Disney daredevil dream ride
Join cosmic outlaws Rocket, Groot, Drax, Gamora and Starlord in Florida on a stellar mission like no other.
The new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind rollercoaster will debut at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando on May 27.
Based in EPCOT’S new World Discovery zone, it will take visitors on a thrilling intergalactic chase through time and space with the heroes of Xandar – accompanied by hit tunes from the 70s and 80s such as Disco Inferno, Everybody Wants to Rule the World and One Way or Another – and is part of the Walt Disney World 50th anniversary celebration.
It’s the first roller coaster at EPCOT and the first reverse launch for a Disney ride. It also features Hollywood A-lister Glenn Close reprising her role from the Guardians of the Galaxy movies as Nova Prime Irani Rael, the leader of Xandar, and commander of the Nova Corps. disneyholidays.co.uk
Budget hotel chain Travelodge has released 40,000 rooms for €37 or less across its 579 UK properties for Father’s Day weekend, June 18-19. More than 200 have a Bar Café to treat Dad to an unlimited breakfast from €10. travelodge.co.uk
National Mall, with the Washington Monument to the east.
Just ahead is the Second World War memorial, and to the left, the Capitol. All of these can be explored by foot or by bicycle, which you can rent for a few dollars a day in the city centre.
My favourite museum is just a few steps off the Mall, behind the Vietnam Wall. The National Portrait Gallery is the official residence of every American President’s official portrait to date.
It’s also where you’ll find an exhibition on Watergate, the scandal that triggered the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974.
It’s even more fascinating, walking through this in the city where it happened.
The sprawling Hillwood Museum and Gardens is the former home of Marjorie Merriweather Post, one of the wealthiest women in America in the 20th century.
There’s also a National Natural History Museum for an educational day out with the kids.
Like any city, each neighbourhood in DC has a unique feel and nightlife scene. Georgetown is about 15 minutes in a taxi, or 20 minutes on the Circular bus route out of the main DC centre.
This bohemian district is known for its two universities. The glamorous student town is also home to some of the best bars and biggest properties in the state, as well as the official residence of Vice President Kamala Harris.
The main road, Main Street, is a culture hub. The area is famed for its shopping outlets, with a colourful mix of malls, tarot readers, bagel bars, French patisseries and Michelinapproved restaurants.
Strolling along the waterfront, we got delightfully lost before stumbling on to Book Hill Park, located at Reservoir Road and Wisconsin Avenue, and were rewarded with panoramic views of Georgetown, the Potomac River and Virginia.
You’ll also find an adorably quaint bookshop called Bridge Street Books, with a whole floor dedicated to poems.
It’s also home to the start of the historic 184-mile Chesapeake and Ohio Canal from back when Georgetown was a tobacco port. Deck chairs are lined up for afternoons by the water – grab a
America’s second coolest city has a vibrant nightlife and rich history
coffee and enjoy the cherry blossom if you visit in season.
If you want more nature, there’s Dumbarton Oaks, a park often described by locals as Georgetown’s
Secret Garden.
For daytime activities, you can go kayaking along the waterfront or enjoy fine dining overlooking the bridge – tourists rave about the seafood restaurants here.
I visited Ris in the trendy K district neighbourhood. It’s run by local chef Ris Lacoste and the food is a combination of local farmers’ market favourites and fresh fish.
Just another reason why DC is more than OK.
Glamorous, bohemian Georgetown is home to some of the best bars