Convenience, Comfort and Personalized Car Tours
with John B. Wetstone

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References

Welcome to my references page; all my clients opinions are important to me.
After you have completed your tour please go to my Contact button,
then fill out the bottom of my form
stating your personal opinion of my services.

• 2004

  
  My friend and I arrived for our first visit in Munich with limited time. I am a travel agent and had tried unsuccessfully on the internet to find a local guide that could assist us for the short time that we had. Most of the guides that I found were from England or France and required travel and accommodations which made it too expensive.
  I wanted an english speaking local guide and was very lucky that John had dropped his brochure at the hotel where we were staying just a day before we arrived. The conciege gave me the pamphlet, I called that night, and John picked us up the next morning.
  We spent two full days with John, going everywhere we wanted at our own pace. We initially hired John for one day but hired him for another once we realized how valuable his services were to our time schedule.
  John is very knowledgable and personable. We had a wonderful two days together and parted friends. John's services are highly recommended by this Munich tourist. He was terrific!
  
  Connie
  Chicago

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• 2004

  Dear John,
  Thank you for a wonderful tour to the Neuschwanstein-Castle, scenic Bavarian lanscape and awesome medieval churches. My clients were very happy even though it was a rainy day and a short encouter with "friendly" German secret police!
  Best Wishes,
  
  WoonPing Chia
  Taipei, Taiwanb
  Republic of China

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• 2004

  Dear John,
  We think of our time together as a fond memory that we will always cherish. You made our time in Munich special and we wish you all the best for the Holidays and the future.
  With warmest regards,
  
  Sal & Carol
  Texas

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• 2004

  John,
  ... I am awed by what you are doing for us! I love my country John, but first rate service & attention to details aren't things I'vecome to expect on a regular basis here! I didn't expect that you' find us a room, and you will appreciate how sincere I am when I tell you that I spent a good deal of time this AM clicking on the many many hotels offered up on travelocity.com, only to get "Sorry, no vacancy"!!
  Margaret & I aren't very formal people, nor do we ask much,....but you've been a prince to us. Meeting you was a pleasure, and my hopes are high that we can develop something for next year.
  Thanks again for the tour, and the friendship!
  
  Roger
  Missippi

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• 2005

  Aloha,
  my friends are safely back, and they sure enjoyed going on the tour with you. They were really pleased with your service and expertise and will recommend your service to their friends.
  Thank you so much for making their trip to Germany enjoyable.
  Sincerely
  
  Waltraud
  Hawaii

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• 2005

  Hi John,
  Thank you so much for your fabulous guidance during our stay.
  We enjoyed the tour so very much. In fact, we thought your tours and your companionship made our trip. Steve and I are going through withdrawals from Munchen-Bavaria-Austria, etc.
  On the way home from the airport we met a gentleman from Salzburg who was on the same van. We exchanged pleaseantries and memories regarding Salzburg. Go figure. Our last goodbye. My cousin and brother seem overeager to learn your name. It must be because of the positive experiences I've shared with them regarding our tours.
  It's difficult to express such a magnificent experience in a few lines!
  Magnificent!!! John Wetstone made our Holiday trip to Bavaria. Picking us up early morning (our request) and dropping us off prior to dinner filled our days with his artistic expertise and Munich's fascinating history. We traveled the snow-flaked back roads of Munich to Salzburg visited Ludwig's Castle and the most incredible architecturally designed churches I've ever seen. From time to time we keep in touch with John. It was more than just a tour...personal, private, preferred.
  
  Kathryn
  California

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• 2005

  Hi John!
  My clients, Roger and Margaret, said they had the most wonderful day with you in Munich. That is all they could talk about. I will keep your tours in mind with people I send to Germany. Thank you again.
  
