Options
Skipping Walking Tours
I've visited many of the places the walking tours would go on past trips. Are guests allowed to leave the group on walking tours or skip walking tours altogether to spend more time in the Christmas markets? For example, could I take the bus to Salzburg but skip the walking tour and go on to shop? Also, does anyone know where the bus drops off in Salzburg?
Thanks!
0
Comments
Can't answer the bus drops but I know from previous tours that yes in general you can skip or abbreviate tours if you want. I've done so on other tours. Like the bus drops, you need to know where things are, pick up times, meeting places, etc.
Always let the TD know if you've skipping. I got our TD in Normandy worried when I dropped out of a walk and went to the toilet. Mistakenly thought others knew where I was and would tell her. My bad.
We've skipped and dropped out of a walking tours several times, once in Vienna to see the Lipizzaners. We always informed the TD. Also, make sure you have the TD's cell # in case you run into trouble.
On Blue Danube the bus from Linz dropped us off on the southeast side of Salzburg (during the day (after 9 am?) buses are not allowed in the Altstadt area.
Like others, we've gone off on our own on a number of occasions. Also, like others have said, I would strongly encourage you to share your plans with your TD ahead of time. First, it gives the TD a heads up before the fact and second, he or she may have some special goodies planned that they might be able to save for you or may have up-to-date information about your planned destination that might make your adventure more enjoyable! Remember my motto on Christmas Markets: I never met a strudel I didn't like!
Good point triguy. On our Douro cruise after the morning's touring you had the option to be dropped at the hotel or the coach went to Restauradores sqr. When we got down there the TD walked us.to a nearby Ginja store for a shot of the cherry liquor.
Thank you Claudia, Alan and Thetriguy! I will definitely let the TD know my intentions and I will make sure I'm at all the right meeting points well in advance of the appointed times. I've never done a river cruise and it's so nice to know that it offers more flexiblity than a land tour. I think I'll really enjoy that aspect! And STRUDEL, well, doesn't that just make every day just a little bit better?
Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!
Actually, Karenna, you can go off on your own on a land tour, too -- just not on the days that you travel from town to town. I've done it several times. But, as with the river tours, do let the TD know in advance.
Thanks, MCD!
YES-- as everyone said above, you can skip the tours, but know that the tours on the Xmas Market Cruises are a little different than the tours that aren't Xmas market based - you will learn more Christmas-y things, you will walk into a cathedral with an organ playing Xmas Music, you will stop for coffees, gingerbread, and still have time for Market-time after the tour ends. I will say that on the Danube, I wish we would have had more Market-time at the Private Markets in Vienna and Regensburg as those markets had things we hadn't seen in the other markets - also, if you aren't extending in Nuremberg, you'll wish you had more time there. The Markets on the Danube are all VERY VERY good and deserve lots of time. We leave tomorrow for 3 PreNights in Vienna for our Danube Market cruise. Will post review when we return as the itinerary has changed from the last time we did this one.
Terrilynn, I just wanted to thank you for all of your posts. They’ve been very helpful & informative. We’re doing the opposite tour from you (Nuremberg to Vienna) at the same time. Safe travels & Have a happy holiday season and trip!