Brightsun Travel Agents on Tour: A Whistlestop Weekend in Washington, DC.

If you want to enjoy Washington, DC in three days, here’s what a group of five travel agents packed in when they visited on a recent familiarisation trip, co-hosted by British Airways.

This trip included the chance to experience the Club Suite - British Airways’ new business class cabin, to enable us to share a personal experience of the cabin with customers. From the moment we stepped into our Club Suite seats, we realised this was a game-changer in the realm of business class travel. The privacy doors, spacious seating, and ample storage options ensured a peaceful and comfortable journey. Additionally, the state-of-the-art entertainment system and fantastic menus with cocktails and wine pairing enveloped us in elegance and sophistication. The cabin crew were the friendliest we had experienced with their passion for their job shining through. British Airways has truly raised the bar with Club Suite, making it a top choice for travellers seeking unparalleled relaxation and convenience.

Where to Stay

We chose to stay in the Yotel Washington DC hotel for its prime location within walking distance from the city’s main sights. This hotel was all about modernity and embracing technology. Yotel's self-service check-in process was a breath of fresh air. With the assistance of user-friendly kiosks, we were able to check in effortlessly, bypassing long lines and unnecessary wait times.

In the bedrooms, the space was thoughtfully optimized, featuring smart storage solutions and futuristic amenities. The adjustable SmartBed™ allows you to tailor the firmness to your liking, ensuring a restful night's sleep. The inclusion of a Technowall, a control panel that managed lighting, temperature, and entertainment, added a touch of sophistication and convenience. The rooms also offer smart TVs, Bluetooth speakers, and high-speed Wi-Fi.

Where to Visit

Embarking on a tour of Washington, DC, we were transported through time over our long weekend as we visited the city's iconic destinations. Washington is a city designed as a tribute to those that served their country, mainly politically or in their armed forces, with memorials and monuments dotted throughout that are simply stunning. We visited in May, when the weather was a perfect 25 degrees Celsius which meant we could walk everywhere, although if you prefer, Ubers are easily available there and are reasonably priced.

Our first day began with a 4-hour private driving tour of the city, with several stops to walk around and admire the views. Like most tourists, we were most excited to visit the White House, which was at the top of a promenade along the historic Black Lives Matter Plaza, leading us to the front of the White House. It was dazzlingly white which we found out was because it gets repainted regularly! From there, we explored the U.S. Capitol, the National Mall and admired the President James Garfield, General Ulysses S. Grant, and Peace Memorials.

Continuing our journey, we marvelled at the majestic Washington Monument – a site recognisable from so many TV shows and movies, and a site of historical importance for marches and presidential inaugurations.

We moved onto the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial which is the most modern monument and a jaw-droppingly lifelike and beautiful incarnation of Martin Luther King Jr carved into a huge rock.

Our collective highlight was the awe-inspiring Lincoln Memorial, a larger-than-life statue of Abraham Lincoln with breathtaking views from the top all the way to the Washington Monument and beyond. The city has an incredible thoughtfulness to its architectural planning, with three Washington landmarks in a row: the White House, Washington Monument, and Jefferson Memorial.

Our tour then took us to the Arlington National Cemetery, the final resting place of hundreds of thousands of military veterans and their families. You can take a buggy tour, or walk which we chose to do, taking us about an hour. Every gravestone is designed linearly which is visually stunning. The partners of the deceased also have a gravestone/plot assigned so they can be buried next to their loved ones. There are empty fields purchased alongside the existing gravestones for future soldiers, which was a sobering thought. At the top of a hill, we visited Kennedy's Grave and if you stay longer, you can witness the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, honouring the armed forces.

On day 2, we embarked on a walking tour that allowed us to explore the vibrant neighbourhoods of Washington, DC. This gave us more insight into what it is like to live there, as we walked through suburbs. Starting at Union Station which is like a scene straight out of an old movie with beautiful designs, we learned about its historical significance as a prominent union railroad terminal. We then visited the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, delving into the life and contributions of the renowned abolitionist.

Our tour continued to the Folger Shakespeare Library, the world's largest Shakespeare library, followed by Florida House, the only state embassy in DC, learning about its diplomatic functions and its connection to the state of Florida.

Passing by the Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument, we explored its role in the suffragist movement and the fight for women's right to vote. We stopped outside the awe-inspiring Supreme Court which is a huge sprawling building to appreciate its grandeur, however there are no coffee shops or food trucks around the site – so do take your own water, as the city centre seemed to be designed for workers who have access to canteens inside work, rather than tourists so this is an area for improvement.