  Judy
  USA

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• 2005

  Hello John,
  Your watercolors do have a very calming affect. It's no wonder that you've placed many in doctor's offices. It was also interesting reading your biography. You've certainly had numerous opportunities to travel and have obviously made good use of the experiences.
  We were lucky in that you didn't have a tour already scheduled for that Tuesday. You certainly did provide the means for us to see a great deal of what we'd hoped to (and in fact a good bit more with the two churches and Oberammergau as well), after it became clear that a walking tour of Dachau was out of the question. Once again, thanks for keeping the initial vacation portion of our trip from being a disaster. We found your personalized approach of conducting the tour to be excellent and will be sure to mention you to any of our friends who may decide to visit Munich.
  We hope all is going well with you. Can't say yet when we'll be able to make it back to Munich but rest assured that when we do we'll certainly look you up. Thanks again for rescuing our vacation on very short notice - I guess it was made to be since you didn't already have a tour booked.
  
  Midge & Bob
  Georgia

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• 2005

  Thanks John,
  Thanks, John, for the great day in Munich. We never expected to see so much in such a short period of time. We definitely want to come back. I have sent your brochures to my travel agent at Premier Travel, but of course, will keep one for myself.
  
  Jan and Liz
  

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• 2005

  John
  Thank you again for the full day tour. It really was a full day and the sights were absolutely beautiful.
  We took some great pictures for memories. You are a great guide with lots of information tucked away in that brain! We also enjoyed the resturant you droped us off at that evening.
  Our trip to Germany was to short and we will definitely be back some day!
  Take care,
  
  Jackie
  

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• 2006

  Dear John,
  Thank you for your services.
  We spent half hour printing out two hundred digital pictures last night. I am especially fond of the German and Austrian pictures.
  Your pictures on the CD are greatly appreciated too. I can fall in love with Bavaria.
  Thank you for all you taught us and showed us. I know we barely peaked at what is available.
  While in Munich we went to Breiter's hat store and I got a great Bavarian hat with boar's hair "feather" and Bavarian Lion pin.
  Many thanks and best wishes,
  
  Mike and Marie
  N.J.

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• 2006

  John,
  We had a good flight. Thanks so much for taking us to so many great places and being so patient with the kids. I will send you a more detailed review in the next few days. Hope you have a great rest of summer.
  
  Marisa
  Pa.

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• 2006

  Dear John:
  I would be happy to write about our positive experience. By the way, you should be hearing from a Gilbert. He is a patient of mine and has a small group coming to your neck of the woods. He is owner of a railroad company here in Idaho. Nice people. You will like them.
  Anyway, we had a wonderful day trip with Mr. Wetstone while in Munich. We went to the Eagles Nest and to Salzburg, Austria.
  Lots of information, comfortable transportation. No hassles with small things, and good recommendations for shopping, touring and food. On time, courteous, knowledgable and low key.
  I would highly recommend Mr. Wetstone to others for his services. We will be back and definitely rebook again for more tours
  
  Dr. John D.
  Idaho

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• 2006

  Dear John,
  We all just wanted to write you a note to let you know what a fantastic time we had with you.
  We came over during Oktoberfest, and what a fantastic time that was, but our trips around Bavaria with you were the highlight of vacation. It was actually like a vacation within a vacation.
  Your knowledge of the local history was much appreciated, especailly all the local folk lore made the stories much more interesting and humourous. Traveling with you was more like traveling with a friend that just happened to be a guide.
  It was absolutely one of the most charming and entertaining experiences we all have ever had. Your van was by far the best way to travel around the countryside and getting to all the different places so early made it even that much more special.
  Again, we can not thank you enough and look forward to '07 already. So, do not forget that we are coming back for three more weeks from the middle of Sept to the middle of Oct and want to visit all the places that we were unable to make it to this past time.
  Until then, we have our photos to remember our trip and you by. Much happiness to you in the coming months, your friends
  
  
  Hugh, Heather, Troy and John
  Rehoboth Beach Delaware

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• 2006

  John
  Hats off to you sir...
  Your tour through Bavaria that you hosted for our family Was an exceptional experience that will never be forgotten.
  We can't thank you enough. Your courtesy, patience along with your exceptional insights to Bavaria and Munich was the highlight of our vacation.
  
