My Way Tours - tour guide's role

We took the My Way Alpine tour about five years ago. Our "guide" offered suggestions on hikes in the various locations. For example, the day we drove to the Dolomites, she walked down the aisle asking each group what they intended to do the next day. We told her the hike we thought we'd do, and she was good to inform us that, based on ability and previous hiking experience, we would be bored with that hike. She suggested another option that we thoroughly enjoyed. She offered suggestions on restaurants in the various locations. i now recall that in most places she took us on a short orientation tour of the town upon arrival, so that we would know where to catch trams, or whatever. The best was that in Chamonix she set up a wine tasting for those of us who wanted to go; it was awesome. We were quite self-sufficient, and did not require more direction or guidance.

That's the only My Way tour I've done. The guide led an introductory walking tour of about an hour after the initial tour meeting in Salzburg. She also did them in Fussen and Chamonix. She used the time on the bus to tell us about the options for the next stop and then went through the bus and helped each of us plan our activities. She also scheduled a couple of pre-dinner happy hours and then they kind of happened organically after that. Those were the only "organized" activities. Everything else is on your own. Most people of RS tours are welcoming and friendly. It's usually easy to arrange to join others for meals and activities.

Hi katie2303,
I took the RS My Way Best of Europe trip (that is no longer offered). Our guide was extremely helpful during the bus rides, asking us if we needed advice at the next destination. We found others on our tour to be friendly, and a Canadian family even offered to take our young teenage son with them on a more challenging Swiss hike.

My son & I are on the My Way Alpine Europe tour this July. Will you please post trip updates on your tour? I’d love to read them.

Also, is your hotel in Bolzano? Ours is — and I’m having trouble figuring out how practical transportation is (45 minute bus ride to Compatsch?) to do the Panorama to Zallingerhutte hike listed on page 121. I’ve seen warnings you can get stranded without return transportation at the end of the day, and that sounds stressful.

I am also going on the My Way Alpine Tour in August. To see the Neuschwanstein Castle, you must have advance reservations, but on the castle website, they only sell tickets to guided tour groups. Will we be able to get tickets through our guide, or another Rick Steves tour that will be there on that day?

Thanks for the feedack about guides!

That's a good question about castles. I'll see what it says on our dates about tickets.

My husband and I are going on My Way Alpine tour starting Aug 22.. I am both excited and nervous..we never done a My Way tour before. We done several RS and loved every single tour.

My Way Alpine is one of my favorite of the 10 tours I have done with RS. Our guide provided an introductory walk in Salzburg. He facilitated the group getting together one evening for a potluck pre-dinner party convened in a willing tour member's room. He also facilitated several folks going up the Zugspitze when we stopped in the area for lunch. And he facilitated an early morning Aiguille du Midi visit for willing early risers. For these last, facilitated meant ascertaining ahead of time who was interested and scouting out the best times and fees. Participants paid for their own tickets. For Neuschwanstein, we did that totally on our own steam. I went with two other folks (took the bus from Füssen) and stood in line for Hohenschwangau tix. Afterwards, we had lunch on the lake at a great cafe that appears to be there still - yummm, boar burger.

We had a very cordial, welcoming group. I was a solo traveller and never felt at a loss for company when I wanted it - always someone or several someones to dine with. I also was not at a loss for things to keep me occupied. In fact, half-way through, I ditched my prepared list of things to do and just kicked back for a vaca. Great trip.

Oh, we did have a group dinner the last night. The guide posted hours when he would be accessible during each location, similar to the tour details posted near the elevators or hotel desk on guided tours.

Lutzgal here is the direct link to the castle tickets: https://shop.ticket-center-hohenschwangau.de/Shop/Index/en/39901 you just have to have guided tour while you're there you don't have to be part of a tour guided group. Good luck!

After loving each of the five RS tours we have done, we have just signed up for our first My Way Tour—-to Italy. We are really excited. Our tour begins in Venice and we arrive a couple of days early. Would love suggestions for things to explore, perhaps outside of Venice. Padua maybe? We’ve allowed some time to recover from jet lag, but would love to venture out a bit.

Padua with the Scrovegni Chapel( buy tickets in advance ), Vicenza, Bassano del Grappa with it’s Alpine feel and Palladian bridge.

I recently returned from My Way Alpine Europe and had an absolute blast!

