Chances are that if you're visiting London, you probably plan to travel to other parts of the world, or already have. Spend a few hours exploring the Victoria and Albert Museum and you'll find treasures from all over the world to remind you of your travels or tempt you to far away destinations. The museum was founded in 1852 but did not move to its current location until 1857. The collection has grown since that time and the museum now contains the most extensive collection of decorative art in the world, displayed in beautiful surroundings. The museum contains a remarkable collection of reproductions in the Cast Courts. While not "real" objects, these reproductions are often in better condition than the originals and comprise one of the few remaining collections of such objects. The Nehru Gallery of Indian Art is also impressive and contains one of the highlights of the museum - Tippoo's Tiger. This model of a tiger devouring a man was brought to London in 1799 and contains an organ that simulates the tiger's growls and the man's shrieks. The Dress Gallery houses a collection of clothing that will have you feeling relieved you're living in the present. The older the clothing, the more uncomfortable it looks! There are several places to eat and shop within the museum. Pick up a map before exploring, or a guidebook covering the highlights of the collections. Tube: South Kensington
From
patriotic themed accommodations to European styled hotels, Washington D.C.
offers a host of lodging options. For instance, the Crowne Plaza is a four-star, deluxe hotel
located in Franklin Square, just a few blocks from the White House. Downtown Washington D.C. offers a wide
range of hotels to choose from. ....more
Located in the downtown area, there are 117 lavish guest rooms available.
Some of the conveniences the modern traveler has come to expect can be found
at the Best Western Historic Area including Internet access .
