Best Of
Re: So far, not happy with 2 of the 3 hotels...
I'm so sorry, but some of the towns don't have 5 star options like we would expect from Tauck (1st world problems) - but please know that Heat and AC temperature is controlled my the EU gov't - we actually learned about this on our Tauck Ultimate Alps & Dolomites tour. Whether this is true or not, I'm not sure, but with the price of electricity in Europe, I doubt Tauck can ask a hotel to turn on the AC.
One reason we did Venice, Florence, Rome with Rick Steves over Tauck is for the reasons you mentioned - we noticed many of the Rome highlights were not included with Tauck, but were with Rick Steves.
In October, we go with Tauck to the Tuscany & Umbria tour - we already know some of the hotels may not be 5 star the way many of Tauck's are as some of the towns are tiny - we still hope for amazing sites, learning, and food. I'm sorry this tour hasn't met up to your expectations - it is hard when the prices are SO high and they seem to be cutting back on things too.
That said, we just go back from The Swiss Alps River Cruise and it was so well done. We have 3 more tours booked.
Re: Blog of "Treasures of the Mediterranean" tour/cruise, May 2-11, 2024
I haven't commented before, but I noticed that in several of the threads, people have lamented the fact that Tauck no longer visits Istanbul. I wanted to point out that on the Tauck website, there is a small ship tour beginning in 2025 called Aegean Voyage: Athens to Istanbul, which includes three nights in Istanbul, and also includes a stop in Bodrum, among other places.
EricNJ
Re: So far, not happy with 2 of the 3 hotels...
BKMD - When my daughter and I did the Switzerland tour last May, it was uncomfortably warm, and by law, the air conditioning could not be turned on until June 1. However, we could -- and did -- ask for fans, and did receive them.
MCD
Re: Christmas Market
You cruise at night, so the side of the ship doesn't matter. You will be out of your room early in the morning and it gets dark at 4 in the Winter, so you will rarely see the outside from your cabin. On rare cruising during daylight, you'll want to be in the Panoramic Lounge so you can see both sides of the river. We take this cruise almost every 3 years and we've been on both sides - it doesn't matter at all.
If you've traveled with Tauck before, you get a GIFT OF TIME which is one free pre or post night in a hotel - I'd take that in Vienna as their hotel is amazing there. You must ask for this and there is a deadline.
In Nuremberg, def HOTEL VICTORIA - we stay there every other year. It is quaint, privately owned, free breakfast, an easy walk to the markets, and right across the street from the train station - you can actually walk underground to get there. Also, Tauck will pick you up from the Train Station for free, so that makes it so easy - just walk across the street and meet them.
Check HOTEL VICTORIA out on TripAdvisor, but book directly with the hotel - book ASAP - it may already be booked for this year as it is so easy, nice, clean and close to the markets and within the OLDE TOWNE wall. I don't recommend the Hotel Tauck uses in Nuremberg - it is far from the Markets, not within the OLDE TOWNE wall and it is nothing special.
Re: Blog of "Treasures of the Mediterranean" tour/cruise, May 2-11, 2024
@Smiling Sam Thanks for the clarifications. I've been to Istanbul a couple of times on non-Tauck tours. The most recent was in 2022. I agree there's a lot to see there.
So far, not happy with 2 of the 3 hotels...
[vent on] Currently on day 6 of tour. Our first hotel in Sorrento, while nice, was in a terrible location. FWIW they offered a shuttle bus from the hotel to the center square during a free evening. Meanwhile, we've been paralleling a small groups tour and their hotel was in the heart of town.
Just arrived in Perugia, late afternoon, where outside temp is upper 70s. Opened up the door to my room, which is facing into the sun, and it's 80+ in here. They won't be turning on the AC for another 2 weeks, per TD. And this is supposedly a 5 star hotel (Sina Brufani).
Also seems like they've cheapened the tours since Covid - fewer included sights (no Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish steps, etc. in Rome) and fewer meals included. Not a happy camper at this point. Fifteen tours (including 2 upcoming) and my tenure with them may be coming to an end. [vent off]
BKMD
Re: So far, not happy with 2 of the 3 hotels...
What was the third hotel? Was it ok? Yes, the sights especially in Rome have been cut pack. I think the popularity and crowds are causing a lot of this.
Fyi, if you hope to use the spa or pool at Bagni do Pisa, pack your swimsuit in your carryon or day pack. Most disorganized check in even and bags took even longer. We didn't have time before the dictated dinner time.
Fyi,
Aegean Sea Cruise plus Athens
We just returned from the Tauck adventure that began in Athens and concluded with a week aboard the sailing vessel Windstar. My wife and I have been on many cruises and Tauck trips, and this was among the best. Again, Tauck manages to combine leisure travel, adventure, and education in a very appealing package. Most importantly, when visiting these locations at the heart of the origin of Western civilization, it is very helpful to be given expert context to understand whatever ruins, church, artifact, or natural feature that we happen to be looking at. We were most impressed with the fund of knowledge on display by our tour director, Mike Furillo, and his expertise was well-complemented by excellent local guides at every stop. I learned a ton about history while I was immersed in the culture and geography...and that is not an easy feat to pull off. We have come to expect such richly informative experiences with Tauck.
Regarding the yacht, it was cozy and well-maintained. The cabins were small but adequate. The crew and staff bent over backward to accommodate every wish--and the thrill of watching the sails unfurled was a real memory. The biggest issue we had was with the WiFi and the intentional exclusion of access to key personal cloud sites such as Dropbox or iCloud. Plus, the system itself was wonky, and the entry portal to WiFi was often not working properly. Windstar did itself a favor by adopting the StarLink technology, but I'm afraid they still have a ways to go to make the product reliable and user friendly. AND--they should alert future passengers about the cloud-based exclusions.
We loved all the stops but especially Ephesus. What a magical day in Turkiye, topped off with a wonderful dinner at the Celsus Library with a string quartet to serenade us. Mykonos and Patmos were also very appealing. Somewhat surprisingly, our stop at Santorini was perhaps the least scenic. Yes, the famous blue domes were there, but overall the island is very sparsely vegetated, and the crowds were substantial. Honestly, neither my wife nor I could figure out what makes this island--beautiful in its own way, don't get me wrong--so overwhelmingly popular.
Our stop at the ancient site of Mycenae was dazzling. The architectural details still preserved there from nearly 3,500 years ago are mind-blowing. Again, our local guide did a spectacular guide in filling in the "blanks" of the historical slate to lend meaning to everything that we were shown.
The Grecian and Turkish hosts were warm and engaging, and we never encountered a language barrier (we used English exclusively). This trip is best enjoyed in May or September near the cusp of the tourist season to avoid the oppressive summertime heat!
Blog of "Treasures of the Mediterranean" tour/cruise, May 2-11, 2024
Judy and I just finished the Treasures of the Mediterranean tour/cruise. You can see our blog of the trip at
https://www.mikeandjudytravel.com/2024-2Athens-01.htm
It was a decent trip, but not one of my top-10. Judy was more positive about it.
Re: Travel adapters for Kenya & Tanzania
Most of your small electronic devices (phone, tablet, camera battery, etc.) chargers will work on both 110 or 220, but, unless they are special, dual voltage, curling irons and blow dryers will not and if you try to use one it will fry!!!
AlanS