Spotlight 4.5 feefo-stars

Spotlight on Washington, D.C.

Exploring America's Capital
6 DAYS
From $3,149
$2,899 pp*
Save up to $250
*Rate is per person, land only, double occupancy, tour inclusions and available options may vary based on departure date.
Please select a date below for more details.

About This Tour

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Walk the path forged by leaders of the free world in America’s spirited capital city. View monuments that commemorate the heroes who have shaped America’s past, including the World War II Monument, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Korean War Memorial. Wander Mt. Vernon’s beautiful plantation grounds and tour the beloved home of George Washington. Learn about the Civil War and President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination during a National Park Ranger led talk at Ford’s Theatre. Uncover Smithsonian treasures as you explore some of its world-renowned museum collections. The epic story of American democracy comes to life in Washington, D.C.

Your Tour Includes
  • 1 Handpicked Accommodations
  • 8 Meals
Included Highlights
  • U.S. Capitol Building Tour
  • World War II Memorial
  • Washington National Cathedral
  • Ford's Theatre

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Your Tour at a Glance

Stay

6 Days

5 Nights


Meals

8 Meals

5 Breakfasts

3 Dinners


Activity

2 - Moderate

What's This?

Travel Style

Spotlight

What's This?
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* With Insurance Purchased

  • *No Hassle Refunds
  • Travelling Well Safety
  • No booking fee, *no change fees
  • Top Rated Travel Protection

