7 Things Tourists Should Never Do in Washington, D.C. – Ever

| © Elvert Barnes / Flickr

Tourists can get a bad rap – they descend on Washington, D.C. with matching shirts, asking for directions and delaying the metro. But it doesn’t have to be a headache. With these seven handy tips, you will be navigating the District like a local.

Swimming in the Reflecting Pool

Memorial

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© Prayitno / Flickr

This large reflecting pond connects the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. It provides a scenic place for thought after taking in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial – and you know what would ruin that? A tourist deciding to take a dip on a humid summer day. These are reverent grounds, not your hotel pool. This goes for most fountains and pools around D.C.

Smoking marijuana on the mall

Yes, marijuana is (somewhat) legal in D.C., but you still can’t smoke it on Federal grounds. Plus those are family-friendly, historic places – so do everyone a favor and just don’t.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Clogging the sidewalks

When D.C. was designed, nobody planned for millions of visitors a year. This particularly applies to the sidewalks. Do everyone a favor and walk with your group single-file in tight places. Realistically, you should never walk more than two people across, and even then, stick to the right. Locals are always in a hurry, and it would go a long way for tourists not to block the sidewalks. If you want to stop to take a picture, step out of the way.

Challenging the “doors closing” announcement

Hundreds of thousands of people ride the metro daily, don’t make it harder by ignoring the doors closing announcement

When using the metro, heed the “doors closing” announcement. It is not a warning, it is not a suggestion. The doors are closing, and they will close on you. Do not try to hold them for people, do not try to rush through. This will delay the trains and make you incredibly unpopular on your car. Plus, your group could get split up if you time it wrong. Just wait for the next train.

Standing on the left

Another metro-specific tip: on escalators, walk on the left, stand on the right. The worst thing you can do is stand side-by-side with your friend while commuters are trying to barrel down the escalator and make it into the office on time. You’ll have plenty of time to chat while waiting for the train.

Not Trying the Local Fare

Diner, American

Not Trying the Local Fare
© SchuminWeb / WikiCommons
You have Wendy’s, McDonald’s, and Starbucks at home. What you don’t have is half-smokes, a sausage meal that originated in D.C. Make your first half-smoke extra special with a stop at Ben’s Chili Bowl on U Street.

Failing to set a budget

Traveling is already expensive, but you need to account for the high cost of living in D.C. when planning your trip. A $8 glass of wine is going to run you about $12 here. Metro trips add up, Ubers surge, and that’s before you get those replicas of the Constitution for everyone in your family. Plan ahead so you can have a stress-free trip.

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