embassy tours 2023

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Around the World Embassy Tour

Ready to plan your trip, estimated tour pricing inclusions: 3 nights’ accommodation, 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners, admissions, entrance, and guide fees as stated in the itinerary, including taxes, and gratuity (excluding gratuity for guides and driver, unless requested)..

• D.C. Monuments and Memorials
• Arlington National Cemetery
• Flower Mart at the Washington National Cathedral
• Hillwood Estate
• Illuminated Monument Tour
• Embassies Around the World Tour
• Smithsonian Museums
• Arrive in Washington, D.C. during the Springtime Bloom!
• Meet your Guide and enjoy a tour of the city, including stops at monuments and memorials .
• Dinner is included tonight at a favorite restaurant.
• Check-in to your area hotel.
• Check-in to the Gaylord National Harbor . Dinner is on your own with free time to explore the National Harbor.
• After breakfast , head out with your guide.
• Visit Arlington National Cemetery , America’s most sacred square mile, and a shrine to valor and the ultimate sacrifice. Tram tickets are included.
• Next, explore the Flower Mart which holds an irresistible array of festival foods, children’s rides, artisanal and boutique gifts and, of course, herbs and flowers that once again fill the nave and grounds of the Cathedral at this year’s Flower Mart, hosted by All Hallows Guild.
• Enjoy lunch on your own at one of the many food vendors.
• See the Washington National Cathedral  and explore the gardens and exterior with your Guide.  Standing higher than the Washington Monument, it is the sixth largest church in the world. This 14 th -Century-style Gothic wonder is situated on 57 acres and took 83 years to build.   Helen Keller and Woodrow Wilson, the only President buried within Washington, DC, are interred here. It is a living symbol of our country’s heritage of faith and religious freedom.
• Tour the Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens . The mansion is the former home of cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post and features one of the most comprehensive collections of eighteenth and nineteenth-century Russian Imperial art outside of Russia, as well as an extensive collection of eighteenth-century French decorative arts. The greenhouse and formal gardens are set among 25 acres of wooded hillsides located in the heart of Washington, D.C.
• Enjoy an included dinner.
• Walk through the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.   Explore the Hall of Flags, see the larger-than-life bronze bust of Kennedy himself, see the incredible view of the city from the rooftop terrace, discover the new REACH Expansion, and experience the NEW Art & Ideals: John F. Kennedy Exhibit!
• Drive by memorials and monuments as time permits.
• After breakfast , tour The Embassies Around the World . Your Guide will escort you through the streets of the Capital and expertly navigate your group quickly and effectively to explore the unique offerings of each individual Embassy—who routinely try to out-do each other, year after year, with impressive spectacles reminiscent of their homeland. For many of these Embassies, this is the only time they make themselves open and available for public touring during the entire year. We’ll experience just how small our world truly is with live musical & dance performances, fashion shows, and more food and drink offerings than can be imagined.
• The National Museum of African American History and Culture.
• The National Museum of American History.
• The National Air & Space Museum.
• The National Museum of Natural History.
• The National Museum of the American Indian.
• The National Gallery of Art.
• The Freer & Sackler Gallery.  
• The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
• Dinner is included tonight.
• After breakfast , check-out of your hotel.
• Enjoy your last morning exploring D.C.
• Depart for home.

*Base rate does not include motor coach transportation, airfare, airport transfers, driver gratuity, guide gratuity, (student groups exempt) or any upgrades or add-ons unlisted from itinerary as stated. Pricing may vary based on day of arrival or other conditions. Personalized itineraries with custom pricing and/or additional transportation can be created and added based on client needs and upon client’s request. MARS will customize quotes or personalize itineraries for FREE.

Contact Us Today to Reserve Your Tour

Have a question? MARS' experienced tour professionals are ready and willing to help you plan a tour program that's a perfect fit for you.

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Around the World Embassy Tour

Participating Embassies

About This Event

During Around the World Embassy Tour, embassies from multiple non-European Union (EU) countries, will host open houses on May 6, 2023 to visitors and residents to enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience. Participants will learn about other cultures and traditions through food, fashion, arts and music, among other things.

