Shenandoah National Park Photo: The Virginia Tourism Corporation/Kelly J Mihalcoe


Pennsylvania the Capitol


A capital adventure


America offers an unrivalled range of multi-centre holidays, and the Capital Region USA is a great place to combine city living and the great outdoors, says Ella Buchan


The US weaves cultural experiences with the great outdoors like nowhere else, and one of the best areas to combine the two is the Capital Region USA. Washington, D.C. has the monuments, museums and Michelin-starred chefs, while its immediate neighbours, Maryland and Virginia, are abundant with natural beauty, National Parks, farm-to-table dining, cosmopolitan capitals and towns brimming with charm and character. Visitors can come for the culture and stay for the adventure with a trip bringing together the best of both worlds. Jessie Manzi, team leader at


USAirtours, said: “Washington, D.C. and Virginia are the perfect twin-centre option. Washington, D.C. is a place unlike any other – enjoy a few nights exploring monuments and memorials and eclectic neighbourhoods to discover the true local flavour. “Then you can explore spectacular walking trails, the famous Blue Ridge Mountains and breathtaking National Parks in Virginia, a state which is rich in history, culture and adventure.”


WASHINGTON, D.C. Few places pack in more history


and culture per square mile than Washington, D.C.. Visitors


can gaze at the sky-piercing Washington Monument and snap selfies with Abe at the Lincoln Memorial, both within the National Mall. The grassy strip is also home to the Capitol Building, the White House and Smithsonian museums, so crammed with unmissable exhibits that tickets often allow a return visit the next day. The newest addition is the hugely popular Museum of African American History and Culture, which transports visitors through US history from an African-American perspective. The bold bronze building just celebrated its first birthday, yet


the free tickets continue to sell out months in advance. Beyond the monuments, the capital has a growing reputation for fabulous food and hip nightlife. The city got its first Michelin guide in 2016, and boasts a thriving food-truck scene that is not to be missed. A cluster of new hotels reflects this dynamic spirit. Opening in late 2017, The Line brings 220 modern rooms and James Beard- recognised chefs to a former church in Adams Morgan. Stylish budget hotel The Pod opened this summer in the vibrant Penn Quarter. Its underground Crimson Whisky Bar and rooftop bar will


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