Best Of
Re: Rollaboard carryon
It would help to know which tour you are asking about as some of the luggage handling can be different. Ex: tours in Africa, tours with on tour flights, etc. Also the tour group size matters. Is this a Small group (24 or less) or Classic sized which can be up to 44 guests.
On European land tours I've found that the coach has one small area underneath that you can hand carry a piece down and pick it up to carry into the new hotel. You can also hand carry aboard the coaches small backpacks, totes, etc to put in the small overhead storage. They are smaller than most airplane overhead and there is no space under the seat in front of you.
On small group tours there is plenty of room under the coach and even in the empty back seats of the coach. On a classic sized tour it can get very crowded in most bring a full sized carryon rollaboard and there is no extra space on board for anything but small bags.
I understand the issue with problems carrying a large bag. I typically bring a smaller underseat carryon bag and a small purse/tote.
Those are sufficient for any essentials that can't be checked as well as some extra clothing in case my bag gets delayed.
The one checked bag limit is because there is a lot of work involved by the hotel staff, TD, and coach driver to round up all the bags in time, keep accurate records, carry them out to the coach and load them. All repeated in reverse at the next hotel. These people are paid based on one bag per guest. In addition, the daily schedule is set assuming a certain amount of time needed for this process. If it looks like it will take longer the TD will move up the time for everyone to get their bags ready for pick up.
Re: Rollaboard carryon
The suitcases are taken care of by Tauck, the day before departure to a new site the TD will let you know at what time to have the luggage ready either in your room or outside the door, it's picked up by the hotel's staff and placed in the bus or another vehicle. You are responsible to your carry on to bring downstairs and the coach driver will put it underneath for you if it doesn't fit above your seat in the coach.
Re: Rollaboard carryon
Your carryon can be stored in the luggage compartment of the bus, but you are responsible for handing it to the driver. They also advise to not ask for it when the bus stops. Once at the hotel, you are also responsible for carrying your carryon to your room.
kfnknfzk
Re: night tour of budapest
On our recent Budapest to the Black Sea cruise, on embarkation day, the ship didn't leave until almost dark. Then it sailed north past the parliament building, then turned around and headed south. We had a lovely relaxing view of all the lights on our way down river. For us, an additional private Budapest cruise would have been overkill.
SueMS
Re: night tour of budapest
To me, Budapest at night is even more beautiful than Paris. We had a great meal at Baglyovar where we dined with a room full of locals, and we asked the cab driver for a tour of the significant illuminated sites on our return trip to the hotel. He took us to Heroes Square, the Chain Bridge and Parliament. He patiently waited while we got out and took photos. Have a wonderful experience in that historic city!
Re: Shopping
Strongly agree with Tribal Trends. Also there is a nearby market ((the ‘Green Market’) that has wonderful local handicrafts.
Re: Canadian Maritimes July 2024
kfnknfzk -- Yes, I had lots and lots of seafood. I'm sure that I had at least one seafood meal every day, but there were always other options for people who did not eat seafood, even on our lobster boat cruise. I also chose "potato pie" for lunch at the PEI Preserves Company (very tasty) and "Acadian meat pie" (not so tasty -- I asked what the meat was and was told that it was chicken) another day. We were able to order off the menu many places, including Gio, the upscale restaurant in our Halifax hotel. I chose the wild boar. Ten days later, on my "bonus" night, I returned to that restaurant, and the server remembered me and what I had ordered!
MCD
Re: Canadian Maritimes July 2024
MCD I did the Nova Scotia and PE Island tour, we had our welcome dinner at the Maritime Museum of Immigration but we also had a tour and dinner at the Citadel which was just like yours.
Re: Tour Director Tipping
I have seen TDs on the last day of the tour, but I admit it's not the norm. Often, they are traveling back to the tour starting point to prepare for the next group. On one memorable trip in China, the TD was there to see us off. She also had her laptop out and was preparing for the next tour. She was checking the info to see what special needs had to be attended to for the next group. They're working all the time to make sure things go smoothly.