  John L.
  Niagara Falls,
  Canada

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• 2006

  Mr. John Wetstone has a most impressive website that is easy to navigate and well illustrated with professional photo images.
  As we planned our trip John "held our hands" and exhibited patience. He walked us through the options of where to tour and how to utilize our time the best.
  The thing I like most was his flexibility to offer his standard tours for which he was justly proud and blend that in with the special requests we made to see off the beaten path locales of special interest to us.
  We especially wanted to explore sites and locations of unique interest to our family heritage and ancestors. As an Allgaier it was very exciting to visit the "Allgaeuer-Brauhaus" and beer gardens in Kempten.
  John was instrumental in talking the proprietor of one bar and restaurant into selling us Allgaeu beir steins and glasses not normally for sale.
  John's connections with the local people made every stop a special visit. This connection with the people was symbolized by his special German Bavarian hat. A hat that I admired so much that I was able to buy one in Munich from the store he recommended.
  Mr. Wetstone has relationships and connections with an integral knowledge of southern Germany that made navigating the joys of Germany all the more special.
  If you want a tailor made tour of the highlights with historical insights without the oversized crowds of more conventional bus tours, then John's Bavarian Tours is for you.
  
  Michael
  N.J.
  

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• 2006

  John
  Thank you for the wonderful tour this past August. Although we coverd a lot of ground, the tours where both informative and fun.
  Eagle's nest was most amazing to us. I was surprised to see how small it was for a mountain resort. The history of the construction and the short time it took to be built seemed impossible. Again, one of our favorite parts.
  The boys were still impressed by the the castles in Germany. We all have strong architectural interests. Seeing the castles only made them want to see more. Thanks for the great tour. We'll look you up next vacation.
  We both highly recommend you as a tour guide! If I know anyone traveling anywhere near Germany, I'll insist they hire you!
  Take care and Happy Holidays.
  
  Don and Diana
  USA
  

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• 2006

  In the process of planning a fortieth anniversary river cruise which originated near Munich, my wife and I sought to spend a couple of days seeing a bit of Bavaria before we sailed.
  After researching a number of web sites, we decided to engage John Wetstone to guide us in learning about the region.
  
  We opted for John's Pfaffenwinkel (Priest Corner) Tour which focused on visiting many churches in the Bavarian countryside which were decorated in the rococo style.
  This tour turned out to be one of the most unique and interesting experiences in all of our travels. Churches with relatively nondescript exteriors would have the most dramatic and breathtaking artistic interiors.
  The interior art work included painting, sculpture, ceramic and plaster craft, metalwork, and gilding.
  John also was able to arrange an independent visit to a monastery where one of the nuns provided a history of Bavaria's artisans while she showed us examples of their art throughout the interior.
  John drove us throughout the region as we visited many of the area's churches viewing the Bavarian countryside's rivers and lakes as we passed. At one stop John took us to a room in the church where many artifacts from the Roman occupation were available to view.
  At another of the churches John led us up a narrow staircase to the bell tower and then onto the roof platform from which we could see for miles. And we were the only ones there.
  
  At lunchtime John drove us to a large local restaurant which seemed to have been constructed and decorated by the laborers and artisans who built the churches.
  It was a landmark in its own right. We were able to sample the local cuisine on the open-air deck and then were shown about the property by the owner who gave us her own rendition of local Bavarian history.
  These are the kind of opportunities that just don't happen when you're part of a bus tour that rolls into a parking lot at noon with everyone clamoring for hamburgers and Cokes.
  
  I wouldn't classify John as a guide, or a driver, or an interpreter. though he takes care of all of these things for you. He's really more of a partner for the day.
  As an artist himself, he has an artistic sentiment about the places he shows you. He's very open to taking a side road to visit an interesting sight if you like.
  But he's also fun to be around and really knows the region. If you have the time and inclination, this is absolutely the best way to really gain an appreciation for the area over a short period of time.
  
  Lois & Kirk
  Tucson, Arizona, USA
  

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• 2006

  What a wonderful time we had!
  John had the entire day planned perfectly. I was travelling with two elderly Aunts (80 & 78). John had that "extra" sense of knowing when to slow down and when to keep on going.
  We enjoyed the King Ludwig tour; seeing Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Hohenschwangau Castles, as well as some shopping in Oberamergau. Lunch in Austria was an extra treat!
  All the while, no worries of driving - just great music, wonderful scenery and a tour guide with much to tell.
  I would highly recommend John's Bavarian Tours!
  
