Washington was the world’s hot spot in 1998 with the Monica Lewinsky

Washington was the world’s hot spot in 1998, with the Monica Lewinsky affair and the impeachment trial. Pictures of the White House, The Mall and Capitol Hill were splashed across television networks around the globe. Sleaze aside, there are more compelling reasons to visit Washington DC. The nation’s capital and one of the oldest cities in the US has a unique combination of history, ethnic diversity and social life to satisfy the most eclectic tastes.
When to goEarly summer and autumn are the best times to go, rather than, say, August which is hot and muggy with 95 per cent humidity Flights are also the most expensive at that time. September, on the other hand, is a good choice with pleasant temperatures and the start of the glorious display of leaf-colour characteristic of Fall in the States.Getting thereSeveral airlines go direct into Dulles International Airport, the main international airport for Washington. British Airways (tel: 0345 222111) does a return fare from pounds 460 (plus pounds 52 tax); Virgin (tel: 01293 747747) currently has returns from pounds 388 (plus pounds 52 tax); and United (tel: 0845 8444777) has them from pounds 575.

All have several daily flights and from September, fares will drop below pounds 300, sometimes as low as pounds 200.Where to stayThe Holiday Inn on K Street (tel: 001 202 6820111) is a well-located though not particularly cheap hotel, unless it is a Friday or Saturday night – most hotels in the city offer a discounted rate at the weekend. Prices during the week are around $250 (pounds 175) a night for a double, but on Friday and Saturday, the price drops to $119 (pounds 75) plus tax.The Embassy Suites on 22nd Street (tel: 001 202 8573388) offers a four- day stay at $179 per night or seven days at $169 per night. The hotel has an indoor pool, a fitness centre including a sauna, and an arcade of shops and services. All prices include breakfast, and complimentary drinks – including alcoholic ones – are offered between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.The Willard Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue (tel: 001 202 6289100) is the oldest hotel in the city and for 150 years has been an integral part of Washington society.

Its central location, two blocks from the White House, means it is surrounded by Washington’s most fashionable shops and restaurants, and The Mall (see below) and museums are just a short walk away. Room rates at the weekend, including a Sunday night, are $219 for a double, rising to $289 during the week (subject to availability).The Adams Inn on Lanier Place (tel: 001 202 7453600) offers coffee and doughnuts around the clock and cheap, cosy rooms from $55.What to see and doThere is a multitude of monuments to see, museums to visit and places to go around DC. The key to going to any city in the US is to know what is available and plan ahead, leaving some time for additional activities that take your fancy. Washington is essentially made up of two parts, the Federal Washington and downtown DC.

The Federal part is The Mall with all the monuments and the museums. Downtown DC includes such areas as Adams-Morgan, a multi-ethnic community with an amazing selection of restaurants, and Georgetown, the upmarket, chic neighbourhood and shopping mall.Within the city limits, transport is by subway and there are also several companies offering tours around the different parts of the city. These cover all the monuments, with options to get off at any point. There is also a bus that shuttles between the museums on The Mall.For something a little different in the way of tours, DC Ducks provides an entertaining land and water tour-bus that transforms from a van into a boat. Also interesting are the famous Scandal Tours which take tourists past Gary Hart’s town-house, the Watergate complex, The Vista Hotel where Mayor Barry was caught smoking crack, and, of course, everywhere associated with Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. Alternatively, you can pick up the blue-and-white Tourmobile Sightseeing Bus which runs round the mainstream tourist sights (Capitol, Lincoln Memorial etc) from 9am to 6.30pm and, on the standard 18-sight loop, get on and off at any location. Tickets can be bought on the bus, adults $12, children $6.No trip to Washington would be complete without a visit to the Smithsonian Institution.