Hot and Happening Capital Region

Day 1: Arrive Washington, DC

Welcome to the Nation's Capital and one of the most visited regions in America. Some of the most dramatic events in the history of the United States have happened here, yet the region is not just about history - the Capital Region is hot and happening in culture, food, wineries, the arts, sizzling spas, great golf, fantastic shopping and nature. During the next two weeks, you'll discover why the region is so special.
Standard hotel: Best Western Pentagon Hotel
Deluxe hotel: Georgetown Inn

Day 2 & 3: Explore Washington DC

Washington, DC is a cosmopolitan capital city, packed with many famous sights and free attractions and home to some of the world's best-known museums and galleries, including the Smithsonian Institution, and the International Spy Museum. Beyond the inspiring monuments, colourful and diverse neighbourhoods have been revitalised to offer hip new restaurants and bars, stunning hotels, great nightlife, live music and theatres. If its shopping you are looking for, DC has a wide range of shopping experiences ranging from upscale boutiques, quaint antique shops along pretty tree-lined streets, vibrant outdoor markets or bargain-filled outlets malls located just minutes from downtown. Make sure you save room in your suitcase for the treasures you'll find in the nation's capital. When the sun goes down, this City comes to life with its new exciting look and the restaurant scene sizzles in the night air. If you haven't dined in Washington, DC you are in for a surprise, for here you can sample some of the best affordable restaurants in the country, offering an immense range of different cuisines. With the added attraction of year round events and festivals, it all comes together to make Washington, DC the perfect choice for a taste of the American experience.

Day 4: Washington, DC to Baltimore to Annapolis

(70 miles)
Since it's only a 40 mile drive from Washington, DC to Baltimore on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, there'll be plenty of time to visit the Inner Harbour at Baltimore and still make it to Annapolis with time to spare. The Baltimore waterfront, once teeming with longshoremen, is now filled with shops, restaurants, five ships to tour, the National Aquarium and a great strolling promenade. In Annapolis, the Yachting Capital of the World, the historic city itself is the main attraction. Maryland has the oldest state capital building still in use and the rest of downtown has been flawlessly preserved.
Standard hotel: Best Western Annapolis Inn
Deluxe hotel: Historic Inns of Annapolis

Day 5 & 6: Annapolis to St. Michael's

(45 miles)
After crossing over the Chesapeake Bay you'll be starting a two day adventure on Maryland's Eastern Shore, a world unto itself covered with vast, lush farms and timeless towns. Chestertown is the most historic of the lot. Easton is classic Eastern Shore and St. Michael's is the most hip of all. Try some of the great cafes, browse the antique shops and enjoy the very quaint, pleasant and well preserved historic district. Visit the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and the don't miss the driving tour of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, 27.000 acres teeming with shore bird and marsh wildlife. It is especially beautiful at dusk when the birds are silhouetted against the sunset. This area is a perfect place to rejuvenate and simply relax and watch the world go by.
Standard hotel: Best Western St. Michael's Inn
Deluxe hotel: Tidewater Inn

Day 7, 8 & 9: Maryland's Eastern Shore to Virginia Beach

(185 miles)
Rather than travelling back to the mainland, it's a shorter drive to Virginia Beach on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, a 20 mile long four lane highway across the Chesapeake Bay. Of course you'll want to stroll the Boardwalk and spend time on the vast expanse of soft, sandy beach - it's one of the best on the East Coast. The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Centre features the nature of the bay. In winter, the Centre hosts whale watching trip and in summer, dolphins are the main event. If you want to be active outdoors, you can walk on the remote dunes of the Back Bay National Recreation Area, reached only by trolley or take a boat ride, hike, bike, surf, kayak, skim or boogie board all summer long- the entire area is abundant with a variety of water sports for all the family.
Standard hotel: Best Western Oceanfront Virginia Beach
Deluxe hotel: Virginia Beach Hilton Oceanfront

Day 10: Virginia Beach to Williamsburg

Nearby is Williamsburg which served as the Virginia State Capital from 1699 to 1780 and thanks to the careful restoration that began in 1926, visitors can walk the same streets that Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Patrick Henry did while discussing the fate of the new nation. This living museum has been recreated to reflect the colonial 18th Century with its meticulous restored buildings and various interpretive activities and craft workshops. Close- by and bringing you straight back to the 20th Century is the nearby thrills and spills of theme park Busch Gardens and Water Country USA, where its time to enjoy some fantastic roller-coasters!
Standard hotel: Colonial Williamsburg Governor's Inn
Deluxe hotel: Colonial Williamsburg Houses

Day 11 & 12: To Williamsburg to Charlottesville

Time to enjoy the charming college town of Charlottesville, not only home to Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe, three US Presidents, it's also home to the hot and happening University of Virginia. The tree-lined, walking friendly Downtown Mall used to be Main Street. Now it's lined with lots of unique shops, art galleries and restaurants. A great place for people watching, whilst you sit in one of the tea-rooms or cafes lining the cobbled streets. Besides all of its other great attributes, Charlottesville is the epicentre of the best wine region in Virginia. Savour the countryside and the wines as you take any one of the five winery trails that surround the city. Enjoy the Virginia scenic countryside at its finest.
Standard hotel: Best Western Cavalier Inn
Deluxe hotel: Omni Charlottesville

Day 13: Charlottesville to Shenandoah National Park

Spend the day meandering along the Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park, home to the popular Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway- probably the most beautiful parkway in the nation. Here picture-postcard farms and inns line country roads, and your eye will reach out to the many vistas of lush forest and mountain landscapes. Enjoy the evening in the serenity of the Park, where you can enjoy star-gazing or you might even spot a bear!
Standard hotel: Skyland Resort
Deluxe hotel: Big Meadows Lodge

Day 14: Depart Washington DC