segway tour in Madrid

Haven't done it in Madrid, but I did one in Chicago. Any time I had a chance to ride a Segway I'd go for it! Definitely easy to do, and FUN. My parents, in their 70s, went on the tour in Chicago, too, and had a ball.

scott,

I've taken the Segway tour in Paris, and I felt it was definitely worth the effort! It's not terribly difficult to "drive" the Segway, but they provide a short training course before taking the group on the tour. I believe the same firm operates the Segway tours in various locations in Europe.

It's a very unique way to tour major sites in any city, albeit a bit "pricey". Also, they require a deposit in case the unit is "damaged", which usually happens if someone doesn't follow the guidelines. The charge receipt is discarded if you return the Segway in good condition.

I will most certainly be taking Segway tours on future visits (the next one for me will probably be Budapest).

Cheers!

OK, I'll bite.

I'm going to be in Madrid in a few weeks. To be honest, the idea of going on a segway tour seems kind of silly to me. I have always figured that it's mostly a novelty rather than a practical way to experience someplace. In any old European city, I assume the streets are often uneven (cobblestones, etc.), crowded with pedestrians (and other things)...is this really an environment that is suited to what's essentially an electric scooter?

I could imagine renting a bike and using that if I was in a hurry to get somewhere (and I have done that on occasion in Europe), but it seems like you would either be moving too fast to experience things, or you would be spending a lot of your concentration worrying about and dodging pedestrians, bumpy spots, other moving objects, etc.

When I've seen the occasional person on a segway here at home, I am tempted to laugh and shake my head (not to think "gee, that's so cool, wish I could ride one"). So I'll admit I'm a skeptic.

What about this am I not "getting"? Convince me...?

Try it, David, and you'll understand. In truth, most of the appeal of a Segway tour is a chance to play with a cool toy. Since I haven't done the one in Madrid (yet -- hope to next year), I don't know about their route, but in Chicago it goes through Grant Park and along the waterfront -- nowhere near pedestrians. (In other places I know they use bike paths and such, not sidewalks.) We toured the museum campuses, learned about the architecture of the buildings, and saw Millenium Park. And the glide along the marina was great. This area is one that you usually zoom through on a busy road. I had never traveled there slowly enough to really look at anything. In short, you don't take a Segway tour because it's efficient, or fast (though they can travel up to 12.5 miles per hour). You take a Segway tour because it's a unique way to see a city.

David,

I have to agree with Nancy. One could cover the same tour by foot or on a bike, but touring on a Segway is unique and different, and that was part of the appeal for me. It would seem that many other tourists share that view, as there were tour Buses stopping to take photos of our group. I had to stop several times to answer questions about the Segway from other tourists, or stop to allow them to take a photo (the Guide was getting a bit annoyed, but I was having fun with it!).

I don't recall any difficulty with cobblestones? We were on sidewalks for the most part when travelling between stops, and on smooth pavement in other areas. The only "challenging" part was going over small curbs - it's necessary to change balance slightly so as not to tip over forward. Crossing streets also had to be done carefully. We were all required to wear helmets and reflective vests.

When we stopped to allow the Guide to explain sites, we would either stand on the Segway, or run it up to a wall and then step off. The unit will remain balanced on it's own. I found it to be rather a different and very memorable travel experience!

Cheers!

Scott....I haven't done a Segway tour but I think Madrid would be a great city for it. There are lots of plazas and wide streets that are pretty easy to connect. Another place might be Seville.

Well, I've got to say that I remain unconvinced. It seems that much of the appeal is the segway itself, not that the segway somehow enhances your experience of the places you go.

I look at it this way: I have precious little time to travel overseas. When I'm in Madrid or wherever, I'm there to see and experience Madrid. Playing with a segway seems like it would only be a distraction, and would take time away from what I went there to see. Having other tourists stop me and want to take my picture because I was riding one would probably just annoy me ("leave me alone, I'm on vacation!").

There are segways here at home (I occasionally see city workers, gas meter readers, etc. riding them). If I want to ride a segway, I can certainly do that here, without eating up time that I could otherwise spend in the Prado or chasing tapas.

I've seen other folks ask questions here about going hot air ballooning or skydiving or other similar activities while they're in Europe. To me that sounds crazy. You can do all of those things in or near your home town, it would be cheaper at home (often a LOT cheaper), and arguably a better experience (at home you have more options to choose from). I suspect that skydiving in Tuscany is probably not so different from skydiving in Tacoma (unless you've done it enough to appreciate the differences, and I don't think most tourists do), and I figure riding a segway is probably the same.

I suppose I just don't "get" the appeal of riding an electric, stand-up scooter (whether in Madrid or Mercer Island). That's probably at the root of it. If others enjoy it, great, but I think I'd rather just walk and save my Euros for tapas. But thanks anyway!

I find taking a Segway tour of a large city like Madrid rather appealing, not only because of the novelty of using Segway, but mainly because I have trouble walking for long periods of time and this would be a nice way to cover so much area.

David,
There are a few videos on youtube about madsegs.com Madrid segway tours. Helmets are optional, no waiver or deposit on the segway (they accept responsibility for there segways). The guide is the segway skill world champion......

If you have to try one this looks like the best place to do it. This tour is not the normal follow the leader tour, as seen in the segway tour diversion im sure this is not for everyone. I dont believe you will look like a nerd climbing 40+ inclines....if you can manage them.

Try it, oh and the tappas is included, as is a refreshment , photos and a video.

Oh, I'm not worried about looking geeky - I got over that long ago! I just see nothing about riding a scooter that appeals to me. In Madrid or elsewhere. I just figure I have better things to do with my time and my Euros. If others think it's fun, that's great, I'm happy for them. But I think I'll pass on this particular experience. Thanks anyway for the suggestions though.