Massimo I.
Google
Disappointing Experience for International Tourists
The guided tour of Schachen Castle was very disappointing, especially for those who don’t speak German. We were the only two Italians in a group of about 15 German-speaking visitors. I wasn’t expecting a tour in Italian, of course, but at the very least some explanations in English – the international language – would have been appropriate.
Instead, we were handed a couple of printed pages in English with very basic information, while the guide spoke only in German, sharing interesting anecdotes and curious stories about the king – arguably the most engaging part of the visit.
Thankfully, one kind German tourist noticed our discomfort and translated a couple of the anecdotes for us. But from the official guides: zero empathy, zero attention, and zero effort to engage with non-German-speaking guests. Even worse, we were offered an English guidebook – for an additional fee. But why should I pay extra for information in a language I understand, when I already paid for a guided tour?
If you’re not going to provide English-language tours or explanations, at least charge less for international visitors. It’s shocking that a cultural site like this offers no real support for foreign tourists. In Italy – which is often criticized for its tourism services – I’ve never experienced anything like this.
A missed opportunity, and a poor way to handle international tourism. A real shame, because the castle itself is fascinating – but the staff’s attitude ruined the experience.
