Best Of
Re: Grand European River Cruise
We also will be on the July 4 sailing. I have been reading on Cruise Critic about the terrible flloding on the Rhine and Danube in the past few weeks. Things seem to have stabilized so here's hoping for easy sailing. Looking forward to next week.
Re: Switzerland: Europe's Crown Jewel vs. Ultimate Alps and Dolomites. Preference?
We stayed another 2 days in Lucerne and LOVED it.
We didn't have time off of work to stay extra in Zurich, but we were ok with that. If you have the time, I'd of course do it, but it doesn't appear to be high on most people's list so we didn't feel too bad about it. We just returned from a Rhine River Cruise and went to Lucerne again as a stop - it really is an amazing town. I would like to do Zurich one day
Re: Trip Report, June 2024 Botswana, S Africa & Zambia
When we took the tour in 2016, afternoon tea was included but there was actually little time to take it. It might have been just a couple of hours before the farewell dinner, I can’t recall.
Never heard of a Makuni dinner
You can lock any duffel. We stopped using locks on any suitcases because even though they were approved TSA locks, they were generally missing by the time we got to our destination . For all our trips, we use zip ties and pack a small pair of scissors in the outside pocket of the suitcase so we can cut them off when we arrive. This should deter an opportunist thief. One advantage we see, is that it is easy to see if our suitcase has been open which might not necessarily be the case with a lock if say, a TSA person does replace it.
Referring to Lotusgirl above. Everyone who posted about their tours before we went mentioned the meerkats perching all over them, it was not unique or unusual back then. The sleeping on the Salt-pan was left as a secret surprise until we went when I accidentally spilled the beans. It is usually possible later in the season around August onwards. Before that, there can be water around so it is not possible. We plan to go again but are nervous to go earlier incase we can’t experience it again.
Getting to Vic Falls makes flying to the trip a bit of a pain. We are lucky to have been to Vic Falls three times. Now I wish I could do a tour that misses it out, it would make the flying so much easier.
British
Re: New to Tauck and wonder if our expereince was typical
I did a Week in Spain and found the time at major sites, like Gaudi’s cathedral, sufficient. That said, some people were disappointed Guell Park was not included. This is why it’s important to really study the itinerary; I booked a flight arriving two days earlier so I could see some sites that were not listed. We only spent an hour at the Prado Museum, but I found that to be enough time. We had an excellent guide and people who wanted to stay longer could but would have to find their own way back, which I think is fair.
That said, I can certainly understand why only 30 minutes at Windsor Castkr was not sufficient. That is not a typical Tauck experience in my opinion.
JaimeM16
Re: Trip Report, June 2024 Botswana, S Africa & Zambia
We took this tour in September 2016. The difference will be the temperatures. It will be extremely hot at Camp Kalahari. The night sleeping on the salt pan was one of our favorite Tack experiences.watching the stars, and even seeing satellites in the very dark conditions was wonderful.
British
Re: Seeking reviews, suggestions, etc.
Thanks.
We have a year to wait before taking this cruise. As time goes on I am sure I will have more questions.
And of course, any reviews or suggestions between now and then will be appreciated.
Sue M
Re: Walking sticks
Unless you’re planning on taking an independent hike down from the Jungfrau, or hiking alone outside of the tour - poles and traction devices are overkill. The Jungfrau can get mushy or slippery —- but you can choose where to walk, or not,. There are plenty of ‘vistas’ to be seen without slipping.
Ann K
Re: Switzerland: Europe's Crown Jewel - September 2024
Everyone is always so ramped up about the GE, but to be honest, we saw MUCH better scenery on other trains and on the motor coach thru Switzerland. Switzerland is stunning- yes, the GE is super scenic - but so is everything you will see.
We did this tour many years ago and did do the GE, but it wasn't a highlight for us.
We did the Ultimate Alps & Dolomites and saw so much more scenery than anything we saw on the GE.
You will love Switzerland
Re: Switzerland: Europe's Crown Jewel vs. Ultimate Alps and Dolomites. Preference?
We've taken both tours and while both were worth taking, we preferred the Alps and Dolomites. It gave you a wider variety of things to see and we thoroughly enjoyed the trip up Mt. Titlis.
Since the highlight of the Switzerland tour was the scenery, it had more bus time. As others have said, I was not impressed with the Glacier Express, so don't feel bad about missing it. You're on the train and don't see all of the magnificent bridges in the brochures.
The fact that the hotel in Lucerne (Switzerland) is in the heart of the city on the lakefront appeals to me more than the Burgenstock that is up in the mountains overlooking Lucerne (Alps and Dolomites).
Whichever you choose, go early and spend additional time in either Munich or Lausanne. There is so much to see and do in Munich that a few days extra would be warranted! Lausanne is a surprise with much to do there and in other towns along the lake.
Kathy M