Events DC encourages people to explore Washington, DC and learn about its diverse diplomatic community. Washington, DC is home to more than 175 embassies, the second highest number of embassies in one city in the world. On May 6, you can pick up a souvenir passport, to get your embassy stamps, at the information booth at 9 Dupont Circle NW, Washington, DC 20036.

This is a free and public event. No registration or tickets are required to attend the festival and enjoy traveling Around the World. This registration is for planning purposes and will help us keep you updated on Passport DC events and embassy activities during Around the World Embassy Tour.

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Around the World Embassy Tour

Date & time.

May 6, 2023 10:00 am - 4:30 pm

About the Event

On Saturday, May 6, the Sultanate of Oman & Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center joins more than fifty embassies during Around the World Embassy Tour beginning at 10 a.m.

Passport DC runs from May 1 through 31 and offers an outstanding array of cultural activities presented at embassy open houses, street festivals, performing arts venues, museums and special receptions throughout the District.

For a complete list of participating embassies, as well as a map and a guide to activities, go to https://passportdc.stqry.app/ , and be part of the conversation using #PassportDC on your favorite social media channels.

“Events DC’s Around the World Embassy Tour and Passport DC attract nearly 27,000 attendees each year and allow the diplomatic community to highlight the very best of their home countries,” said Events DC President and CEO Angie M. Gates. “Washington, DC is a world-class destination for many reasons. With such a high concentration of embassies, locals and tourists have an unparalleled opportunity to experience a wide range of local, national and international traditions from around the globe. I love that we can benefit from each other for inspiration and creativity in so many ways—art, cuisine, fashion, dance, music and so much more.”  

This year, guests who visit SQCC can expect 3 floors filled with activities, crafts, and learning for an interactive cultural exchange like none other. Admission is free.

Other Passport DC Signature Events include:

• Flower Mart at National Cathedral: Friday and Saturday, May 5 and 6
• European Union Open House: Saturday, May 13
• Fiesta Asia Street Fair, Saturday, May 20

Go to https://passportdc.stqry.app   to see a full map of participating embassies. Go to www.sqcc.org to learn more about Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center.

ABOUT THE SULTAN QABOOS CULTURAL CENTER

The Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center (SQCC) is dedicated to educating the people of the United States and Oman about the breadth and richness of our two cultures. SQCC promotes mutual respect and understanding between our nations and strives to educate a new generation of culturally sensitive and knowledgeable citizens in each society. Through outreach programs, scholarships, lectures, educational resources, cultural partnerships, and our Cultural Center in Washington, DC, SQCC brings the culture, history, and heritage of our nations to audiences in the US and abroad.

ABOUT EVENTS DC

Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy that hosts more than 1.7 million visitors and generates more than $400 million annually in direct economic impact and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus (RFK Campus), including Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Festival Grounds at RFK Campus, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and the Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Stay current on the 190-acre RFK Campus Redevelopment Project at  www.RFKFields.com . Events DC also built and serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. Events DC manages Gateway DC, R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center and Entertainment & Sports Arena all conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit  www.eventsdc.com  and find us on social media – Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Events DC), and Twitter (@TheEventsDC) — and on our new hub for live and on-demand event programming on GATHER by Events DC at  www.gatherbyeventsdc.com

Event Categories

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• EuroAsia Shorts
• Lecture Series
• Oman Cultural Evening
• Poetry Series
• Scholarship & Fellowship
• SQCC Annual Conference
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The World in a Day: Washington, DC’s Around the World Embassy Tour

One day each year, though, Washingtonians have their invitation to peek inside. Cultural Tourism DC annually hosts an Around the World Embassy Tour, and this year we eagerly laced up our sneakers and made the trek to Northwest DC to join the crowds eager to circumvent the globe in just six hours. We had a great day; here are some tips and thoughts we hope will help you if you plan to attend future or similar events!

About the Embassy Tour

The Around the World Embassy Tour, along with the EU Open House , is part of a month-long Passport DC event that celebrates Washington’s international community. The tour itself is a free, self-guided experience that connects visitors with participating embassies. We arrived right at 10 AM when the event started with high hopes of seeing as many embassies as we could. Info booths are set up around the city, and we visited the booth at Dupont Circle to grab a free map and purchase a special event passport. Most embassies were happy to stamp the passports as we arrived (although one volunteer at the Moroccan embassy noted she would gladly stamp anything “within reason”—so the passports make a great souvenir but aren’t a requirement to participate).

