Best Of
Re: Did anyone take gifts for the school? Suggestions?
BKent, I’m a retired teacher,too. That’s why I wanted to bring supplies. The lead teacher brought me to their supply room. They didn’t have very much, I was surprised at how little they had. Only 3 of us on our tour brought anything. I also brought some Easy Reader paperback books. They were especially appreciated. We were also told that if we wanted to make a donation to do it through Tauck and not directly to the school. We were told who to give it to at the hotel. I’m sure monetary donations are also greatly appreciated.
itskr
Re: Did anyone take gifts for the school? Suggestions?
We brought pencils, pens,thin markers,and some notebooks. We also brought some balloons for the kids to blow up. They loved it! The teachers were very appreciative. You don’t have to bring anything. Most people on our tour didn’t
itskr
Re: Falconry at Lyrath Estate?
We took this tour last month. At Lyrath Estate on day 13 we had an included activity; your choice of archery, falconry, or spa treatment. Maximum group size for falconry at Lyrath is 10. On day 8 falconry was also available at Ashford Castle with a maximum group size of 4 but this was not included. Cost at Ashford was 55 euros per person for a group of 4, more for a smaller group. All of us who did falconry had a great experience, regardless of venue.
Wayside
Re: Visit to the old fish market.
These were from the fish market and the balloon ride which you cannot miss !
Re: Visit to the old fish market.
I think this is the website you will want. Note the early tour start (6:40AM)! https://sydneyfishmarket.com.au/at-the-market/tours
cvc
Re: Visit to the old fish market.
We did the Grand Australia/New Zealand tour and had a similar day - this was in 2017 so thing may be different now. At that time, our visit to the fish market did not include the fish auction or the area where fish are received/processed. We walked through the market and then had a tasting. We went back to the fish market during some of our free time the next day and were told you could visit the auction area only if you booked a tour directly through the fish market.
cvc
Re: Boxed Granola Bars?
I don’t think they will be taken away but you may not be able to take them on your trips to shore. Too much food on every Tauck tour I have been on to need any extra😀
British
Re: Boxed Granola Bars?
I've brought Clif bars and small bags or pre-packaged trail mix from Trader Joes on several Tauck trips. The destination with the strictest policies on bringing in food was New Zealand. I declared what I had and they had no problem with it.
While I agree with British on the generalization of too much food, on trips that have non-included meals, I find it a welcome break to skip an occasional meal and just have a snack in its place.
BKMD
Re: Boxed Granola Bars?
We were on this trip in April. We had a couple of boxes of granola bars and had no issues. In the Galapagos there are two dogs that check all of the bags that come off the planes and also there is an X-ray of carry-ons. They are looking for fresh foods, plants, snails, and other items that can mess with the eco-system. I don't believe you can take any food onto the islands when you get off the boat. I posted a mini-review on the Hidden Galapagos and Peru forum which I hope you will find helpful. It's a great trip!
taxare
Re: Leaving on Aug 25 Trip. Two questions
We were on the tour in June and the bus driver handed out the regular plastic water bottles. Unless something changed in the past two months, I don't think you will need to do anything special. We always refill them throughout the day. There are plenty of refill stations in all of the parks.
We had received one of the metal bottles a few years ago in the Canadian Rockies. This time it was just normal plastic bottles. I assumed it was US versus Canada.
Kathy M