Best Of
Re: Do you need a polio booster?
Given that CDC/HHS is now run by a crackpot and conspiracy theorist, it may be prudent to see what some European health agencies say about this (and other vaccine issues).
BKMD
Re: Typhoid vaccine?
It’s you health, your choice, not what other people choose for themselves. We follow CDC guidelines.
British
Re: Advice/Support on managing 6 hotels in 13 days
Happy Birthday Sealord!
To Katrina, all I can say is you get used to it. I've tried different packing methods, and as they say, the best laid plans.....
After our first Tauck trip, I decided it was pointless to try to NOT look like a traveler in Europe. (Extreme politeness and learning a few phrases in the local language will get you a lot farther than nicer clothes, as long as you are neat.) Just pack comfortable tops and bottoms that you can easily mix and match. I don't bother trying to create outfits in advance. I never unpack. The hard part is when you have a transition day and they collect your luggage while you are at breakfast. Pull out your next day clothing the night before. I always keep a small toiletries bag in my day pack that has comb, toothbrush and toothpaste.
It's a really nice trip. Don't miss the silkworm lecture, if that same lady is still doing it!
Wan
Re: Advice/Support on managing 6 hotels in 13 days
I’ve said before, many of our tours don’t go near shops.
British
Re: Advice/Support on managing 6 hotels in 13 days
With these kinds of turnarounds....I don't unpack. I try to put the clothes in the suitcase in the order I tentatively plan to wear them - after I wear an outfit/item I move it to the bottom and the next outfit rises to the top. It makes my sister crazy but it works for me. Ha!
JaneP
Re: Advice/Support on managing 6 hotels in 13 days
I second what Claudia said. When I took this tour, our hotel in Zagreb (which is the same as on the 2026 itinerary) was the only elegant hotel, and slacks and a nice top were quite appropriate for the diningroom. There were no dinners in castles.
MCD
Re: Advice/Support on managing 6 hotels in 13 days
You don't need a different dressy outfit for all occasions. One nice pair of slacks, one pair of shoes that go with them and 2-3 tops is plenty. No one cares if they see you in the same outfit repeatedly if they even notice.
And yes, packing organizers of what ever type work for you are essential. There are tons of websites and YouTube videos that discuss ways to use them.
Re: Advice/Support on managing 6 hotels in 13 days
We don’t unpack for land tours either. 4 or 5 cubes in the suitcase, we just get out what we need and throw them back in the suitcase. Less chance of leaving anything behind too.
British
Re: ATM Availabilty for TD gratuity?
Answering my original question based on our trip experience: Plan to bring US dollars for the tip. It is not practical to tip in Indonesian rupiah. The Indonesian rupiah trades in excess of 16,000 rupiah to the dollar. The largest bill is 100,000 rupiah or about $6 US. So paying the TD tip in rupiah would require big stack of banknotes. Tauck does not appear to use local TDs for this tour. Ours was American and the TD in training was European.
We did this trip without exchanging any money - just used credit cards. The only reason to get local money is if you a buying from informal vendors. Formal shops and restaurants all accept cards. Some people went to the local "hawker markets" in Singapore. These are informal food halls with cheap local food. They only accept the Singapore dollar. In Indonesia, the only need for local currency is if you plan to buy souvenirs from street vendors. If you do want local currency, ATMs are readily available in Singapore. In Indonesia, you have limited opportunities. You could get rupiah at the airport while waiting for one of the flights. The Four Season Sayan has an ATM and is probably your best bet. Other hotels do not have ATMs. Generally, in Indonesia, you are at resorts away from opportunities to spend rupiah. The only opportunity to spend them is at the markets in Ubud, near the Four Seasons Sayan. If you do have extra currency, the best was of getting rid of it is to apply it to your incidental spending at one of the hotels when you leave. You may be able to spend US dollars in Indonesia, but you will get change in rupiah and probably be given a bad exchange rate.
Re: Trip Review and Tips
There were multiple restaurants on the beach within an easy walk of the Four Seasons. I don’t remember which two we ate at but I think they are basically the same. You can check the menu as you walk by. We also stayed a couple of extra days and agree with British all we wanted to do was hang out and enjoy the property. I felt we had seen enough outside with Tauck so we wanted to to relax. They have a wonderful spa. Also take advantage of of the free sailboat ride offered by the Four Seasons. Yes free! How often does that happen
Satch