Travel South - VIRGINIA, NORTH E SOUTH CAROLINA

Washington DC rises on the banks of the Potomac River, capital of the United States and political heart of the nation, a city of monumental vistas and broad green spaces best explored on foot. Its centrepiece is the National Mall, the long esplanade lining up the symbols of American democracy: the white-domed Capitol, the soaring Washington Monument obelisk, the Lincoln Memorial overlooking the Reflecting Pool, and the memorials to Jefferson, Roosevelt and the war veterans. Along the Mall stand the world-class, free-admission museums of the Smithsonian Institution, from the National Air and Space Museum to the National Gallery of Art, the Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Nearby, the White House can be admired across the gardens of Pennsylvania Avenue. Yet Washington is far more than its institutions: its neighbourhoods tell another story. Georgetown, the oldest, lines federal townhouses, boutiques and cafés along the C&O Canal and the Potomac; Dupont Circle is the bohemian heart of galleries and bookshops; U Street keeps alive the legacy of jazz and historic venues; Adams Morgan buzzes with ethnic kitchens and nightlife. The capital's tables mirror this diversity, from markets such as Eastern Market to an international dining scene and the local classic of the half-smoke sausage. In spring the city turns pink with the cherry blossom around the Tidal Basin, a gift from Japan and the occasion for the famous Cherry Blossom Festival. Nearby, a trip to Alexandria in Virginia or to Mount Vernon, George Washington's residence, rounds off the journey. Between neoclassical marble, great museums and neighbourhoods of distinct character, Washington DC blends the solemnity of power with the vibrancy of a capital that invites discovery step by step.

Williamsburg is one of the most history-rich cities in the United States, in the heart of colonial Virginia, famed for Colonial Williamsburg, an extraordinary living reconstruction of the 18th-century capital where costumed actors re-enact life from the era of the American Revolution. Together with Jamestown and Yorktown it forms the Historic Triangle, cradle of the nation. Home to the prestigious College of William & Mary, the city also offers famous theme parks. Between colonial heritage, historical re-enactments and 18th-century charm, Williamsburg is an authentic plunge into America's origins.

Virginia Beach stretches along the Atlantic in south-eastern Virginia, a popular seaside city with a long boardwalk facing the ocean. The wide sandy beaches, the King Neptune statue and the lively promenade animated by venues and restaurants make it a classic seaside destination. Nearby open nature parks and coastal reserves. Virginia Beach is the ideal destination for those seeking Atlantic beaches, boardwalk life and the sun of the Virginia coast.

A jewel of the Deep South, Charleston enchants with its pastel-coloured houses, shady porches and cobbled streets where time seems to stand still. Along the famous Rainbow Row stand colourful façades overlooking the harbour, while the French Quarter and the area around Battery Park reveal historic mansions, blooming gardens and churches with soaring steeples. The city preserves the memory of its colonial past and the surrounding plantations, now open to visitors among centuries-old oaks draped in Spanish moss. Renowned for its warm hospitality and refined Lowcountry cuisine — from shrimp and grits to she-crab soup — Charleston also tempts with the nearby beaches of Sullivan's Island and Folly Beach. Romantic and elegant, it is the sweetest essence of the American South.

At the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in western North Carolina, Asheville blends wild nature with a lively arts and food scene. Its most famous landmark is the Biltmore Estate, a sumptuous French Renaissance-style mansion built by the Vanderbilt family and surrounded by gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. The Art Deco downtown, among the best preserved in the South, teems with galleries, craft shops and microbreweries that have made the city a beer capital. The nearby River Arts District houses artists' studios, while the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway leads to Appalachian peaks, waterfalls and forests. Asheville is the perfect destination for those seeking art, the outdoors and the relaxed atmosphere of the Southern mountains.

Roanoke rises in the valley of its namesake river, in the heart of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, a city symbolised at night by the large illuminated star on Mill Mountain. An important railroad hub, its past is celebrated by the Virginia Museum of Transportation, while the lively historic centre and the colourful Roanoke City Market animate city life. Its location along the spectacular Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Trail makes it an ideal base for nature lovers. Between mountains, railroad heritage and culture, Roanoke is the lively heart of southwestern Virginia.

Charlottesville reclines among the gentle hills of Virginia, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, an elegant city tied to the figure of Thomas Jefferson. Here stand Monticello, the famous residence of the third president, and the University of Virginia, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The lively pedestrian centre and surrounding vineyards complete the experience. Charlottesville is a crossroads of history, culture and landscape in the heart of Virginia.

Luray rises in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains and famous for its spectacular underground caverns. The Luray Caverns, with their cathedrals of stalactites and a unique stalactite organ, are among the most visited in the United States. The town is also a gateway to Shenandoah National Park. A captivating destination where the wonders below ground and the vistas of the Appalachians meet.