Best Of
Re: Savoring France: Paris, Lyon & Provence - Excursion Choice Guidance Requested!
I went to that same farm. That tour was one that I remembered - very interesting. I found that I didn't care for truffles, either, but seeing the dogs find them was interesting. Someone asked why they use the yellow labs instead of the black or chocolate. They said that the yellow labs are easier to see when it's getting dark.
Re: Suggestions for Barcelona/Madrid
I have been on several of Tauck's other Spain and Portugal tours, but not this one.
Barcelona - My least favorite city due to the influx of cruise ship passengers (my comment is not disparaging, simply truthful.) Las Ramblas has a circus-like atmosphere but is beloved by many. The market is a highlight in my opinion. There are many wonderful nearby neighborhoods to explore.
Madrid - Known for its museums--all within walking distance of the Westin Palace (I don't know if your tour stays there.) We always return to the Plaza Mayor area for the tapas bars and the wonderful market. It is a great area to just explore.
Seville - My favorite Spanish city for its beauty. It is immaculate! I hope Tauck does the horse-drawn carriage ride for your group. It takes you all around the city--stunning architecture everywhere. The Hotel Alfonso is equally gorgeous and has a lovely and very generous breakfast offering.
I have no experience with cooking classes in that region.
Have a good trip!
kfnknfzk
Re: Packing tips.
I brought an airplane "underseater" carry on on this and many other Tauck trips, as well as a medium sized checked bag. There was never an issue with my taking the underseater to and from my room but stowing it in the undercarriage of the bus when we traveled between hotels. Many people do that. Except for actually transferring it into and out of the bus at curbside, Tauck isn't handling the bag, I am.
MCD
Re: Yet another Tauck Freebie
Update: Tauck saw my posts on the forum and tracked me down (I guess I'm the only Ken in Las Vegas with 20 trips 
). They will be providing me with the missing stuff. Way to go, Tauck! 
Re: Yet another Tauck Freebie
SandyFeet, I'd explain some of the overall story on this privately but your profile is locked so I can't. As Alan said, there is a history here that explains why some of us reacted to kfnknfzk post they way we did.
We all offer our opinions here and they frequently don't agree -- which is (or should be) fine. Sometimes battles breakout for a variety of reasons and some can feel insulted even when they aren't. But I don't believe that here anyone's primary form of communication is insults. I don't log on here to insult anyone but to offer helpful information and personal opinion.
Re: Yet another Tauck Freebie
Tauck appears to be getting too many calls today. I’ve tried the number for the haughty group and no answer, so much for a special service.
British
Re: Difficulty of steps at Machu Picchu
I second AlanS's comments avoiding alcohol at altitude. I did Tauck's former trip to Peru and Bolivia, which went to even higher elevations than Cusco -- Puno and LaPaz -- and had no altitude problems, but I had absolutely no alcohol -- no wine, no pisco sours, nothing -- for the entire trip. (I did drink coca tea and sucked on hard coca candies, provided by the TD. Just make sure that you don't bring any back to the US.)
MCD
Re: Yet another Tauck Freebie
Why do people snipe at each other on this forum? Things we would never say face to face seem to be ok coming from behind a computer screen. We are also now living in a country where bullying, rudeness and hatred are commonly accepted. Shame on us for regressing to the childhood playground and glorifying those whose primary form of communication is insults. Kindness matters to me, and I hope it does to you too. Kindness is not weakness; kindness takes strength.
SandyFeet