Structuring Your Day

Here are some of our tips for planning out your day touring the Washington, DC embassies.

► You won’t get lost

If you have a copy of the event map or your cell phone, you’ll have everything you need to enjoy a successful, educational day. We found the map to be helpful to visualize where each embassy is located, and we often entered street addresses into our Google Maps app for quick walking directions. Every single embassy we visited had a huge blue banner announcing their participation, and volunteers with event shirts were located just about everywhere. I can’t begin to count how many times we were approached by friendly faces asking if we needed maps, directions, or answers to questions. The event staffing was truly a noticeable highlight.

► Consider creating a plan in advance

Cultural Tourism DC stayed on top of the list of embassies that elected to participate, and their website was updated frequently with new additions. We created a map to plot where each embassy is located and arrived with notes on which embassies we really wanted to see, which helped us to structure our time and select other embassies that were located along our way. About 40 embassies were open to the public as part of this event; you won’t be able to see them all, so knowing in advance which ones are of the most interest to you will help you spend your time well.

► Use public transportation

While street parking is available, it’s not always easy to find, especially on weekends with events like this one. We took DC’s Metro to Dupont Circle, as many of the participating embassies are within walking distance from there. Several public buses run to and through the area as well.

► Don’t start near the info booths

Info booths are natural entry points, which means everyone will head to the embassies closest to where they pick up their maps. Consider walking a few blocks past the crowds to try to beat them early in the day. By midday you will likely find lines everywhere, but you can always circle back to the embassies closer to the info booths to end your day instead of beginning there.

What You’ll Find During Your Embassy Tours

► food.

We ate well as we toured the embassies! From hot donuts in Kazakhstan to grilled meat pitas in Iraq to dried fruit in Kyrgyzstan, if there was food to try we were glad to wait in line. Many embassies also had large plates for sale, and while we didn’t stop long enough for a full lunch the meals looked delicious. There was no shortage of beverages to try, either—we were grateful for hot tea at many stops on this chilly spring day!

► Entertainment

Although every embassy was well marked with large banners, we knew where many participating locations were based on the music they played. From KPop at the South Korean embassy to the loud, fun beats we heard while visiting the Dominican Republic, music definitely set the tone. Along with the music often came dancing and performances from embassy staff and children, many of whom wore traditional costumes. It was so much fun to get a glimpse into life and fun in foreign countries through the entertainment they shared!

► Art

Most of the embassies we saw were brimming with local artwork brought from their home countries, and waiting in lines was made infinitely better with such beautiful pieces to enjoy. Many artists were selling their work as well, which was a nice touch particularly for DC locals who might not otherwise get a chance to visit some of the countries that participated to purchase similar works.

► Enthusiasm

Tips for the making the most of Embassy Tour day:

► start early.

There is a lot to see and experience in six short hours—you’ll want every minute you can squeeze out of the day! Plan to arrive right when the embassies open to maximize your time in each one or the number you can see in a single day.

► Expect to wait in line

This is a popular event—for good reason! Lines will get long , so bring your patience and know the lines will move and no wait is forever. Plus, the time you’ll spend waiting is a great opportunity to study your map and figure out which embassies will be next on your list.

► Expect the unexpected

► Wear the right shoes

This should go without saying, but I saw enough people limping around in heels or shivering in sandals that it bears a mention. Our tour was during a rainy DC day; we encountered puddles, hills, and short crosswalk times that left us jogging across streets. We walked more than 6 miles in 6 hours. Make sure your feet are well supported!

► Bring a backpack

Just about every embassy had items for sale or gifts to give, and having a backpack made it easy to keep everything secure and in one place. It was also nice to have a way to transport our camera and umbrella when we wanted our hands to be free!

► Take some cash

The entire event is free, but many of the embassies had food or crafts for sale, so consider taking some cash with you in case you plan to make a purchase or two.

Washington, DC Hotels

Ready to book a room for your own Washington, DC vacation? Here are some hotel deals to consider:

Just for Fun… a Few Awards!

