The Supreme Court of the United States. SCOTUS. It seems as if all eyes, ears and news reports have been focused on the inner-workings of the Supreme Court in recent weeks. Politics and justice aside, here’s why taking a self-guided tour inside the Supreme Court is a must-see destination when visiting Washington, DC.

Trompe l’oeil, the finest example we’ve ever been privileged to see was in Montpellier, France. We were never meant to stay in Montpellier, but it proved to be a best of the best experience.

How to ride the DC Metro. Let me start by saying something I’ve said many times before and will most likely say again in future posts. One of the best features of Washington, DC is that it is a very walkable city. It’s easy to navigate because the city is laid out in a grid.  With that being said, if you’re not a walker or you just want to catch a ride, the city buses and cabs are easily accessible. Of course, so is the Metro.

The Bishop’s Garden is just steps away from the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. It reminds me a bit of the classic children’s tale, “The Secret Garden”. Not so much because it’s a secret, which it isn’t, but because it’s a serene little garden tucked away behind a rock wall.

The gingerbread houses of Martha’s Vineyard are iconic. Each time we visit we take a relaxing stroll through the cluster of 300+ utterly charming and individually unique houses. We always discover something new.

Putting the fun in funicular. The word fun is embedded in the word funicular for a reason, I like to think. I don’t know who coined the term funicular but I like to believe it was a play on words. Funiculars are indeed fun and the opportunity to ride in one should never be missed. At least we think so.

The Persian Rug. While in Iran, we spent time in the City of Kashan. It is the city in which Abi was born and where many of his relatives still live. We were graciously invited to the home of his Aunt Nahid. She has the gift of weaving extraordinary Persian rugs.

Located in north eastern Washington, DC, Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens gives the Washington, DC annual cherry blossoms a run for their money. So-to-speak. While the gardens are not as well-known, they are certainly beautiful in their own right.

Capela de Peregrina. Chapel of the Pilgrims. Pontevedra, Spain.

On the morning of day nine, while walking the Camino Portuguese, we set out from Arcade. Our next scheduled stop was Pontevedra, just 7.5 miles (12 kms) away. No big deal, right?

Steak Frites in Montpellier, France.

It was an unexpected stop on a 3-month cross-Europe rail adventure. As it turned out though, the 4-day visit to Montpellier proved to be one of our most favorite experiences. And, by far, one of our best meals.