AU
Spotlight on Washington, D.C.
Exploring America's Capital
6 DAYS
From $3,799
$3,419
pp*
Save up to 10%
*Rate is per person, land only, double occupancy.
Walk the path forged by leaders of the free world in America’s spirited capital city. View monuments that commemorate the heroes who have shaped America’s past, including the World War II Monument, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Korean War Memorial. Wander Mt. Vernon’s beautiful plantation grounds and tour the beloved home of George Washington. Uncover Smithsonian treasures as you explore some of its world-renowned museum collections. The epic story of American democracy comes to life in Washington, D.C.
Your Tour Includes
- 1 Handpicked Accommodations
- 8 Meals
- 2 Choice on Tour Options
Included Highlights
- U.S. Capitol Building Tour
- World War II Memorial
- Washington National Cathedral
- Choice on Tour: International Spy Museum or Lincoln Assassination Tour
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Your Tour at a Glance
Getting Prepared
Know Before You Go
Enhance Your Tour
Accommodation
Royal Sonesta Dupont Circle
Nights 1-5
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Trip Reviews
Live, Unedited, & Independent Traveler Reviews
Rating
141 reviews
4.6
Out of 5
Based on 141 independent reviews
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My favorite memorable experience was seeing the World War II memorial. It was much larger than I anticipated and absolutely beautiful. What a wonderful tribute to all the men and women who fought so hard to defend our democracy.
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Seeing the memorials and monuments is real life. They were so much more moving and impressive that is pictures and on television.
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Since I'm a 80 year old veteran, finding my high school friends names on the Vietnam Memorial wall was important to me. I miss them. Including Mt. Vernon was amazing. Unfortunately, it is not in very good shape. Hopefully it will be a better experience by our country's 350th anniversary in 2026. The place needs lots of repairs. And maybe a "hop on-hop off" shuttle to include some of the outlying sites for handicapped visitors. Dinner at "Old Europe" was great, and dinner at "ambar" was excellent.Albert
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Great trip! So much to see and do. Really enjoyed Changing of the Guard at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
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Wonderful trip! Saw and did so much! Most memorable experience was Changing of the Guard at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier... absolutely amazing!! Really enjoyed Smithsonian but didn't realize we needed advanced tickets for Holocaust and Air and Space museum. Would have preferred to include that in the trip and perhaps skipped Washington mansion. Otherwise an incredible experience. Thank you
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My favorite is the changing of the guards, the World War II memorial and the holocaust! The Arlington National Cemetery, the Natural Histiry.
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Beautiful hotel room but was way too cold and heat DID NOT work!Patricia Cash
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The storytelling of our tour guide and the war monuments tour.
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Enjoyed seeing the memorials and sights of D.C., getting to know the other travelers from all over the country, and the experience was enhanced by the insights provided by our guide.Cathey Sexton
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Missing out on Ford’s Theatre was disappointing. The Cathedral was great. Our Smithsonian visits were great. The 5:00 check in at the hotel needs improvement. Our tour manager was too Hollywood.
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Greeting an honor flight of veterans while we were on the WWIi memorial ground.
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The whole tour was very memorable but my favorites were probably the Washington Monument at night, Arlington Cemetery and George and Martha's home, Mount Vernon.
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Visiting the Vietnam memorialPeggy Steinkamp
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Visiting Arlington cemeteryLarry Steinkamp
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The airline accommodations were really pretty bad. Didn’t get to the hotel till after 1 am. After unpacked and winding down got less than 3 hours of sleep before our first tour. The tour and attractions themselves were great but air accommodations were terrible.
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It was the best Collette tour so far. Loved everything. I felt more patriotic after going to DC. Every American should try to go to see the memorials and appreciate all our soldiers have done for us. I loved reading the words of our past presidents love for this nation. We need more of that. Our tour guide was A+. We had dinner at an Italian restaurant that served family style. The leftover food was boxed up and our A+ bus driver and our tour manager drop the food off at homeless encampments. So heartfelt. Excellent job Collette.
