Best Of
Re: Our Last Tauck Trip....
BKMD - Counting visits and posts is not relevant or fair. This is a public forum, people have different personalities and interests. Your sarcasm is mean.
Re: Our Last Tauck Trip....
I understand why someone would post about a negative experience, especially if they felt that their complaints were not addressed by the regular chain of management.
Re: what gifts have you received from Tauck this year?
I would like a 5% - 10% off these trips as a seasoned Tauck traveler, instead of the gifts that get stored, re-gifted or never used. Again, I am not unappreciative; just very practical.
Aegean Voyage, Athens to Istanbul, October, 2025
Just back from this splendid trip. For details refer to a very fine comprehensive review by LotusGirl, May 2025. She traveled in the opposite direction but her experiences, for the most part mirrored ours.
As per her experiences a WhatsApp group was set up by the TD’s (there were two) a few weeks before the trip. Tauck solicited our choice of itineraries where there were choices but our TD’s allowed us to change them in real time.
Athens: The Hotel Grand Bretagne was over the top. Our room was large by European standards, perhaps because we requested a bathtub through our TA. Breakfast overlooking the Acropolis was terrific. The only snafu was our visit to the Archeological Museum. This involved an hour wait in line. I don’t think Tauck could have done much about this and a few folks opted out. We visited, again, the Bernaki museum in our free time. A great museum if you love antiquities.
Windstar, Star Legend: we booked a deluxe suite and we were glad to have the extra room. We loved this ship, our first small ship and Windstar experience. The staff knew our name by day two. We enjoyed the main dining and Cuadro 44 where we dined twice (that is being replaced by an Asian themed restaurant). We dined once at Candles and they served a knockout veal chop. But our other choices were just so-so. Unlike LotusGirl we were able to transit the Corinth Canal. Even though that was our singular rainy day it was a great adventure!
Istanbul: the Hotel Intercontinental is fine. Our room was very large, had a great view of the Bosphorous, but was severely lacking in electrical receptacles and water pressure. The breakfast buffet is legendary. We dined one night in their rooftop restaurant and had a fresh fish which was off menu. One of the best meals of the trip.
Overall this was a trip we will long remember. It is very heavy in visits to archeological sites, so if that is not your thing, skip this one. You need shoes with good traction (we wore Hokas) and a walking stick helps. Marble and stone are slippery even when dry and there are many, many steps some of which are steep without adequate handrails. I would strongly discourage anyone who is mobility challenged to book this tour. We had several folks tumble, one serious fall requiring sutures.
This is a decidedly non-detailed review. Feel free to message me with any specific questions.
Edited to add: we flew Turkish Airlines, SFO to Istanbul connecting to Athens. I was concerned about a 90 minute connection. Even though the gate was quite a distance, we made it without a problem. The business class seats were very nice and the food was excellent. The business lounge at Istanbul is worth some extra time and bring an appetite.
A review 2025–Highly recommend
The last reviews I found of the Grand Alaska tour were old so I’d like to give you an updated one. First off, I heard that Tauck may be leaving its Princess partnership which I believe is an upgrade, not a negative. But if they don’t this review will work for you also. I am still on the Grand Alaska tour, returning and ending in Vancouver tomorrow August 23, 2025.
Do not hesitate to join Tauck on an Alaska or any other tour. Yes, the dollars seem higher but the value is actually there. Why? No horrible lines of people, better/faster transportation, healthier travel in a smaller group, personalized travel (almost like an individual tour), mostly all inclusive except Tour Director and Driver tips which they totally deserve!! For example, Tauck took us on a ferry from our lodge location to the cruise port. We were there by 4 pm. The masses arrived by train and bus about 5 pm. Our luggage was in our room when we got through Security and we were unpacked and having our first cocktail as we watched the others arrive. This happened in several locations.
On the cruise I’ve spent about $100 of the $150 credited to me by Tauck. Again…why? Because Tauck has two happy hours where drinks and appetizers are provided AND includes two of the specialty restaurants. If you are a huge drinker or specialty coffee or soda drinker, consider a beverage package using your $150 credit. You can even gamble in the casino with the credit.
In all, I’ve pulled my credit card or cash out only a few times. On shore for souvenirs and to tip really really good tour guides.
