Testimonials
Thank you for making our Washington trip so very special. You contributed what seemed like effortless wit, flexibility, humor and knowledge. The bar is set very high on our next trip and I don’t know if we will ever achieve that level of satisfaction again! You are officially hired whenever we go back to DC!
Natalie Zavala
San Antonio, TX
Kathleen is a gem!! Very knowledgeable, very personable, a good communicator and particularly good with youngsters. I will recommend her to anyone visiting D.C. We were a group of six, including two grandchildren ages 11 and 12. Our objective was to achieve a memorable learning experience. Kathleen made that happen in the two days we spent with her and she launched us in the right direction for the other 7 days we were “on-our-own”.
Will Mulcahy
San Francisco, CA
I cannot say enough good things about Kathleen’s services. The tours were meticulously planned and executed. I heard NO complaints from any of our reunion attendees about the tours. The value of the tours was definitely worth the cost. Whenever I return to the Washington area to host a reunion, I will definitely call upon Dr. Bashian to be our planner and guide. She is awesome!
Mike Kirsch
SCPO, USN (Ret.)
Reunion Planner
USS Fessenden (DE/DER-142) Association
“Phenomenal” does not begin to describe your intimate knowledge of the city, passion for your work, and obvious focus on accommodating our group. First, you arrived at the hotel early, sought us out (thankfully), and greeted us with a smile. When you introduced yourself, we immediately took notice of your attire. You were professionally dressed and had a naturally classy/elegant demeanor. (This was a far cry from the traditional tour guide khakis and tennis shoes – smile). Next, you worked with efficiency and diligence to ensure that we were able to visit all of the specified sites within the 4-hour timeframe – providing historical narratives of countless other sites along the way. Finally, your tour guide expertise with regard to the history of a range of venues (along with your knowledge of an array of interesting tidbits) was nothing short of amazing. If “phenomenal” does not quite describe this tour experience, we can think of another word: Flawless!!
Gabrielle Hymes
Silver Spring, MD
My husband and two daughters, ages 9 and 12, spent an incredible day in Washington, DC with Kathleen. From the White House to the US Capitol, from the Supreme Court to the Library of Congress, from the Smithsonians to the Memorials–Kathleen’s insight and vast knowledge enriched our experience. She gave us fun facts, trivia and information, and stimulated the adults and children simultaneously. She is so wonderful with children, and answered all of their questions patiently. She made wonderful use of our limited time and helped us to plan the time that we were not with her as well. We all learned so much from Kathleen. Our trip was unforgettable.
Jill Seigerman
NYC
During the past years, Netherlands military students from the General Staff College have visited the U.S. as part of their study. An important part of those visits is to develop knowledge of the (military) history of the U.S. Mrs. Kathleen Bashian has been instrumental in achieving that goal.
Her knowledge and ability to adapt to her specific audience are impressive!
Her knowledge and ability to adapt to her specific audience are impressive!
Colonel Arie Ooms
Military and Assistant Defense Attaché
Royal Netherlands Embassy
I just wanted to thank you very much for taking our family to D.C. That was one of the more enjoyable and interesting trips I and we have had in a long, long time. I was not quite sure what to expect and how to manage a trip like that with so many different things to do and different preferences and ages and much walking. In the end our family thoroughly enjoyed every minute and having a tour guide like Kathleen was the icing on the cake!
Thank you again and let’s do it again in a few years!
Thank you again and let’s do it again in a few years!
Geoff Pettis
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN
Thank you for your talented and educational tour guiding services. I could not have made all of these arrangements (buses, lunches, tour locations, timings, etc,) – for which credit was given to me – without you. As well, numerous bus tour attendees expressed to me their appreciation for your expert guidance skills. I’m certainly glad that I was referred to you!
Nancy “Nanny” Baskin
B-29 Wings of the Marianas, Inc.
Hi Kathleen, I hope all is well! I just wanted to thank you for touring us around DC this past weekend! The wedding was fun, but spending the day with you and my family was the highlight of the trip. Thanks again!
Taylor Tremonte
Wayne, New Jersey
We just wanted to say “Thank You” for the extremely educational and invigorating guided tour that you gave us in April in Washington. I speak for my wife Barbara and myself, but I feel that everyone on our tour from the Elk’s Club in Wolcott, NY was extremely grateful for Kathleen’s enlightening day/evening. My wife and I have been on several guided tours around the country and one to Europe, but I must say that Kathleen’s was by far the <strong>best of the best!!!
Terry and Barbara Krug
Wolcott, NY
Kathleen has always been sensitive to the groups need and has been willing to create the tour that the director desires. We love the way she represents our company. She is always on time, always dressed in a very professional manner and acts in a very dignified manner. She is always prompt to get back to us to schedule groups. If she cannot help, she is willing to help with references of other guides in her absence. I would highly recommend her to anyone who wants a professional, courteous and responsive guide.
