Washington DC

Nicknamed the capital of the world, Washington, D.C. is a city unlike any other, with its low-profile skyline, green parks and open spaces, grand buildings, historic landmarks, marbled monuments, and world famous museums. Besides its world-famous sights, exploring this cosmopolitan city is a joy in and of itself, through eccentric neighbourhoods that support a thriving cultural scene, with scores of top-notch restaurants, shops, and night-time entertainment.

The US capital is an international hub of power and diplomacy, commanding the political centre stage for one of the most powerful nations in the world, and representing all the democratic ideals that the country takes pride in. After politics, tourism is the capital's main industry. The city plays hosts to millions of people annually who come to explore famous sights such as the domed US Capitol, the stately White House, Lincoln Memorial, and the soaring Washington Monument. The most well-known sights are located along the National Mall, a green park stretching from the US Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial on the Potomac River, and include several memorials to great US presidents of the past, as well as the outstanding museums of the Smithsonian Institute. As an added bonus, almost all major attractions in the city are free.

Besides political and historic sights, Washington is a city of interesting neighbourhoods, each with its own character and culture. The most famous of these is historic Georgetown, with elegant colonial houses, boutiques, fancy restaurants, and a lively nightlife. One of the most colourful neighbourhoods is the bohemian district of Adams-Morgan with an assortment of funky shops and ethnic stores, while the arty suburb of Dupont Circle is an affluent business and residential area, with excellent restaurants, art galleries and shops that forms the centre of DC's gay community.

While it's possible to see all the sights of Washington that we've come to know from history in a day or two, it would take months to truly experience all the locals know and love about their city.