Getting Prepared

Know Before You Go

Enhance Your Tour

Accommodations

Arrive Earlier

Pre Night: Omni Shoreham Hotel
From $130 per night

...
Royal Sonesta Dupont Circle

Nights 1-5

Stay Longer

Post Night: Omni Shoreham Hotel
From $130 per night

Trip Reviews

Live, Unedited, & Independent Traveler Reviews

Rating

99 reviews
Overall Trip Rating
4.5
Out of 5
feefo-stars
Based on 99 independent reviews
5
61
4
32
3
5
2
1
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    Wesley was an amazing tour guide. The tour itself was amazing. The breakfasts that were included at the hotel were cold when they were suppose to be at least warm.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    A+ for Wesley, the tour guide. A+ for the tour itself. F for the food at breakfast that was cold that was suppose to be warm. C for the food at breakfast like cereal, pastries, and yogurt. C for the hotel itself. A for the bus driver
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Our tour guide was the best! He was so knowledgeable about everything we did.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    changing of the guard at Arlington
    Steven Schrage
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    3star
    The hotel Breakfast was horrible. Coffee was undrinkable, there was no toaster or peanut butter spread. The bathrooms were indicate. I got to the bus on time at Arlington but it move on for 40 min. as I waited for the lagers showed up. I tossed 40 min. at Arlington!
    Frank Hassler
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Everything was first class all the way. Manager was very knowledgeable as well as the driver was excellent
    Lavada Hardin
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Excellent choices. Places I have always wanted to visit
    Barbara Clement
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Very well organized and stress free.... Tour manager was exceptional....would go with him again....
    Edmund Seely
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    The hotel was funky as described. OK for a younger group but not 60 to 80 year olds. Pick a better hotel. I is very misleading to call this a six day tour when as you full well know it is a four day tour. Nothing on days one and six
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    From start to finish, details were well taken care of so we did not have to worry about anything! A couple areas we visited, a bit more time would have been nice. Also, when it was raining the day we were scheduled to walk in the cherry blossoms, I wished we could have switched an event so we could have enjoyed that in some dry weather. I hope to travel with Collette again!
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Just the right amount of things to see. We were busy all the time!
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Everything was perfect. The Vietnam Veterans memorial, The Iwo Jima memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    The entire tour was excellent. The sites and knowledge of the tour guide were top notch.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    3star
    Took me to Dogtag Bakery which is set up to ask for donations. I did not appreciate that while I am on vacation. No one met us at baggage claim, received a text stating that "Harold was waiting outside in a black navigator. Hotel was less than desirable with bad service. The first restaurant we were taken to the food was served cold and was bad.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Every detail was covered on our trip.
    Laura Gilbreath
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    Most sites were interesting. Lunch places not so much
    Mark Jensen
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    I've travelled with Collette several times now. They nail it every time. I'm a single woman, traveling alone, and I ALWAYS feel safe on their tours. I travel in a group, so I'm not "really" alone, and always make friends to dine and chat with.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Various museums including Afro American, Smithsonian, Library of Congress and American Indian.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    It is a great tour. Everything and more than expected.
    Sandra Swenson
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    The Ford Theater narration, and the Bible Museum
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Fantastic tour manager, Michael, regaled us with DC history, information about monuments, museums, buildings, etc.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    The tour of Arlington was awesome/
    Sharon Meirhofer
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Fords Theater. We went in ahead of the line !
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    So much great history and sites to see!
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    War Memorials and Gatsby Tavern
    Judith Mcgregor
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    BACKGROUND INFORMATION FROM THE TOUR GUIDE-MICHEAEL H. The Vietnam, WWII, and Korean memorials were beautiful.
    Lois Mcguire
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Your was very well coordinated. The places we went were good and most places I would have wanted to see were covered.
    Debra Widener
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Mt. Vernon and visiting with "Martha Washington" and visit to Ford Theater and the Petersen House.
    Vicki Vermedahl
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    There were too many things to decide from to have a favorite. . . . some visited the Bible Museum that wasn't on the schedule, but I decided to meet up with a long lost cousin & was glad I did. . . just sorry I couldn't do both . .
    Sharon Hobson
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Michael hollingsworth was the best ever he made us feel we got more than we expected. The included restaurants were great experiences and historical knowledge was aweso.awesome!
    Stan &Jacqueline Lawson
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Tour of the war memorials. All were very personal to us. We had many family members in these wars
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Mount Vernon and the changing of the guard at Arlington Cemetery,
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    Went to the holocaust museum on our own. Should be part of the tour or at least an option. I understand that a lot is packed into 4 days but maybe other ideas should be mentioned in the tour booklet incase people are there early or stay extra.
    Linda Antonucci
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    3star
    Upon arrival in DC there was no one there to meet us at the airport as our itinerary said. After an hour wait, we called and someone was sent. That was day 1. Day 2 we waited to be picked up once again and finally walking three miles back to our hotel. Day 3 we waited again to find out our bus broke down. Had to Uber back to our hotel. Day 4 and 5 were fine.
    Susan Cousineau
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    Dinner at historic Gatsbys.
    John Beck
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    Very good tour. All good everywhere we went. Enjoyed the tomb of the unknown soldier and the walls.
    Ginny Thomason
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    We visited Washington DC. We especially enjoyed the Lincoln Memorial at night. Also, the war memorials (Viet Nam Memorial in particular) were very moving. I've always been interested in Lincoln, so visiting Ford's theater was great.
    Dwight Pearce
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    We visited all the places I had always wanted to see. All we had to do was enjoy the sights. The driver did a fantastic job maneuvering Washington DC and our guide answered all of our questions.
    Constance Gotcher
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Great Time All Went well Thank you
    John Page
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Super sites. My favorite was the art at the Smithsonian.
    Clair Mikeska
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    I had a credit from Collette Tours that had to be used in one year when I was left behind on my most cherished trip to Israel. British Airways cancelled the flight and I was one that was left behind because they couldn't guarantee me upgraded seating due to several medical conditions. I had paid for and contracted for the upgraded seating. So naturally this wasn't the trip of a life time in Washington DC but the trip itself was very, very nice. It just wasn't Israel! The credit for Israel allowed me to take a friend with me to D. C. and that was great! Our tour guide was the best! Make sure he gets a raise!
    Barbara Secor
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    I would like to have had about two hours in the hotel to rest and dress for dinner. Each day we were rushed to be on the bus for dinner in 30 to 45 minutes .
    Julia Woodruff
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    WW II Memorial on Memorial Day 🙂
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Monuments and historical events
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    All of the tour was good, but the war monuments were excellent
    Linda Olsen
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Our nation’s Capital building and the national mall.
    Jimmy Hayes
