Best Of
Re: Ephesus Dinner - Attire suggestions
This is not a fancy evening. Good walking shoes are essential, as you will be walking on uneven walkways. We were there in April . We both wore casual slacks (not jeans)and collar shirt. We had jackets, but were able to remove them during dinner. Obviously, it will be much warmer in June.
Re: Activity and Pace Levels
Tauck 2024 Essence of Japan lists the activity level at 2 while the 2025 itenerary lists it as a 3. The 2025 rating is more realistic. Tauck does not mention walking on cobelstones uphill and dowhill, it notes walking of 2 miles per day- that is only to get from bus to train stations and does not include sites. The weather in September 2024 was very hot and would recommend for all the tour buses to start their engines and the AC before the guests arrive to the bus rather than when they arrive. Overall a great trip but would recommed more Japanese restaurants/cuisine rather than french. Going to fish market before we went to Nobu, why not utilize the perfect environment for the guests to enjoy a meal at the fish markets. Also would recomend more time visiting the sites, ex. Glass Botanical Museum then spending more than an hour sitting down for lunch
Re: Tips, insights and observations for those taking Essence of Japan tour
Maximgr, glad you are finally able to take this trip after the 3 prior cancellations. You will enjoy it. I did not keep a list of the restaurants we went to but we discovered them through our customary online research (Conde Nast Traveler, Michelin, Tripadvisor, Fodors Travel Guide, NY Times) and then confirmed with the concierges that they would be worthwhile. As to credit cards, they are widely accepted but not for the subways. For subways, you can use cash or "Welcome Suica", which can be downloaded as an app or through Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. Here is a link-:https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/welcomesuica/welcomesuica.html
BurtM
Extra day at Dromoland Castle
We will be doing the Week in Ireland tour in May and have an extra day (pre-tour) at Dromoland Castle. Any suggestions on how to spend our day before the tour begins? We do not want to rent a car so transportation is also a factor. Thanks for your help - this is a great group!
CAC1
Re: England, & The West Country
Oradellian- I am scheduled to go on the May 29 trip as well. Look forward to meeting yourself and your wife
Re: dinner recommendations
We loved La Mamounia for dinner in Marrakech. The hotel is lovely, and the gardens are glorious. The hotel has many dining rooms to choose from. The hotel’s history is interesting. Churchill and FDR met there after the Casablanca Conference in World War II.
Re: Welcome to Tauck’s Great Migration: Tanzania & Kenya Forum
I would ask your orthopedic surgeon if he thinks she can get in and out of the safari cars. They can be a challenge and if the bumpy rides will be too much for her back
itskr
Re: Kilimanjaro Day Trip from Rivertrees Country Inn
We were there a few years ago and they would not let anyone enter Mt. Kilimanjaro unless you paid the full trip, they did have a nice area with a 3D map of the Mt. Went to Arusha National Park for the 5 hour trip that was soooo with it, going back this August and will do it agin. Gary
Re: dinner recommendations
HIGHLY recommend Sahbi Sahbi in Marrakesh. You can ask for kitchen seating to watch them prepare some of the food in the center of the restaurant. Owned and staffed entirely by women. In Rabat, on our day before the tour, we ate lunch at the hotel and then for dinner walked two blocks to Sufra for an early dinner. Nothing fancy but well regarded and the food was delicious. We were also exhausted from a long night of travel and wanted something simple.