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I had already done the review.Huong Haddad
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Visiting the Capital Rotunda
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Other then being shorted one day, every.thing went fine Jami Don and our driver were great. Nothing further thanks for a great timeBruce Hofmann
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The tour of Arlington Cemetary and the Changing of the Guards. I also loved seeing George Washington's home in Mount Vernon, Virginia. Also, Alexandria, VA. Ford Theater was also part of my favorite sights to see.Sherrie Waterman
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Museums
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Have already recommended this tour to several other couples.
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The entire trip was what I expected and more. Arlington is a special place.Betty Sue Payne
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Partly my problem, the tour guide was 6’3” with long legs, walked very fast.
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The hotel was just OK and 2 of the 3 dinners were just OK.JAMES ROBERT ANGUS
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Great guide and bus driverDonna Angus
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Fantastic knowledgeable tour director. Fabulous bus driver.Elizabeth Bentley
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Wesley was an amazing tour guide. The tour itself was amazing. The breakfasts that were included at the hotel were cold when they were suppose to be at least warm.
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A+ for Wesley, the tour guide. A+ for the tour itself. F for the food at breakfast that was cold that was suppose to be warm. C for the food at breakfast like cereal, pastries, and yogurt. C for the hotel itself. A for the bus driver
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Our tour guide was the best! He was so knowledgeable about everything we did.
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changing of the guard at ArlingtonSteven Schrage
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The hotel Breakfast was horrible. Coffee was undrinkable, there was no toaster or peanut butter spread. The bathrooms were indicate. I got to the bus on time at Arlington but it move on for 40 min. as I waited for the lagers showed up. I tossed 40 min. at Arlington!Frank Hassler
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Everything was first class all the way. Manager was very knowledgeable as well as the driver was excellentLavada Hardin
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Excellent choices. Places I have always wanted to visitBarbara Clement
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Very well organized and stress free.... Tour manager was exceptional....would go with him again....Edmund Seely
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The hotel was funky as described. OK for a younger group but not 60 to 80 year olds. Pick a better hotel. I is very misleading to call this a six day tour when as you full well know it is a four day tour. Nothing on days one and six
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From start to finish, details were well taken care of so we did not have to worry about anything! A couple areas we visited, a bit more time would have been nice. Also, when it was raining the day we were scheduled to walk in the cherry blossoms, I wished we could have switched an event so we could have enjoyed that in some dry weather. I hope to travel with Collette again!
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Just the right amount of things to see. We were busy all the time!
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Everything was perfect. The Vietnam Veterans memorial, The Iwo Jima memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
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The entire tour was excellent. The sites and knowledge of the tour guide were top notch.
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Took me to Dogtag Bakery which is set up to ask for donations. I did not appreciate that while I am on vacation. No one met us at baggage claim, received a text stating that "Harold was waiting outside in a black navigator. Hotel was less than desirable with bad service. The first restaurant we were taken to the food was served cold and was bad.
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Every detail was covered on our trip.Laura Gilbreath
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Most sites were interesting. Lunch places not so muchMark Jensen
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I've travelled with Collette several times now. They nail it every time. I'm a single woman, traveling alone, and I ALWAYS feel safe on their tours. I travel in a group, so I'm not "really" alone, and always make friends to dine and chat with.
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Various museums including Afro American, Smithsonian, Library of Congress and American Indian.
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It is a great tour. Everything and more than expected.Sandra Swenson
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The Ford Theater narration, and the Bible Museum
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Fantastic tour manager, Michael, regaled us with DC history, information about monuments, museums, buildings, etc.
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The tour of Arlington was awesome/Sharon Meirhofer
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Fords Theater. We went in ahead of the line !
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So much great history and sites to see!
