Steve and I arrived in Salzburg on Sunday - a day before the tour was to begin. Steve booked a room at Hotel Hofwirt - the tour hotel. When booking the room, Steve informed the hotel we were with the Rick Steves Tour and the hotel was able to place us in the same room we would be in for the tour.

 

The Welcome meeting was scheduled for Monday at 5:00 pm. Our tour guide was Andrew Lyon.  Andrew told us a little bit about himself and then asked each of us to share something about ourselves. Andrew explained the tour and how things would work during our 12 days together.  Andrew asked us if we would each pick a buddy (someone other than our traveling companion). This would assist him to make sure every traveler was accounted for when leaving on the bus to our next destination. 

 

Andrew posted the daily schedule near the front desk so the group knew when his office hours were and when the bus would leave on a travel day. Andrew then lead us on an orientation walk of Salzburg. It wasn't long before we realized how great it was having Andrew to lend a hand.