Breathtaking inside, especially the main reading room..I did feel kind of rushed through the tour…read morethough..you're not given much time to linger and look around..one highlight was seeing the Gutenberg Bible on display..overall positive experience.

The Embassy of Sweden is one of the best embassies to visit in Washington, D.C for these reasons:…read more 1) Location: It's along the Georgetown Waterfront near local favorites like The Reach at the Kennedy Center and Baked and Wired cupcake shop. 2) Design: It's unique design catching the eyes and it's even more stunning on the inside with a rooftop overlooking the Potomac River. 3) Events: They often host events for adults and kids, including rotating art exhibits.

This review is for the special events area only. I attended a shorts festival at the embassy and…read morethought the seats were the most comfortable of any small auditorium that I've visited in D.C. Staff were welcoming and the event ran smoothly. Kudos!

Out of all the embassies along Embassy Row, the Embassy of Italy is in one of the more modern…read morebuildings. If you're able to attend an event there, you'll see historic art and sculptures inside. Outside is green space that often houses tents during events.

Summer Garden Party at the French Embassy (DC)…read more The skies opened up with a huge monsoon like downpour, around 6 PM. The early access entry to the party, started at 7 PM and general admission at 8 PM. Good wine, food and music were anticipated by one and all attendees. A crowd of beautifully dressed and adorned guests awaited their turn to enjoy the fun and excitement, awaiting us on an official French soil reached after you went through security. It's a lovely and large complex in Upper North West, Washington, DC, very close to Georgetown University. As you entered, you came to a charming open courtyard on the right side of the guard room, with a beautiful golden statue and fountain. There's a few tents setup with some of the best food and wine offerings. The rosè and champagne, had their very own tent. The libations were free-flowing and made for a very pleasant, gracious and friendly atmosphere. French Baguette, a local DC based restaurant with French roots, offered their various crogels and quiche. Indoors, they had bread, ham, cheese and vegetables platters. Also, an ice cream machine and a crêpes station. While outside, a singer and piano player provided melodic notes to set the mood. It was an event you had to pay for in order to attend, it was something everyone should, as a Greater Washington DC resident should attend at least once.

If you have business with the French govt then this is the place to come. Visas etc…read more across from Georgetown U hospital. Parking on the street. Lots of traffic and takes time to get here and in. More security here than in smaller embassies. Once inside-the architecture is amazing. Artwork and photos are incredible. Rooms flow nicely for entertaining. Wine tastings work well here. Receptions give people Lots to Look at and talk about. They do run out of plates and glasses. Food is usually short of what you want so plan for a higher number of attendees.

Breathtaking architecture especially the main lobby..and the Indigenous art display was…read moreimpressive..the staff however seemed cold and unwelcoming..I don't think they were Australian.

This is the perfect place to say G'day mate. The embassy has been closed for a while due to repairs…read moreand building issues. If you want to see inside, visit before 11/19, when the building is torn down. The embassy will be in a temporary space until it is rebuilt. The embassy is nice. There is a theater with approximately 100 seats. The front lobby has various items on display that represent Australia. The embassy has a large meeting space which can accommodate hundreds of people. A side room had an exhibit called, "What we Wear" featuring items created by Australian University's School of Art & Design College of Arts & Social Sciences. The security screening was quick. They don't care about water bottles. The guards are looking for other items. The embassy staff and security were so nice. I even got to spend a moment with my cardboard pals, Chris Hemsworth & Margo Robbie. I had never heard a Didgeridoo instrument played before. It was awesome. Bonus points on the Aussie Dictionary.

