collaboration with TravelPlanners but, as always, all words are of course my own.

 

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How to Spend a Week in Florida: Top Attractions and Must Sees

 

The sunshine state of Florida lies between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean in the south eastern region of America and is one of the most visited states in the whole country. Brimming with gigantic theme parks, designer shopping malls, gorgeous sandy beaches and vibrant cosmopolitan cities, Florida offers something for everyone and is popular with families and tourists from all over the world. During my 4 week tour of the US back in 2016, I was lucky enough to spend seven glorious days exploring Florida and found plenty of things to see and do in this wonderful state. Here are the top sights and biggest Florida attractions that you absolutely won’t want to miss during your visit…

 

Walt Disney World, Orlando

 

 

No list of Florida attractions is complete without the absolute ICON that is Walt Disney World; the place where all your magical dreams come true (cheesy, I know). I am a huge Disney fan and have wanted to visit ever since I can remember, so I was totally overwhelmed when I entered the Magic Kingdom and saw Cinderella’s castle for the first time! I only had one full day at Walt Disney World so decided to focus solely on Magic Kingdom, but you can of course head to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and the Typhoon Lagoon waterpark to get an added Disney fix and to make the most of all the epic parks on site.

 

South Beach, Miami

 

 

One of the most famous stretches of sand in the world, Miami’s South Beach is an absolute must see during your time in Florida. Perfect for water sports, celeb spotting and sunbathing, South Beach is a great place to chill out in a city which is always buzzing. If you’re looking to escape the sun, why not head to the nearby Lincoln Road Mall? This open air mall is completely pedestrianised and is brimming with big name fashion retailers, luxurious boutique stores and quirky cafes and eateries. The Art Deco scene in Miami is pretty big, so it’s worth checking that out too whilst you’re visiting South Beach. Nightlife in Miami is on par with the likes of Vegas and NYC and, as with any major city, Miami’s glamour comes at a price so be prepared to spend top dollar on drinks and club entry.

 

Kennedy Space Centre, Titusville

 

 

To infinity, and beyond! Nope, we’re not talking about Disney again, this time it’s the Kennedy Space Centre in Titusville. If galaxies, planets and spaceships are your thing you won’t want to miss out on a visit to NASA HQ during your time in Florida. The centre is huge and they have done a great job of preserving real life rockets and other space related artefacts. Some of the talks and interactive exhibitions are super informative, the shuttle buses are handy and the centre is easy to get around, especially if you’re travelling with children. There are some great photo opportunities along the way, and I’d recommend spending at least a few hours here to really get the most out of your visit.

 

Universal Resort, Orlando

 

 

Another theme park has made this post, and this time it’s Universal, which is definitely on the ‘most visited’ list of top Florida attractions. With its big thrill rides, fantastic character interactions and a whopping three theme parks all on one resort, Universal is a hit with visitors of all ages. Kids will love the Shrek and the Despicable Me rides, whilst older ones will find the Transformers and Jurassic Park sections much more enjoyable. Thrill seekers won’t want to miss the Volcano Bay water park, with enormous slides, coasters and rapids. The Islands of Adventure park is home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, with life size recreations of the Forbidden Forest, Hogwarts Castle and the Hogwarts Express just waiting to be discovered.

 

Everglades National Park, The Everglades

 

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“The Everglades is America’s largest subtropical wilderness and the largest protected stretch of mangrove coastline in the Western Hemisphere. There are nearly four million acres of contiguous public conservation lands in the Everglades of South Florida, often quite close to cities like Miami, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers and Naples. I captured this photography from a Cessna 177 airplane near Everglades City, which is one of my favorite basecamps for Everglades adventure. Its where Everglades National Park meets Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge and wild lands and waters extend for dozens of miles in every direction. For those who want to immerse in the Everglades, the 99-mile Everglades Wilderness Waterway included marked paddling trails and camping sites that connect through the mangrove fringe from Everglades City to Flamingo (closer to Miami). Everglades National Park has been declared an International Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site and a Wetland of International Importance, one of only three locations in the world to appear on all three lists.” — Carlton Ward. Photo by @carltonward #EvergladesNationalPark #Everglades #Mangroves

