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Re: The Alps

Not at all. The excursions usually start at 0900 after breakfast. Most times, you will return to the ship for lunch then you will be off again for another excursion. You will return again in the late afternoon and will typically have time to rest a bit and/or freshen up if you so desire before dinner. The lounge area is quite nice and you can make it more intimate by sitting at a smaller table. We like being close to the pianist.

There was almost one full day in which the ship floated along the middle Rhine section to view the castles. This is when you want to be on the top deck for viewing as the tour director provides a narrative.

So, to answer your question more succinctly, there is not an exorbitant amount of time spent on the boat—unless you want there to be.

Hope this helps. Feel free to ask more questions. I have more to offer but don't want to bore you!

kfnknfzk

1

Re: The Alps

The Alps certainly do have rivers; The Rhône and Rhine being two of many with origins in the Alps.

rbtex,

The Rhine, Swiss Alps and Amsterdam cruise was our first river cruise in 2017 after taking many land tours through the years. We loved it and have taken several other cruises since. I was skeptical at first but quickly overcame any preconceived notion I might have had once I stepped into the beautifully appointed ship and cabin. The food was exceptional and the service impeccable.

Since you have experienced a Tauck land tour, why not take your first river cruise so you can compare them based on your likes and dislikes? Should you have any specific questions, I would be happy to attempt to answer them. Warm regards.

kfnknfzk

1

Re: Amsterdam to Milan starting May 1, 2024

@CTPage Hi! We will be on your trip! We are traveling with 3 couples we met on our Classic Italy Small Groups trip 2016. Looking forward to meeting you in 2 weeks. We’ll be in Amsterdam a day early and going to the Anne Frank house later that afternoon. My name is Marilyn and my husband is Gary. This is our 2nd Riverboat cruise and 5th Tauck trip.

MarGar

1

Re: The Alps

Thank you for your help.

rbtex

1

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!!!!

buonviaggio

4

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.

Marshah159

1

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😂😂