Best Of
Re: Difficulty of steps at Machu Picchu
I'd like to add a few things beyond what has been stated already. Consider that for some, going down can be tougher, particularly on the knees. I don't like heights, but I was determined to do this. Down was much more challenging in that respect since I was more aware of what was before me. And so I was a wall hugger when available, since that is all there was. A gloved hand would have been handy from touching the brush nestled in parts of the wall, and small gnats and the like residing there. Definitely recommend good sticks with a rubber bottom, and be sure to set the height appropriately. It is definitely worth going to the top.
Re: Malaria Pills for Portrait of India tour??
Please don’t forget, you don’t usually notice malaria mosquitoes, they don’t hang out together, they are smaller and silent. Just takes one infected mosquito to pass on malaria. Always make your own decisions, don’t base it on how others wish to make their health choices. They can tell you what they did, but then you decide along with your health professional and guidance from the CDC.
British
Re: Tauck raises suggested tip amounts
Include the tips! You can always supplement them if there was some extraordinary about the TD (or bus driver).
Perhaps not widely known if you've only done land tours, but Tauck already includes tips for river cruises and land-based family tours. Not sure what percentage of their total offerings fall in these categories, but it is substantial.
Our two other favorite tour companies both include tips.
And, absolutely agree with carrying a not inconsequential amount of cash along just to deal with this.
Way past time to end this. It is about the only thing we don't like about Tauck (20+ tours).
Portolan
Re: Bike excursion around Avignon
My wife and I did this ride in May 2022. At the time, we were both nearly 70. I ride a bit, my wife almost never. We both did fine. The ride we took (I presume yours will be similar) took us along the ancient city wall, through back streets to a large market hall where we stopped for a coffee, past the Palais des Papes, then across the Pont Edouard Daladier and through some farmland on an island in the Rhone, with a nice view of the medieval Pont d'Avignon. Totally flat except going over the gently arched bridge. The biggest challenge was maneuverability when going slowly, since we biked through some pedestrian streets that were crowded.
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RickS
Re: Just returned from Cuba: A Cultural Odyssey
Your honesty is greatly appreciated. Glad you were able to visit Cuba; who knows what the future holds? Many thanks for your thoughtful comments.
Valparaiso
We are on our second visit to Patagonia, one of our favorites places.
Several people talk about getting to Valparaiso because it is not included on the Tauck tour. I’ve never done much research about the town and we did not have time to visit when we were in Santiago before. Yesterday we went there.
It takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours to get there. The town is set high up on several hillsides, packed with houses in precarious settings and states of repair. I don’t think I have ever seen such a densely packed historic town in all my travels. The homes are brightly painted and everywhere are murals. I definitely recommend going there if you go to Patagonia and not sure why Tauck does not include it in their itinerary.
British
Re: What to do in London for 3 days with a 14 yr old teen girl
I'd recommend getting her involved in researching places to see. You can start with googling "what to see in London" or watching videos on YouTube. The videos are how I get my husband interested in our tours. He isn't interested in reading guidebooks but likes the visuals.
Re: What to do in London for 3 days with a 14 yr old teen girl
It depends on what she likes to do. Does she like history? I think that most young people would like the Beefeaters' tour of the Tower of London. Would she like to do one of the Harry Potter tours? Would she like to go to a cricket or soccer match? Portobello Road or Camden Town markets?
MCD