Neila Swapp
Sales & Office Manager Educational Tours and Travel Corp, St. George, UT
The kids talked about you and how much they enjoyed touring with you throughout the trip. You set a standard that was hard to beat with your incredible knowledge base. But you also had a way of being interested in us and what we thought that also made the difference. I just wanted you to know that one of the biggest highlights of our trip was spending time with you.
Anne Wicks
Carlsbad, CA
My wife said it was “one of the Best Trips.” The kids said it was “Great.” You made the difference and I thank you very much. DC is now a memory that we will always treasure.
Gary Kazanjian
Wethersfield, CT
Dr. Kathleen’s knowledge, professionalism, and ability to relate to students are the reasons why she is my number one choice when choosing a guide for my student groups visiting Washington, DC
Tom Mullet
Lighthouse Tours, Ohio
On behalf of the Alumni Affairs office, we want to extend our appreciation of the “Monuments at Night” tour you gave us in Washington, DC. Your efforts gave us a true insight of what life is like in the nation’s capitol. The participating alumni and administrative members had a wonderful time being educated on the historical aspects of Washington, DC. You made that possible.
Terrance Jones
Asst Director, Tulane University Clubs
I would like to thank you for hosting a tour to the WWII Memorial, Vietnam Memorial and Korean memorial for the advanced staff officers’ course and also for the Dutch Magraten Cemetery Commission. Both times I was surprised by your knowledge about the history and background of the Memorials. Your enthusiasm to share this knowledge with the different groups has led to a very good evaluation of their trips to Washington, DC. Your professionalism and historic knowledge make a perfect combination for being a tour guide who loves her city.
Jan-Pieter de Rooij
CDR Royal Netherlands Navy Asst. Naval Attaché, Royal Netherlands Embassy
We have been using Dr. Kathleen’s services for almost four years and have been extremely pleased with her work! Our groups have ranged from college students and young professionals to college professors, and she has always provided educational and interesting tours that were appropriate to each group. Whether leading a guided tour of the monuments and memorials or an architectural history walk through Georgetown, Dr. Kathleen’s lectures and charismatic delivery were always well received. She will continue to be our guide for all our future cultural tour needs!
Mary Connell
Manager, Recruitment and Admissions The Fund for American Studies of Georgetown University
Thank you so much for the EXCELLENT service you provided for our motor coach group. We had nothing but extremely positive comments about you from every single guest on board! Your knowledge of the city is AMAZING! I also want to thank you for the “emergency” request I had for you. Your willingness to help us out when a vendor unexpectedly closed at the very last minute really saved us! I will utilize your service every time we visit your area. See you next year!
Darla Bass
Kincaid Tours, Kansas City, KS
Within just a few minutes of the beginning of the tour with Kathleen, I knew that our sightseeing trip would be fantastic! Kathleen unanimously received “Excellent” evaluations from all the participants.
Jeanette Walton
Director, Watson Wyatt Worldwide
I have had the pleasure of working with Dr. Bashian on three full day study tours with a Shakespeare theme for the Smithsonian Resident Associates.She is an excellent study leader who truly has a passion for teaching
Nichole Andonegui
Program Coordinator, Smithsonian Associates
I am very happy with our Washington Tour. It was a great conference program combining history, culture, National Hockey League, and team building.
Christer Stahl
Managing Director, BMW Group Sweden
Kathleen, as always, we appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge of our Nation’s Capital. You know the city inside out. You have a keen knack of keeping things fresh for our veteran tour participants, as well as enlightening our first timers. In and of itself, this is no easy task. It goes without saying, our tour would not have been the same without you.
All Your Friends on the 2014 Dodge WAA Tour (Dodge Wreaths Across America Tour)
Dr. Kathleen provided services as a DC tour guide for my family reunion. Her professionalism, attention to detail, and well-rounded knowledge of the DC area is impressive. Every family member thoroughly enjoyed the tour and the guide services provided. Dr. Bashian is prompt, highly-dependable and has my highest recommendation as a DC tour guide.
James Mathis
Stafford, VA
The kids are back at school today and I finally have a minute to email you and let you know how much we enjoyed our trip to DC and our day of sightseeing with you. We all had such a great day seeing the monuments and memorials and the beautiful cherry blossoms in full bloom. We could not have had a more perfect day or a better tour guide. Thanks so much for sharing your wealth of knowledge with our family and for making our day and our trip so memorable and informative.
Fran Fink
New York, NY
Thank you so much for making Washington DC so exciting and meaningful by sharing your wealth of information with us. Bill and I, (and I know the rest of our Museum of Fine Arts Houston group), appreciated your efforts and thoughtfulness in putting together a great tour for us.
Celeste Mead
Museum of Fine Arts Houston tour coordinator