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Spending long days at theme parks certainly takes its toll, so it’s nice to break up the intensity with something a little more laid back. I say laid back, coming up close and personal with alligators is not for the faint hearted, but on your visit to the Everglades National Park at least you’ll be swapping rollercoasters and log flumes for boat rides and swamps! Listed as a World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve and a Wetland of International Importance, the Everglades are one of Florida’s best loved natural beauties. Visitors can hop on a tram and ride the 15 mile Shark Valley Loop if they’re on the lookout for gators, or for something a little more tame, why not hike along the 2 mile boardwalk into the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary to view the largest collection of old growth Cypress trees in the world.

 

SeaWorld, Orlando

 

 

Home to every kind of marine animal you can think of, and with a whole host of shows, exhibitions, thrilling rides and interactive displays, SeaWorld and it’s neighbours, Discovery Cove and Aquatica, combine to make a huge entertainment complex and are high on the list of top Florida attractions. Thrill seekers can take on the high speed Manta, Kraken and Mako rollercoasters whilst the Infinity Falls rapids are super popular too. For animal experiences, head to the underwater viewing or aquarium areas to see dolphins, sharks, turtles and sting rays up close. Arguably the best time to go to SeaWorld will be when they host their huge events, including their fireworks display on 4th July, or their Halloween Spooktacular which runs on weekends from 21st September – 27th October.

 

Have you been to the sunshine state before? How many Florida attractions did you visit? I’ve only been to half of the ones on this list, so I think that’s an excuse to go back soon, right?! 😉

NB. This post was brought to you in collaboration with ATD but, as always, all words are of course my own.

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Tex Mex, Creole or All-American? Comparing the flavour of three Southern cities…

 

Over 12 months ago, when I embarked on my trip of a lifetime across the US of A, I was set to visit 23 states in 28 days; a mean feat for someone who had never left Europe before! Aptly named The Grand Southern Adventure, I knew most of my escapade would be spent discovering some of the best cities that the south had to offer, and knew that it’d be an adrenalin fuelled few weeks, and a real foodie haven too. Three of the cities on the trip really stole my heart, and not just because of their lively atmospheres and their colourful history. Spending two nights each in Orlando, Dallas and New Orleans gave me a chance to delve a little deeper into their charm, although I’m pretty sure I barely scratched the surface of these cities during my short time there. I enjoyed my few days in those places so much that, when the wonderful team at Trip.com asked me to take a look at the foodie history behind each city, I jumped at the chance to do a little more digging… Here’s how the three of them compare…

 

Dallas, Texas

 

The sun shining down on Dallas

 

The Texan powerhouse and one of America’s most famous cities, Dallas should be at the top of everyone’s bucket lists, and for good reason. Home to an enormous aquarium, along with a zoo, museums and memorials, Dallas is one of the liveliest cities in the deep South. Sadly, it’s also perhaps best known for being the site of President John F Kennedy’s assassination and has a memorial and museum dedicated to his untimely death. Whilst you’ll find large chunks of America’s history down in Dallas, you’ll also find it’s a complete foodie haven and a fantastic place for indulging in that iconic Tex-Mex cuisine.

A mouth-watering mix of Anglo and Mexican-Indian infusions, invented by Mexican immigrants in the late 1800s, Tex-Mex fast became one of the most popular dishes in the state of Texas, and across the rest of America and the world too. Although the main ingredients of the cuisine remain the same; think nachos, enchiladas, fajitas, burritos, chilli and tacos, the dishes have largely evolved over the years. It wouldn’t be right to devour some good ole Tex-Mex food in Dallas without a frozen margarita in hand though – it’s where it was first created back in 1974, and is still a hit with locals and tourists alike today. If you’re looking for the perfect hotel from which to base yourself on your next visit to this Texan city check out Trip.com’s best hotel deals in Dallas.

