News release – 7 September 2009

Best-selling author Dan Brown (past books include “The Da Vinci Code” and “Angels and Demons”) again casts the spotlight on power and intrigue in Washington, DC in his latest thriller, “The Lost Symbol”, which goes on sale on 15th September.

Although details of the highly-anticipated novel have been kept under wraps, publishers indicate that Professor Robert Langdon is back again, bringing his trademark expertise in symbology and iconology to DC for an action-packed, clue-cracking adventure that takes place over the course of 12 hours.

Dan Brown fans planning a trip to the US Capital can build their own Langdon-inspired adventure in DC.  Here are just a few locations linked to previous books and the block-buster movies which followed:-

US Capitol: On 18 September 1793 George Washington laid the cornerstone for this famous landmark, which is featured on the cover of the book.  Masonic symbols and references appear throughout the building. The superb new Capitol Visitor Center offers free entry. www.visitthecapitol.gov/

George Washington Masonic National Memorial:  The temple-like building towers over Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.  Inside you’ll find exhibits about George Washington and Freemasonry, a large Masonic library and artefacts including George Washington’s family bible, locks of his hair and items used during his funeral.

House of the Temple (Scottish Rite Headquarters):  This 16th Street landmark was once voted one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.  Whilst it is officially used as an office building for the Sovereign Grand Commander and other officers and staff of the Scottish Rite, it also houses a museum and Masonic library.  Free public tours are offered Monday-Thursday, from 10am-4pm. www.gwmemorial.org/

International Spy Museum:  This museum holds a few secrets of its own, with exhibitions that highlight George Washington’s career as a spy and other ‘Lost Symbol’ topics which have been hinted at prior to publication, including the Enigma code-cracking machine and the Duquesne Spy Ring.  Visitors can check out the new ‘Spy in the City’ GPS tour or try their hand at espionage with Operation SPY, an immersive spy experience based on actual intelligence files. www.spymuseum.org/spyinthecity/

Mount Vernon:  George Washington’s Virginia estate is also home to an interactive museum chronicling the life of the first president, his military accolades and political accomplishments – and his affiliation with the Freemasons.

National Museum of Women in the Arts: The National Museum of Women in the Arts, which is the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to recognizing the contribution of women artists, was formerly the Grand Lodge of Washington, DC.  Located at 1250 New York Avenue, NW, ts façade still features Masonic symbols. An appropriately titled exhibition called “Telling Secrets: Codes, Captions and Conundrums in Contemporary Art”, runs at the NMWA from October 9, 2009 to January 10, 2010.  www.nmwa.org

Virgin Holidays (www.virginholidays.co.uk or call 0844 557 3859) offer a three-night package to Washington, DC, inclusive of scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow, accommodation at the 4V Doubletree Crystal City on a room-only basis and transfers from £529.  (Prices are per person based on two adults travelling and sharing a standard room including all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Prices are based on departures between 01 Jan – 26 Feb 2010. Virgin Holidays is a member of ABTA and is ATOL protected.)

For further information about travel to Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland visit www.washington.org or www.CapitalRegionUSA.org

UK media contacts – Capital Region USA Press Office:-

Eugéne Roberts, 01825 763636 email: Eugene.Roberts@kbc-pr.com or Becky.Hartfield@kbc-pr.com