VISITED PLACES
Yorktown, Jamestown, Williamsburg
DAY 1
This year, we tried the company's Open Skies, a subsidiary of British Airways, which offers business class charter flights
from Paris-Orly to New York Newark and Washington Dulles Airports.
The rate is about 2 times cheaper than in airlines and almost two times more than economy class ..
we took our flight to Washington Dulles with Open Skies at Orly South.
In first, Open Skies seat is less comfortable and difficult to maneuver to stretch out.
In second, you disturb the passenger behind you when you change the position of your seat.
The main meal is equivalent to economy class with Air France with a cloth-table.
The Air France crew is very professional, compared to Open Skies.
Your meal is served at once while with Air France, the staff will distribute a paper menu and you have a service for the appetizers
, one for the main course and one for cheese and desserts.
With Air France, you are very comfortable in a shell with a soft seat that extends almost horizontally almost without disturbing
your neighbor from behind.
We staid at the Embassy Suites Dulles-North / Loudoun in Ashburn. Nice hotel. Nothing to report.
DAY 2
We took the road to Alexandria avoiding highways and discovering the landscape around the capital.
Before going into Alexandria, you can not miss the Masonic temple dedicated to George Washington.
This temple is built on a hill and offers a beautiful view of the capital .
 the temple |
 view from the temple |
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statue of Georges Washington |
General George Washington, first president of the United States was a freemason |
We crossed the charming city of Alexandria to get to the home of George Washington at Mount Vernon.
On the road, we stopped in one of the five George Washington's farms. He never lived in this place.
It is a beautiful place with views of the Potomac River.
 view of the farm from the river |
 the back of the farm |
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dependence |
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an other dependence |
George Washington acquired this property in 1760. |
We went to the Embassy Suites near the Convention Center in the early afternoon. We choose this hotel
to be near the main monuments of
the city to do the
walking tours.
The entrance of Chinatown
We started toward the Capitol and we visited it with a guided tour.
 Capitol's view |
 Inside Capitol |
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statue of Liberty |
The same statue at the top of the Capitol |
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statue of Jefferson |
statue of G. Washington |
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view of the obelisk |
locomotion system imported from Viet-Nam |
DAY 3
We visited the memorial of the respective second world war and that of the Viet Nam war and of the Korean War before visiting
the Lincoln Memorial where the reverend Martin Luther King delivered his famous speech "I have a dream"
 mémorial world war 2 |
 mémorial world war 2 |
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Vietnam War Memorial with the names of the dead on the wall |
Vietnam War Memorial |
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Korean War Memorial |
Korean War Memorial |
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Abraham Lincoln Memorial |
Abraham Lincoln Memorial |
In late afternoon, we visited the museum of aviation
 Museum view |
 U.S. Aeropostal |
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Museum view |
Spirit of Saint Louis |
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Charles Lindbergh's plane |
20 and May,21 1927 Charles Lindbergh was the first man to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
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DAY 4
In the morning, we saw the start of a race of hope with thousands of people of all ages.
After we went outside the gates of the White House.
The race for a good cause
 The White House |
 The White House with Conchita's tent in the foreground |
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The White House with snipers on the roof |
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We took the subway to get to the Arlington National Cimetery.
We took a bus tour that stopped us before the grave of John F Kennedy, his wife Jackie, their baby died at birth and Sister Kennedy.
We have witnessed the changing of the guard at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
 Entry of Arlington Cimetery |
 Opening Hours |
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Cimetery's view |
Arlington Cemetery is a
military cemetery established during the civil war
on the property of the general Lee's wife, the commander of the confederate armies. Nearly 300000 dead rest in this place. they are the soldiers of the various conflicts conducted by the U.S. but also political persons provided they are veterans.
