Despite unanticipated walking, enjoyed tour

My wife and I took the eight-day tour “Munich, Salzburg & Vienna” with Globus (Littleton, CO; 866/755-8581), Sept. 4-11, 2011. The land price was $1,549 per person.

It was described as a “leisurely paced tour.” Perhaps the designation came from the fact that we stayed two nights each in Munich and Salzburg and three nights in Vienna rather than one night in each location. However, with my weak legs and the amount of walking we did, in particular at Neuschwanstein Castle and in Salzburg and Vienna, I felt that it wasn’t leisurely.

The bus tour of Munich was tops, but after being dropped off at Marienplatz, I found the walk back to the hotel strenuous. Some people, who signed up for an optional tour to Oberammergau and Linderhof, got back on the bus after our city tour. I think those of us not opting for the extra tours should have been dropped off at the hotel, as has been done in similar situations on most tours I have been on.

The walking tour of Salzburg led by the local tour guide was long, and we had to make our way back to the hotel on foot. I think we should have had a ride back to the hotel from the City Hall. Also, we couldn’t understand the city guide on this tour and couldn’t hear very well; our earphones had a lot of static and distortion.

Staying at the Hilton Vienna am Stadtpark for three nights was especially nice and convenient.

The Crowne Plaza in Salzburg was across the river and some distance from the city center and places we wanted to see, such as Mozart’s birthplace, the Getreidegasse, the Rathaus and so on, but it was a nice hotel.

The Holiday Inn Munich-City Centre was quite a walking distance from the center of town. On our arrival, we took an optional tour to Dachau, and when we came back to the hotel at 5:30 p.m. the luggage still had not been transported to our rooms. We ended up taking it up, ourselves.

The scenery of all the areas we visited was the most beautiful that anyone could expect, and Munich, Salzburg and Vienna are really interesting and elegant. Also our tour leader was helpful and courteous, which made our tour most enjoyable.

In spite of the negative things I’ve mentioned, I would recommend this tour.

BILL MATSUSHIMA
Torrance, CA

ITN sent a copy of Mr. Matsushima’s letter to Globus (5301 South Federal Circle, Littleton, CO 80123) and received no reply.