Best Of
Re: On the road again. Final Update 8/25/2024
A few more pics.
In addition to the Pipe Springs Mormon site we also stopped at an interesting private little museum. The owner of the Anasazi Museum gave us a detailed rundown of the many interesting and unique Southwest Native American items he had collected over his lifetime.
Of note, during this stop- no cloning and no mirrors were used, but we crossed paths with another identical Tauck motor coach from a different tour.
What I didn't know at the time, so missed an opportunity to photograph both together, was that our driver was the daughter of the driver of the other Tauck bus!
The Pipe Springs National Monument Mormon "ranch" was staged with furniture and items from the period (mid-late 1800's). It was also the site of the first telegraph in that region.
Lunch stop:
There was no hint or warning other than signs that we were approaching the Grand Canyon until we actually saw it. You don't get a true sense of its size from most of the overlooks either.
I got one photo when we stopped but It was basically impossible to take photos from horseback (muleback) during our Rim Trail ride. You were not permitted to carry any bags during the ride.
Our flightseeing from Kanab to Boulder City was awesome but, believe it or not, all too brief. At times, it was impossible to see the Colorado River unless you were flying right over it.
The South Rim Park area was visible off in the distance- it had a lot more buildings and I'm sure people than the North Rim!!!
All too soon we arrived over Lake Mead and Hoover Dam where our pilot made two circles overhead so we could take photos. The water level was still down, but not nearly as much as I've seen in other photos.
AlanS
Re: Any alternatives to the Komodo Dragon day?
Komodo dragons tomorrow. Here’s the view from our room on Flores Island.
Re: Turkey Land Tour recommendation
Tauck cancelled my land tour to Turkey about a month before it was scheduled to start in 2016. I kept hoping that they would reinstate the land tour, but they haven't. I almost booked the A&K tour, but then saw the one offered by Smithsonian Journeys, and will be taking it this fall. I preferred their itinerary (with the Cappadocia extension) to A&K's. It does involve a lot of driving, but I like to see the countryside. I learned that Smithsonian contracts with Odysseys Unlimited to do the actual touring. Odysseys does a lot of college alumni trips. I'll see how it goes!
MCD
Re: Turkey Land Tour recommendation
We've done 10 Tauck tours. Only once did someone request to sit up front at all times because of "headaches". No one accommodated that person. We don't care too much about food details on the trips because we can always find our own food experiences. What gives us a great deal of confidence about Tauck is their agility on the ground and extensive network of operations. One time we got to the Postojna caves in Slovenia, about to start our private tour, when a United Nations bus of officials pulled up next to us. We got to go in first! (The Odysseys Unlimited group had to wait.) Also think about this: All the Tauckers who got safely out of Israel in October.
You need quite a network for that.
Wan
Re: Turkey Land Tour recommendation
I agree with British and MCD 100% snd we are all well-seasoned travelers who enjoy Tauck.
Henry, you are entitled to your opinion, but it’s definitely not etched in stone.
Re: Turkey Land Tour recommendation
We have never seen problems, certainly nothing approaching "drama" with bus seating. There are often family or groups traveling together who want to dine at the same table on river cruisess and that is totally understandable. Did the couples hanging out together discourage, refuse or politely decline anyone and everyone to sit with them or just you?
Henry, it seems you are so underwhelmed by Tauck, why do you even bother traveling with them??
AlanS
Re: Tour Director Tipping
I think it should stay as is, it gives us the opportunity to on occasion give the TD more if it's deserved which I have done a few times.
On Regent, all tips are included but we always give a bit extra to the Cabin Attendents and the Butler (if we have a butler). So there's an opportunity for the TD to get extra if they would take the tip payment from Tauck.
