Now that things have settled down a bit, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the outstanding Tourist Guide Training that I took from you this year. The information I gathered during both Track I and Track II, along with the study guide that you provided, enabled me to pass the D.C. License Exam on the first try with flying colors! I don�t remember when I�ve worked as hard as I have the past three months, but it was worth every minute! I learned more about Washington than I�ve ever known, and I�ve lived...More

Before starting your classes I was focused only on the facts and figures needed to pass the DC exam. I thought I had sufficient presentation. WRONG. From you, I quickly learned that was only a small part of being a good guide and I learned what it takes to be a guide that gets bookings. The classes (Track I and Track II in early 2007) addressed what I wanted, but more so what I needed. From your classes, I learned so much more about guiding than I even thought I needed to know. Plus, your study...More

It is my honor and privilege to be able to offer this statement, a testimonial, about my training classes with Maricar Donato in 2005. I first attended an orientation session with one other trainee and Maricar on January 22. It was a difficult day to travel and I had to drive, slowly, oh so slowly, back to Annapolis, MD, where I live, in a lot of snow and ice. However, if I had to do it over again, I would not hesitate to start my training with Maricar again, regardless of the weather conditions. Starting...More

Dear Maricar: Ever since my first visit to Washington, D.C. at the age of 15, I knew that my connection to our Nation's Capital would be life-long. Several years ago, when I began to contemplate retirement from my job in local government in Rochester, New York, I decided to look for opportunities to become a professional Washington, D.C. Tour Guide. Guiding visitors around D.C. was my opportunity to realize my dream of becoming a part of Washington, D.C. In my quest, it was my good fortune to become acquainted with Maricar Donato and WashingTours and Events. Through...More

I want to share with you the value of Maricar�s Washington DC guide training program. Originally, I thought I could just take the licensing exam and become a licensed Washington DC guide. I am an experienced, certified international tour manager, who has directed many tours, both over the road and local guiding. After I attended Maricar�s orientation program last year, I decided that her first training course could be very beneficial to me. It was! As Maricar says, I put on new lenses and learned so very much about our beautiful, historic Nation�s...More

As a recent graduate of the International Tour Management Institute in San Francisco, my immediate goal was to prepare for the DC guide’s licensing test.  My initial interest was limited to obtaining Maricar’s Study Course Workbook.  However, after attending her orientation, I was convinced that her Tour Guide Training Program - Track I would not only improve my knowledge and awareness of Washington DC’s landmarks, statutes and establishments, but also help me learn and practice essential guiding techniques. Having just completed Track I, I can attest that the course delivered the content and skills development as promised.  Maricar’s enthusiasm for...More