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| a special place is reserved for the assassined president John F Kennedy |
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Changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknows |
Washington DC's view from the Tomb of Unknows |
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Pierre Charles L'Enfant was a french guy born at Anet in 1754. He followed lessons from his father at the Paris Academy of Painting and Sculpture . At 22 years, he joined the general Washington and participated in the independence of the United States. At the end of the war, he is responsible for establishing plans for the capital by G. Washington. Because of his bad temper, the project is withdrawn. He will not be paid and he died in poverty. In 1901, the grateful nation rehabilite him. His remains will be transferred to Arlington in 1909. This was the first person neither political nor military to be buried at Arlington |
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the amphitheater at Arlington |
The Arlington Memorial
amphithater is used for different national ceremonies. The auditorium can hold 5000 people. |
We took again the subway and a taxi to visit the Georgetown area recommended by our guide and we found no interest.
After lunch, we went to the botanical garden. YOU MUST VISIT IT
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orchids in the botanical garden |
botanical garden |
Embassy Suites Convention center offered good value for money for the situation.
Our Rating : ***
DAY 5
From Washington, we drove to Gettysburg along the back roads. We crossed the old Frederick village and prefered it to Thurmont.
Arriving at the battlefield, we found no information and are going for Charlottesville. We drove avoiding highways.
We stopped at Hamton Inn hotel Front Royal. YOU CAN STAY HERE
DAY 6
From our hotel, we went to National park entrance Shenendaoh and crossed park road along the skyline drive.
We crossed the landscape to more than 3000 meters with a lot of views.
This road merits 3 stars in the Michelin guide.
But it is not reported in the Hachette blue guide. Our rating ***
 skyline drive in the national park Shenandaoh |
 75 equipped stops to discover the landscapes |
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view from the road |
We took the skyline
drive at Front Royal and drove through the 105 miles of the toll road for nearly 5 hours. The speed limit is 35 MPH We crossed deers but we could see black bears, elks, lynxs, foxes, raccoons....... |
We arrived at the Chalottesville Hilton Garden Inn in the early afternoon and visited Monticello Jefferson's House.
 The home of Thomas Jefferson declared a UNESCO world heritage |
 the back of the house |
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both of us on the side of the house |
Thomas Jefferson completed 2 mandates as president between 1800 and 1808. He negotiated the purchase of Louisiana with Napoleon.This purchase was ratified December 20, 1803 and has seen a doubling of U.S. territory. He sent the Lewis and Clark Expedition recognize the region between the East and West United States. This was the forerunner of the Wild West.
In addition to being a man
politics, he was also inventor,
architect, philosopher and
agriculturalist
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The Garden Inn Hotel was first on Tripadvisor and we agree.
DAY 7
In Charlottesville, it was raining heavily and we took the highway to get to Asheville. En route we came across a village destroyed by a tornado, awesome!!
We took a room at
the Hilton Doubletree Hotel , which was near
the castle of Biltmore.
DAY 8
We bought our tickets at the hotel, $ 50 per person and we arrived at 8:30 for opening the gates of the castle.
We were impressed by
the castle but also
the modernity of the interior.
Our rating: ***
and this castle was not reported in our Blue Guide Hachette.
 Biltmore Castle |
 window with gargoyles |
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the view from the castle |
George Washington
Vanderbilt built
this castle which is a mixture
of the castles of Chambord, Chenonceau and Blois. His family had made a fortune in the railroad and steamboats. We still can not imagine that one man can do construct such a field in the late 19th century. Today, the area still belongs to the family. 1 hotel was built on the area to receive visitors. |
We visited the gardens and have finished our visit by winnery where we enjoyed with a good white wine and above all a delicious rose wine.
 Biltmore garden |
 Biltmore garden |
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Biltmore garden |
Biltmore garden |
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Biltmore garden |
After visiting the
castle where once again,
you are prohibited from filming and photograph, a hiking trail takes you to a small pond by introducing you to beautiful gardens maintained and wild. |
DAY 9
At 8am, we took the highway to Savannah and met rain over much of the circuit.
We found a room quite expensive at Hilton Garden Inn. We visited the banks of the Savannah River.
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the shopping street along the river. |
We have made an excellent meal at the River House Seafood along the river.
DAY 10
We followed the advice of the Blue Guide and visited the principal houses of Savannah.