  Nancy
  Canada

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• 2007

  Thank you for helping me on such short notice. With the option to visit any city in Europe for the weekend, I eventually decided upon Munich. I had second thoughts about my decision on my way there.
  You were right on on where to go to lunch after Dachau. The driving tour you gave me satisfied my interests with the city itself.
  Where, I must say, you set yourself apart was on Sunday. That made the trip entirely worthwhile.
  The drive to the Bavarian Alps, the castles and lunch were all fantastic.
  When I arrived at my hotel, I saw the options a visitor has to tour the region. I can't see any guide being as efficient and informative as you.
  With my limited time, I really appreciated that. I grow more fond of our trip on Sunday as each day passes.
  
  One of your clients described you as a "partner" not a guide. That was my feeling as well.
  
  Sid
  Delaware, USA

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• 2007

  Dear John,
  Your tours exceeded every expectation and then some. It is almost impossible to put into words the great adventures we had for the two days traversing Bavaria and surrounding areas.
  It was a dream come true; I have envisioned a memorable visit to Bavaria since studying German in high school so many years ago. Your approach to providing personalized and informative information and visiting off-the-beaten-path of tourist sights even in the touristy places was outstanding and most memorable.
  Besides being a guide, you were a travel partner making sure that all that could be seen was seen and even then some. Even then we encountered the unexpected with the festival in Dinkelsbuhl and the antique auto touring club. Visiting Bavaria and Ludwig's domain were spectacular and the diversion into Austria and that fabulous lunch were most memorable.
  Our day in the Bavarian Alps was one of the highlights of my life; besides the fabulous castles and their pomp and circumstance, the rococo churches were jaw dropping experiences. The vast number of churches we entered together with you're knowledge and expertise on these locales made these too very memorable days in my life.
  And unequivocally, your personality, talents, and varied interests in art, scuba diving, and motorcycling made you a perfect travel companion. Thanks too for the great luncheon sights. Lunch in Austria was amazing. Bottom line: Anyone who skips an opportunity to travel in Munich and Bavaria Germany with you is settling for only the ordinary. You provide the extraordinary, and I thank you very much for sharing your expertise and life achievements with me. Thanks too for the opportunity to see you art work up close and personal.
  
  Now I have the task of processing and titling over 500 pictures from my Danube and Bavarian vacation. That will be tedious I am sure. I like to tell a story as the trip evolves and I try to weave in the history of the places as well. That way family and friends many of whom will never travel to these places will have an opportunity to see and learn as well.
  
  While I do not know if I will be back to Germany and Munich anytime soon, rest assured I will let you know if that should happen. Likewise if you find yourself back in the US and in particular anywhere in the Midwest or even the St. Louis area, be sure to let me know. It would be great to have you here for a visit or meet you where ever.
  
  Best wishes and million + thanks for sharing your knowledge and talents with me for two wonderful days. Your preliminary and detailed information when I inquired about your tours was excellent and immediately gave me confidence that I had found a gem in the rough of all the internet advertising on sightseeing in Bavaria.
  
  Thanks again John - our two days of travel around southern Germany was exciting and has created exceptional lifetime memories for me. Please feel free to use me as a reference anytime."
  
  Tom
  Smithton, IL, USA

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• 2007

  Hello John:
  Had a safe and nice trip for our return to Atlanta this past Friday.
  It was a nice surprise to see you last week at Eagles Nest. Lucy and I want to thank you for making our trip to Munich special with the two tours you conducted for us. Many thanks.
  
  Louise & Dan
  Georgia, USA

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• 2007

  Connie and I were very happy with your guide services and driving skills in and around Munich.
  You respected our wishes, took us to fine restaurants, an the pace of our tours was just right-we never felt rushed.
  The Ludwig castle tour was the best day of our entire two week vacation. Best of luck. Regards.
  
