DC Vacations

Discover a different side of Washington DC! Set sail on the Potomac, learn how to take professional-quality photos of the monuments, and check out the wax versions of the First Family and your favorite stars. This two night weekend getaway offers much to make your time in DC unforgettable. Get a glimpse of the nation's capital with the Snapshot of Washington DC Weekend Vacation Package!

You'll be staying at Maryland's gorgeous Gaylord National in a Maryland View Room. After checking in on Friday, head into the city for the Washington DC Dinner Cruise! You'll be treated to fabulous views of the monuments from on deck while enjoying a delicious dinner and live entertainment.

Want to make sure you don't leave the DC area without capturing some great photos? The Washington DC Photo Workshop lets you work with a professional photographer to not only improve your picture-taking skills, but to ensure you go home with some great shots!

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum will provide lots of fun for the rest of the day! See your favorite stars, historical figures, political figures, and more. Have your picture taken with the President! You'll be amazed at the realistic figures.

Itinerary:

Friday: Washington DC Dinner Cruise - You'll be cruising on the Potomac River for your first evening in DC! Hotel pick up is not included, so you will be responsible for providing your own transportation to the boarding pier on the SW Washington waterfront (approximately 15-20 minutes from the hotel, depending on traffic). The cruise begins at 7:00 pm, 7:30 pm, or 8:00 pm, depending on the time of year and boarding begins 30-60 minutes prior to departure. Exact times will be provided on your E-ticket. This Dinner Cruise is the perfect way to experience the nation's capital from an unique vantage point! You'll be treated to a delicious dinner as you cruise the Potomac. Take in the Washington DC skyline and enjoy unmatched views of the monuments. There will even be live entertainment onboard to keep things lively. You'll love the Washington DC Dinner Cruise!
Please Note: If the cruise is unavailable on Friday, you will be confirmed for the Saturday evening cruise and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum Tickets will be confirmed for Friday. Click here to view the sights you will see

Saturday: Washington DC Photo Workshop - Half Day - Bring your camera for a half-day safari to Washington's most photogenic sites! Hotel pick up is not included, so you will be responsible for providing your own transportation. You'll meet the tour at 9:30 am at Renwick Gallery in Washington, approximately 25-30 minutes from the hotel depending on traffic. If you wish to use the Metro, the closest stops are Farragut North and Farragut West, or you may take advantage of the hotel's shuttle service (additional fees apply). Spend half a day with professional architectural photographer E. David Luria, who will provide you with tips on composition and lighting. Seeing the historic sights through the viewfinder of your camera, you will be delighted by your own postcard-quality photographs of the nation's capital! This workshop uses the beautiful landmarks of DC to provide instruction in landmark and travel photography. If you love taking pictures and want to learn how to take them BETTER, this photo safari is for you! See architecturally diverse sites like the White House, Lafayette Square, the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam and Korean War Memorials, and Union Station where you'll talk about interior photography without a flash or tripod. What should you bring? Adjustable cameras with wide-angle/telephoto lenses are preferred, but any camera will do. You should also bring enough digital media or film for 70-80 images. See the sights of Washington DC and take beautiful photos to preserve the memory!
Please Note: This tour will be conducted rain or shine. To see the day's itinerary please click here. To learn more about E. David Luria please click here.

Saturday: Madame Tussauds Wax Museum - See your favorite celebrities and historical figures at Madame Tussauds! Hotel pick up is not included, so you will be responsible for providing your own transportation to the museum in downtown Washington (approximately 20-25 minutes from the hotel). You can also take the Metro to nearby stops Metro Center or Gallery Pl-Chinatown or use the hotel's shuttle service (additional fees apply). Touch and feel history in the Presidential Gallery, have your photo taken with the President, shake your booty with Beyonce, or line up a putt with Tiger Woods! Go "Behind the Scenes" to learn how these life-like wax figures are meticulously sculpted and maintained, as well as explore the exciting life story of founder Marie Tussaud. Check out the most recent figures like Former President Theodore Roosevelt and Michelle Obama. The museum opens at 10:00 am and stays open until 6:00 pm. Spend as much time as you'd like exploring Madame Tussauds! Click here to learn more about Madame Tussauds.

Accommodations

Gaylord National - Just minutes outside of Washington DC, on the Potomac in Maryland, the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center offers you everything you are looking for in luxury lodging! You'll spend two-nights at this comfortable and classy hotel. Discover this first-class destination: 2000 guest rooms, fine dining and casual restaurants, unique shopping experiences, an indoor pool, and a 20,000-square-foot spa and fitness center. And for late-night excitement, an express elevator speeds you to the two-story rooftop Pose Ultra Lounge! Located in National Harbor, Maryland in Prince George's County, Gaylord National offers its guests convenient access to Washington DC with an hourly shuttle service, water taxi to Old Town Alexandria, and shuttle service to Ronald Reagan National Airport. You're welcomed by a spectacular 18-story glass atrium, offering sweeping views of the Potomac River, Washington DC and Old Town Alexandria, while a river meanders through the lush, multi-level indoor gardens! Come and discover the jewel of the capital region - Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center! Click here for hotel amenities