For lunch, we took lunch at City Market and returned on the banks of the Savannah River in the afternoon.
 City Hall |
 City Market |
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City Market |
A place with beautiful trees |
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this
renovated house is
a bed and breakfast
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other bed and breakfast |
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restaurant along the river |
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Owens-Thomas House which visited the Marquis de Lafayette in 1825 |
We did not like
Savannah. It is a city
dirty and poorly
renovated.
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In the evening we had an excellent meal at the Chart House along the river.
our rating : * not more 1 day to visit Savannah
DAY 11
We left Savannah and headed to Charleston where we took a room at the Embassy Suites.
We visited the old houses of
Charleston.
 the walk on The Battery |
 Saint Michael's Church |
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city Hall |
US Custom House |
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St Philips Church |
Charleston's House |
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Charleston's House |
Charleston's House |
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Charleston's House |
For us,
Charleston is the
prettiest city in the
United States
our rating : ***
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We visited the house Edmonston-Alston House, where it is forbidden to take pictures.
One wonders why when you claim $ 10 to see old furniture and old photographs without interest.
The guides gave us permission to take pictures outside but the owner has forbidden us by claiming that it was private property.
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Edmondston-Alston House |
Edmondston-Alston House |
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Edmondston-Alston House |
3
stars in the
Hachette Guide Bleu. Move along, nothing to see and do not waste 10 dollars. |
We will keep the worst memory of our trip with the visit. RUN AWAY !!!!! our rating : 00000
our rating : *** for the pleasant city of Charleston
DAY 12
In the morning we went to Magnolia Plantation and we kept all the options of the visit.
Tours of the gardens, to do;
The tour of the house, can be avoided because you can not take pictures.
The way nature by train,
it can be done but not required.
The visit of slaves quarter
interesting to realize
the housing of
the poor people.
The visit by boat,
can be avoided
A visit to the Audubon
Swamp, so it
must be done absolutely.
 Magnolia plantation |
 the slaves's houses |
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the romantic Long Bridge |
beautiful trees |
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Audubon Swamp |
Audubon Swamp |
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Egrets in Audubon Swamp |
We took the ticket to $ 47 which provides access to all visits.
our rating : *** |
DAY 13
Early morning we went to Boone's Plantation. $ 17 per person to visit the house, gardens and around the plantation
with a small train and the slave
quarters (well done). We
returned to the hotel by early
afternoon.
the cypress avenue
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 Boone Hall Plantation |
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the front door of the house |
the gate that faces the alley of cypress |
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a beautiful tree |
this one is rooted in
the marsh
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the slaves quarter |
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a smoker |
You need just a morning to visit this beautiful plantation. our rating : ** We put 2 stars because we gave three stars to the Magnolia Plantation.
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Then we took a ferry ($ 15 per person) to Fort Sumter. We spent the afternoon on this place.
 Fort Sumter |
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Fort Sumter |
After
the War of 1812 and the
destruction of Washington
DC, governments decided to strengthen their coasts with the construction of forts. The construction of Fort Sumter began in 1829 and was 90% completed in 1860. On April 12, 1861 the Confederates fired on Fort Sumter and after a bombardment of 34 hours, the commander of the fort Robert Anderson rendered the fort to Confederate General Beauregard. In 1947, the United States Army closed the fort and the following year he was supported by the National Park Service. |
DAY 14
We took the road to Myrtle Beach, which has deeply disappointed. We continued north and have entered
Ocean Isle Beach
where we're staying at the
Beach Club Resort, a small
bedroom with double bed.
 0cean Isle |
 Ocean Isle |
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wedding on the beach in front of our hotel |
This is a step
to avoid. The hotel is
poorly insulated and expensive
with breakfast unworthy of
the asking price.
There are two
restaurants at the
entrance of the island. |
DAY 15
After attending a wedding on the beach, we went to Morehead.
Cathy Adair
inform
us very well
to book the ferry to
Cape Hatteras.
We wanted to sleep at the Hampton Inn Morehead but before the 1:50 to go to Cedar Island,
we prefered to book a room at the Driftwood motel and took the first pass of 7 H AM .
