Private Half-Day Eagle Nest Tour from Salzburg

Our tour guide was great! He had a lot of historical insight — that, and his great personality, made the trip interesting and fun.

We learnt so much on this tour about the history of Hitler and Eagles Nest. It was incredibly interesting, accompanied with truly spectacular views. Mitch was a great guide!

Our guide (Leopoldo) arrived on time at our hotel and took my son and I on a private tour up to Eagles Nest. The vehicle was clean and comfortable and the guides historical knowledge of events, naming and construction of the Eagles Nest was excellent. Upon arrival, we skipped the line to purchase the elevator passes and he immediately got us on a bus to the elevators. Actually told us what side of the bus to sit on for best views on the ride up. Immediate access to the elevators to the top. He was able to get us a great table on the patio bar for a beer providing stunning views. We had time to explore on our own as we wanted. On our way back, he provided restaurant recommendations and also made calls to find a dirndl for my 3 year old grandchild.

Mitch was an incredible tour guide and it was interesting to see the Eagles Nest. The fact that it’s now a restaurant takes away a bit from the authenticity of it, however. Overall, though, I would definitely recommend.

Tour was 2nd day booked with Panorama Tours as private tour based on Rick Steves recommendations. I had been working with two other companies but chose PTS because of Rick Steves. First day was to have been private SOM/Hallstatt wtih short stop in Ebensee. Since guide seemingly not knowing I had paid for SOM and because it wasn't done on 1st day, apparently guide tried to make up for part of it so a stop at Gazebo was done before going to Eagle's Nest. Eagle's Nest was to have included about an hour in Berchetgadsen following Eagle's nest. Again PTS stated tours would be arranged according to personal interested and individual needs but totally was not. The voucher did not indicate entry fee info but the site for a Eagle's Nest (not sure if private) stated entry fees included. My tour did not include, which isn't a deal breaker but think it should have been on voucher, and maybe should have because of the great cost for a private tour. The driver guide explained some info about Eagle's Nest so at least knew i was on this tour unlike the SOM private tour. As noted under Private SOM/Hallstatt, the tour did not seem it was my tour but the guide's tour. On Eagle's Nest, the terrain is quite uneven and rocky. Due to injuries in military and numerous surgeries and metal in one leg, i have learned to navigate different terrains without difficulty and know where i must place my foot to navigate. While climbing to the cross at top of path, guide kept grabbing at me, without asking if needed assistance which i didn't, thus throwing me off balance. I asked multiple times to not do that for the reason cited - it throws me off balance thus could cause injury and even explained to him that without asking someone first, this is often a cause for falls (i am an experienced board certified RN). Also i have learned to navigate while carrying my bag that is heavy early in the day because of carrying full bottle of water and in this case additional clothing for the coldness at the top. The guide kept stating to allow guide to carry even after indicating i know how to balance with it. Finally in order not to keep drawing attention, it was handed over. Again, No does not seem to have a meaning to this guide. If he was trying to be courteous, he should have asked if needed help and not just grabbed to assist without first knowing. Due to the time that hadn't been planned on this day for the guide to make up time for SOM the day before, there was not time for my wishes to walk around/tour Berchetgadsen that i counted on doing. Due to time factors and the driver who would transport me to Prague, there was no time for my tour and wishes. On the way back to Salzburg, the guide stated that we would drive by or stop at the place where the picnic in SOM movie happened. But the guide even after stating his knowlege of where it was, did not thus driving around and stopping at several places which may or may not be the actual site. Again the guide had the same stale jokes including one about the Edelweiss flower that is rare and how when one wants a lover to know how much is cared for...the joke punchline really wasn't appropriate for a solo woman or even with a mixed group unless the guide was perceptive to know the group and whether would be appropriate. The same disparaging remarks about spouse-inappropriate to tell a customer, solo or otherwise. Private tours are expensive and one would hope for quality at such a great cost. Neither this tour nor the SOM/Hallstatt were Rick Steves experiences based on other recommendations in his guides. As noted in other review PTS was notified and seemed to put back on me and taking up with the guide indicating the guide was surprised at my attitude and even tipped. As noted, I do tip, one for the time since i value time and secondly based on quality and the experience. Guides who are not arrogant, who listen and on the private tours taken in the past, listen and offer accordingly or offer something that i might like, not just doing it without listening or even asking for preferences or when saying no, understanding what no meant. I don't write negative reviews.Normally when i do they are positive but in this case i think it warranted a review so that others will have insight and what happened on my tours would not to them. Also i will not name the guide but only the initial of first name to protect the spouse, "A" or maybe "KAL" or AJ Se_________". (Per as noted in SOM, i was required/expected to sign a paper indicating the tours had taken place, i.e., had been done. There was none for the Eagle's Nest which i thought very strange. i had never been advised by PTS that i would be expected to sign after the tours that they had been done so at end of day 1 and beginning of day 2, some communication must have transpired with PTS. As with the SOM/Hallstaat tour, the name of the guide, at the very least, should have been given before leaving the states or at least the day before as was told would be. One of the other Rick Steves companies i have booked with for a Europe trip actually sent me the name, bio and photos of several to choose from, and another two sent bios and names so one knew who to meet and as a courtesy a little about the driver/guide and/or guide in advance. I have traveled solo private tours with male or female guides so gender is not the issue. Salzburg was one of the first tours booked in that I have always wanted to visit and always wanted to recount the SOM, visit Eagle's Nest and surrounding area. PTS was a great disappointment and i can be certain will not book any tour, private or otherwise with PTS. I do not give a thumbs up to indicate Rick Steves quality either. A real disappointment and certainly not worth the costly price I don't mind paying for quality and the experience.