Friday, October 25, 2013

Explore The Capital With Washington DC Private Tours

By Elena McDowell


One of the most fascinating places in the United States is the District of Columbia. This is the scene of some of the most important decisions in world history of the last two centuries or so were made. There is so much to see and do that deciding where to start can be a little overwhelming but your visit can be made much easier with the range of Washington DC private tours available.

Many travelers prefer a private tour to going on an organized excursion with a bus full of strangers. It's a more intimate experience and your guide will be able to give you his or her undivided attention. In addition, the excursion can be adapted with your particular interests in mind and to fit your schedule instead of that of the tour company.

A great way to be introduced to DC is to take a tour that focuses on the famous sights. Monuments such as the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials or the different war veterans memorials, as well as places like the Smithsonian and the White House are usually on the itinerary. Your guide will tell you all about these sights and may even provide interesting anecdotes about the people associated with them, such as former presidents of the United States.

Washington at night is a photographer's dream. Most of the monuments are lit up after sunset, making them look extra dramatic. The larger-than-life statues of soldiers in action at the Korean War Veterans Memorial take on an almost ghost-like glow. If ghosts are in fact your thing, you may even want to try a hair-raising ghost tour of the city.

The hallways of power are also the hallways of intrigue. Throughout its history, DC has attracted many spies. If you've always dreamed of being a secret agent, you'll love the spy tours offered by the International Spy Museum. They take on the form of a 'mission' and you get to test your own talent for espionage while finding out about some of the secret agents who've lived and worked in the capital.

You may also try a tour that is focused on one aspect of life in the city. If you're a foodie, for instance, a food tour will appeal to you. Budding photographers can bring their cameras and let a professional show them the ropes while taking them around the city's most photogenic spots.

If you don't feel like walking, there are also bicycle tours available. An even less tiring option is a pedicab tour. With one of these, you can sit back and let someone else do the pedaling.

If you're looking for a good tour guide, your local travel agent or an online search may help you. Before you decide, read the reviews by others who had made use of the guide for their Washington DC private tours. Then, when you decide to contact the guide of your choice, let him or her know what your interests are and what your schedule looks like so that it's easier to design an excursion that you'll truly enjoy.




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