As part of booking roundtrip flights which depart from US airports,
Orbitz is pleased to offer airline tickets on Varig, which operates a daily non-stop flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil (GRU) to Washington (IAD) regularly scheduled to depart at 11:40pm and arrive at 6:35am. Usually a Boeing 767-300 is flown for this route. The average travel time from Sao Paulo, Brazil to Washington, DC is 9 hours and 55 minutes.
During your Washington vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:
The Supreme Court of the United States
The highest tribunal in the nation, the Supreme Court is charged with deciding whether actions of Congress, the president, the states, and lower courts are in accord with the Constitution, and with applying the Constitution's enduring principles to novel situations and a changing country. The Supreme Court's chief justice and eight associate justices the authority to invalidate legislation or executive action that conflicts with the Constitution. Out of the 7,000 or so cases submitted to it each year, the Supreme Court hears only about 100 cases, many of which deal with issues vital to the nation. The Court's rulings are final, reversible only by another Supreme Court decision, or in some cases, an Act of Congress or a constitutional amendment.Until 1935, the Supreme Court met in the Capitol. Architect Cass Gilbert designed the stately Corinthian marble palace that houses the Court today. The building was considered rather grandiose by early residents: One justice remarked that he and his colleagues ought to enter such pompous precincts on elephants.If you're in town when the Court is in session, try to see a case being argued (call tel. 202/479-3211 for details). The Court meets Monday through Wednesday and hears up to four arguments a day, from 10am to noon, and from 1 to 2pm or 3pm, starting the first Monday in October through late April. From mid-May to late June, you can attend brief sessions (about 15 min.) at 10am on Monday, when the justices release orders and opinions. Find out what cases are on the docket by checking the Washington Post's "Supreme Court Calendar." Arrive at least an hour early -- earlier for highly publicized cases -- to line up for seats, about 150 of which are allotted to the general public.There are many rituals here. At 10am, the entrance of the justices is announced by the marshal, and all present rise and remain standing while the justices are seated following the chant: "The Honorable, the Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! All persons having business before the Honorable, the Supreme Court of the United States, are admonished to draw near and give their attention, for the Court is now sitting. God save the United States and this Honorable Court!" Unseen by the gallery is the "conference handshake"; following a 19th-century tradition symbolizing a "harmony of aims if not views," each justice shakes hands with each of the other eight when they assemble to go to the bench. The Court has a record before it of prior proceedings and relevant briefs, so each side is allowed only a 30-minute argument.Call the Supreme Court information line to find out days and times that court arguments will take place. You may view these on a first-come, first-served basis, choosing between the 3-minute line, which ushers visitors in and out of the court every 3 minutes, starting at 10am in the morning and at 1pm in the afternoon; or the "regular" line, which admits visitors who wish to stay for the entire argument, starting at 9:30am and 12:30pm (arrive about 90 min. early to snag a spot).The Supreme Court is cloaked in mystery, purposefully. You can't take cameras or recording devices into the courtroom, and you're not allowed to take notes, either. The justices seldom give speeches and never give press conferences.When the Court is not in session, you can tour the building and attend a free lecture in the courtroom about Court procedure and the building's architecture. Lectures are given every hour on the half-hour from 9:30am to 3:30pm. After the talk, explore the Great Hall and go down a flight of steps to see the 24-minute film on the workings of the Court. On the same floor is an exhibit highlighting the "History of High Courts Around the World," on display indefinitely. If you tour the building on your own, you should allow about an hour. You might also consider contacting your senator or congressperson to arrange for a 40-minute guided tour of the building led by a Supreme Court staff member, who will take you places you won't be able to go on your own. There's also a gift shop and a public cafeteria that serves good food.
