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Avoid Eidelweiss Tours in Salzburg

I have never been treated with such disrespect and dishonesty! I booked a day tour that was supposed to go to several SOM sites and three Christmas markets on Wolfgangsee. The confirmation email said that if they didn't get a minimum of 6 people the tour would be cancelled.

I checked with them a few days prior to see if the tour was a go and was told probably not as we were the only ones signed up. They asked if I wanted to switch to a more popular tour that included Hallstatt. I declined as we've been a few times before. I was told they would make a decision by 9 am the day before. They were hoping for last minute sign ups.

The day before the tour I waited to hear from them. At 4:30 I decided I'd better call and confirm the tour had been canceled. I was rudely told they had sent me an email the day before letting me know the tour was a go as they had another couple sign up.

We were picked up as expected along with the other couple. After we were a few miles outside of Salzburg the "guide" went of the itinerary for the day and I realized this was not the tour I had signed up for. (I'm pretty sure he intentionally waited til we were well out of Salzburg and it was as though he was letting us know the itinerary because he knew I was on a different tour than I had booked.). We indeed were on the tour going to Hallstatt!

I was pretty livid, but tried to enjoy it and make the best of it. The guide was the worst tour guide I've had on a day tour like this. The info he was giving was clearly memorized and nothing of interest to any of us on the tour. He knew everything about the owner of Red Bull!

Rick doesn't recommend this company - I found them through a google search. We've taken the Bob's SOM tour years ago which was great!

I just wanted to let anyone who may come across them to avoid them at all cost!

Posted by
230 posts

How frustrating and disappointing (and kudos to you for making the best of it). Have you also posted this review to Trip Advisor?
I ask because I use it as a research tool when traveling independently, looking first at the recent negative reviews for common themes (in this case, this company has negative reviews that echo your experience - and you might now enjoy reading the lengthy and vitriolic (! wow) responses from the company).
The minimum number of participants is expected and I've had a week-long and several day tours cancelled for that reason. However, the offer of an alternate day or activity was made with an apology rather than blame (!) and, when I declined, there was simply another apology and a refund- not intentionally deceiving me!
I hope the rest of your vacation was wonderful and thank you for sharing your experience.

Posted by
1532 posts

I did post a review on Trip Advisor. Now that you mention it - I did look at reviews before booking, but most of the complaints seemed to be around the group having to wait on someone who was late which seemed understandable to me. I should have paid more attention to the tone of the responses from the tour company! Lesson learned! The other couple on the tour were extremely nice thank goodness so that made the day a bit more enjoyable:)