Best Of
Re: Warsaw, Budapest, Vienna & Prague 2024
The Wieliczka Salt Mine was included on the "Royal Danube, Berlin & Krakow" trip that I took in 2022 (One of my favorite trips). Our farewell dinner was held deep within the salt mine. People were given the option of walking down all those steps, or taking an elevator down. I chose to walk. We all took the elevator to return to the surface after dinner. I agree that it is not to be missed.
MCD
Re: Just returned from Jordan & Egypt-small group (2/2024)
BKMD. I would definitely go back when the GEM is fully open. I'm thinking in 10 years Inshallah.
Re: Michigan's Lakes and Mackinac Island
This morning, we set out in the tenders to dock at Mackinac Island. The lake was beautiful and calm and the weather perfect. We got onto horse drawn carriages with two carriage horses, through the shopping street and upwards to a halfway point where we could choose to stay on and go up to the Grand Hotel or change carriages and take a guided ride through the forest, stopping off at Mackinac Fort which was really interesting and had wonderful views of the lighthouse and lake. This carriage had three horses pulling it. We then had to walk three quarters of a mile down to the Grand Hotel where we were all meeting for lunch.
Everywhere on the island are gorgeous flowers and shrubs. The gardens at the hotel are wonderful and the hotel spectacular inside and out. The only disappointment was lunch. The dining room had hundreds of people in it, all lining up for I guess, what we thought would be an elegant lunch experience. Instead it was a buffet off paper plates!
We walked around the hotel inside afterwards and then meandered down to the shopping area, seeing all of the 17 fudge shops and T shirt stores. It was busy. We caught the 3pm tender back to our ship.
British
Re: Small"er" Group Tours??
Merely to offer a different opinion, I prefer the regular sized groups - more personalities and people to engage with (or avoid). Even with a land tour group of 44, there was significant comradery. I never have felt that too much time was wasted getting on/off bus, etc. To me, the larger groups make for a more interesting trip. The only time that has been difficulties with ‘waiting’ for others was on a trip with a total of 8 guests. One guest was perpetually late or lost. As has been said, the larger group is always broken down to smaller groups. Clearly this is a personal preference- I just want others not to feel obligated to spend the extra money for the smaller group size.
Re: Let the fun begin in B, Z & SA!
HooHeel: this is the last day of the same trip that you’re starting. All I can say is: get ready for a wonderful and awesome time.
While in Capetown, I took an Uber to Tribal Trends and Tribal Collection (nextdoor to each other) and purchased wonderful African merchandise from affordable to pricey. The Watershed, walkable from The One and Only Hotel is also a great shopping area for a variety of souvenirs.
On another note and off topic is a fun book series I’ve read (probably for women) is the Botswana fiction series of The Number One Ladies Detective Agency. I’ve read every single book centered in Botswana.
Re: Small"er" Group Tours??
Judy05 -
Last I checked, I saw no difference in the itineraries for the three (3) group sizes for the Capitol Cities tour. I do see, however, that the welcome reception and dinner now returns to the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. It was one of the most gala events we ever attended. That was in 2018.
We all have different travel styles and expectations. What appeals to us may not appeal to anyone else. We prefer the small groups and it is my opinion that one sees more simply because you are not spending time waiting for others. Nor have I experienced more free time post-pandemic. Contrary to the belief that this tour has considerable free time—a conclusion without even looking at the itinerary—no, it does not. I relish some free time, especially on very hectic, fast paced tours, which this tour is not. Some enjoy rushing from point A to point B; we like to see what is between those two points. We also enjoy mingling with locals whenever we have the opportunity to do so.
I do highly recommend the tour and especially adding extra days in Quebec City—a taste of Europe right here just north of the border.
kfnknfzk
Re: French escapade august 2024 trip report
Looks like you're having a great time! Thanks for bringing back some wonderful memories.
kfnknfzk
Let the fun begin in B, Z & SA!
I made it out to Livingstone a couple of days ahead of the tour; I've had one afternoon in Zambia and.... amazing! Joseph picked me up from the airport and drove me to the.... surprise.... to the Royal Livingstone Hotel. :-) After checking in, I changed into shorts, used the bug repellent lotion provided in the room and walked to the falls, but the highlight was the animals I saw on the way--zebras, giraffes, impalas, (vervet?) monkeys; lots of birds around too. Saw a hippo on the way to the hotel from the airport. The falls are lower than normal for this time of year, but we will see them from the Zimbabwe side once the tour starts. After that was high tea on the patio of the hotel. Glorious as the sun set over the Zambezi. (Not that I needed any more food after that, but FYI the riverside restaurant (Kubu) had no openings for dinner that evening, but the Old Drift Restaurant and the lounge/bar had availability, so no one is going to starve.) Now I'm back on the patio with my first Amarula, writing this note to you. (Mosquitos weren't noticeable until tonight--and I think they are more attracted to my laptop screen than me.)
Logistics for future travelers: I flew on United from (DCA to) Newark, then direct to Johannesburg. Spent the night at the Intercontinental at the airport--super easy, I followed the signs after emerging from international arrivals and crossed to the other side of the sidewalk. Beautiful hotel, and dinner there was delicious. My Tauck duffel was checked all the way through (and made it to Livingstone with me).
I left the hotel around 8:30am for the 11:00 flight (10:15 boarding) and felt that it was a comfortable amount of time. Security and immigration went smoothly, didn't take too long. I even had time to pick up a couple of things I forgot from the shops before heading to the gate. That's a bit of a haul, so don't wait too long to go head there. Then, it's more like a wide-open train station waiting area. Find your gate and have a seat; no announcements are made over speakers. The gate attendant will call you to the bus when it's time to ride to the plane. If you're worried about getting your carry-on onto the little plane, hustle off the bus when arriving at the plane. It's a free-for-all at that point. Note: no one weighed my carry on bags, but this might be different if you are having to check in at JNB. I already had a boarding pass from my original departure airport.
I booked today's afternoon tea & tomorrow's spa appointment by emailing the hotel ahead of time. I also started with the hotel, but was redirected to Livingstone's Adventure to book the microlight flight for tomorrow morning and the Elephant Cafe the following day.
The Tauck duffel was plenty big enough for me to pack my stuff--the total weight limit was a bit of a challenge--more because of technology than clothes. I'm doing this one solo, so I've got ALL the camera stuff, the binocs, the Chromebook, the cords, the chargers.... Ladies, travel-sized cosmetics are your friend to minimize weight. Plus, I was trying to get a lot in my carry-on since I have heard about a few too many luggage delays, so I had two carry-ons to allow for all the technology, extra clothes, and almost all the toiletries.
I can clearly see why so many of you have raved about this trip. More later!
HooHeel