I see all the double decker busses cruising the streets with visitors listening to a tape or a driver trying to point out buildings while dodging traffic and I think, “Those people are getting short changed.”

Now I like double decker busses, too. Took them around London, New York and Chicago as part transportation, part education. Those busses had live guides telling tales of the city.

But many Washington busses don’t have live guides and for the same price visitors can get ride on Chariots for Hire busses that hire me and other guides to take you to the top venues around town and Arlington National Cemetery. We tell you not only the textbook information, but what life in Washington is like. Most visitors want to know about more than statues and live guides can talk about real estate prices, the subway, good restaurants.

Really, guides are the ambassadors of the city. Who else do visitors spend several hours with direct contact? They’ll return home talking of Washington often based on impressions guides create. That’s a serious responsibility.

So don’t short-changed yourself when coming to Washington. Find a bus with a live guides to get the maximum experience.