Best Of
Re: Day Bag
If you are looking for a packable bag look at Matador. Peak design makes a very nice packable tote. I have used both as well as a 20 L Deuter Speed lite.
Ben
Re: Day Bag
That’s a good idea but you won’t need anything like that for K and T. Paris is the worst in my experience.
British
Re: Day Bag
so so so many options. I love all bags by Tom Bihn - their backpacks are so comfortable.
I love the new Bellroy Laneway Crescent Bag in the size 7L. It's my new travel purse. The 2.5L is great too, but too small for your needs I think.
Re: Day Bag
Ok. Sorry. Look up John M Glionna on Google. Click on “Blog”. The recent article is called “The Grand Dame of the Serengeti”.
I’m just sharing a very interesting journalist whose stories I enjoy reading and who lives in the SF Bay Area.
Re: Post-Christmas Markets
Tauck would not advertise a “Christmas Market” tour if the markets were not open. I can’t speak to how many stalls will be open, however. Hopefully someone with direct experience will offer input. Regardless, have fun!
kfnknfzk
Re: Post-Christmas Markets
Surely they could not call it Christmas markets if they are not open!
British
Re: Grand Australia & New Zealand Sep 15, 2025 - Oct 4, 2025
We took this last Sept. It was all amazing! Tauck does a fine job!!!!!
Re: Feedback about the Grand European Cruise experience
Just finished the lower half of that tour - Budapest to the Black Sea.
Recommendation - Eat lots of Chimney Cake in Budapest. 
In Bucharest, if looking for Italian food, specifically pizza, then try Don Vito Trattoria (a couple of blocks from the Intercontinental Hotel).
The sights along the river south of Budapest are much more sparse than along upper portions of the Danube that we had done previously.
Stops south of Budapest with interesting sights - Belgrade, Serbia and Pecs, Hungary (a bus ride from the stop on the river Mohac)
Along the river itself there are a few sights - Golubac Fortress, Decebalus Rock Sculpture, and a few locks (the Iron Gate locks had close to 50-100 feet of drop when we went through the pair of locks).
The traffic in Bucharest is pretty bad, at least during our visit. This made the coach rides to and from either of the castle excursions pretty long.
Since you're doing the big boy of river tours, I'm not sure how much of what we did applies, so it may not be any help.
Re: Panama Canal/Costa Rica travel tips question
Just found this photo of our view in Panama, I guess we must have stayed at the Hilton. January 2019
British
Re: Our Riverboat Cruise Starting This July 30, 2025 in Monte Carlo
We took this river cruise earlier this year and had a wonderful time. I have a few tips for you. (1)The TD surprised the guests that arrived early with a guided walking tour of Cannes. (2) Be sure to sit on the right side of the coach when you leave Cannes for Aix-en-Provence to view the beautiful scenery. (3) If you are doing one of the Chamonix excursions, I would recommend eating at Josephine. We had one of the best meals on our trip there. (4)Everyone did dress up for the dinner at Duchy of Uzes but do not wear heels. The ground is pea gravel so a pair of flat or chunky heel pumps would work well. As you said, it is a wonderful itinerary and we are so glad we went this year since they are changing it in 2026! Safe travels!
TNVFL