At our 5:00pm meeting the first evening our guide led us through all kinds of important information. She had snacks/drinks available to us and we all got to know each other a little bit. Afterwards, for those interested, she walked us through Salzburg for a quick intro and gave us dinner recommendations for that evening.

Throughout the tour our guide did a lot of what is mentioned above - talking about each stop en route on the bus and checking in with people about their daily activities/what they wanted to do. She scheduled a few 'happy hours' for us through the tour and also a farewell dinner towards the end. At each hotel she also put up daily schedules for us with ideas on what to do, what time the bus was leaving, etc...

One of my favorite things in Füssen was a group bike ride we did the evening we arrived. Our tour guide had checked the weather and, realizing that might be our only nice evening, she organized a group bike ride for anyone interested. It was a lot of fun - we rode all around town, by the castles, countryside, etc...En route to Füssen we also stopped at the Zugspitze. Everyone in our group ended up going to the top because the weather was so nice. This was also something our tour guide organized and she helped us all get tickets very speedily when we arrived.

Lutzgal - Regarding the castles, it seems there are very few tickets available day-of so I would highly recommend reserving them in advance. This is where I reserved my tickets for both castles - https://shop.ticket-center-hohenschwangau.de/Shop/Index/en/39901

Safe travels!! It's a really fabulous tour!

Thank you for the tour update!! I’m happy to hear you had a great time.

What did you do with your full day in the Dolomites?

Was your Italian hotel in Bolzano?

Was your tour guide Cynthia?

What did you do with your full day in Chamonix?

Katie 2303. Thank you thank you so much for your trip report. We are going on the My Way Alpine in August.
We would love to hear more if you are willing to share and have time.
I love the idea of the bike ride..

Thank, Sue

Of course! I’m happy to answer questions about the tour. I'm combing through my pictures now, it's such a beautiful trip.

What did you do with your full day in the Dolomites? Was your Italian hotel in Bolzano?
In Italy our hotel was in Kastelruth/Castelrotto. A lot of people visited Bolzano from our group, it’s not too far away. When we were in the Dolomites I spent the day hiking in the Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm. It’s really beautiful and there are several hiking trail options at varying levels. We took the bus to Compatsch and hiked from there.

Was your tour guide Cynthia?
Our tour guide was Gretchen! She was really wonderful and helpful.

What did you do with your full day in Chamonix?
I actually got sick in Chamonix but I believe most people went up the Aiguille du Midi lift, went to Montenvers and saw the Mer de Glace. It’s really beautiful in Chamonix, there are a lot of restaurants, shops and patisseries too.

Katie, thank you so much for answering questions! (I’m on the July 11th My Way Alpine Tour).
Did you book a shuttle from Chamonix to Geneva? If so, who did you use, and do you recommend them?

Hi Carla! I did book a shuttle to Geneva from Chamonix through SwissTours, here is the website - https://www.omio.com/buses/chamonix-mont-blanc/geneva

I do recommend them! It was easy to get to, left on time and dropped us right outside the airport. The other company people seem to use is BlaBlaCar. I think they're very similar.

Your trip will be here before you know it! 🏔😊

Katie, Did you go early to Salzburg? We will be there 2 full days early. Going to dinner concert our first night. Wanted to do it second night but no concert that night. We might be tired but maybe catch a nap before.. we would love to hear more .. What did you do in Switzerland? We absolutely love Switzerland.. have more ideas then time will allow..
thanks again for posting.

Hi TravelNana! I went early to Vienna for several days and wished I'd had more time in Salzburg. I know there are several different venues around Salzburg for concerts so maybe you’ll be able to catch another one! I think there’s plenty to do there between the Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Gardens, Mozart birthplace & residence, the old town area, Sound of Music tours, the Cathedral, etc…depending on what you’re interested in. Several people from our group did the tour of Hitler’s Eagle Nest and said that was worthwhile too.

Switzerland was stunningly beautiful. The first full day I went up to the Schilthorn Summit and spent some time up there – lots of 007 things to see, the Birg thrill walk was really fun. Then I went down to Murren, hiked to Gimmelwald and back to Lauterbrunnen. I also did the walk up to Staubbach Falls which is right there in Lauterbrunnen. The second day I took the train to Wengen and then the cable car to Mannlichen which is one of the most beautiful mountain views I’ve ever seen. I stayed up there several hours before heading back down. It turned a bit stormy in the afternoon so I spent time shopping for souvenirs and doing laundry. If I’d had more time I would’ve spent it exploring Murren a bit more. I already want to go back!