(We didn’t visit every embassy that was open to tour, but of the 13 embassies we did experience, here are a few of our favorite memories!)

Best Food: We had a chance to try a lamb sausage while visiting the embassy of Albania, and it was absolutely the most memorable treat we tried—it reminded us of the cevapi we enjoyed in Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina last year.

Most Welcoming: Although every embassy was welcoming, Guatemala was especially kind and friendly to us. From welcoming us with our choice of peach juice, mango juice or a Guatemalan beer (Famosa) to greeting us at every turn with smiles to providing us with a gift as we left, we had a great visit. The Kazakhstan Embassy was another highlight of the day for us. They were very friendly and they gave visitors free snacks, free bottles of water, and free books about Kazakhstan artwork and Kazakhstan history.

Biggest Surprise: The embassy of Iraq was a huge surprise. Iraq is, sadly, a country that many Americans are unable to easily visit. Having a chance to enjoy the food, artwork, and people made me both very excited to learn more and very sorry I may not be able to experience it firsthand.

If you have ever dreamed of starting your day in the Caribbean, stopping by a few South American countries, swinging through Africa, heading over to the Middle East, and ending your day in Asia, the Around the World Embassy Tour may be the closest you can get to achieving your goal.

As our souvenir passport collected stamps, we excitedly made plans to collect stamps in our real passports with trips to some of the places we visited. Until then, we’ll smile every time we pass by the embassies in DC, knowing that behind their doors are beautiful artwork and incredible people that we look forward to seeing again next year.

Washington DC Embassy Tour Day 2017: Participating Embassies

Here is the final list of embassies that participated in the 2017 event:

Afghanistan, African Union, Albania, Angola, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Gabonese Republic, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan), Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center (Oman), Pakistan, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Uruguay, Zimbabwe

Photos from the Around the World Embassy Tour 2017

We tried to take as many photos as possible to keep track of our day. Here are some of our favorites!

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* From time to time, our travels are directly impacted by a service or company. This post includes our candid review of our experience at various locations. We selected these locations based on our own research and travel needs; we were not offered and did not receive compensation of any kind from them or any other party in exchange for our review. Learn more about our travel philosophy here .

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Around the World Embassy Tour gives visitors an inside look at DC’s embassies

WASHINGTON - Some of D.C.'s treasures are the embassies here representing a world of culture!

But they're usually off limits to the public. Over the weekend, more than 50 embassies will open their doors to visitors as part of Passport D.C.

Exploring the Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago

FOX 5’s Steven Chenevey explores the Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago in Washington, D.C!

The Around the World Embassy Tour will allow visitors to experience food, art, dance, and more from different countries around the world – right here in the District!

The embassies will open their doors to visitors, allowing guests to pet alpacas, play with robots, learn indigenous dances and more!

Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago

FOX 5’s Steve Chenevey got a preview of the Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago and the Embassy of Thailand ahead of the weekend tours.

You can learn more about the Around the World Embassy Tour online .

Royal Thai Embassy tour

FOX 5’s Steve Chenevey got a preview of the Embassy of Thailand ahead of the weekend tours.

clock This article was published more than  2 years ago

Seven countries to visit during D.C.'s embassy tours

You can travel the world without leaving the city this month

After a two-year pandemic hiatus, Passport DC returns this month , along with its beloved Around the World Embassy Tour . On May 7 and 14, you can get a microdose of travel as D.C. embassies and cultural centers from three continents open their doors for history lessons, food and entertainment.

There will be pisco sours at the embassy of Peru, and bachata and merengue dance classes at the Dominican Republic’s, among other programming from the more than 30 countries participating in the first weekend alone.

European embassies will make their debut with the EU Open House on May 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Find more information on participating countries through the event website .

Steven Shulman, executive director of Cultural Tourism DC, recommends making the most out of the weekends by visiting embassies that are near one another.

The summer of revenge travel is coming. No one can afford it.

Jade Womack, who runs events site Clockout DC , created helpful maps with itineraries to visit embassies near each other. The EU Open House also made a Google Map for visitors . Womack warns that countries popular with American travelers, such as Costa Rica or Greece, draw crowds and smaller embassies may have longer lines because they can accommodate fewer guests at a time.

