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Scotland 2026
Scotland 2026
Washington, D.C. - March 26-30, 2026 Cherry Blossoms & Live Jazz/Blues!
There are two things that Washington DC is known for, other than politics of course. The cherry blossoms and the wonderful blues and jazz musicians of yesteryear that changed the American music scene forever. This unique trip will combine both national treasures!
Watch this video to learn more about how climate change is effecting the timing of the cherry blossoms.
The Cherry Blossoms
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The cherry blossoms in Washington D.C. not only signify the beginning of Spring, but also the importance of international friendships. Japan gifted the US with over 3,000 beautiful cherry trees in 1912, as a sign of friendship between the two countries. The first Cherry Blossom Festival was in 1927 and has expanded throughout the years, each year attracting over 1.5 million people from around the world. It is a chance to see this beautiful city in all it's glory. D.C. gets very crowded this time of year, but it is so worth it. Luckily, they have a fabulous Metro system so we can avoid being stuck in traffic!
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How do we know if the cherry blossoms will be at their peak?
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The short answer is we don't. Determining the best time to see the cherry blossoms at their peak is nearly impossible. It truly depends on the weather. In 2023, I offered this trip in April and we missed it by a week. so we are going to keep our fingers crossed for the end of March in 2026. Obviously, I can not guarantee at the cherry blossoms will be out when we go, but I can promise you, we will have a blast!
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Climate change and cherry blossoms.
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Blues/Jazz
In addition to enjoying the cherry blossoms, monuments and museums by day, we will enjoy live music by night. Blues music emerged in Washington D.C. in the early 20th century. D.C. blues blends elements of jazz, go-go, and rock, reflecting the city's diverse musical landscape. Today, the blues scene thrives with festivals, clubs and a new generation of artists working to keep blues alive.
Initial Itinerary
Our trip will have a somewhat flexible itinerary. Washington D.C. is such a wonderful place to just walk around and explore. I have outlined a possible itinerary below, but this can be easily changed based on the groups preferences, including the possibility of splitting up to attend whatever you want to see.​
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Thursday, March 26th
We fly into D.C. today, aiming to arrive by 4:00 when we can check into our home for the weekend, a 5 bedroom, 6 bed, 2 bath home in Arlington VA. We will be using DC''s fabulous Metro/Bus system to get around. After everyone has arrived and settled in, we will go out for an early Welcome Dinner, followed by a moonlight tour of the National Mall.
(Meals included: D)
Friday, March 27th
We'll have breakfast each morning at home. After breakfast, we'll head into the city to see the monuments and cherry blossoms (hopefully). Much of our itinerary is flexible and will depend on the weather. In the afternoon, we have reserved-entry tickets at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. We'll have dinner in the city, followed by live music at The Hamilton.
(Meals included: B,L,D) ​​
Saturday, March 28th
In the afternoon, we will have a private tour to learn about the history of U Street - once known as Black Broadway. This neighborhood was the birth place of Duke Ellington, and home to numerous nightclubs that featured the likes of Cab Calloway, Pearl Bailey, Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday and Jelly Roll Morton, among many others. Still a thriving music scene, we will enjoy a tour of the area and have dinner, followed by live music to feed our souls.
(Meals included: B, L, D)
Sunday, March 29th
Today, we'll have a free morning to either relax or go exploring. In the afternoon, we'll visit the Museum of the American Indian. After our farewell dinner in the city, we'll find a place for one more night of music.
(Meals included: B, L, D)
Monday, March 30th
Our trip comes to an end after breakfast. Check out time is 11am. Transportation is provided to the airport or train station. Safe travels home. (Meals included: B)
What our travelers are saying......
Traveling to Washington, DC with Kindred Women Travelers was great fun and Maryann is the perfect host. Warm, welcoming, resourceful and energetic. Our house was charming but we spent very little time there, leaving mid-morning and coming home at bed time. Our experiences included history, culture, music and great food and drinks. A highlight for me was eating at a Chef Jose Andres restaurant. It was my first trip with Maryann but not my last.
- Michelle L. from NY