Sadly, I found this tour lacking. Based upon pricing, I expected a top notch tour. That’s not what we received...
We had just arrived on the train when we received a call that Kevin was in the lobby waiting for us. We hadn’t had a chance to freshen up a bit or exchange money. Regardless, we rushed to join him as quickly as we could. Unbeknownst to us until afterward, we were on the clock as soon as he arrived, despite his being 1/2 hour early.
There was a festival and road construction and we wasted considerable time trying to find a way around the problems. At one point, he suggested we not go to Zeppelin field as the road was closed. Rather, he would just tell us about it. I can get that experience from a book, thank you. He agreed to take us to the site only after I told him I really wanted to see it and that we were willing to walk. It was a short walk and I found it unbelievable that he didn’t suggest it himself. When we arrived, he did not take up up to the rostrum - we stood below, he gave us his spiel, and we left.
I recognize traffic issues were not Kevin’s fault but he should have had a plan given the logistics issues and the fact he’s the local expert and charging a lot of money. And those delays - the wasted time was on us, not Kevin...
As we moved from point A to point B, he was silent, not explaining what we were passing or talking about anything. I’ve never had a tour guide that didn’t talk and fill the time as you drove. At one point he mentioned the lake as we stood at another site and he talked about how the lake was an integral part of the overall design of the Rally Grounds. He said he had intended to point it out but forgot (trees blocked the view so we didn’t notice it)... Forgot.
We ended at the Judicial Palace and Kevin made it clear we were to be out by 4:50 (based upon when we got the call from the lobby, our 4 hrs was up at 5:00). We were prompt but a fellow traveling alone stopped me as we were exiting the building and asked me to take his picture. Kevin was waiting at the car and seemed miffed by this very short delay.
Also, the little things were lacking... The day was extremely hot but no water was provided. We had to pay our own admission to the Judicial Palace. Again, given the tour cost, I would have expected these small things to be included. This was one of several tours we took on our 18-day vacation. It was the only one where admission costs were not included, no water was provided, and not a minute over the stated tour duration was granted.
It felt like Kevin was going through the motions, going to each site, presenting his canned spiel, and moving on. His interest was in getting it over with and getting paid. What was provided was far less than I could have received in simply going to the Documentation Center and spending the time there going through the exhibits. We did that the following day and it was far better and far less money...
Unfortunately, I would not recommend this tour.