Please Note:
~ Check in begins at 3:00 pm on Friday and check out is at 11:00 am on Sunday.
~ There is a $15.90 per day resort fee, subject to sales tax, payable upon check out.
~ Self parking is available for $19 a day (plus tax); valet parking is available for $28 a day (plus tax).
~ Gaylord National Hotel and Resort is non-smoking facility. Smoking is strictly prohibited. Violators will be charged a substantial cleaning fee.
~ Hotel pick up is not provided for the Washington DC Dinner Cruise, Washington DC Photo Workshop, or Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. You will be responsible for providing your own transportation to and from each of these activities. You may also take the Metro or use the hotel's shuttle service (additional fees apply).
~ If the cruise is unavailable on Friday, you will be confirmed to visit Madame Tussauds on Friday and take the dinner cruise on Saturday.
~ You will be receiving 4 individual E-tickets, one for each component of this package.

If you have any children in your party, if your party is greater than 4 people, if you are requesting more than one room per night, or if you would like additional nights or tours/activities please call 888-848-3822.

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The Sights

1. Fort Lesley J. McNair and General's Row
Fort McNair has had many different names over the years. In 1948, the post was renamed in honor of the commander of the Army Ground Forces in WWII. McNair, who was killed in Normandy in 1944, was the highest-ranking officer to be killed by friendly fire. General's Row is prime waterfront property on Fort McNair; generals and those officers of "flag rank" live here with their families while they make their home in DC.

2. Washington Monument
The Washington Monument is over 555-feet tall, the tallest free-standing stone sculpture in the world. There are no reinforcements to hold the stones together - just the weight of the stones and the way they are fitted together holds the structure.

3. National Airport
National Airport is one of the busiest Airports in US with an average of 1 flight every 30 seconds at peak periods which equals about 900 flights on a busy day. Despite this, it is one of the safest airports in the US.

4. Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria was first established in 1600s by Scottish and English tobacco merchants. Early settlers envisioned a bustling port and at one time, Alexandria was the 3rd largest port in the country, especially during the Civil War. However, as ships grew larger, the deeper and more accessible ports of Baltimore and Norfolk overshadowed Alexandria.

5. Torpedo Factory
The Torpedo Factory is a red brick building with green copper roof and low white building with a "bulls-eye" target. It was used for the manufacture and maintenance of torpedoes on and off from 1918 until the end of WWII.

6. Admiral's Row
The townhomes up on the hill beyond the abandoned marina remain virtually unchanged since the colonial days except for modern plumbing and electricity. They were used by ship's captains and their families when they were in port of Alexandria.

7. Jones Point
The survey marker is south cornerstone of the District of Columbia which marks the beginning of the 1791 survey that carved out the federal jurisdiction from the states of Maryland and Virginia. In 1846, this portion of the district was retro ceded back to VA. Jones Point Lighthouse was built adjacent to the cornerstone in 1855.

8. Woodrow Wilson Bridge
The Woodrow Wilson Bridge is the only active drawbridge on the Potomac at this time. It is the southernmost of 7 crossings of the Potomac in DC and the last bridge for approx. 50 miles down river. This bridge is part of I95 and connects Maryland and Virginia.

9. US Naval Research Lab
The US Naval Research Lab celebrated its 75th Anniversary in June, 1998. This Lab is significant for the discovery of radar in the 1920s. This happened by accident during radio signal experiments between the lab and Hains Point when ships got in the way.

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Half-Day Washington DC Photo Workshop Itinerary

9:30 AM - Meet at Renwick Gallery, 17th St and Pennsylvania Ave NW (Metro Stops: Farragut North, Farragut West). Orientation.

10:00 AM - Orientation on travel photography; Photo shoots: Lafayette Park, White House, Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

11:00 AM - Transportation to Einstein memorial, 22nd St and Constitution Ave NW. Photo shoots: Einstein Memorial, Vietnam Womens Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Reflecting Pool, Lincoln Memorial.

12:30 pm - Transportation to Union Station. Photo shoot: Union Station (exterior and interior), instruction on interior photography without flash or tripod. Final wrap-up, questions and answers.

1:00 pm - Photo safari ends at Union Station (Metro stop: Union Station)

OPTIONAL: lunch with safari instructor at Union Station.

Itinerary subject to change without notice, as new sites become available.

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Your Expert Instructor and Guide: E. David Luria

E. David Luria is a professional commercial photographer specializing in architecture and landmarks. Trained in Paris by a protege of the famous French photographer Henri Cartier Bresson, he is a member of the American Society of Media Photographers, and his images of Washington DC have appeared in over 100 publications, on 30 magazine covers, and on postcards and guidebooks sold throughout the area. A member of the Society of Photographic Education, he serves as a photo study tour instructor for the Smithsonian Resident Associates, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Hasselblad USA Inc., and the Kreeger Museum. He has trained over 10,000 people in travel photography techniques through his Washington Photo Safaris, as featured on the NBC "TODAY" Show, in the Washington Post, the Baltimore Sun, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer, USA Today, WHERE Magazine, on the Discovery Travel Channel, and on WTOP All-News Radio. Skilled amateurs and visiting professional photographers will appreciate Mr. Luria's detailed knowledge of all the best shooting sites in the DC area.

