I have just experienced my second tour with John Vilgos as my guide. The first was on a horseback…read moretour a year ago with my son, and John was so good that I asked for his contact information and booked a private tour for members of my extended family this past week.
John is not only extraordinarily knowledgeable, but an outstanding guide as well. He was very responsive when I booked our tour and was at our meeting place on time and ready to go. His knowledge of the battlefield is unmatched, and he is an excellent communicator, one who genuinely cares about his clients' experience.
Within the first few moments with John, you can also tell that he is a deeply kind person. His humility is evident, and he even manages to bring an appropriate sense of humor and irony to the tour--a challenging thing to do given the gravity of the subject. More importantly, he has a remarkable ability to bring the people, decisions, courage, and tragedy of Gettysburg to life. In every respect, John makes the experience both informative and deeply impactful.
If you are scheduling a trip to Gettysburg, I wholeheartedly recommend John as your guide. It meant a great deal to me to be able to share Gettysburg with my family, and having John lead us made the experience even more meaningful. Also, to get the most from your time with him, I would recommend watching the film Gettysburg (1993) beforehand and scheduling a visit to the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center before meeting with him. There, watch the introductory film, experience the Cyclorama, and spend some time in the museum. This will give you a good foundation for understanding what an extraordinarily complex, dynamic, and rapidly evolving pivotal event in American history the battle was--and allow you to appreciate even more what John discusses as he guides you through the battlefield.
John, thank you not only for another outstanding tour, but for the care and knowledge you brought to the experience. I am genuinely grateful for the time you spent with us and for the memories you helped us create!