Womack suggests exploring less familiar embassies that should have shorter lines, plus more access to food and freebies.

Sorry our baby might ruin your flight. Please accept this goodie bag.

Austin Graff, By The Way’s local D.C. guide writer, suggests either going as early as possible or waiting until later in the afternoon after many families have finished tours. He also recommends starting with embassies that are farther from Metro stops. Embassies close to the Dupont Circle Metro may be swamped, while those by Observatory Circle and Van Ness Street should be less so.

Here are seven embassies to visit and tips to keep in mind as you tour “the world” this month.

Before you go

Tickets or reservations are not required for tours, but you should expect to wait in line. In the past, waits have hovered around 20 to 30 minutes, but they can be double that at popular embassies, Womack said.

Bring a government-issued ID, as well as a mask since each embassy sets its own mask requirements. It’s a good idea to bring your vaccination card, too, since embassies might have mandates. Embassies are generally open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with some exceptions, so check ahead as you plan your visits.

For those with accessibility concerns, Shulman says the embassies along International Court have more contemporary buildings with ramps for wheelchairs and strollers.

Womack likes touring embassies that don’t often host public events, like the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq. Visitors can expect to see photography exhibits, sample Iraqi cuisine and watch musical performances with Dabka dancing.

1801 P Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

One of Graff’s favorite visits in past years was to Eritrea, which he called a hidden gem. Womack has a one-mile itinerary that starts with a visit to the Eritrean Embassy — where you’ll see cultural displays and learn about the history of the African country — followed by a walk south to stop by Iraq, Trinidad and Tobago, and Tunisia, ending at the Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center to learn about Oman.

1708 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 7, the Royal Thai Embassy’s open house is covering all the cultural bases, from showcasing Muay Thai (Thai boxing), traditional music, Thai dancing and cooking demonstrations with samples promised afterward. For more information on the Royal Thai Embassy’s open house, visit its website .

1024 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

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Graff recommends stopping by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, located near embassies of Nepal, Iraq, South Africa and Bolivia. Visitors can expect cultural activities, live music and dancing, a photo booth, activities for kids and tastes of Azerbaijani cuisine.

2741 34th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

Graff suggests putting the Embassy of Latvia on your list for May 14. Guests have the chance to tour the Alice Pike Barney Studio House, a historic building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Fitting as the building was often used for musical performances in the early 20th century, the embassy will have Latvian folk dancers perform for the occasion.

2306 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

This year, the open house at the Mexican Cultural Institute will highlight the state of Puebla in honor of Cinco de Mayo , which celebrates Mexico’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Ix-Nic Iruegas, the center’s executive director, says visitors can expect a “full day of Mexican joy” with music, mezcal, storytellers, traditional food, lotería ( a traditional Mexican card game) and a pop-up shop selling goods from Puebla including textiles, honey and Talavera pottery. Mexico’s open house runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 7, and 12 to 4 p.m. on May 14.

2829 16th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Czech Republic

On May 14, the Embassy of the Czech Republic (one of Womack’s recs) will be hosting a dog show among other activities. The theme of the weekend is the 1930s, with entertainment from a jazz band and Lindy Hop dancers. If that’s not enough, there will also be a bounce house and folk fashion show.

3900 Spring of Freedom St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

More travel tips

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Cheap flights: Follow our best advice for scoring low airfare , including setting flight price alerts and subscribing to deal newsletters. If you’re set on an expensive getaway, here’s a plan to save up without straining your credit limit.

Airport chaos: We’ve got advice for every scenario , from canceled flights to lost luggage . Stuck at the rental car counter? These tips can speed up the process. And following these 52 rules of flying should make the experience better for everyone.

Expert advice: Our By The Way Concierge solves readers’ dilemmas , including whether it’s okay to ditch a partner at security, or what happens if you get caught flying with weed . Submit your question here . Or you could look to the gurus: Lonely Planet and Rick Steves .

Around the world tour of sorts: Embassy tours in DC this month

There's plenty to be said for booking an epic around-the-world trip , but if that's not in the cards for this year, there's a nice consolation closer to home this spring in our nation's capital. Free tours are returning at dozens of embassies in Washington, D.C. , on two Saturdays in May.