Our next stop was a revelation in that we could have spent days there admiring the attraction (although we only had time to spend 3 hours there) as it was so utterly magnificent - the Library of Congress. It is the world's largest library, which was established in 1814, when Thomas Jefferson sold his personal library of 6,487 books for $23,950. The architecture was simply breathtaking, with ornate sculptures and carvings, and huge high domed ceilings reminiscent of the Sistine Chapel ceiling frescos by Michelangelo. The library’s collections contain approximately 173 million items, including one of the oldest examples of printing in the world – passages from a Buddhist sutra, or discourse, printed in 770 A.D. and one of the main treasures, the Gutenberg Bible, a 15th-century work which is one of only three perfect copies on vellum in the world.

Washington, DC is famous for its incredible museums housed under a general term, the Smithsonian Institute. They are free to enter although you may need to pre-book a timed entry slot. Our museum of choice was a visit to the incredible National Air and Space Museum, as of course, you can’t take a group of travel agents to Washington, DC without indulging their passion! The epitome of our visit was an actual Apollo lunar module, along with more than 3,500 artifacts from the historic Apollo Moon landing effort, with 400 objects related specifically to the first successful lunar landing mission, Apollo 11.

We were enthralled throughout our visit, with enormous space shuttles to witness, plus the Real Wright Flyer, the plane the Wright brothers flew, whom were the pioneers of aviation.

You can also enjoy nostalgic memorabilia such as the photographs of the changing designs of modern planes, mannequins with uniforms of cabin crews over time, documents with the stringent rules and regulations for stewardesses about appearance which were required to adhere to (which thankfully have changed) and plastic replicas of meals served on board in the 1960’s! We were all left with a profound appreciation for the incredible achievements of humanity in the realm of flight, and gratitude for working in the travel industry.

On our last day, we spent the morning enjoying a long brunch and a walk in what we felt was one of the safest cities we have ever travelled to, before heading to the airport to come home. Our tour of Washington, DC was a captivating experience that deepened our appreciation for American history, culture, and democracy. From historic landmarks to solemn memorials and vibrant neighbourhoods, the trip immersed us in stories and legacies that have shaped America, and we highly recommend it for a long weekend break.

Where to Eat

The culinary scene is hot in this city, and we had luckily reserved restaurants for brunch, lunch, and dinner a few weeks in advance, as most restaurants are booked out in advance for larger groups.

For Dinner: Carmine's

This family-style Italian restaurant left us in awe with its generous portions and authentic flavours. The attentive staff ensured our dining experience was flawless, providing knowledgeable recommendations and catering to our every need. The delectable pasta dishes, mouthwatering homemade bread, and heavenly desserts left us craving to go back!

Ottoman Taverna

Ottoman Taverna’s mezze platter, filled with an array of savoury dips and appetizers, was a delightful start to the meal. The main courses, featuring expertly prepared spiced meats, were halal and they also had a large variety of vegetarian options. Ottoman Taverna's commitment to authenticity made it a standout dining experience in Washington, DC.

For Lunch: Oyamel

Oyamel provided a delightful lunch experience that introduced us to the vibrant flavours of Mexican cuisine. The menu featured a wide variety of traditional Mexican dishes, each bursting with bold and authentic tastes. The guacamole, made tableside, was a highlight that set the tone for a memorable meal.

For Brunch: Art and Soul

The charming ambiance, coupled with the warm hospitality of the staff, created an inviting and relaxed atmosphere at Art and Soul. The brunch menu showcased a fusion of Southern and contemporary American flavours. From the fluffy buttermilk biscuits to the mouthwatering shrimp and grits, each dish was a masterpiece of flavours. The farm-to-table concept was evident in the quality and freshness of the ingredients, elevating the entire dining experience.

For Breakfast: Corner Bakery Café

The menu at this café boasted an impressive selection of freshly baked pastries, hearty breakfast sandwiches, and flavourful hot drinks. The breakfast sandwich, filled with savoury ingredients and served on a freshly baked bagel, was the perfect fuel for a day of exploration. Alternatively, the bircher muesli packed with fresh fruit was our go-to, as it filled us up for our day of walking around the city.

Exploring Washington, DC in 3 days makes for a jam-packed and memorable weekend, perfect for travelling alone, with friends or with family, and is suitable for all ages. All tours and hotels on this trip were booked by Brightsun Travel, so if you would like to experience a trip to Washington DC, whether as a long weekend break or as part of a stopover to another US city, call Brightsun Travel on 0208 819 0531.