 

New Orleans, Louisiana

 

The fairy-tale that is Jackson Square

 

Positioned right on the Mississippi River, near the Gulf of Mexico, New Orleans is a Louisiana city packing a big punch. Nicknamed the “Big Easy,” New Orleans is famous for its crazy nightlife, fantastic live-music jazz scene and its eclectic cuisine. At the heart of the city you’ll find it’s French Quarter, the oldest part of the city and perhaps its most interesting. Jackson Square is the focal point of the district, complete with a pretty Church, manicured courtyard gardens and horse drawn carriages, making it look like something out of a fairy-tale. The biggest event on the calendar is of course the Mardi Gras parade, a winter carnival with show-stopping costumes, live music and fun filled street parties. New Orleans, and indeed the rest of Louisiana, is however best known for its delicious Creole cuisine; a spicy style of cooking which brings together a mixture of flavours from a whole host of different cultures including Spanish, Indian, Caribbean, West African and Latin American.

Invented in NOLA back in the 18th century, classic Creole dishes include fish and meat soups, shrimps in sauce, rice in gravy, baked chicken, red beans and smothered pork chops. The most popular dishes are gumbo (shrimp, chicken and sausage stew served with rice) and jambalaya (meat and vegetables mixed with rice). For dessert, Creole cuisine offers something for everyone, but NOLA’s most iconic sweet treat is the classic beignet – deep fried choux pastry served with powdered sugar on top and a café au lait (coffee with milk). Visit the world famous Café du Monde down in the French Quarter for the ultimate beignet experience. The café is open 24 hours all day every day and only has four items on the menu: dark-roasted coffee, white and chocolate milk, hot chocolate, freshly squeezed orange juice and, of course, the classic beignets. Whatever your foodie preferences, NOLA caters for all tastes and you’ll be sure to want to take a taste of Creole home with you when you leave the city! If you’re in need of a place to rest your head for a few hours after spending all night ‘dancing in the streets’ check out Trip.com’s best hotel deals in New Orleans.

 

Orlando, Florida

 

The happiest place on earth…

 

Nestled between the Atlantic ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, the sunshine state of Florida is one of the most visited areas in the whole of the USA. With hundreds of miles of coastline and a population of over 20 million, Florida is a tropical paradise with gorgeous turquoise waters and white sandy beaches. In particular, Orlando is famed for its designer shopping malls, vibrant seaside resorts and of course it’s enormous theme parks. Nicknamed the ‘Theme Park Capital of the World’, Orlando is home to the Universal resorts, Sea World, Discovery Cove, Legoland, Gatorland, Epcot and the most famous resort on earth, Walt Disney World. Cuisine is Florida is just as famous, with their iconic oranges – you’ll find them everywhere you go – as well as their Cuban inspired mojito’s and of course their very own key lime pie.

Cuisine found in Orlando is typical of All-American dishes and, whilst it mainly consists of fried chicken, French fries and just about any kind of fried food you can find, there are dozens of signature dishes too. Frozen yogurt, or Fro-Yo as Floridians affectionately call it, is super popular over in Orlando, and is much needed during the exhausting heat and tropical temperatures that remain in place all year round. Alligator tail is also a popular dish in the city, deep fried and served with hot sauce and a heap of ranch dressing on the side. Perhaps the most famous piece of Floridian cuisine though is the mouth-watering key lime pie. Invented by ship salvager William Curry in the sunshine state back in the 1800s, Curry became Key West’s first millionaire and his legendary dish is still a hit today. Need somewhere to stay during your holiday with Mickey and Co? Take a look at Trip.com’s top hotel deals in Orlando.

 

NB. This post is brought to you as part of Trip.com’s Underdog Cities campaign but all words and photos are of course my own.