National World War II Memorial
When this memorial was dedicated on May 29, 2004, 150,000 people turned out: President Bush; members of Congress; Marine Corps General (retired) P.X. Kelley, who chaired the American Battle Monuments Commission, the group that spearheaded construction of the memorial; actor Tom Hanks and news anchor Tom Brokaw, both of whom had been active in eliciting support for the memorial; and last but most important, thousands of World War II veterans and their families. These legions of veterans, some dressed in uniform, many wearing a cap identifying the name of the veteran's division, turned out with pride, happy to receive the nation's gratitude, 60 years in the making, expressed profoundly in this memorial.Designed by Friedrich St. Florian and funded mostly by private donations, the memorial fits nicely into the landscape between the Washington Monument grounds to the east, and the Lincoln Memorial and its reflecting pool to the west. St. Florian purposely situated the 7 1/2-acre memorial so as not to obstruct this long view down the Mall: Fifty-six 17-foot-high granite pillars representing each state and territory stand to either side of a central plaza and the Rainbow pool. Likewise, 24 bas-relief panels divide down the middle so that 12 line each side of the walkway leading from the entrance at 17th Street; the panels to the left, as you walk toward the center of the memorial, illustrate seminal scenes from the war years as they relate to the Pacific theater: Pearl Harbor, amphibious landing, jungle warfare, a field burial, and so on; the panels to the right are sculptured scenes of war moments related to the Atlantic theater: Rosie the Riveter, Normandy Beach landing, the Battle of the Bulge, the Russians meeting the Americans at the Elbe River. A man named Raymond Kaskey, an architect and sculptor, sculpted these panels based on archival photographs.Large open pavilions stake out the north and south axes of the memorial, and semicircular fountains create waterfalls on either side. Inscriptions at the base of each pavilion fountain mark key battles. Beyond the center Rainbow Pool is a wall of 4,000 gold stars, one star for every 100 soldiers who died in World War II. People often leave photos and mementoes everywhere around the memorial, which the National Park Service gather up daily (the NPS is currently deciding how best to maintain an archive of these mementoes). If you are lucky, you will see World War II veterans when you visit this memorial. My husband and I saw a man of that certain age, fit looking, very tan, and alone, bend down and touch the word "Okinawa" engraved in the fountain coping at the base of the Pacific pavilion, and start to cry.From the 17th Street entrance walk south around the perimeter of the memorial to reach a ranger station, where there are brochures and registry kiosks, the latter for looking up names of veterans. Better information and faster service is available online at www.wwiimemorial.com.
National Zoological Park
The giant pandas are the zoo's biggest draw, but don't stop with Mei Xiang and Tian Tian.Established in 1889, the National Zoo is home to some 500 species, many of them rare and/or endangered. A leader in the care, breeding, and exhibition of animals, it occupies 163 beautifully landscaped and wooded acres and is one of the country's most delightful zoos. You'll see cheetahs, zebras, camels, elephants, tapirs, antelopes, brown pelicans, kangaroos, hippos, rhinos, giraffes, apes, and, of course, lions, tigers, and bears (oh my).Consider calling ahead (allow at least 4 weeks and call during weekday business hours) for a free 90-minute highlights tour (tel. 202/673-4671), though it's not recommended for kids under age 4. Tours take place only on weekends. The tour guide will tell you how to look at the animals; where, why, and when to look; and will fill your visit with lots of surprises.Pointers: Enter the zoo at the Connecticut Avenue entrance; you'll be right by the Education Building, where you can pick up a map and find out about feeding times and any special activities. Note that from this main entrance, you're headed downhill; the return uphill walk can prove trying if you have young children and/or it's a hot day. But the zoo rents strollers, and snack bars and ice-cream kiosks are scattered throughout the park.The zoo animals live in large, open enclosures -- simulations of their natural habitats -- along two easy-to-follow numbered paths: Olmsted Walk and the Valley Trail. You can't get lost and it's hard to miss a thing. Be sure to catch Amazonia, where you can hang out for an hour peering up into the trees and still not spy the sloth (do yourself a favor and ask the attendant where it is).New at the zoo is the Kids' Farm, which offers children ages 3 to 8 a chance to observe farm animals up close. Ducks, chickens, goats, cows, and miniature donkeys are among the animals milling around. Children might also enjoy the vegetable garden and pizza sculpture.The zoo offers several dining options, including the Mane Restaurant and a number of snack stands scattered around the property. Other facilities include stroller-rental stations, a number of gift shops, a bookstore, and several paid-parking lots. The lots fill up quickly, especially on weekends, so arrive early or take the Metro.