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Explore Madame Tussauds

Founding Fathers Travel through history with the nation's Founding Fathers. Go back in time and stand face to face with George Washington and witness the birth of our nation. Did you know he was that tall? Can you feel the intensity of the moments before Lincoln's tragic assassination?

You will be amazed at how history looks when it is standing right in front of you.

Music Zone Listen to the music. Don your suit and dancing shoes because Duke Ellington is about to bring you back to the "heyday" of jazz. Take a seat at his piano as he tickles the ivories while Ella Fitzgerald croons a sweet melody in the distance. Slow it down with the soulful sounds of Marvin Gaye or expand your mind with Bob Dylan.

Presidents Sit in the Oval Office at the world's most powerful desk. Your first day as the new Commander and Chief will be very exciting! You'll be greeted at the airport by President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jackie Kennedy, and taken to the White House where you'll meet former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.

It's time for your press conference. Don't worry about your speech because your press secretary has it ready. We also prepped your office with some jelly beans and stress balls. It's not easy being the most powerful person in the world! Time Magazine is ready for your first Oval Office photo. You'll need it - nobody will believe you were there.

Behind the Scenes Prepare to be amazed in our exclusive exhibit where you'll learn about Madame Tussauds 200 year-old trade secrets in wax sculpting techniques still used in the modern-day production of so many life-like wax creations.

See Madame Tussaud herself (in wax, of course) in action as she sculpts the head of Benjamin Franklin. Test your hand-eye coordination at our "Feel like a Sculptor" interactive game. Compare your hands, feet, and eye color with your favorite historic notables and celebrities to see how well you match up to these larger-than-life icons.

Glamour Room Mix and mingle with Hollywood's A-list celebrities. Snap! Flash! Get past the sea of cameras and make a grand entrance to the star studded Glamour Party, set in DC's hottest nightclub.

Build your star power with your first paparazzi photo with Johnny Depp. Get the latest gossip from the rich and famous. Compare tattoos with Angelina Jolie. Battle divas Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce on the dance floor. Get smooth operator tips from Denzel Washington and George Clooney. But be careful not to get caught in the tabloids! The paparazzi are relentless.

Sports Center Putt with Tiger Woods! Ever dream of getting up close to your sports hero? Step into the Sports Center where you can watch Babe Ruth knock it out of the park. Stand toe-to-toe with heavyweight contender Evander "The Real Deal" Holyfield.

Not ready to enter the ring? Take it easy sharpening your game on the green. Practice your swing with none other than PGA extraordinaire Tiger Woods. Ace the shot and receive a round of applause from the crowd.

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Amenities

Room Amenities
~ 32" high-definition, plasma television
~ Comfortable custom-made mattresses with luxurious bedding
~ Executive desk with chair
~ Refrigerator
~ In-room wireless and high-speed Internet access
~ Two dual-line telephones with speakerphones (one is cordless)
~ Bedside alarm clock equipped with MP3 auxiliary input
~ Modem data port
~ In-room safe fitted with AC outlet, designed to accommodate and recharge laptop computers
~ Personal coffee maker, with complimentary coffee and tea
~ Full-size iron and ironing board
~ Guest voicemail service
~ In-room pay-per-view movies
~ Accommodations for guests with disabilities
~ Luxurious bath amenities, including bath gels and soaps
~ Lighted 5x-magnifying makeup and shaving mirrors
~ Hair dryer

Hotel Amenities
~ Soaring 18-story, 1.5-acre glass-covered atrium offering stunning views of the Potomac River
~ Relâche Spa & Salon
~ Unique indoor/outdoor pool located at Relâche Spa
~ Seven distinctive restaurants and eateries
~ Pose Ultra Lounge, a high-energy rooftop nightclub
~ Potomac Playzone family arcade
~ On-site shopping, from travel necessities to luxurious indulgences

The resort fee provides USA Today delivered every weekday morning (Washington Post delivery on weekends), in-room high-speed Internet access, wireless Internet access in the guest rooms and public areas of the hotel, fitness center access, 2 bottles of water per day in guest room, local phone calls (1st 20 minutes per call), and 800 access and toll-free calls (1st 20 minutes per call).

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MINIMUM 48 HOURS ADVANCE BOOKING REQUIRED. If you have any children in your party, if your party is greater than 4 people, or if you are requesting more than one room per night, please call 888-848-3822. PLEASE NOTE: you will be receiving 4 separate E-tickets for this package: one for the hotel room, one for the Washington DC Dinner Cruise, Washington DC Photo Workshop - Half Day, and one for Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. Rates include 16% sales tax. There is a $15.90 per day resort fee, payable upon check out. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 888-848-3822.