Argentina (the country) Notes I'm sure the embassy is 5…read morestars too. From the US Buenos Aires about 11 hours in the air. From Europe its a few hours more. Most international flights are overnight and land in Ezeiza airport. This airport is 30km from the BUA and this about an hour travel to the city with moderate traffic - and the traffic is always at least moderate. There are two toll stops between this airport and the city and they stop progress in the most horrific way. Allow for a minimum of three hours (read: minimum of three hours) for transit to the airport when leaving the city. International flights out are at night and traffic in the evening is terrible. Taxis are reliable and consistently priced. I had a wonderful line of dialog last week as I was traveling from Buenos Aires to Neuquén about 600km away. I had to change airports and in so doing needed to travel directly through the city at morning rush hour. I entered the taxi at 9:30AM. Driver: What time is your flight? Me: Eleven. Can I make it? Driver: It's complex. He drove as aggressively and cagily as any Cairo cabbie ever did. We made it to Jorge Newbery Airport (the other city airport for mostly domestic flights) at exactly 10:30. I walked onto my plane at 10:50 - amazing really. Time zone in Argentina is ET+1. Its south of the equator so the seasons are turned upside down. August in Argentina = February in say...North Carolina. Money is the peso. 100 pesos = $18USD (as of this writing) There is a lot of inflation in Argentina. Dollars and Euros are welcome in most places and you'll get a better exchange rate than at a machine or from a credit card or worst of all choices - a money exchange (never use these unless its absolutely necessary). Food is quite good and a good value. Buenos Aires has a great vibe - modern, progressive, safe (it's all relative). Truly you could believe you were in any one of a dozen European cities if. Amazing wine selections - Malbecs abound. Cafés are open amazingly late. It's a lot like Paris except the service is somewhat (sic) more attentive. I was impressed with Neuquén (pronounced "new ken") - it's a happening smallish city in the middle of the Patgonian desert. At Santino's they have steak dinners, sandwiches, coffee bar and wi-fi all in one place. Mega comfortable. They say Argentines consider themselves special. After several visits, I understand why.

The Embassy of Argentina is inside a 1906 mansion built for a Congressman from Pennsylvania and…read moredesigned by the first Black graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's architecture school. It's two levels with several grand rooms for entertaining and art from Argentina. It's close to the Dupont Circle Metro.

I applied the tourist L visa for my two kids, here's a snapshot:…read more3/28 - Submitted online application on COVA 4/6 - Preliminary review rejected, pending birth certificates/parents' passport copy 4/7 - Online review approved upon submission of missing docs. To drop off passport 4/14 - Dropped off passport at visa center in DC 4/17 - Picked up both visas (approved for 10 years and 90 days max duration for multiple entries) and paid the visa fees The online application was straight-forward. I used online free websites to photoshop the pictures. They did not specify uploading birth certificates/parents' passport copies during the application, but after I uploaded the necessary docs, it was approved swiftly. When dropping off the passport, the agent only asked for the passports, how long we plan to stay in China, and then she gave me to pink slip and asked me to come back Friday to pick up the passports. The whole visit lasted for 5 mins (it was on a Tuesday morning). There is garage parking at the center, it costs $8.99 for an hour. However, if the visit is not going to last for over 2 hours, I suggest parking on the street which is about $4 for 1.5 hrs. Tuesday was very empty, Friday was crowded, I had to wait in line for 40+ mins to get into the center to pick up the visas. Overall I think the process was a lot easier than I initially thought. Regarding online reviews about customer service, I think the visa center is about efficiency. The "Chinese efficiency" is about getting the job done without wasting people's time and money. The staff may not be the friendliest people on earth, but they get down to the core which is getting your visas/applications approved. The drive to the DC embassy may be a bit far but I got what I needed in an efficient manner.

Had a good experience here! Got there at 2:10pm on a Monday and I was done by their closing time of…read more2:30p. I was nervous because I heard that some consulates stop taking people at 2pm, but that was not the case here. The office is on the ground floor of a brown building in the Glover Park area. Walk through the glass doors main entrance and head to the back. Nobody was in the security line, so I got a number right away. If you don't have a bag, the security process is super quick. There were 5 people ahead of me. All of them appeared to be tour operators as they had stacks of passports and paperwork. My number was called, the rep was courteous and efficient. He went through my paperwork and the intake took 3 minutes. Fast turnaround on the regular $140 fee (drop off Monday, pick up Thursday). He did say that there is a lunch break between 12:30p-1:30p, so expect a wait time during that hour. He gave me a pink slip for pickup and you pay $140 at pickup. Don't lose your pink slip! I brought: 1) printout of application submitted online - sign it! 2) printout of QR code page - sign this! 3) paper copy of passport page 4) paper copy of front and back of driver license There are restrooms, a water fountain, and lots of seats. About 6 people were working. As other people have said, don't forget to check the mainland China calendar of holidays, as the office may close on those days. Lunar New Year, Moon Festival, etc.

I was recently asked by Penelope R. about my favorite places. Mine is DC. There is plenty of…read morehistory, and fine dining. The thing I remember most is when my family stayed at the Embassy Suites near the Convention Center. It is close to the Metro, which makes it easier to get around. Every place has its faults, but the overall experience is worth it.

