HNHO - Maison Barrière Vendôme | Highlight - Washington DC with your adult kids

WHERE TO NEXT?

Dear Traveler,

I’ve only been in Madrid for two days and it feels like my time in DC was weeks ago!

So far I’ve had 28 meetings with hoteliers and partners from around Europe. Mostly from Spain, Italy, Portugal, Croatia and Greece. I’ve learned about upcoming openings that will show up in future newsletters and about new experiences and restaurants that I have added to my personal must-visit list and to destination lists for you.

When I’m back from this trip I’ll share some of my favorite nuggets.

Last week’s most popular article was BBC’s Best places to travel in 2025: Where to go in the US for an enriching family trip.

This week’s inspirational articles include fishing experiences for hard-core anglers, historical hotels around the world and why the Balkans should be your next summer destination.

The informational articles include a quiz to take before your summer vacation, everything you need to know about hurricane season and how to pass on frequent flyer miles.

Also articles on Dublin, France, the new Four Seasons’ yacht and Bermuda.

Saturday I’m off to Slovenia and since you likely have not been, I can’t wait to share the details with you to inspire your next European adventure to a new country!

Where to next for you?

Warmly,

Below:

This week’s highlight – Washington DC
Hot New Hotel Opening – Maison Barrière Vendôme
Inspiration + Information

WASHINGTON DC

Georgetown and Washington DC are a fun getaway for a mom daughter trip!

Yes, I worked while I was there (thank you for your patience, Jessie!), but we also explored all over the city. The museums, history, restaurants from every culture, shows, cafes and ways to be active are vast!

I loved the combination of staying in both Georgetown and the center of the city. In Georgetown we did a food tour. My favorites of the places we went to are below….

Call Your Mother – the Sun City bagel sandwich is delicious! (menu)
The Tombs – frequented by Georgetown students at night, the lower level eatery has throwback vibes and a famous Philly Cheese Steak Egg Roll. It’s a great place to take your college kid.
Baked & Wired – everyone I know prefers this over Georgetown Cupcakes (I had the red velvet).
Mai Tai – the favorite is the Georgetown Roll (outside seating).

We ate out three meals a day for five days, plus had some cocktail stops, so I have more Georgetown and city center recs for you!

Il Canale – our favorite pizza from a prior trips – delish!, outside seating.
Levain Bakery – the one place I prefer oatmeal raisin cookie over chocolate chip.

We didn’t make it to Grace Street Coffee, but it’s a favorite of the Ritz Carlton Georgetown concierge. Also on our list for next time – Georgetown Piano Bar to see the dueling pianists.

M Street for shopping.

I did site visits at The Dupont Circle Hotel, The Hay Adams, The Willard, The Ritz Carlton Georgetown, The Viceroy and The Four Seasons. Very different properties for a variety of tastes and locations.

And we walked all over the center – Foggy Bottom, Capitol Hill, Adam’s Morgan, Dupont Circle, Logan Circle and of course the Mall. I’ve listed more of our favorite places below.

Code Red for cocktails with my bestie’s daughter who gave Jessie the warmest of welcomes to her city.
Rasika for Indian food.
Barcelona Wine Bar – for a jar of sangria and some Spanish tapas with the son of a friend of mine, who gave Jessie lots of insights on living in DC and working on the Hill.
Rose’s Luxury for a splurge. Choose your own adventure dinner. I learned about snowmen Tteokbokki, now on my list to make at home. My favorite dish? Tuna Tartare stuffed inside an avocado with crushed tortilla chips & passionfruit (below). The Snowmen Tteokbokki was delicious served a la vodka, then an adult happy meal and for desert we shared Mole negro sticky toffee pudding with horchata ice cream & toasted peanuts. Everything was delicious and the energy in the restaurant was perfect.
Ted’s Bulletin – a 60’s diner vibe with adult pop tarts. I LOVED the Halloumi Kale Salad!
The Coffee Bar – on a neighborhood street with great outdoor seating.
Vue Rooftop – overlooking the US Treasury, the White House and beyond.

We took an architecture tour of Dupont Circle and Embassy Row. Our guide, a former architect, was a skilled storyteller, sharing many stories of Washington’s history and high society (some of which she termed salacious and scandalous).

Alice Roosevelt Longworth, the oldest child of President Roosevelt would sunbathe on roof of White House and skinny dip in the Potomac River.
Alice Pike Barney, whose life was changed by a chance meeting with Oscar Wilde.
Harry Winston donated the Hope Diamond to Smithsonian in 1958. How did he get it there? By regular U.S. mail! You can see the envelop in the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum (picture below).

She pointed out old police and fire calling boxes. Although many are in disrepair, some gems have been restored – like the ones below near Embassy Row.

We also visited The National Portrait Gallery, The Smithsonian Museums of Natural History and American History, walked the Mall to the Lincoln Memorial and the National Monument and by the White House.

We stopped to ask a Secret Service agent how the logistics worked when the President was coming and going from the White House (the perimeter is widened, so tourists and passersby are set back an additional block).

Places I wanted to go to but we just couldn’t fit it all in. On the list for next time:

The Kennedy Center
Hillwood Estate and Museum Marjorie Merriweather Post’s former residence**
A boat on the river
The Wharf
Mamman – delicious cafe near Dupont Circle (closed on weekends which is why we didn’t make it)
Jane Jane – for cocktails. No reserving. Crowded and vibey.
Le Diplomate – a very Parisian cafe
600T – cocktail bar

What else did we miss? If you have any favorites, please send me a note. I will be going back – hopefully again this summer.

**A friend told me about this estate and also recommended The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post: A Novel.

Reading and travel go hand and hand for me. I especially love reading and gifting books about a destination so I purchased this one for my daughter.

Click the book cover to read more about it before your next trip to DC.

Reach out to plan your trip to

Washington DC

🌟 Maison Barrière Vendôme opened its doors earlier this year, offering an elegant retreat in the heart of Paris. Situated between the iconic Place Vendôme and the tranquil Tuileries Garden.

Why visit Maison Barrière Vendôme?

Each of the hotel’s 26 rooms, suites, and apartments is inspired by a legendary woman who left her mark on Parisian history. From the George Sand Suite, adorned with 18th-century fabrics reminiscent of the writer’s personal bedroom, to the Sarah Bernhardt Suite, featuring velvet accents inspired by the actress’s stage attire, the hotel transforms into a gallery honoring femininity and French craftsmanship.
Frida, the bar and restaurant, offers a South American-inspired menu in an intimate setting. The space extends onto a veranda overlooking a serene, tree-lined patio—an unexpected oasis in the heart of the city.
Situated in one of Paris’s most prestigious neighborhoods, guests have immediate access to luxury shopping at Place Vendôme and cultural landmarks like the Tuileries Gardens and the Louvre Museum.

Of course it comes with the usual perks and VIP treatment when booking your stay through Truvay Travel.