 

So food is pretty BIG in Dallas

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6 US States that Should be on Everyone’s Bucket Lists

 

 

The good old US of A, home to 52 individual states offering every kind of town, city and village you can think of. Whether you’re hitting the bright lights of Las Vegas or hiking in the remote Rocky Mountains, the US has it all. As well as boasting some incredible small towns to stop off at whilst on an awesome road trip, the States are home to hundreds of big cities too. With so many places to choose from, you’ll have the trip of a lifetime planning your American adventure. Exactly this time last year, I had the pleasure of spending all summer there, road tripping from LA to NYC and ticking off 23 states along the way, so I’ve seen a fair few of them! My epic trip was booked with Contiki and it was a once in a lifetime adventure, made even bigger because I had totally quit my 9-5 day job in order to jet off across the pond and spend my summer in style. It was also my first ever solo adventure and, for that reason, it will always be an incredibly special trip to me.

After popping into my local STA Travel store and finding out about all the big tours, I knew I wanted to spend my summer in America, and I knew I wanted to do a huge road trip and a big chunk of the famous Route 66 too. As well as visiting 23 states in 28 days I had the opportunity to tick so many amazing things off my bucket-list, including taking a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon, swamp boating in New Orleans, parasailing over Daytona Beach and celebrating 4th July in New York City. I had the most incredible summer pushing myself to my limits, getting out of my comfort zone and doing things I had always dreamt about. I’ve line danced in Texas, partied in Miami, gambled in Vegas and ghost-hunted in Savannah. I’ve white water rafted in Durango, seen the White House in Washington and walked in Memphis. It was tough to narrow it down after having such an epic adventure, but here are my top six US states, and why I think you should visit them ALL at least one in your lifetime…

California

 

L.A L.A L.A ✈️🇺🇸✈️🇺🇸

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Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Disneyland, California has it all. Stretching for nearly 900 miles along the Pacific Ocean, California boasts beaches, mountains, forests and of course the epic Mojave Desert. With the city of Los Angeles being the focal point of the state, and the hub of the world’s entertainment industry, you’ll never be stuck for something to do in the city of stars. Other Californian highlights include the capital city of Sacramento, celeb haunt Malibu, wonderful San Diego, San Francisco with its iconic golden gate bridge and historic Alcatraz Island, as well as popular boating destination Lake Tahoe and the spectacular Yosemite National Park. I only got to spend one night in LA before my tour started so I saw barely any of it, but I know I want to return to Cali as soon as I can to explore everything properly!

 

Georgia

 

 

Perhaps a little less well known than some of the other states on this list, Georgia is one of the most beautiful states of the entire country offering so much to see and do. The northern part of the state is home to the Blue Ridge mountains, an excellent hiking destination with the most stunning surroundings. Famous cities in Georgia include Atlanta, the capital, Savannah and Augusta, each home to museums, galleries, churches and Atlanta even boasts a number of large theme parks. Savannah is a real highlight though, with its cobblestoned squares, green spaces and fantastic architecture. Forsyth Park is at the heart of the Historic District and is a sight not to be missed when discovering this Georgian gem – unexpectedly, this place became one of my favourite cities on the entire trip and I can’t recommend it enough!

 

 

Arizona

 

 

If national parks are your thing you’ll be spoilt for choice in Arizona. Arguably the most visited attraction in the whole state is the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Grand Canyon, carved by the Colorado River and famed for its incredible landscape and natural beauty. Tourists and locals alike can choose to hike, bike, fly over or raft in the Canyon and all methods of transport offer the most breathtaking views of this geological wonder. Horseshoe bend, located near the town of Page, is a must see during your time in the state, even if it is just to capture those all important photos. You’ll also find the epic Antelope Canyon in Arizona, as well as the stunning red-sand desert of Monument Valley on the Arizona-Utah border, both of which are a spectacular sight to behold, and both of which gave me the most amazing photos for my Instagram page! Seriously, they blew my mind.

