I read a lot of positive posts on the nighttime tours. I'm wondering how easy it is to operate them, especially for a Klutz of a certain age? DH would rather do the bike tour, but I am afraid of the traffic and pedestrians (same here at home).

We've seen all sights on the tour, inside and out, so I'm merely looking for a fun new experience.

DH is willing to do the Segway if I feel that I can manage it without killing myself or anyone else ;-) He is more worried about people taking his picture on one of those "energy wasters" (his words, not mine.) I have assurred him that no one we know will be there to take his picture (except me) and then hold him up to public ridicule and scorn.

Has anyone taken the tour with the same trepidations, and passed with flying colors?

Thanks,

Nina

Totally unrelated, but there is a hilarious picture on the internet of Bush doing a header off of a Segway.

Mind you, there are reports of him cycling into a policeman in Edinburg.

Maybe if you find cycling difficult........

You prepay the tour and they go rain or shine. We will be there in September and so they is a chance of rain or cold nights. Has anyone take the tour in either of these conditions?

I guess it would be the same as walking, but I doubt that I wuld walk for 4 - 4.5 hours straight in the rain or cold.

They say that they will have ponchos in case of rain. I'd probably do that rather than forfeit 140 euros. I really want to do the tour, please fellow Klutzs reassure me.

Nina

Well, what do you care if anyone snaps a photo of you? If so, how, exactly, would they "hold you up to ridicule and scorn"? If so, what would you care?

When you've booked the tour, a delightful guide meets you, then walks you to the "shop" where you are assigned a Segway and given a bit of "training". You may, but probably won't, find it all a bit "scary" at first, because it's all just so easy. But, if you do, you'll very, very quickly adjust. They don't take off until everyone is "comfortable". Which may take a minute or two longer. In our group was an elderly lady who our "leader" had buzzing past the rest of us in short order.

These "vehicles" are just so fun and incredibly easy to operate and navigate with!

I would worry more that your DH just will not want to turn his in at the end of the tour!

For sure, along the way, one or more of us, once in a while, got just a bit "stuck" in one way or another. Not to worry, though, you quickly "recover" given the fabulous "training" you've received.

A Segway is an entirely different experience and mode of transportation than an bicycle...

Once you've caught on (quickly), it's a positive breeze (in every way) compared to pedalling a bike.

I cannot even imagine why your DH would think a Segway an "energy waster". There's nearly no "energy" required to buzz all about delightfully on your part, either!

For sure, other (tourists) all along the way are way "interested". Whereupon our guide passed out brochures, without disrupting our tour.

Trust me on this, the guides KNOW the route and neither age nor klutz factor is of any concern whatsoever.

Thanks Djikbooks, that is exactly what I had hoped to hear. DH was only kidding about energy wasters and the 'scorn & ridicule" pictures. He was just surprised that the tours existed and that I wanted to go on one.
He's a great sport and will try almost anything that he wants to do, or that I suggest. He's agile and in excellent shape and anything but a klutz. As long as he doesn't have to fear for my safety and law suits ;-) he never says no when I want to try something new. I know what I can and can't do, and always have, and I never push the mark - regardless of age etc..

I'm not a thrill seeker or adrenilin (sp) junky, just a klutz that occasionally falls over her own feet, but who always enjoys trying new things.
The best part of our marriage is based on humor.

Nina

Nina - when we did the evening tour a few weeks ago, our group included a 12-year old and a couple in their late sixties. No one encountered any problems, once we had spent 20 minutes or half an hour practicing with our guide.

The segways also have an electronic ignition with two keys. Each key allows a different maximum speed. The tour guide keeps everyone on the slower speed until half way through the tour, at which point you can start using the higher speed - and everyone on our tour eagerly moved to the higher speed.

After a while, being on the Seway feels as natural as walking, and when you have to get off, walking feels kind of inefficient.

Lots of fun - I think you'll really enjoy it!

Operating the Segway for me was pretty easy. I was a little tentative at first, but caught on quickly.

My sister's MIL is what I would consider pretty "klutzy" - she somehow managed to trip and fall in every city (five) we visited during that trip. She even walked into a glass storefront because she wasn't paying attention. However, she took to that Segway faster than any of us and was zipping around with complete ease.

That being said, during the practice runs on the Segway, a member of our tour did fall off of his. The wheels on the Segway are on either side of the platform you're standing on - I don't think he was paying attention to how far out his wheels were and he clipped the edge of a planter or something. He wasn't injured and decided to continue with the tour.

When we did the tour it was in late April and (for me) it got rather chilly later on into the tour. The Segways have a canvas pouch attached to the front for you to store your things - I placed my jacket/gloves/scarf in there at the beginning and put them on later.

Thanks everyone. I'm sold.
Chepar, I can identify with the MIL. I get so excited (inwardly) that I forget my surroundings and PLOP! This has happened to me since I was a kid and I accept it as being normal (for me).

I have gone through my own vacation house deck screen door a few times, even though I almost always say to myself before I go, 'is the door closed?' I even put magnets on both sides of the screen and I have still done it. No wonder people have said to me all of my life ...Nina, pay attention. Maybe someday I will.

I really really try, but there are always so many things to see ;-)

Nina