Andalusian tours

We don't know yet. Where does Rick Steves' state the tour is 53€? What year did he say that? And are you sure it's the exact same tour with all the same stops and length of tour? What's the website address for that tour? Answer those questions above and we'll be better able to help you compare apples-to-apples. Without them, we may be comparing apples-to-Valencia-oranges. Saludos, MadridMan @ you-know-where!

Rick steve Spain 2010. Page 516, paragraph titled "Andalusian minibus tours". Bottom of paragraph website name is www.theotherspain.galeon.com. On this website the same one day tour is 200 Euros? Why the wrong information?

I don't have a book to check, but I suspect the book is talking about the per-person charge if you have a group. For 8 people, it comes to 60 euro per person. Maybe his prices have gone up a bit since 2010.

Why answer if you have no book or have not checked Mcgraths website? The website Rick promotes. And you think the price can jump from 53 euro to 200 euro in one year!!

I'll rent a car!!

I did check the website. It says 200 euro for the first person, 40 euro for each additiona. so for a group of 8 that comes to 60 euro per person. Do you really expect a private guide and car for 53 euros a day????? Yes, if you find that 200 euros unreasonable you should rent a car and drive your own self.

"Why answer if you have no book or have not checked Mcgraths website" Wow. Why post if you are going to be so rude? People are just trying to help you out. No one here is responsible for the content of Rick's books; they are just volunteers. Like Lola I suspect you read it wrong in the book. Fifty-three euros is not a day's wage for a private guide and his car (that probably barely covers the gas at today's prices.)

"Why the wrong information?" I think you misunderstood. I did check the 2010 book and it says he does small group tours in his 9-seat minivan. Maybe in 2010 he did take people for 53 euros no matter how many signed up, or maybe Rick calculated the price per person based on a full van. But this is 2011 and apparently his policy has changed. Note that Rick does not mention him in the 2011 book.

"I'll rent a car!!" I'm sure Paul McGrath won't care if you do. Of course, it might cost just about the same but without getting a tour or an experienced driver.... Keep in mind, too, that the 2010 book was researched and printed in 2009. A LOT of things have changed since then that could affect the price.

There has been an incredible amount of legal problems in organising these trips. Running a business in Spain is not like running a business in the USA Australia or Canada, hence the over 20% unemployment rate. I no longer have the van due to these problems. I will take up to three people in his car on a private trip. The price is as follows 1 person 150 Euros 2 people 160 euros 3 people 240 Euros Due to the afore mentioned legal problems you need to travel as a "friend" With respect to the cancellation of a previous tour. I do not take money in advance of any tour. One advantage of this is that it allows me to cancel a trip if I feel a customer is belligerant and aggresive which was the case of the gentleman who complained. I have taken thousands of people through the white villages and have met fantastic people from all corners of the globe but just now and then one comes across an individual that one would prefer not to spend 10 minutes with let alone a whole day.

Thanks for posting an explanation, Paul. I'm sure it must be difficult to run a business in Spain, in these tough economic times. I hope you find a lot of "friends" (but be careful about advertising on this website.) It sounds like eileen is one of those people you would rather not have along---I can't believe how rude and demanding she sounded. Do you use the word "tosser" iin Australia or is it just Brits who say that?

eileen do you really, in your heart of hearts (I'm sure under all the rudeness you are really quite nice) really believe that a person could spend all day with you and fill the tank of a minibus (it costs me about £80 or $125US or €94 just to fill my car) and make a profit if you give him €53? How? How much profit? How could they live on such an income?