Omni Shoreham Hotel
This is Woodley Park's other really big hotel, although with 836 rooms, the Omni Shoreham is still 500 short of the behemoth Marriott Wardman Park. And it's all the more appealing for it, since it's not quite so overwhelming as the Marriott. Its design -- wide corridors, vaulted ceilings and archways, and arrangements of pretty sofas and armchairs in the lobby and public spaces -- endows the Shoreham with the air of a grand hotel. A massive $80 million renovation completed in 2000 installed a new air-conditioning system, restructured the pool, upgraded the already excellent fitness center health spa, and restored a traditional, elegant look to guest rooms and the lobby. The spacious rooms remain twice the size of your average hotel room and every guest room is equipped with free wireless high-speed Internet access, added in 2003. Most of the 52 suites are junior suites, with the sitting room and bedroom combined. The hotel sits on 11 acres overlooking Rock Creek Park; park-side rooms are a little smaller but offer spectacular views.With its 22 meeting rooms and 7 ballrooms (some of which open to terraces overlooking the park!), the hotel is popular as a meeting and convention venue. Leisure travelers, especially families, appreciate the Shoreham for its large outdoor swimming pool; its proximity to the National Zoo, excellent restaurants, and the Woodley Park-Zoo Metro station; and the immediate access to biking, hiking, and jogging paths through Rock Creek Park. Children receive a goodie bag at check-in that includes coloring books, puzzles, playing cards, postcards, and candy. You can walk to the more hip neighborhoods of Adams-Morgan and Dupont Circle from the hotel; the stroll to Dupont Circle, taking you over the bridge that spans Rock Creek Park, is especially nice (and safe at night, too).Built in 1930, the Shoreham has been the scene of inaugural balls for every president since FDR. Do you believe in ghosts? Ask about Room 870, the haunted suite (available for $3,000 a night).Facilities: Restaurant (continental; terrace overlooks Rock Creek Park); gourmet carryout; bar/lounge (serves light fare and has live music Thurs-Sat nights); fitness center and spa with heated outdoor pool, separate kids' pool, and whirlpool; children's gifts; concierge; travel/sightseeing desk; business center; shops; 24-hr. room service; massage; same-day laundry/dry cleaning; 41 rooms for those w/limited mobility, half with roll-in showers.
Park Hyatt Washington
This luxury hotel, last renovated in 1998, features large guest rooms with goose-down duvets on the beds, modern furniture, wall coverings, and fabrics. High-speed Internet access is available in all the guest rooms (at the time of this writing, the hotel had not decided whether to charge for this service). Specially commissioned artwork hangs throughout the hotel. More than half of the rooms are suites (meaning the parlor and bedroom are separate), and the remaining rooms are deluxe kings. The suites also have dressing rooms with full vanities. Each bathroom has a TV, a radio, and a telephone, along with the usual amenities. The 17-year-old 10-story hotel hosts big names, royal families (who use the Presidential Suite, with its fireplace and grand piano), lobbyists, and tourists. Rooms are handsome and service is superb. A major renovation scheduled for completion in 2005 will redesign the look of the sleeping rooms.The bright and lovely Melrose dining room offers four-star cuisine with an emphasis on seafood; the amiable chef, Brian McBride, pops into the dining room personally from time to time to make sure all is well. Adjoining the Melrose is a bar, where there's swing dancing to live jazz every weekend. For the lowest rate, visit the hotel's website.Facilities: Restaurant (American); bar/lounge (with live entertainment Fri-Sat); health club with indoor pool, whirlpool, and sauna and steam rooms; spa with hair and skin salon; concierge; business center; 24-hr. room service; in-room massage; same-day laundry/dry cleaning; 10 rooms for those w/limited mobility, 3 with roll-in showers.
Georgetown Inn
This hotel is in the thick of Georgetown. Most guests are here on business, but come Memorial Day weekend, the hotel is full of the proud parents of graduating Georgetown University students. (The hotel books up 2 years in advance for graduation weekend.)A million dollar renovation completed in 2004 refurbished the lobby, corridors, and guest rooms. Guest rooms now have "Heavenly Beds," new upholstery, and drapes. The hotel's general style remains European-handsome, heavy on the dark woods. Half of the rooms hold two double beds, although a couple of rooms have twin single beds, connecting with suites, helpful to families traveling with children. Ask for an "executive room" if you'd like a sitting area with pullout sofa, and extra conveniences like a reading lamp over the bed. Even better are the 10 one-bedroom suites, in which bedroom and large living room are separate. The bathrooms have only showers (some also have bidets), no tub.The Daily Grill has an outpost here, offering the same generous portions of American food served at its original D.C. location, at 1200 18th St. NW.Facilities: Restaurant (American); bar; access to an outdoor pool; exercise room, plus free access to nearby health club and spa; concierge; room service during restaurant hours; same-day laundry/dry cleaning; 4 rooms for those w/limited mobility, all with roll-in showers.