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War Memorials and Gatsby TavernJudith Mcgregor
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION FROM THE TOUR GUIDE-MICHEAEL H. The Vietnam, WWII, and Korean memorials were beautiful.Lois Mcguire
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Your was very well coordinated. The places we went were good and most places I would have wanted to see were covered.Debra Widener
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Mt. Vernon and visiting with "Martha Washington" and visit to Ford Theater and the Petersen House.Vicki Vermedahl
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There were too many things to decide from to have a favorite. . . . some visited the Bible Museum that wasn't on the schedule, but I decided to meet up with a long lost cousin & was glad I did. . . just sorry I couldn't do both . .Sharon Hobson
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Michael hollingsworth was the best ever he made us feel we got more than we expected. The included restaurants were great experiences and historical knowledge was aweso.awesome!Stan &Jacqueline Lawson
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Tour of the war memorials. All were very personal to us. We had many family members in these wars
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Mount Vernon and the changing of the guard at Arlington Cemetery,
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Went to the holocaust museum on our own. Should be part of the tour or at least an option. I understand that a lot is packed into 4 days but maybe other ideas should be mentioned in the tour booklet incase people are there early or stay extra.Linda Antonucci
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Upon arrival in DC there was no one there to meet us at the airport as our itinerary said. After an hour wait, we called and someone was sent. That was day 1. Day 2 we waited to be picked up once again and finally walking three miles back to our hotel. Day 3 we waited again to find out our bus broke down. Had to Uber back to our hotel. Day 4 and 5 were fine.Susan Cousineau
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Dinner at historic Gatsbys.John Beck
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Very good tour. All good everywhere we went. Enjoyed the tomb of the unknown soldier and the walls.Ginny Thomason
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We visited Washington DC. We especially enjoyed the Lincoln Memorial at night. Also, the war memorials (Viet Nam Memorial in particular) were very moving. I've always been interested in Lincoln, so visiting Ford's theater was great.Dwight Pearce
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We visited all the places I had always wanted to see. All we had to do was enjoy the sights. The driver did a fantastic job maneuvering Washington DC and our guide answered all of our questions.Constance Gotcher
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Great Time All Went well Thank youJohn Page
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Super sites. My favorite was the art at the Smithsonian.Clair Mikeska
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I had a credit from Collette Tours that had to be used in one year when I was left behind on my most cherished trip to Israel. British Airways cancelled the flight and I was one that was left behind because they couldn't guarantee me upgraded seating due to several medical conditions. I had paid for and contracted for the upgraded seating. So naturally this wasn't the trip of a life time in Washington DC but the trip itself was very, very nice. It just wasn't Israel! The credit for Israel allowed me to take a friend with me to D. C. and that was great! Our tour guide was the best! Make sure he gets a raise!Barbara Secor
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I would like to have had about two hours in the hotel to rest and dress for dinner. Each day we were rushed to be on the bus for dinner in 30 to 45 minutes .Julia Woodruff
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WW II Memorial on Memorial Day 🙂
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Monuments and historical events
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All of the tour was good, but the war monuments were excellentLinda Olsen
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Our nation’s Capital building and the national mall.Jimmy Hayes
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Very good tour of Washington D. C. Wide variety of sights. Youthful, energetic and well-informed tour guide(s).
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Accommodates and food were great. Able to see everything we wanted to see.Sharon Lahue
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It was a lot of fun great time had by all
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My favorite places to visit were the National Cathedral and the World War II Memorial.Judith Van Meter
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Seeing all of the memorials was a highlight of the trip.Catherine Parks
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Job well done. Thank you.Elizabeth Ott
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This was my first time visiting Washington DC. Even tho the tour was short, we saw a lot and learned a lot. Everything was amazing.Eileen Mathias
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Good mix of sights, amount of activity each day was manageable.
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Exploring the monuments and the museums. Seeing the monuments at night was an optional excursion, but was worth it. We had a fabulous 4 course Italian meal and then saw the Jefferson memorial at night. Very romantic and memorable.
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Just a few minor issues keeping it at 4 stars. My favorite was The Capital. You should always include that. I was disappointed with Mount Vernon. I know people want to go there but I wonder how many end up disappointed. Certainly not the fault of Collette.
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We saw all of the sites that were outlined in the tour overview and the excursions were well-planned, allowed plenty of free time and the meals included were top notch.Donna Maresh
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Were able to see all the flowering cherry trees and monuments.Lieueen Thomas
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most memorable on tour experience was of the monuments, cathedral, and our own own visit to the holocaust museum.Susan Greenall
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Arlington Cemetery was best, Congress great but our own tours were highlights White House, Holocaust Museum, and Bible Museum.Carolyn Black
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Great tour, nice hotel, terrific sites.Janice Marcum
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Our guide was exceptional and DC was amazing. It exceeded all my expectations. I loved the war memorials.Alida Ardis
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National Cathedral, Capital, Arlington (especially the timing of visit) & Williamsberg. There were political demonstrations going on; however, our tour guide ensured that we did NOT encounter any.
