Washington, DC is a cosmopolitan capital city, packed with many famous sights and free attractions and is home to some of the world’s best-known museums and galleries, including the Smithsonian Institution and the International Spy Museum. Combine this with hip new restaurants and bars, stunning hotels, great nightlife, live music, theatres, charming neighbourhoods and terrific shopping options and you have a fantastic city break destination. 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. Spend two nights in Washington, DC.

Head north-west from the city to Cumberland. Home to history, innovation, scenic beauty and adventure, Western Maryland is unique in its wealth of opportunities for enjoying outdoor activities, exploring US history and architecture, and more. Bike the C&O Canal and Great Allegheny Passage, see George Washington’s Headquarters – a one room cabin, built in 1754-55 and the only remaining structure of Ft. Cumberland. Wander the brick streets of historic downtown Cumberland and enjoy the vibrant Arts and Entertainment district. Stay one night in Cumberland.

Travel out on the Maryland Historic National Road. This National Road facilitated America’s westward expansion, originally connecting Cumberland with the Ohio River, and then extending eastwards to Baltimore. You will pass through places such as Hagerstown and Antietam, a significant Civil War battle site, through farmland and countryside, and small towns offering farm to table dining and unique shopping. Stay one night in Ellicott City where you can tour the B&O Railroad Museum: Ellicott City Station, the destination of the first 13 miles of railroad in America. Enjoy the five block historic district lined with boutiques and bistros, and discover some of its old world and bohemian charms.

‘Charm City’ as it is known, is surrounded by waterfront restaurants, serving fresh local seafood as you overlook the Chesapeake Bay. If it’s pizza and pasta that whet your taste buds, head off to one of the cosy restaurants in Little Italy before spending the evening amongst the lively area of Fells Point, where many old bars and pubs have been restored. Be sure to find time to stop and shop in Harborplace Shopping Mall or the Canton Crossing Shopping Mall which houses Target, Nordstrom Rack, Old Navy and more. A stop by Arundel Mills on your way to Annapolis is always an event! It’s not just food and drink that make the city so popular. Baltimore is home to the National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, IMAX theatre, Historic Federal Hill, maritime museums and the USS Constellation. There are harbour cruises available or you could take a water taxi to Fort McHenry or Fells Point. Spend two nights in Baltimore.

Head north and around the top of the Chesapeake Bay to Chesapeake City, where you can pick-up the Chesapeake Country National Scenic Byway. Explore the picturesque waterfront villages of the Eastern Shore, paddle or hike along some of the coastline, stroll on a beach, take to the bay on a fishing charter, or see migrating birds and other wildlife in one of the many refuges. The back roads through the Eastern Shore will take you back to a time when life was lived at a much slower pace. Visit nearby Tilghman Island, home of the Maryland Skipjack Fleet, or take the Bellevue Ferry across the Tred Avon River to Oxford, an original ‘Port of Entry’ for the early settlers. Stay two nights in Easton, where you can stroll the tree lined streets with its unique shops and art galleries, or watch eagles soar at the nearby Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. You could also take the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway which shares the remarkable stories of freedom seekers who risked their lives to escape slavery in the 1800s. Explore the secret network of the Underground Railroad, visit the National Historical Park and take the driving tour showing you the places where Tubman grew up, worshiped, laboured, and led others to freedom. The whole area offers a quiet charm and relaxation and makes a great end to your holiday.