After a two-year hiatus, the embassy tours begin this Saturday, May 7, as part of "Passport D.C.," a monthlong celebration of the rich culture the city enjoys thanks to its vast diplomatic community. The event actually includes 31 days of programming but is largely highlighted by a long list of international embassies offering everything from tours to dancing, shopping and food, beer and wine tastings.

Even better: It's all free.

The embassy open houses begin May 7 with the "Around the World Embassy Tours," which feature open houses at embassies for countries from Eastern Europe, Central America, South Asia and the Middle East, among other places.

Then, on Saturday, May 14, a long list of European Union countries will open the doors of their embassies as part of the "EU Open House."

All of the events do not require tickets and, again, won't cost you a dime. However, organizers suggest you bring a government-issued ID in case it's needed to get into a particular embassy or, perhaps more likely, to sample certain beverages. Organizers also recommend bringing a mask.

Related: Hotel review: The Ven at Embassy Row

Having attended college at American University in northwest Washington, D.C. — close to Embassy Row, where many of the embassies are located — I often marveled at how you could be driving so close to home but see buildings with architecture and decor so unique to the home countries they represent.

I never did get the chance to visit any of these embassies, though, so I see this as a great opportunity to experience a taste of the culture of many countries without actually booking and paying for an international trip.

This could be a good weekend activity, whether you live in the D.C. area or on the East Coast and want to drive or take the train to the city for a weekend getaway.

While many of the embassies are within walking distance of one another, know that others are a bit more spread out in the city, so your best bet may be to take an Uber or Lyft or ride the Metro. Or, you can hop on a Lyft Scooter; rides to and from the embassies are $2 off on May 14, when the EU open houses are taking place.

The list of embassies participating in the "Around the World Embassy Tour" festivities on Saturday, May 7, is long, but here's just a small taste of what you could experience:

• Barbados is showing art, and doing food and drink tastings with a chef and mixologist, to go along with genealogy tracing.
• Cameroon's embassy will feature traditional music, drumming and dances. It's also hosting tastings of food from Cameroon and showing a traditional dress display.
• Thailand's embassy has classical dancing and Thai boxing scheduled, along with a cooking demonstration and products for sale.
• Peru will feature dancing from the Andean and Amazonian regions and have jewels and alpaca and cotton garments for sale from vendors.
• Iraq is showing paintings and photographs, hosting Dabke dance performances and offering food samples.

And here's some of what caught my eye from the European Union embassy open houses taking place on May 14:

• Belgium will have a "comic book tour" of the country and offer freshly baked waffles.
• Croatia will serve wine from the Dalmatian Coast's slopes. It will also take visitors on a tour of sorts of "Game of Thrones" filming locations.
• Czechia will feature live music from a 1930s-style jazz band to complement the Czech beer on hand ... and a dog show.
• Portugal's embassy will offer samples of the country's famous custard tarts.

Related: White House tours are back

There are many more countries participating in both events, so check out the full lists of embassy options on the official event websites to pick out which venues you'd most like to visit.

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5/4: Around the World Embassy Tour Returns This Weekend

