I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to travel and write about destinations around the world–but I was thrilled when the Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants team finally asked me to write a post about my hometown, Washington, D.C., just in time for the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

If you’re thinking about planning a romantic getaway, I suggest you skip the cheesy beach resorts and instead explore the restaurants, nightlife, and galleries of the Nation’s Capital. In my latest post, I give you my favorite spots for a romantic weekend in Logan Circle and Shaw, two neighborhoods very close to where I actually live and work. You can visit world-renowned works at the National Gallery and dine at the glamorous Le Diplomate–or you can explore local galleries and street art before trying the neighborhood’s best Italian or Ethiopian spots. Either way, all of these recommendations are accessible by foot or bicycle from Logan Circle/Shaw–and just about a 30-minute walk from the Tidal Basin and the cherry blossoms.

Click here to read my recommendations for a romantic weekend in Washington, D.C.

By the way, if you are planning to visit D.C. for the cherry blossoms, you have plenty of time before peak bloom on April 3rd to order my book, Moon Washington DC, to help you plan your trip! The book includes my favorite route through the monuments and memorials (including prime spots to view the blossoms) as well as other off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods to help you experience D.C. like a local–me!