 Traveling Actuary, Eve Hartridge takes us to America’s regulation and cultural capital to see if the American dream is still bigger and better than ever this Fall
I once described Las Vegas as the “Disneyland for grown-ups” and if this is the case, then Washington DC is the Hollywood for Politics students. In the same way every Los Angeles Barman is a jobbing actor, every DC waitress has a view on how to make American society better. It’s quite refreshing to meet young people with an opinion, even if you disagree it’s better than the ignorance and lack of interest sadly evident in many other capital cities. Uncle Sam maybe the one to take the credit, but with hit TV shows like “The West Wing” glamorizing and making American Politics mainstream The White House will remain as iconic as The Hollywood Hill, a symbol of endless possibilities and the home of The American Dream.
Washington DC is on the East Coast and is the second most popular city with tourists after New York; crammed with museums and architecture it’s difficult to know where to start exploring.
Where to Stay
Spacious hotels are plentiful in the USA and DC is no exception. There is something for all budgets but nothing comes grander than The Four Seasons. The location is spot on as it is the closest five star hotel to The White House and near enough to the main sights without being over-run with tourists. The hotel is also conveniently located to reach the buzzing nightlife of downtown DC. The Four Seasons is famous for luxury and exceptional service, in a city visited daily by world leaders, royal families and other dignitaries this hotel knows how to canter for the absolute top end of the market. The best suite in the hotel is located as coincidence would have it, in The West Wing of the hotel. Offering around 4000 square feet of living space, including a palatial marble bathroom and roof terrace, The Royal Suite is contemporary yet classical.
www.fourseasons.com
Eating and Drinking
I feel that food should be less about convenience and more about the experience. Eating is a necessity but the fast food phenomenon is never something I’d endorse, unless it’s a hotdog stall on an American street corner, but that’s the only exception. New Yorkers may have been culturally bullied into believing that “lunch is for wimps” but thankfully Washington is still a believer than business is best conducted over lunch or dinner. The Inn at Little Washington is a must for all those looking for a fun dining experience with Heston style tricks and quirky dishes such as the “world’s smallest baked potato” and cheese served by a robotic cow. (yes really). There is also a fantastic tasting menu to optimize your dining time and don’t miss out on the dish “Macaroni and cheese”.
After dinner head to the Chi-Cha lounge to enjoy some cocktails to a Latin Jazz soundtrack. This former fire station is consistently popular and busy with a mix of city workers and visitors to the city, and it’s a great place to chill out and relax.
www.theinnatlittlewashington.com
www.latinconcepts.com
Sight Seeing
 It is difficult to know where to start with sight seeing in Washington DC. Bus tours are plentiful and I was delighted to discover that you can also do a Segway tour of the city. Both can get very busy and you’re entirely at the mercy of your tour leader or a fully functional tour headset. Washington runs a similar “Boris Bike” scheme and with acres of flat city parks combined with cycle friendly streets the best adventure can be had by bicycle. Plan your route well in advance and try to avoid the famous White House gates at peak times- first thing in the morning is best but also worth taking a look in the evening when the buildings are dramatically lit up. Notable sights not be missed include: The White House (obviously), Washington National Cathedral, The Thomas Jefferson Memorial, The United States Capitol, The Lincoln Memorial , The Martin Luther King Memorial and The Vietnam Veteran's Memorial. The National Mall links the Capitol building with the Lincoln Memorial, due to it’s location it has been the site of many political demonstrations and is often used for outdoor events and concerts, it’s been the backdrop for many films and is a surreal park to cycle through. The Washington skyline is low and sprawling and if you are feeling energetic a trip to neighbouring Georgetown is well worth it to get a real taste for the history of the region. The Old Stone House in Georgetown dates back to 1765 and is believed to be the oldest in the city, certainly one of the most beautiful.
Washington DC is a cultural hotspot for The Arts. The Washington Ballet, The Washington National Opera and National Symphony Orchestra can all be found at the John F Kennedy Center for Performing Arts; there are also numerous theatres in the city. The National Mall is also home to The National Gallery of Art and the National Air and Space Museum, both well worth a visit.
Retail Therapy
Washington is growing in popularity as a US shopping destination of choice. If you’ve had a cultural overload, head to Downtown armed with a credit card and enjoy the numerous boutiques and department stores. For some serious shopping head to one of the three Premium Outlet Malls located just outside of DC for huge savings on brands such as Calvin Klein and Coach.
www.premiumoutlets.com
Getting There
Upper Class with Virgin Atlantic is the ideal way to travel long haul from Heathrow to Washington Dulles. The service is superb and The Virgin Clubhouse at Heathrow is arguably the most hospitable of the airport lounges and certainly with the best Bellini's.
www.virgin-atlantic.com
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