Ali M. is our guide and works nonstop to make our travel stress-free. Hard to do with 39 discerning, diverse travelers. Ali is one of the reasons our group has travelers who have been on 5 to 14 Tauck trips. I have another planned already.
Lastly, my point of this review is to ask you NOT to look at just the dollar difference on a trip. Closely consider the comfort, included activities and expertise behind the company with whom you are traveling.
Thanks for listening…I’m off to enjoy another Tauck happy hour along with my great fellow Tauck travelers! Until my next trip….
Video Compilation of our TAUCK Italy Tour - May 2025!
I wanted to share our TAUCK Tour of Italy that we did this past May 2025! Please click on the link to view a compilation video of our journey. We toured Venice, Florence, Tuscany, and Rome for our 20th Anniversary. It was an unforgettable experience that we will never forget!
https://youtu.be/LGpLbUTqJQ8
Amorie
A Week In...Spain - trip report
I had initially booked this tour for May 2024 but got cold feet when I kept hearing it called "A Week in...Pain" --- that certainly caused some concern. But the dates in early Sept. 2025 worked out well so we went ahead with our plans for the 1st week in September. Well, we were wonderfully surprised. It was actually one of our top 2 Tauck trips. Yes, the itinerary was ambitious, but we thought well planned and wouldn't have missed a thing!
Our Tour Director was Susana Olivares who couldn't have been more welcoming, delightful or well-organized. She was always pleasant and hosted her home country with knowledge and ease. Each of the four hotels we stayed out were fabulous --- and this can be one area of concern for me as I've not been happy with some past hotels/hotel rooms in the past. But all four hotels were top notch. Our favorite hotel was in Seville (Hotel Alfonso XIII) and I must say I'm missing my breakfast next to the lovely gurgling fountain in the courtyard surrounded by mini orange tree plants. Seville was also my favorite stop along the way. We also greatly enjoyed the Alhambra Palace Hotel in Granada and will never forget exploring the Alhambra the next morning.
Madrid and Barcelona were important stops as well, but they are large cities so you won't be too surprised that I didn't find them as charming as the smaller stops between the two. Our bus driver was Felipe who was also fantastic and pleasant throughout the journey.
I am a foodie and was delighted to find Spanish food to be quite tasty. Oh yes, and I should also mention that we travelled with a delightful group of folks. No complainers, no braggarts, just a good group of travelling companions.
I was just about to give up on group travel, but this trip has renewed my faith and then some. Yes, it is a busy trip, but we wouldn't have wanted to miss any of the stops along the way. We learned so much about Spain, Spanish history and Spanish culture. Well done to Tauck!
A few additional suggestions:
1) Very happy with the Aon travel insurance offered by Tauck, which was reasonably priced. Our American Air flight was cancelled for the trip returning home and Aon absolutely exceeded my expectations by providing a prompt refund with minimal effort on my part. Still awaiting compensation for the cancellation from American Air, but that is completely separate from Tauck and Aon.
2) Recommend booking a visit to Park Guell in Barcelona. It's lovely and you will recognize the tilework from many photos of Barcelona. We took an Uber, which I cannot recommend, so walked back to the hotel on our own. Perhaps just get the hotel to help you with a taxi?
3) Booked a self-guided visit to Royal Palace of Madrid. Glad we did so as the regular entrance line was quite lengthy and it was great to be able to skip the line and walk in.
4) In Madrid, not far from the Royal Palace, (between Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor) is Market of San Miguel/Mercado de San Miguel. I am really missing it as we ate the best tapas and churros on the entire trip at this market. It's quite busy so we never did find a place to sit down but we made do (ate outside and sat on exterior ledge). We also found a wonderful food court and grocery area in the lower level of El Corte Ingles (sort of the Nordstrom of Spain), which was in the central square. It included sit-down restaurants and you could find every kind of food imaginable.
Hope this review is helpful.
Year 5786
L’Shanah Tovah to those who honor and celebrate their faith. Whether you do or not, may the new year bring memorable journeys and ‘sweet’ memories.
kfnknfzk
Antarctica Round up!!