  Connie and Herb
  California, USA

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• 2007

  Dear John
  Just to say that we arrived home safely and both agree that our couple of days with you were the most enjoyable of the entire trip.
  We can't thank you enough for your help and assistance, especially with the pictures (which turned out fine).
  Many Many Thanks and will keep in touch.
  Take Care
  
  Ross and Andrea
  Sidney Australia/Dubai

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• 2007

  Dear John
  My father and I had a wonderful time on our trip and I appreciate your patience and understanding with his mobility issues. I know we probably had to be the most boring two days you have spent with customers, but he had a fabulous time.
  I was able to make numerous photos and plan to do a calendar for his birthday in April. Personally, I loved Munich and hope to be able to return one day, possibly at a warmer time as I think it would be a great place to walk and bike.
  I was so layered that I was beginning to feel like one of the sausages that appear everywhere, but then again the Christmas Markets and atmosphere were wonderful. Truly enjoyed the artisan's market you directed us to and I was able to find some wonderful earrings (something I always seem to buy on trips.)
  I do believe the BMW visit was among my favorites, thanks for taking us there.
  
  Anyway, thank you again for giving my father, and me, a view of Munich.
  
  Sincerely, Robyn
  North Carolina
  

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• 2008

  Thanks again, John,
  for the exceptional service you provided on our recent trip to Munich. YOUR SERVICES WERE SUPERB !!
  I especially appreciate the special customization you provided for us during the five days we utilized your knowledgeable, personalized tour services visiting the many places we wished to see in Bavaria, Germany and Salzburg, Austria.
  All of the wonderful first class restaurants you arranged for us to indulge in, in each city, were absolutely superb, and my wife and I are still reliving the fine epicurean experiences as well as the ambiance and history of each one.
  Again, I can't thank you enough for providing my wife and I the most memorable vacation we have enjoyed together in many years.
  We wish you good health, and continuing success in your specialized tour business.
  With warmest regardds,
  
  Ed & Beatrice
  Las Vegas, NV.
  
  P.S. - If you ever need a positive reference for any of your potential English speaking tour guests, feel free to use us as a reference, or have them contact either of us. Thanks again, John; we hope to visit with you again.
  

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• 2008

  John,
  I wanted to thank you again for the very enjoyable day we spent with you going to Neuschwanstein and the Linderhof.
  Seeing the inside of Neuschwanstein was the fulfillment of a childhood dream for my husband. And it was very enlightening then to see Ludwig's earlier, completed castle, the Linderhof. The earlier Linderhof is a relatively modestly sized jewel box of over the top baroque when compared with the later full blown Mediaval grandioseness of Neuschwanstein.
  You can really understand why Ludwig's advisor were getting worried at the direction he was taking.
  And including the drive through the Bavarian Alps to Austria for lunch was a treat we didn't expect and were very much pleased with, including the delicious lunch.
  Thank you again for a wonderful day.
  
  Calif., USA
  
  

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• 2008

  John,
  I'm speaking for myself and very my brother Lee and my dear friend Scotty when I say:
  "We had a great time in Munich and you provided a level of service during our two days of Bavarian touring under your guidance which enhanced our experience by an order of magnitude! I do not know how we could have picked a better professional driver and tour guide than you, as skilled as you are in English and German, as knowledgeable of German history, geography, road system, landmarks, tour venues, and as established with your contacts at hotels, restaurants and tour sites! We will highly recommend you to others at every opportunity and we hope we can meet you again in the years to come."
  
  Lastly, I apologize for pouncing on you at the last minute as we did. Of course, we would never had known what we missed, if you had not been available, but we know now and cannot imagine what such an impoverished vacation that would have been without Hohenschwanngau, the restaurant by the Weiße Kirche, St. Peter's Restaurant in Salzburg, the castle in Berchtesgaden (all things you recommended), and, of course, the flow of commentary all through the trip.
  As you see, we enjoyed ourselves immensely and we enjoyed you, too!
  
  Auf Wiedersehen!
  
  Stuart
  Calif, USA
  
  

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