DAY 16
From Cedar Island, we took the ferry to Ocracoke Island, crossing of 2:40, then another ferry to Hatteras Island in 40 minutes.
We liked the small island of
Ocracoke, we observed that
the sleeping
accommodations existed and
that in this case the solution is
probably
to take a
ferry in the afternoon and
sleep there.
We climbed the 257 steps to the lighthouse and saw Hatteras Cape .
 our ferry |
 cape Hatteras seen from the top of the lighthouse |
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the 257 steps |
We crossed the Outer Banks and booked a room at the Corolla Hampton Inn
 the coast before Corolla |
 view from our bedroom |
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view from our bedroom |
restaurant North Banks |
In the evening we dined at North Banks, probably our best fish dish (a grilled cobia) since our arrival.
our rating for le restaurant North Banks : ***
DAY 17
We stayed
in Corolla. In the morning
we walked on the beach for
7.6 miles
before taking lunch
at Subway.
In the afternoon we were
until the end of the road and
visited the Corolla
lighthouse.
 Corolla beach |
 Corolla beach |
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Corolla beach |
view from our hotel |
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Corolla lighthouse |
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the national park |
the end
of the island is an area
inhabited by wild horses
and managed
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DAY 18
From Corolla, we drove to Virginia Beach. We were positively interested in the seaside town and its animation.
We sleep in Hampton
Inn North, a
beautiful hotel and we have a
nice room with sea view
 Neptune god of the sea |
 view from our hotel |
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the walk along the seaside |
Animation on Sunday |
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marina near Rudee's restaurant |
the restaurant Rudee's |
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the beach |
This may be
the proximity to Washington
that Virginia Beach
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our rating for Rudee's Restaurant : ***
DAY 19
This morning we visited Yorktown, theater of a battle in the history of the American Revolution. We found the predominant role
played by France in this revolution: Admiral De Grasse, which forced the British to surrender at Yorktown and also Generals
Lafayette and Rochambeau who fought alongside George Washington.
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The visit of Jamestown was not interesting.
 Jamestown |
 Jamestown |
In Williamsburg, we visited the historic district where they attended a performance in costume of their revolution.
 Williamsburg |
 Williamsburg |
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To visit the city, we had to pay an entrance fee quite expensive. |
our rating for Aberdeen Barn Restaurant : *
DAY 20
We wanted to stop in Richmond. But before this ugly city we continued our road to Fredericksburg.
We could not visit it
because of bad weather.
We sleep for the first time
in a Hilton
Homewood Suites.
Hampton Inn
and Suites
were located in the same area and
were all booked. We had
our room with our
HHonors card.
In the Hilton
hotel chain, there is always
a room for an
HHonors member.
We checked.
The room is great because
we have 2 bedrooms (2
queen beds and a
king) and a
lounge where you can do
the kitchen.
DAY 21
Today in Fredericksburg, we visited the historic city and the field of battle between the southerners and northerners.
 a downtown street |
 a nice house |
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the house of Hugh Mercer Apothecary. He was also a friend of George Washington and Brigadier General. He died at the Battle of Princeton |
the statue of Hugh Mercer, a hero of American independence |
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Rising Sun Tavern
was founded by the
brother of G.
Washington
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store Fielding Lewis, husband of Betty Washington, sister of George |
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house of Mary Washington, the mother of George |
Kenmore plantation was inhabited by Betty Washington and her husband |
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Fredericksburg battle field |
Fredericksburg battle field |
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Fredericksburg battle field |
4
bloody battles took place
in the city of Fredericksburg
and its environs during the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865. 100 000 soldiers were killed during these battles. 620 000 soldiers lost their lives during the war without counting civilian casualties. |
DAY 22
We avoided the highways to get to our Embassy Suites in Ashburn where we spend the night before our flight.
DAY 23
Return to Paris
Thank you to our friends in Quebec Luce and Denis for their advice.
Without them we would not have
discovered the Skyline Drive
and Castle Biltmore
