Washington is full of momuments.

Washington DC, the world’s first planned capital, is also one of its most beautiful.

The Capitol, the White House and the Supreme Court are its most famous landmarks, situated in the heart of the city.

Home of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the marble Capitol is an architec-tural marvel filled with frescoes and statues. Tours are offered free of charge and begin at the Capitol Visitor Centre (www.visitthecapitol.gov).

The Capitol grounds are also stunning. They were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect famous for New York’s Central Park.

There’s nothing quite like reading the Gettysburg Address while the massive marble statue of Lincoln broods behind you

The White House has made 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue the best-known address in America. Every President but George Washington has lived there, and many heads of state have passed through its hallowed halls.

It takes advance planning to tour the White House and a notice on the website indicates that tours are currently suspended due to staffing levels.

Check www.whitehouse.gov for the latest details – even if you can’t tour the famous building, you can still get a photo outside the famous gates.

No trip to Washington is complete without visiting the Washington Monument (www.nps.gov/wamo). This 170-metre-high obelisk was built to honour the nation’s founding father, George Washington. Ride to the top to see views of the District, Maryland and Virginia.

Washington also houses monuments to Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Franklin Roosevelt.

There’s nothing quite like reading the Gettysburg Address while the massive marble statue of Lincoln broods behind you.

Ponder the first lines of the Declaration of Independence at the Jefferson Memorial, and remember the line: “We have nothing to fear but fear itself”, as you encounter the stark monuments to poverty and war at the FDR Memorial.

The capital is also home to the National Cathedral of the US (www.nationalcathedral.org).

Like its 14th-century European counterparts, this 20th-century cathedral has a nave, transepts, and vaults that were built stone by stone. Unlike those historic buildings, however, the National Cathedral has a gargoyle in the shape of Darth Vader.

Culture vultures will want to visit the Smithsonian Museums. Mostly flanking the National Mall, these illustrious galleries hold everything from Kermit the Frog to the Spirit of St Louis and the Hope Diamond to Rodin’s Burghers of Calais.

Children will no doubt enjoy a trip to the National zoo. Pandas may be the zoo’s most famous inhabitants, but they’re not the only highlight.

Exotic residents, such as sloth bears, clouded leopards and Japanese giant salamanders can be found on the Asia Trail.

VIP treatment with ROCS Travel

11-day Grand North America East Coast VIP Private Plane Tour
August 10-20

To see it all, why not join ROCS Travel’s VIP all-American private plane experience?

ROCS Travel is once again offering an 11-day escorted journey in a private plane, led by Maurice Gruppetta.

The tour leaves Malta on August 10 and visits some of the most popular sights the east coast of North America has to offer.

After touring New York City, guests travel by private plane to Niagara Falls, Toronto, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Hersey and, last but not least, Washington DC.

The tour includes accommodation in upscale hotels, activities, most meals, luggage service and gratuities.

The ROCS Travel package includes:
Return flights to New York
Four-star accommodation for nine nights
Daily breakfast
Daily dinner (while on air cruise)
All excursions as per itinerary
Air cruise
Airline taxes and charges
Experienced ROCS Travel tour leader

Excursions included in the price:
Goat Island
Niagara Falls
Maid of the Mist
Toronto and Niagara on the Lake tour
CN Tower
Amish Country
Hershey chocolate factory
Lancaster tour
Washington and Mount Vernon
White House
Capitol Hill
National Space Museum

Package rates for all the above start from €3,149 per person.

For more information pick up a copy of the ROCS Travel World Holiday Brochure 2013, call ROCS on 2015 1515, e-mail travel@rocsgrp.com or visit www.rocsholidays.com.