Best Of
Re: Best of Ireland Oct 5 2023 Ashford Castle
I was there this past summer. No boat arrival; however, we were welcomed by a piper. We disembarked from the coach and followed him across the bridge to the castle, where some of the staff were lined up to welcome us, a la Downton Abbey.
MCD
Re: Luggage Limits on intra tour flight
For the Aerolineas Argentinas flights to and from Ushuaia we were specifically told that AirTags were not allowed in the checked bags, along with any item that has a battery. Those of us with AirTags had to move them to our carryons.
Wayside
Notes on January, 2024 Antarctica Tour
The excellent threads in this forum provide you with what you need to prepare for this tour. I’ll emphasize the following:
- Bring insect repellant. The mosquitos are unusually bad in Buenos Aires this year.
- Bring at least one trekking pole. They can be a huge help when you are walking on snow.
- Bring sun block, both for Buenos Aires and Antarctica.
- Antarctica is very dry so you may want moisturizing skin cream.
- Bring two pairs of heavy socks. After expeditions you remove your boots on deck and walk into the ship in your socks and they can get damp in the process. They will dry overnight, see below, but may not dry between morning and afternoon expeditions.
Wayside
Re: Essence of South America Trip Review (10/15/23 - 10/28/23)
Fran: We returned from the Patagonia tour in November. It was excellent and very casual. Like a national park trip you would take in the USA, only with nice hotels (Agree with British about the Singular Patagonia. It's amazing). We added on 2 days at the Belmond das Cataratas on the Brazil side, where Tauck stays. My husband had no desire to go to Rio and it's also not on my bucket list, not that Sam's photos weren't great (thank you, Sam). Also, being from California, we are not interested in wine tasting, so we chose the Patagonia trip. The Belmond is a really beautiful property, and it is fantastic to look out your hotel window and see the falls, or to simply walk across the street to view the power. Being an older property, the rooms were nice but not huge for a luxury property. We got picked up from the airport by a Belmond guide. We spent that afternoon going up and down the trails on the Brazil side. The next day we were taken to the Argentina side by the same guide. We returned to the hotel in the mid-afternoon. On our final day, we were taken back to the airport by the same guide. Our travel agent booked this side trip for us, but we could have simply done it ourselves through the Belmond hotel. The major thing to note is the border crossing, as described by Sam. Since the Belmond is right on the Brazil-Argentina border, you will go about 1.5 hours getting to and from the hotel from either the airport or the Argentina side of the falls. It's a lot of driving, but it is such a beautiful property that I would do it again, and the food there is excellent.
While we were at that hotel, we saw the Tauck Essence tour group. I got the impression that the folks on that tour were more in a mindset of a typical Tauck European-style tour, whereas our group definitely had a "national park" vibe. I could be wrong.
We enjoyed our 2 days in Chile especially our private tour to Valparaiso, but we enjoyed Buenos Aires more and would like to return, perhaps as part of a trip to Northern Patagonia/Bariloche, which Tauck used to include but has sadly since dropped.
Wan
Re: London
Terrilynn, my husband was also still working when we started traveling with Tauck. He had just three weeks at that time. One of the reasons we started traveling with them was because they could get us around without us having to plan anything and they were more efficient than we could be doing it ourselves with time restrictions. This was not a problem when we lived in the UK because vacation time there is very generous. We were happy when Tauck started to offer a few trips that were only a week long, like Puglia when it was new and various Costa Rica tours as we could manage two tours in one year .
In my opinion, I think you are fully capable of doing some sites without the help of a guide. When I visit London, I’m like a tourist as I have never lived in Southern England. A few years ago, I traveled there without my husband, the first time I had done that. I used Google maps for the first time ever to go to the places I wanted to see. I walked everywhere, didn’t even need to use the underground, or should I say subway. I had a great time. I stayed in a cheap central hotel near the Savoy with friends but did my own thing as my Americans friends wanted to see the big sites I have been to more than once. I went to more unusual places like Dickens home and also met an English friend at the Churchill War Rooms and toured Clarence House where King Charles now lives. Going inside these places can takes hours and you don’t want to just see the outside of most of these places. I just see no need for the expense of a private guide. I even downloaded a Rick Steves walk for this too. I propose fhat you and your dear hubby could have an entire future vacation just in London, way cheaper than a Tauck tour. .My best wishes Terrilynn
British
Re: Onboard daily dress
I am in Ushuaia at the end of this fantastic tour. The temperature on the ship in the corridors and public areas is comfortably warm. During the day between expeditions people wore whatever was comfortable, ranging from base layers to resort casual. Evenings some people dressed up but that was completely optional. The main dining room requires collared shirts and no shorts or jeans during dinner.
Wayside
Onboard daily dress
Going on the Antarctica trip this January. We are wondering what the temperature on the ship is? What do people wear when onboard during the day. We certainly have the outdoor warm clothing done!
hghcbill
Re: London
terrlynn, we were also still working when we first started touring with Tauck, so I totally understand your time constraints. Even now my husband has a hard time being away from home longer than 2 weeks.
London is fantastic. You will definitely want to return there. I love it more than Paris.
I hope you can get some info as to what the Tauck general tour includes, for example, if it does not go inside Westminster Abbey, I would try to do that on your own because there are so many famous people buried there, and because it will give you a huge contrast to St. Paul's. If Tauck spends most of the time showing you the area around Buckingham Palace, I would focus on walking along the Thames, possibly crossing over the London Bridge and returning along the other bank. We really enjoyed the Sky Garden (timed ticket, purchase in advance) to get a bird's eye view of the city, and also Borough Market. If you can manage to attend at least part of the evensong service at St. Paul's at 5 pm, you will not forget it. It is truly a sanctuary and you will see immediately why Diana preferred it for her wedding. You should probably be able to design a walking tour to end up there.
If you have a free evening, a tour of the city in a car or double-decker bus is fun.
Since your hotel is so close to the British Museum, you may wish to consider popping in at least to see the Rosetta Stone and a few of the treasures on the ground floor.
There are fabulous art museums, theatre, and of course, a traditional tea experience but if your weather is decent I would stay out and about for your one day.
Sadly the Victoria and Albert Museum is not in the above neighborhood. It's my favorite museum in London, focusing on innovation and design. I've not encountered any other museums like it. Maybe next time!
Wan
Re: Packing reusable water bottle for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand?
On another note, now that I'm at the final hotel. All the hotels have electri9cal outlets accepting both 2 pin US and Euro (round pin) plugs. I believe one of them even accepted British plugs.
BKMD
Re: Skipping excursions
Unless offered by Tauck, you'll have to ask the hotel concierge, they can give you some options to replace the Heli and book them for you. But, I highly recommend you google the city and go top 10 best things to do... that will give you an idea of what it's available.
mil