 

 

New York

 

Concrete jungle where dreams are made of 🇺🇸 #newyork

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Times Square, Central Park, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, the city of New York in, yep, you guessed it, New York state, is one of the most visited in the entire world attracting over 60 million people every year. Catch a Broadway show, go shopping in Macy’s, pay your respects at the World Trade Centre memorial or take a boat trip over to Ellis Island to learn more about the history behind this fascinating place. Venture outside of the city itself and you’ll find the spectacular Niagara Falls (straddling the international border between America and Canada), the quirky Long Island and the stunning Lake Ontario, all of which are a world away from the buzz and bright lights of New York City. I was lucky enough to spend 4th July in NYC, watching the fireworks sparkle above the Hudson River, and it was so magical I wanted to stay there forever!

 

 

Texas

 

 

Grab your cowboy boots and your Stetson hat and head into the deep south for a true taste of America. The second largest state in the entire country, Texas is home to Houston, Austin, Fortworth, Amarillo and many more interesting cities, but be sure to check out Dallas during your time there to experience the famous Tex-Mex cuisine and immerse yourself in the city’s culture and history. Dallas is a thriving city with a zoo, an aquarium, museums and memorials and is well known for being the site of the assassination of President John F Kennedy in November 1963 – if you get time, check out the sixth floor museum, it’s incredibly moving and such an important part of American history. If ranches and rodeos are your thing, head over to Houston for the world’s largest livestock show or stop by the Texan capital of Austin and enjoy their two week rodeo carnival extravaganza taking place every Spring.

 

Florida

 

 

The sunshine state of Florida lies between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the most visited areas in the whole country. Brimming with gigantic theme parks, designer shopping malls, gorgeous sandy beaches and vibrant cosmopolitan cities, particular highlights include Orlando’s Walt Disney World and its Universal counterparts, the luscious Everglades, and the city of Miami. Head over to the beautiful St Augustine to discover one of the smaller areas in the state, and to get away from the hustle and bustle of the larger cities, I’d definitely recommend doing this to explore somewhere new for a few days. Spend a week exploring the many theme parks, and then relax and recharge with a week on some of Florida’s many beaches. Head from Daytona to PCB and you’ll soon be feeling fresh after a busy few days seeing the sights and hanging out with Mickey and Co!

So there we have it, the top US states that EVERYONE should visit! I’m just dying to go back to America as soon as I can, and I could have easily spent many more weeks and months there finding new places to tick off my bucket list. Have you ever been to any of them before? What did you think and which were your favourite? Let me know if I should have picked different states to include in this list, or whether you agreed with my top picks!

Love Jess x

🇺🇸🇺🇸

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A Guide to Washington DC: The Most Famous Capital in the World

Goodbye #Washington you've been amazing! 🎉🇺🇸 @contiki @statravel_uk #contiki #grandsouthern #noregrets #america #USA

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Smithsonian Institution

For most Americans, and for most of the world, today is D-Day. Today is the day that Barack Obama steps down as US President. Today is the day Donald Trump becomes US President, and the most powerful leader in the world – there’s a sentence I never thought I’d say. I visited Washington DC back in July when the Trump vs Clinton campaigns were heating up and everyone was talking about the impending election. Despite the uncertainty of a Trump-led America, I thought today would be a good day to remind everyone just how beautiful the capital of the United States really is. Washington is a city unlike any I’ve ever experienced before; it’s steeped in history and has so much to offer. I spent three wonderful days there exploring as much as I possibly could on my Grand Southern Contiki Tour and I still feel like I only just scratched the surface. Let’s share some optimism on this gloomy January day and remind ourselves how great Washington is with this guide to the city and my top must sees…

Stroll down the National Mall

 

 

All eyes will be on this famous street this evening, but on a normal day the National Mall is buzzing with locals and tourists alike, with different events occurring almost every week meaning there’s always something going on. Wandering along the two mile long, tree-lined boulevard you’ll find the Capitol Building at one end whilst the Lincoln Memorial occupies the other end. In between two of the city’s most famous landmarks you’ll find a number of well known buildings, memorial statues and green parks. The whole of the National Mall, affectionately known as ‘America’s Front Yard’, is officially listed as a National Park and is one of the most visited areas in the whole of the United States.

