Best Of
Re: South Africa packing panic
I can relate regarding the packing, Sandman! I do the same thing….But this tour isn’t as limited luggage-wise as some of the other African tours. Jean - The one thing I would say is if you can arrive early and visit the Winelands, do it! We did - but friends of ours with whom we were traveling didn’t and regretted it after seeing our pictures. Also, I recommend visiting Robben Island if you arrive early. It’s well worth it. If you are there prior to the start of the tour and have a beautiful, clear day, you may want to go up to Table Mountain on your own since weather can be iffy there, and if the winds are too strong and/or weather is rainy/foggy, you won’t get there. The day we were supposed to go with Tauck it rained and was completely fogged out, but fortunately the next day was better and our fabulous TD switched the itinerary around so we still got to see it. One other tip - we sprayed our clothes with permethrin in advance and used Deep Woods OFF and despite being a mosquito magnet, I managed to dodge being bitten! I didn’t see many mosquitos (we were there in October) but generally, even if there is just one, it will find me. In Johannesburg we had a spectacular dinner at the upscale Marble Restaurant which I highly recommend! Scenic views of the city skyline and wonderful food and ambience. But if you go, have the hotel’s driver take you and bring you back (it’s about a 15 minute drive from the hotel). It’s not really safe to walk around Jo’burg at night. This is a totally amazing tour - one of our very favorite trips! Enjoy!!!!
Re: Impressions on the seine
Janetsusan, I am also a solo traveler and looking at this particular trip. If I can make it happen, perhaps we can get together.
Re: Part 2 of my report…much delayed
Our last three days in the Serengeti were at the Melia Serengeti Lodge. This is a five star hotel and much nicer than the Four Seasons where we have stayed before.
It is in a gorgeous setting overlooking the landscape and sensibly laid out. The pool was the least cold of all of the other places we stayed. Meals were a sort of family style where small dishes of all sorts were continually brought to the tables. If you wanted more of anything, you just asked. Service and friendliness of the staff was wonderful.
What was a surprise was that almost all drinks including popular cocktails were included and you could keep ordering throughput the day.
My husband and I had excellent massages. The wifi was good here but I was mostly busy or relaxing between already planned activity to feel like using it.
The ballon ride day began by leaving the hotel at 4am. A long drive but worth it.
On the last morning, the drive to the airport takes about an hour. During that drive, we saw a pride of sixteen lions and were able to stop to see them. Also more hyenas than we had seen the entire trip.
Further notes that may be of interest.
Some people did not need their duffel bags. Our tour director gratefully took them as he had about 20 drivers and hotel staff who wanted one. As mentioned, you receive quite a few free gifts from Tauck on this tour, some are fragile or bulky, you might need your duffel to transport them home. Our daughter gave him two of their three duffels. My husband had a pair of safari pants which were too big for him. Again, the TD said he would try them on as he wears nothing else. If not, he would give them away to drivers or to others. We also gave him our two pajamas that Qatar airlines give you, the tops make a pretty nice sweatshirt.
Good idea to ask the TD if you want to leave items so they can be directed to the best people. Our son gave a driver his spare pair of sunglasses….lets just forget he lost his best regular prescription glasses in the first couple of days!
Oh, the cheapest place to get laundry done is at the Tloma lodge, $1 an item and promptly returned.
Our tour was greatly enhanced by traveling with SueK’s family. Sue is sweet and kind and everyone got on well. I also met Cindy Somers who has been active on the forum. She recognized my description of my grandchildren and came over. She was on the last day of her tour, all gussied up for the farewell dinner, we had just arrived after a dusty drive😂😂
British
Re: Rhine and Moselle southbound Aug. 24
ray
Re: Staying Active
The ships gym is the only guaranteed exercise outlet. The sun deck can be used but on tours we've been told not to do so early morning as the sound travels down to the Diamond deck waking people up. But he'll likely have the gym to himself. I've never shared it with anyone. And there will likely be some opportunities to run or bike on the paths along the river. I believe they still carry bikes on board.
You do get a fair amount of walking and stair climbing during the sightseeing.
If he's going there to exercise in Europe he might be frustrated. If he's there to see the sights, learn the history, try some different foods, etc he'll have a good time. Always best to have realistic expectations.
Re: Staying Active
I don't know too much about Mt. Pilatus. I didn't go there. I surely can recommend a great run in Heidelberg.
I went on the Rhine cruise with one of Tauck's competitor. While most senior would choose the Heidelberg castle ruins, there was the option of Heidelberg Old Town. One other person and I decide to do a run and skip Old Town and Church of Holy Spirits. You can start at Bruckenaffe, a well hidden famous city landmark, go on Alte Brucke, see Liebesstein on the opposite side of the Nektar river and take Stausufe and Schleuse Bridge back. Just make sure when you come back, you do not get lost since the all streets at Old Town looks the same. It is a very scenic run with multiple great sights to see off the beaten path.
Re: Staying Active
jfairman, don’t let age keep you from going. My husband and I starting traveling with Tauck 40 years ago. He was 40 and I was 37. Yes, we were the youngest of the group and had a fabulous time. We are still traveling but now as the seniors on tour.
Choc
Re: Staying Active
In my younger years, I was a marathoner - I even ran the NY and Boston marathons. When I traveled for business, I'd take my running clothes and shoes and run in the city. The good thing was that I got to see parts of various cities that I wouldn't have otherwise. But I'd only run 6 to 10 miles in a city, not nearly what your husband runs.
I'd say to him to check the map of the city you'll be docked in and plot out a course that he can do in the afternoon. It might not be the distance he'd like, but it will be better than just sitting on the ship.
And even though many of us will be older than you two are, we've lived interesting lives and can be good dinner companions.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[I take my hat off to him. It was all I could do to run 26.2 miles. I couldn't even dream of doing a 50 mile or 100 mile run. I was an 8 minute per mile marathoner, about 3:30 for a marathon. My best time was 3:26 at the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC. I was faster in a 10K race, with a personal best of 40 minutes.]
[Any other marathoners out there?]