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Washington, DC is a fascinating city but takes more than 5 days to do it justice; our guide was excellent.
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Inadequate number of Collette guides starting with failure to meet group at airport as we expected. Transportation and driver were there but no one in airport and no one to tell driver where to meet group. side airportCharlotte Davidson
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The story of President Lincoln's assassination and the subsequent hunt for the conspirators.Francis Wu
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I enjoyed it all very much. The museums were very interesting, war memorials, White House tour and all the history.Violet Bilderback
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We loved our tour, it was a super experience with an outstanding guide, who gave us a great historic informational overview and we had a lot of fun and interactionMaria Rokovitz
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Was disappointed with the Twilight Tour. Couldn’t see the Vietnam Wall or the Korean Memorial. Would have liked to see that area in daylight.Sharon Galvas
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See notes from prior page.
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See comments in last box.Rick Miller
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Overall the tour was excellent but we could have had more time at some of the sights, Arlington Cemetery in particular, there was barely time to see the changing of the guard. My highlight I think was the twilight tour it was great value and the meal was excellent.
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We saw a lot in the 4 days.Teresa Johnson
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Driver and tour guide were informative and ensured we knew agenda
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good value including airfare
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The Capital and the Cherry blossoms.Pattey Wright
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The tour was exceptional in terms of the sites and the guidance, but it was marred by many terrible meals and the hotel was in ownership transition and not up to par, had no A/C in room the entire week. Food was so bad, we are supposed to get a partial refund I've yet to receive.
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Great tour stops at top attrectionsDavid Johnson
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The night tour with dinner was marvelous!!Lesa Thomas
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A price was quoted on line when i signed up. Once the final details were being made I was told we would be charged an additional $2,000. to cover the hotel. There were not enough rooms at the hotel blocked off to accommodate us, only enough room for us on the bus. I would rather have been given the correct amount from the beginning.
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I just provided a lengthy review - what's wrong with that? If you need me to re-do this, please advise. We WERE NOT IMPRESSED AT ALL - & THIS IS NOT OUR FIRST BUS TRIP!
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Visiting the National Cathedral of Washington.Billie Houston
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seeing all the monuments and the tour guide was great weslyDebra Cohen
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The sites, food and hotel were great.Laura Pace
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It said the tour was 6 days and really only 4. the 1st and last day was travel time, I think if we had the full 6 days to view things we wouldn't have Felt rushed at times. Seeing the city at night, thought it would be more.Sandra
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Great time. Enjoyed the historical aspect of DC. As a citizen and a vet, it was inspiring to see how our country developed, and how far we've come. It's been a tough road at times, but God has really blessed us. Not only do we live with many freedoms, we also can worship God, and His Son Jesus Christ as our Savior. Don't let another day go by without asking Him into your life and pick up a good history book to see the story of the building of America.Daniel
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Everything was great. My husband really enjoyed the battle reenactment at Mt. Vermont. We felt we got a good overview of the sights in D.C. Unfortunately we could not go in the capital building because of a bomb scare. Westley, was very knowledgeable and went our of his way to be help full. Our bus driver was always friendly and helped everyone out of the bus.Patricia
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Loved the White House Visitor's Center and Mount Vernon the best but it was all really nice. The Smithsonian's are hard to get your head around the time for visiting them so short.Gloria
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The time went so fast at each attraction. Some places we could have had a little more time. It was a trip to Washington that everyone should experience. Since we had a young man, who was a guard for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a few years ago from our little town of 1900, Arlington National Cemetery was a highlight for us.
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Well done. Our tour quide was fabulous !!!!!Jennifer
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Did not like the pace..much to fast for alot of us. Not enough time at the WWII memorial. We were given maybe 5 mins. I was really interested because my father was a POW.
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The only complaint I can think of is that the Marriott is stingy with their Wi-Fi. It should be free everywhere, not just in the lobby......Susie
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We saw a lot but seemed rushed at times. example WW2 memorial at night - involves more than moderate walking. Our feet and legs hurt a lot by the end of the tour and we were not alone.James