What a stay!!! I…read morehave had trouble with the Hilton Brand (even a few Embassy's)...BUT this one was well put together and I enjoyed my stay.... I had to check in early which came at a fee...but I was in need.... I ate like I was on a cruise - food was 24/7 - and I did partake! The breakfast was standard for Embassy and I enjoyed every bite! The evening mixer featured restaurant quality tortilla chips and salsa. I enjoyed the restaurant blackened salmon and chocolate molten cake the most. Being that I ate so much, I swung by the gym around midnight to burn some calories! My room and the ambiance of the hotel was relaxing. Although, there can be issues with the Hilton brand, I recommend this one.....

Wow, what a helpful team at the German embassy. My wife and I just went to their open office hours…read more(Monday 1-3pm) to ask about citizenship questions, and they were so friendly and helpful. Expecting well....a German experience, we were blown away by the friendliness of the staff and walked away very excited to continue working with them to get a few big things done. I lived in Wuppertal Germany (where my wife is from) and comparatively that Visa office was a zoo! The embassy here was so nice and open we were shocked. The only tip I'd say is just make an appointment. While their website said they had citizenship open hours on Monday and Friday, the office seemed confused by this. They were still very happy to help, but they were looking for an appointment first and foremost. The woman who helped us was so great and even gave us her name to follow up on future fillings. We're at the point where we would much rather deal with them than filing anything when we're in Germany!

Wow, what a lovely team! Birgit has wonderfully helped me apply for citizenship due to my mema's…read moreheritage and previous citizenship before marrying an American soldier, and Birgit was so kind, guided us through the process kindly and delicately, and was with us every step of the way! The embassy itself was very pretty and clean, and we couldn't help but take a walk around the neighborhood afterword and go to a nice coffeeshop. Thanks Birgit! - Allie and Josh

They don't even deserve 1 star…read more The staff here are incompetent. Especially the one name Gaby Hasnan. She is a dumbb*tch! I came here couple of time to legalize some documents , you will think, thats an easy process, as long as i bring all the documents needed, but guess what. Everytime i go, they have different requirements, eventho i called ahead of time to confirm but still, so basically its depends on who was the person working at that time n what they feel like to ask for the requirements. *Mind blowing* What kind of government institutions do that?? Unfortunately this one does! Not to mention, Gaby asked me for proof if i'm indonesian citizen, i showed her my indonesian passport, u know what dumb shit she said to me, "even if u have indonesian passport doesn't mean you are indonesian citizen". I was like WTF I was speechless. I couldn't believe they could hire incompetent dumbshit like her to work at the embassy. This is just a proof how she will try everything possible to give u hardtime.

This place was awesome. Snacks to sample. Performers dancing musicians on instruments entertaining…read moreand an art project to do if one chose. There are beautiful cultural pieces to admire on display. It is impressive inside and out. Go visit I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Employees here are very friendly and helpful. The process of ROM and passport was pretty fast. I…read moredont know why other Filipinos are losing patience and getting upset while I was there maybe because they have been waiting for hours and they flew all the way from other State. Duhh! We are on the same boat. Please don't treat them like you own them, they are just doing their job. DMV is way worst than this. Trust me! My case was actually complicated and they were very friendly and kind. They do answer phone calls, they are very efficient and you'll not be treated here like you're dumb eventhough you don't know a lot of stuff. Make an appointment in advance to save your spot, if you do walk-in or you have to wait longer, go out for shopping or eat something. Like what I did. Don't worry, they do keep you updated on your waiting time. Kudos to all employees here specially to Ms. Clarence. THANK YOU, guys!

We had to notarize a response for a counter affidavit for submission in the Philippines to respond…read morefor a perjury complaint we filed for our cousins. Basically theres an ongoing scam between filipino that they force filipino americans to default and mail their summons in different addresses in america. To combat these we signed a perjury complain affidavit for my cousins. So as soon as we got the affidavit, I sent my sister to the embassy, she drove 5 hours and we requested for an urgent processing to pick it up the same day as there is a strict 10 day deadline for the Philippine Prosecutor. This notary would not budge and told my sister that they will drop it off the next day and even refused to let us take a picture of the signed affidavit since we will email the signed affidavit to our lawyer and a signed receipt. She then accuse my sister of by questioning her why didnt we schedule an appointment sooner. Well, I scheduled this complain and this was the first available appointment. You need to explain to me what is more important than submitting to trying to meet a 10 day deadline to a criminal complain? Moreover, why are paying customers not allowed to take a picture of their very own signed form? Lastly and most importantly, why does it cost $25 to notarize a simple form?