Best Of
Re: Tips, insights and observations for those taking Essence of Japan tour
There is no guarantee that the taxi driver accepts credit card, most do. At some locations, it may not be easy to find a taxi.
Re: Trains in Japan
It's quite easy to buy metro tickets there. I'm not sure if Tauck still uses the Mandarin Oriental but it had an ideal metro stop because it was so easy to use. After a lot of walking the first day we used Tokyo Station's metro to get back to our hotel. It is huge; we felt like we walked miles underneath to get to the tram. After that, before and after our Tauck tour, I made sure that transfers were at the smaller metro stations. That worked much better.
Re: Tips, insights and observations for those taking Essence of Japan tour
To each, their own. I liked Tokyo. It waas c lean and offered everything you'd expect in a large city. I found Kyoto to be way overhyped as a beautiful city. While there were some nice areas, I thought it was ugly, for the most part, and the Philospher's Walk was nothing special either, despite the hype.
BKMD
Re: A Week In Portugal
When I took this tour a few years ago, we did not go into the Jeronimos Monastery, but had a lovely fado performance by a duo after a dinner at Convento do Espinhiero in Evora.
MCD
Re: A Week In Portugal
Henry - ... I started traveling with another company from that point on.
Why don't you switch over to that other company's forum to provide your extremely valuable (NOT) commentary.
What to buy
Another thought provoking article to day
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250217-is-it-time-to-change-how-we-buy-travel-souvenirs
British
Re: Tips, insights and observations for those taking Essence of Japan tour
We took taxis 3 times. In Tokyo, the concierge arranged a taxi for four of us to go to dinner, and one of the employees at the exit assisted in communicating our destination. The taxis are metered and the drivers very honest. I paid by credit card. Tipping is not expected. After dinner, there was an available taxi sitting right outside the door. I had a card with the hotel address information, which I handed to the driver. And I paid by credit card.
In Kyoto, we flagged down a cab to take a group of three to the Four Seasons. Again, I had a card with the hotel address. We paid cash for the fare.
Re: What to Wear
Interesting that she says, "Yet if history teaches us anything, it is that what was once out comes in again. So it may be that a new generation is about to discover the fun of dressing up to go out. There is nothing better for self-expression than peacocking in finery, but if that does happen, it will be their choice, not a convention that’s forced upon them. Which is a good thing.". But of course there will be conventions. Just different ones.
Re: A Sicilian Odyssey 2025 Flights to Sicily
We stayed in Rome 2 nights before heading to Sicily. A nice way to break up the flights and I love Rome. This is a wonderful tour, one of our favourites.