 

Visit the Capitol Building

 

 

Another famous building and a must see when in the capital is, yep you got it, The Capitol Building. Home to the House and Senate, the Capitol Building is at the centre of American democracy and attracts millions of tourists each year – guided tours are free but must be booked in advance, which is why I didn’t get to explore the inside! I loved looking up at this place when I visited – it’s huge and looks so grand from the outside. Standing on the steps on Capitol Hill looking out towards the whole of the National Mall, with the Washington Monument and Reflection Pool in the distance, is pretty special and is definitely one of those ‘pinch me’ travel moments.

 

Stop for a selfie at the White House

 

Found the most famous house on the planet today 🇺🇸🏡 #Washington #whitehouse #heyobama #noregrets #USA

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One of the most famous houses on the planet, the White House is one of Washington’s biggest tourist attractions with free guided tours being offered four times a week, subject to the busy government schedule. Tours must be requested way in advance, up to six months before your visit date, and they get booked up incredibly quickly due to the White House’s extreme popularity. I could barely get close to the White House when I visited due to the safety railings and the hoards of security guards, but I still managed to take a decent selfie from the distance!

 

Gaze at the Washington Monument

 

 

This was my favourite building in the whole of Washington, and I know it’s extremely popular with tourists too! Perhaps the most iconic building across the whole of the city skyline, the Washington Monument stands 555ft tall and offers spectacular views across the entire city. Riding the elevator all the way to the top was an incredible experience, and the views from up high were amazing, taking in the National Mall and all the other famous monuments in the vicinity.

 

Discover the Memorial Parks

 

Reflecting in #washington 🇺🇸 @contiki @statravel_uk #contiki #grandsouthern #noregrets #america #USA

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It's still #worldphotoday and I'm still posting #Washington pics 📸🇺🇸 @contiki @statravel_uk #flashbackfriday

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The Memorials laid out across the centre of the city and the whole of the National Mall are really special and definitely worth dedicating a whole day to. I had enough time to see pretty much all of them during my time there and I fell in love with them. It was so interesting to learn the history behind each of them, and find out more about the famous faces they were commemorated to. The Lincoln, FDR and Jefferson Memorials were particular favourites of mine as they are so iconic, but I also really liked the reflective World War II Memorial and the beautiful Martin Luther King Jr Statue too. I’d recommend seeing the monuments both in the day time and after dark to see them lit up in all their glory – they look even MORE amazing when the sun goes down!

 

Explore the many museums

 

 

Part of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington is home to 17 museums and galleries which are all free to enter for the public. The most popular museums include the National Museum of Natural History, the National Portrait Gallery and the National Air and Space Museum. Each offer something different and are fun for all the family, although I’d recommend only focusing on the museums you actually want to visit as this will take up a lot of your time during your visit to the city.

 

Visit the National Zoo

 

 

Also part of the Smithsonian Institution, and also free to enter for the public, Washington Zoo is a really popular tourist attraction. Located in the residential Woodley Park neighbourhood, the zoo is laid out over 160 acres and is home to over 2000 animals. Some of the species at the zoo include lions, tigers, bears, giraffes, elephants and their famous giant pandas which are just ADORABLE! The zoo offers something different compared to the historic areas of the city and is a great day out for all the family.

 

So there we have it, my guide to the best things to see and do during your time in Washington. Although it may be an uncertain time for America at the moment, one thing I’m sure of is that Washington will still retain its charm and beauty of being one of the most iconic capital cities in the world. With so much to see and do and so many incredible landmarks to visit, your visit to Washington will be a dream no matter what.

Have you ever been to Washington DC? Tell me what you thought of it, I’d love to hear your comments!

Love Jess x

 

Wish I was back exploring #Washington 🇺🇸🇺🇸 @contiki @statravel_uk #grandsouthern #contiki #noregrets #america #USA #DC #capital

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