The Washington Monument (Memorials) tour is inspirational - makes one wish we could get back to that early patriotism and belief in God.

Our 4/15-4/19/13 Washington DC Monuments program was Great! Be sure to stay at least an extra day or 2 to see the memorable Supreme Court lecture (once per hour on the half hour, ends 3:30PM) and movie. The Capitol also has a free tour which does NOT require an appointment. Allow at least an hour or more, as very crowded. The Metro is easy to use if you stay on the Blue line to the Capitol Bldg. stop, and then take it back to the Radisson-Reagan Hotel. Rush hour tickets cost more, so try to travel after 9:30AM and before 3:30PM. The hardest part of the Metro is buying the ticket for the correct amount of money, and then having to add money to it because you missed the pre-rush hour time of 3:30PM by 1 minute. Maureen and Mike Linden, Miami, Fl.

If you want to see the major monuments and sights of D.C. without the hassle of making your way around on your own, this is the program for you! Well organized and informative and pretty much covers everything but the area around the Capitol.

Thanks to everyone who expressed concern after I fell on steps behind me at the Marine Corps Memorial (Iwo Jima) after dinner on 5/10. It was stupid of me to walk backward to get the whole thing in a photo when I also could have bumped into people behind me. A doctor I saw yesterday says I should elevate my right leg & maybe the bruises will go away in a month; he said I didn't need the leg x-rayed.

This program was very good but not perfect. My listening device didn't work the day we rode to Arlington Cemetery & I was sitting in back of the coach. Traffic noise woke me up early at the hotel, since my room was near the highway. Turning light near bed off/on was tricky. Guides were very knowledgeable & seeing Women in Military Memorial & African-American Civil War Mem./Museum were added to the schedule. Take the tram at Arlington; you'll still stand/walk a lot. I took subway to see some memorials after arriving early on 5/7, rode Old Town Trolley to the zoo on 5/11, and took subway on 5/12 to tour Capitol & see Union Station etc. Repairs caused subway delays but rush hour causes delays above ground, so I never saw White House Visitor Ctr. that closes at 4 p.m. Glad I didn't have to go through security to use restroom near Washington Monument on 5/12!