Just back from Tauck Ponant Jan 26 to Feb. 8. Here are lots of suggestions I wish I had known before I packed up. 1, DO NOT OVER PACK!!! Tauck people wore same clothes for most landings. Merino wool worked best as it can be washed and dried very quickly. My suggested packing list. 1. Merino wool base layer leggings. I found mine on eBay . Great option. 2. One turtle neck base layer . Uniqlo has 3 types got mine there 2. One wool or micro fleece hoodie or sweater, 3. Two pr. Wool socks (wash and dry very easily). 4. 2 or 3 pairs regular socks for lounge wear on ship. 5. 1 hat and 1 pair insulated gloves . 5. 1 pair water proof pants (amazon has so many to choose from. Evening and loungewear. Our trip had many French passengers and they do dress up!!! However our Tauck group of 20 did not dress up. Most of us wore a nice blouse or sweater and added a scarf or necklace and that worked.. 1 pair of black slip on shoes or sandals good idea. Most of the days when we were not on landings we hung out in lounge wear. I had running tights and a matching jacket (TJMaxx) with tee shirt. Just bring what is comfortable no one cares. Shoes….. I brought one pair of black slipons, and one pair of ankle warm boots. Sneakers for walks in BA. IMPORTANT…The air on ship and outside is incredibly dry. Great for drying wet clothes (in a few hours hand washed were dry) however your skin will dry and crack even with lotion and your sinuses will dry up to the point I had to take a Zyrtec and use saline spray TG I brought them. If you can find a portable humidifier bring it. There is one on Amazon that you stick in a water bottle . Wish I had taken it. . The Drake!!! Going was great only 4 to 5 ft seas. However on the return we had very rough seas . So even though you say you don’t get seasick. take the patch. People who did not were sick. If you use a cpap or any necessary medical device … bring and extension cord. There is only one outlet in the room. Do not bring water bottles, they are provided. Big red Parkers provided for you are very very warm. You only need a hat and gloves for landings. And polarized sunglasses are definite. I brought 2 in case I lost one as I always do. I did notices that most people wore wrap around s.. On this cruise we were 140 passengers, which made everything easier. break down was about 65% French, 15% Asian, 20% English . We all got along. Walking sticks were necessary as most landings were on rocks or rough terrain. One each was all you need but I almost fell on the small rocky path to zodiac, the stick saved me!!! Got mine on eBay, as the ones on Amazon were to flimsy. We did a pre stay In Buenos Aires, great city but it was very very hot so pack some summer pants / capris and Short Sleeve tees. City tour was very good. They will take you to a market if you are there. For the weekend. Lots. Of stuff . Ladies, there is a shop just opposite the antique square. It is Karina Chasin . They sell the most beautiful printed scarfs. My friend and I both bought one(actually I got 2) and when we wore them the complements just kept on comming. They are long or square with a beautiful face print surrounded by flowers in bright colors. The small ones were $20 US and the long ones $40. They had other printed items ALSO. I wish I had gotten more for future gifts because they were just so unique and $20 for a gift is great. And pack up very small so they did not take up any space in luggage. If you forget anything, Ushuaia has a main street with everything you could possible need. You will pay top dollar but if you forgot anything you can get it and will have time before you board the ship. It was a wonderful experience, one that will stay with you forever. Our Tauck family was great, our TD Melisa was so much fun and always there for us. Now for the downside… You are at the mercy of the weather. We lucked out and got in 4 landings but if the wind is up or the seas are too rough you don’t go. You are only allowed 1&1/2 hours on land, and you can’t sit kneel or layin the snow. You have to stay far away from the penguins and they are at every landing. Zodiac rides were fill ins for when we could not land. The expedition leaders were all good though. As Melisa said you have to be flexible as things don’t always go as planned. Very good advise. One last word. The trip back to the states is long, lots of time on planes and in airports. Pace yourself and try to sleep when possible. Back to reality !!! Ugg
bella c
Re: Missed Opportunity in Amsterdam
IMO, the missed opportunity was waiting around to check in when you could have left your bags with the bellman and gone out to explore Amsterdam, coming back later when everyone else had completed check in. Hotels don’t and quite honestly won’t staff for large drop offs. You expect them to bring people in for an hour? Traveling, especially to Europe where things move more leisurely, requires adapting to what is presented. I’ve been to Amsterdam multiple times, such a wonderful city with interesting sights around every corner. You’re on vacation, enjoy every moment and work around the minor inconveniences.