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    Very good tour of Washington D. C. Wide variety of sights. Youthful, energetic and well-informed tour guide(s).
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Accommodates and food were great. Able to see everything we wanted to see.
    Sharon Lahue
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    It was a lot of fun great time had by all
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    My favorite places to visit were the National Cathedral and the World War II Memorial.
    Judith Van Meter
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    Seeing all of the memorials was a highlight of the trip.
    Catherine Parks
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Job well done. Thank you.
    Elizabeth Ott
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    This was my first time visiting Washington DC. Even tho the tour was short, we saw a lot and learned a lot. Everything was amazing.
    Eileen Mathias
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    Good mix of sights, amount of activity each day was manageable.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Exploring the monuments and the museums. Seeing the monuments at night was an optional excursion, but was worth it. We had a fabulous 4 course Italian meal and then saw the Jefferson memorial at night. Very romantic and memorable.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    Just a few minor issues keeping it at 4 stars. My favorite was The Capital. You should always include that. I was disappointed with Mount Vernon. I know people want to go there but I wonder how many end up disappointed. Certainly not the fault of Collette.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    We saw all of the sites that were outlined in the tour overview and the excursions were well-planned, allowed plenty of free time and the meals included were top notch.
    Donna Maresh
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Were able to see all the flowering cherry trees and monuments.
    Lieueen Thomas
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    most memorable on tour experience was of the monuments, cathedral, and our own own visit to the holocaust museum.
    Susan Greenall
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    3star
    Arlington Cemetery was best, Congress great but our own tours were highlights White House, Holocaust Museum, and Bible Museum.
    Carolyn Black
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Great tour, nice hotel, terrific sites.
    Janice Marcum
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Our guide was exceptional and DC was amazing. It exceeded all my expectations. I loved the war memorials.
    Alida Ardis
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    National Cathedral, Capital, Arlington (especially the timing of visit) & Williamsberg. There were political demonstrations going on; however, our tour guide ensured that we did NOT encounter any.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    Washington, DC is a fascinating city but takes more than 5 days to do it justice; our guide was excellent.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    3star
    Inadequate number of Collette guides starting with failure to meet group at airport as we expected. Transportation and driver were there but no one in airport and no one to tell driver where to meet group. side airport
    Charlotte Davidson
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    The story of President Lincoln's assassination and the subsequent hunt for the conspirators.
    Francis Wu
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    I enjoyed it all very much. The museums were very interesting, war memorials, White House tour and all the history.
    Violet Bilderback
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    We loved our tour, it was a super experience with an outstanding guide, who gave us a great historic informational overview and we had a lot of fun and interaction
    Maria Rokovitz
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    Was disappointed with the Twilight Tour. Couldn’t see the Vietnam Wall or the Korean Memorial. Would have liked to see that area in daylight.
    Sharon Galvas
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    See notes from prior page.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    See comments in last box.
    Rick Miller
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    Overall the tour was excellent but we could have had more time at some of the sights, Arlington Cemetery in particular, there was barely time to see the changing of the guard. My highlight I think was the twilight tour it was great value and the meal was excellent.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    We saw a lot in the 4 days.
    Teresa Johnson
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Driver and tour guide were informative and ensured we knew agenda
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    good value including airfare
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    The Capital and the Cherry blossoms.
    Pattey Wright
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    The tour was exceptional in terms of the sites and the guidance, but it was marred by many terrible meals and the hotel was in ownership transition and not up to par, had no A/C in room the entire week. Food was so bad, we are supposed to get a partial refund I've yet to receive.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Great tour stops at top attrections
    David Johnson
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    The night tour with dinner was marvelous!!
    Lesa Thomas
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    A price was quoted on line when i signed up. Once the final details were being made I was told we would be charged an additional $2,000. to cover the hotel. There were not enough rooms at the hotel blocked off to accommodate us, only enough room for us on the bus. I would rather have been given the correct amount from the beginning.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    I just provided a lengthy review - what's wrong with that? If you need me to re-do this, please advise. We WERE NOT IMPRESSED AT ALL - & THIS IS NOT OUR FIRST BUS TRIP!
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Visiting the National Cathedral of Washington.
    Billie Houston
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    seeing all the monuments and the tour guide was great wesly
    Debra Cohen
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    The sites, food and hotel were great.
    Laura Pace
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  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    It said the tour was 6 days and really only 4. the 1st and last day was travel time, I think if we had the full 6 days to view things we wouldn't have Felt rushed at times. Seeing the city at night, thought it would be more.
    Sandra
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    Great time. Enjoyed the historical aspect of DC. As a citizen and a vet, it was inspiring to see how our country developed, and how far we've come. It's been a tough road at times, but God has really blessed us. Not only do we live with many freedoms, we also can worship God, and His Son Jesus Christ as our Savior. Don't let another day go by without asking Him into your life and pick up a good history book to see the story of the building of America.
    Daniel
Reviewed on
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Everything was great. My husband really enjoyed the battle reenactment at Mt. Vermont. We felt we got a good overview of the sights in D.C. Unfortunately we could not go in the capital building because of a bomb scare. Westley, was very knowledgeable and went our of his way to be help full. Our bus driver was always friendly and helped everyone out of the bus.
    Patricia
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Loved the White House Visitor's Center and Mount Vernon the best but it was all really nice. The Smithsonian's are hard to get your head around the time for visiting them so short.
    Gloria
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    The time went so fast at each attraction. Some places we could have had a little more time. It was a trip to Washington that everyone should experience. Since we had a young man, who was a guard for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a few years ago from our little town of 1900, Arlington National Cemetery was a highlight for us.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    Well done. Our tour quide was fabulous !!!!!
    Jennifer
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    Did not like the pace..much to fast for alot of us. Not enough time at the WWII memorial. We were given maybe 5 mins. I was really interested because my father was a POW.
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    5star
    The only complaint I can think of is that the Marriott is stingy with their Wi-Fi. It should be free everywhere, not just in the lobby......
    Susie
Reviewed on
  • Trip Rating:
    4star
    We saw a lot but seemed rushed at times. example WW2 memorial at night - involves more than moderate walking. Our feet and legs hurt a lot by the end of the tour and we were not alone.
    James
Reviewed on

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