Best Of
Re: Vivaldi Four Seasons performed in Vivaldi’s Church Venice
I saw Vivaldi's Four Season in the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow and it was incredible, unfortunately traveling to Russia is no longer possible and may never be.
Re: Vivaldi Four Seasons performed in Vivaldi’s Church Venice
We attended a Vivaldi recital at Chiesa di San Vidal before our Tauck tour started, in spring of 2024. The Tauck hotel for that tour was the Ca'di Dio (an ancient building right on the lagoon that had been scraped of all historic charm, but it did have a nice peaceful courtyard where one could escape the Venice crowds). We took the vaporetto from our hotel to the stop nearest the recital location, had a lovely dinner at a hard-to-find restaurant recommended by Rick Steves, Al Vecio Marangon (they don't take reservations but we dined early before the 9:00 pm recital) then had a short walk across the Ponte dell' Accademia spanning the Grand Canal to the church.
With musical productions like this, there is the danger that the musicians will be bored with the material. We did not find that to be the case, although we might not have been too critical--hey, Vivaldi! Venice!
We felt very safe walking back to a nearby vaporetto stop and riding back to our hotel despite the late hour.
Photographs were not allowed during the performance, but here are photos of the church interior and some of the amazing musical instrument displays in the church.
We considered this the first highlight of our visit to Italy!
RickS
Re: Input on food re: A Week in Spain
Hello Lisajanetx,
Just came back from a marvelous one week in Spain arranged by one of Tauck's competitor after Tauck collected my deposit and said it was too late to add me despite not full with only 17 for a classic excursion.
It was until the 24 hours before that the tauck competitor well known for its luxurious private tour found one ticket for the 11am deluxe workshop included tour to La Sagrada Famila with visit to the crypt and the construction area. It was a total wonder stepping inside and the hotel room they have arranged for me gave me night time views of the Familia. Call Tauck and see if they can find tickets to La Familia. The Tauck hotel The one is next door to La Pradera, another one of Gaudi's masterpiece. It is also a 5 minutes walk to Casa Batilo. See if Tauck have included any of those tickets. Now La Familia has limited group size to no more than 30. Access will not be easy.
Supposedly it is the most difficult to get a La Familia ticket, La Pradera is the easiest. Parc Guell will be difficult without transportation.
Email me in private. Some of the recommendations given out there is mostly from blogger reading from a book.One of the restaurant mentioned is a tourist trap that every Spainerd would be laughing at you if you mentioned it!
Re: Input on food re: A Week in Spain
We were in Madrid in 2017 on our own and staying in a hotel close to the train station. We found a small "hole-in-the-wall" restaurant close to the train station that had very nice paella.
At first they didn't want to serve us but when Judy spoke to them in her high school Spanish they welcomed us. I guess they didn't want to deal with tourist who could only speak English.
Then, when the owner learned that I was a beekeeper, he brought us a couple of glasses of a liquor made from honey and refused to let us pay for it.
By the time it was all over, the owner was our best buddy. 
[Added note: Spain is one of those countries that you can do on your own and really enjoy it. Trains are easy to use and the people are very helpful and nice.]
[Second added note: We were sitting outside, in front of the restaurant. I don't remember how we found that restaurant. Maybe a recommendation from the hotel, or just a Google search for a restaurant close to us. It was on the other side of the train station from the hotel so it was a bit of a walk.]
[Okay, one more addition. We had dinner a different night at a nice tapis restaurant recommended by friend who resides in Madrid - El Imparcial. She joined us for dinner there.]
Re: Input on food re: A Week in Spain
Mike I had dinner there a long time ago, the food was excellent.
Re: Cape Town Tours Ahead of Elegant Adventure
We went last year and did the Cape Fusion food tour—it was wonderful. It really did not duplicate anything that was covered by the Tauck tour as the focus was on food. Our guide to us to several local, independently owned food establishments, and provided us some history of the areas.we visited. We also had a cooking lesson in a private home. It was great fun—and we got some exercise with the walking. If you go, go hungry!
JanP
Dining reservations at the Raffles
Just a heads up if you're making advance dining reservations at the Raffles. Tauck recommends that you make reservations before your journey for any meals on your own at the Raffles. While this is probably good idea, you should be aware that the "no-show" policies are rather strict. No shows for afternoon tea incur the entire cost of the meal (about $80 US per person). The other restaurant we booked charges about $40 US per person for no shows. You have to cancel 24 hrs in advance or be charged.
I'm not saying you shouldn't make reservations, just be sure you know what you're getting into.
Re: ATM Availabilty for TD gratuity?
Sorry if I wasn't clear, that's what I meant by "watch your back."
Re: ATM Availabilty for TD gratuity?
Thanks, British and Sam for your input. I probably could get local currency at one of the airports while waiting for one of the connecting flights, but to be safe, I'll probably just bring $ for the tip.
Since this got into a discussion on ATMs, I'll add my 2 cents ( 
). In over 20 trips abroad, I've never had a problem with ATMs. My bank reimburses ATM fees and converts foreign currency at the wholesale rate, so it's the cheapest way to get local currency. Never had a problem finding a bank ATM when staying in a city or town. The only issue I've had is when staying at a resort hotel away from a town (the one time this happened I was able to step out and get cash during a lunch stop). Since the final destination on this tour is a resort, I just thought I'd ask.
Anyway, here's my rules for using ATMs:
Only use an ATM with the name of a bank on it. Never use an ATM at a money exchange, they will convert to $ at a bad rate. If the bank ATM offers to convert to $, just say no.
If they have an option, notify your bank in advance of your travel plans. I've been told by my bank that this is unnecessary if you're just using ATMs, but it never hurts (do this for your credit cards, too).
Have your travel partner watch your back when using the ATM.