Honestly, overnighting at the heart of the USA, the White House, is not usually an option. To stay as close to the Pres as you can, however, choose The Hay-Adams, a distinguished Leading Hotel of the World a mere 300 metres north of the White House, across leafy Lafayette Park.

Time to see what a boutique-sized luxury hotel at sea is like. I chose Ponant – named for ‘look west’, the opposite of Levant – that is actually more like private yachting than standard cruising. Took a week-long cruise, Treasures of the Mediterranean World: a Family Learning Adventure, on the good ship Le Lyrial.