Around the World Embassy Tour

Travel the world through food, art, dance, fashion, music, innovations and manufactured goods at the coveted  Around the World Embassy Tour  on Saturday, May 4. This Saturday, non-European Union embassies will open their doors and guests can experience a variety of cultural activities, such as petting alpacas, playing with robots and learning indigenous dances. 55+ embassies  will open their doors on  Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m to 4:30 p.m. EDT . A full list of participating embassies can be found  here . “Passport DC is back and I am thrilled to celebrate the diverse international communities that have become an integral part of the amazing culture of Washington, DC,” said  Events DC President and CEO Angie M. Gates . “Throughout May, I encourage everyone to join us as we travel the world through a series of unforgettable signature events that underscore why our city is the culture capital of the world.” Follow Events DC Social Media and #PassportDC for updates about lines, exciting activities and other breaking news. A reminder that admission is free. Reservations are not required. Additionally, street parking is available but difficult at many embassy locations.  “We (the embassies) look forward to Passport DC AWET every year,” said  Joan Brammer, President of the Washington Educational and Cultural Attache Association . “It is the ONE day when we can open our doors to the city and share our culture with residents and visitors around the world. It’s exhilarating to travel the world without leaving DC—all in one day!” The  Around the World Embassy Tour  is one of the many key signature events during  Passport DC , a month-long journey around the world highlighting DC's thriving international diplomatic community and its lively and varied culture. In its 17th year, Passport DC is celebrated annually in May, which is International Cultural Awareness Month in Washington. All Passport DC events are free and open to the public. Many embassies are within walking distance of the Dupont Circle and Van Ness/UDC Metrorail stations. Embassies on International Drive are larger and often have shorter lines than those on Embassy Row. Get your souvenir passport to be stamped at the embassies. Souvenir passports will be available at Dupont Circle and Van Ness Information booths. Also this weekend is the  Flower Mart  at National Cathedral and the  International City Food Festival  at The Square. The  All Hallows Guild’s Flower Mart  will take place Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4 at the Washington National Cathedral Grounds. It is a program where people can shop for plants and gifts, eat fun festival food, enjoy children’s activities, ride the historic carousel and take in the beauty of the International Floral Exhibit. The 2024 theme is "In Bloom" as we celebrate the power of flowers! The   International City Food Festival   is happening at The Square on  Friday, May 3 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.  and  Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.  Featuring international performances, food, and crafts presented by vendors from around the world, ICFF offers an opportunity to journey across the globe and celebrate diverse cultures within the heart of Washington, DC. New at ICFF this year, there will also be an immersive, nostalgia-inspired food experience:  The Snack Arcade . Featuring our very own guide  Snack, The Planet , this family-friendly, 90’s era tinted activation will feature a number of vintage, lo-fi games, as well as a wide ranging selection of snacks from all seven continents (think TimTams from Australia, Prawn Cocktail Walkers from UK, etc.) allowing everyone to feel like they are on a mini bites and game tour of the world. Media Members:  For media members interested in covering the Around the World Embassy Tour, please visit  here  to apply for press credentials to attend and cover the event. Please follow instructions to apply online and responses will be provided within the timeline listed. Please note, credentials are for working members of the press only. For media interested in getting in touch with Passport DC spokespeople and/or have specific interview requests for embassies participating in the Around the World Embassy Tour, please reach out to  [email protected] . Media ready photos and videos from 2023 Passport DC are available  here .  

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US issues travel advisory, warn of terror threat in Kenya

U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman. PHOTO/COURTESY: Twitter/@USAmbKenya

The American embassy in a security alert issued on Friday advised their citizens to be on the lookout for potential kidnappings and attacks on areas frequented by tourists. 

Citing the past attacks such as the West Gate attack and the Israel attack by Hamas, the US government noted that terrorists may seek to mark the anniversary and thus the need to exercise caution.

“Terrorist groups could attack with little or no warning, targeting hotels, embassies, restaurants, malls and markets, schools, police stations, places of worship, and other places frequented by foreigners and tourists,” stated the US embassy. 

“While attacks can occur at any time, concerns are heightened in proximity to anniversaries of prior terrorist attacks, such as September 11th, the September 21st Westgate Mall attack, and the October 7th Hamas attack against Israel.”

The US detailed that acts of terror occur with no warning hence the need to be vigilant at all times. 

Places frequented by foreigners were also highlighted to be targets of terrorists. It was also explained that the security alert was informed by the terror attack anniversaries that are being observed across the globe.

Terrorist groups could attack with little or no warning, targeting hotels, embassies, restaurants, malls and markets. 

Following the advisory, the Embassy listed actions that ought to be taken as a precaution including avoiding crowded areas, schools, police stations, places of worship, and other places frequented by foreigners. 

US citizens were also called upon to review their local security plans and always monitor the media for updates and alerts. 

"Due to the risk of terrorism from groups based in Somalia, FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) advises against all but essential travel to: within 60km of Kenya’s border with Somalia, Eastern Garissa County, up to 20km north-west of the A3 road, including the Boni National Reserve and Mandera County, excluding Mandera West sub-county," states the UK on its website.

Also flagged is Lamu County, excluding Lamu Island and Manda Island and Tana River County north of the Tana River.

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