America's beautiful capital is the perfect place to visit as country prepares to celebrate big birthday
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WHERE to start a grand tour ahead of USA's 250th birthday?
Well, kicking it off in the shadow of the White House was always going to be hard to Trump.
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The U.S. Capitol dome
Credit: Reuters
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We stopped off outside The White House
Credit: Mark Hannah/The Scottish Sun
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Summer sunrise over Washington, D.C.
Credit: Getty
I spent a never-to-be-forgotten seven days touring the famous Capital Region of the United States, just before Uncle Sam celebrates his big birthday in 2026.
Washington DC and the surrounding area are dripping with history. It's the political centre of America, after all.
Not only is it the home of the President, it also stands as the cornerstone of a modern-day superpower.
It wasn't clear whether the Donald was working in the Oval Office when we looked across the White House grounds at the start of our American adventure.
But who'd blame him if he wanted to get out and about to explore the history on his own doorstep.
The natural beauty and sensational sights of the Capital Region would provide anyone with a trip to remember.
First up, was the National Mall, a two-mile stretch of land featuring some of the most historic landmarks in the States.
I grew up watching TV series and movies set in the area, and always dreamed of seeing the White House and standing at the bottom of Capitol Hill.
So naturally, when the opportunity came around, I jumped at it. And it blew my expectations out of the water.
Within an hour of leaving Washington Dulles airport, I found myself in the heart of DC, surrounded by all of those landmarks I had seen so many times on small or big screens.
We checked into the Willard InterContinental hotel and took off towards the sights I'd always wanted to glimpse.
THE BEST OF USA
The Mall was unlike anything I've ever seen before, like a city inside a city - one of the highlights of the trip.
Down the centre, an enormous strip of undisturbed greenery, sandwiched by a wall of museums, art galleries, tourist sites, and more.
I could see for miles, from the Washington Monument, all the way down to Capitol Hill, with clear blue skies and nothing but fresh air ahead of me, a far cry from my daily commute.
DC is famous for moments marked throughout history. The assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Dr Martin Luther King's 'I have a dream' speech, and of course, as the home of the President - but there is far more to the city than you might think.
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Within walking distance of several historic monuments, this region of the city is perfect for keen travellers
Credit: Mark Hannah/The Scottish Sun
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We took a trip around several stunning sights in the city - many of which are steeped in history
Credit: EPA
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The Chicken and waffles at Succotash Prime was delciious
One of the staples of the Capital Region is its food. More specifically, its seafood.
From oysters and crabs to seaweed and lobster. If it comes from the sea - it won't be hard to find here.
I stopped at one of the city's famous restaurants - Succotash Prime, renowned locally for their oysters, and adaptations on several culinary favourites.
But the ideal meal for me was a house special - a take on Chicken and waffles.
GO: USA
GO: CAPITAL REGION USA
GETTING THERE: United Airlines flies from Edinburgh to Washington Dulles airport, from £763pp return. See united.com.
GETTING/STAYING THERE: A nine night trip including three nights at The Willard in Washington DC, three nights at Kent Island Resort in Maryland, one night at the Marriott Tysons Mclean in Tysons, Virginia and two nights at the Hampton Inn and Suites Williamburg, Virginia, is from £2,199pp including flights on dates in September/October and car hire. See PurelyAmerica.co.uk or call 08448 044 480.
MORE INFO : For more on Capital Region see capitalregionusa.org.
No doubt much of the finest seafood DC has to offer comes from the famous Chesapeake Bay, the perfect location for a fresh catch.
And that's where we headed next.
After crossing the DC border into Maryland, I met with fifth-generation angler Tyrone Meredith, who for decades has studied the bay, and found the perfect spots for crabbing, an industry vital to the state's culture and economy.
After showing me how to prepare the perfect dish, I then tried my hand at it myself - but I think I'll maybe leave it to the experts in future!
But I did master sitting on the docks on the Chesapeake Bay, enjoying a drink in the sun, looking out over the open expanse of water without a wave in sight - it was simply incredible.
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Sunrise over dock and the Chesapeake Bay, in Maryland.
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We tried our hand at preparing some of Maryland's famous freshly caught crab
Credit: Mark Hannah/The Scottish Sun
After a day out on the bay, touring the marina, and enjoying some of the finest food on offer, we checked into the beautiful Kent Island Resort.
It's a remote hotel on the edge of the bay, perfect for both a trip away with the family or equally as a couple's holiday.
The resort is perfect for those who enjoy a break from the madness, retreating into the comfort of your own company, without the background noise of a full-blown party in the distance.
It made for a lovely night in after a day packed full of activities.
Next up on the agenda, was a trip into Virginia.
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We checked into the gorgeous Kent Island Resort in Queen Anne's County - a stunning hotel in a remote location, perfect for a quiet break from the action
Credit: Mark Hannah/The Scottish Sun
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Great Falls Park, has stunning views of the Potomac River
On arrival, I stopped off at the incredible Great Falls Park, where there are the most incredible views of the famous Potomac River, which runs all the way from West Virginia, through DC and back into Maryland.
I was mesmerised by the sheer scale of it all.
As a child, my grandparents used to take me out to Rouken Glen Park in Glasgow every week, where a personal favourite was the waterfall by the pond.
But compared to what awaited me at Great Falls, that 'waterfall' was nothing but a drop in the ocean.
I could hear the falls from a mile away, well before I could see them. Hundreds of yards of crashing waves on the rocks, and water travelling faster than a speeding car - it was simply put one of the more amazing sights.
The great part about the site is, you get the freedom to enjoy it however you like.
There are several viewing points, information boards, food trucks, and entertainment for the family - it makes for a fabulous day out, and you take as much or as little time as you need.
While sharing some similarities with its neighbours, Virginia provided its own unique experiences - one of which was a trip to the home of the first American President, George Washington.
His life is celebrated, and preserved with exhibits at his home, Mount Vernon.
When I visited, it was a typical Monday but you'd have thought it was a national holiday.
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Mount Vernon - home to the first U.S. President, George Washington - showcases the history of his life before becoming President
Credit: Mark Hannah/The Scottish Sun
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At the top of the estate, is his home, which thousands of students queued for hours to tour
There were hundreds, if not thousands of school pupils touring the site, huddled in groups each with their own historian.
It really put into perspective the enormity of the USA and the importance of patriotism in the country.
At the site, you can tour Washington's former home, the grounds that surround it, and even stop off at his tomb, where he and his wife are buried.
There are plenty of photo opportunities with historians who have an incredible depth of knowledge on the history of Mount Vernon and George Washington.
It was a trip I'll never forget and I will most definitely be returning to the region in the very near future.
Oh and many happy returns, America.
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