Best Of
Re: Feb 2025 tour comments
The bus rides were generally between 1-2 hrs from the hotels to the sites. The longest bus rides were from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales and Puerto Natales to El Calafate. Those rides were around 4 hours, One involved a customs stop ( between Chile and Argentina) . There were also 2 , 2+ hours plane rides. There is a lot of moving around, but there is help with the bags and the big show is out the windows- the plains, the mountains, the animals. The traveling is not a problem.
We did not see Magellanic penguins. You will be happy you went to Iguazu Falls. You should be able to fly in and out of the city airport (AEP). If you stay on the Argentina side at the Melia, contact the concierge and make the arrangements for the airport transfer. Very reasonably priced. We called and got the room through Melia. It was around $600 and then we added $170 for the upgrade view. Worth every penny. Call for the room rate, because the online rates are more expensive. As I said - there are great and beautiful experiences every day on this trip - it is just exhausting. Tauck really tries to pack everything in, and when you look at a map and see how great the distances are, there is a lot of ground to cover. Also, the viewing places and hikes in the national parks take time to get to. One more recommendation - at The Singular ( fabulous hotel) , try to take the tour of the hotel. They are in the afternoon and you have to sign up in advance. The tours fill up. We were told the tour was full, but our TD , Silvana ( love, love love her) , spoke to the concierge and everyone who wanted to go was included. As for the excursions, people enjoyed the horseback riding a lot as well as the hikes.
Re: Having done South Africa -Elegant Adventure, what do you recommend for our next visit to Africa
Kfnknfzk. If you seek culture, the Original Elegant South Africa tour is way more focused on that. I’ve just looked at the Spotlight tour to compare. In addition, I know you like good service and for that you can’t beat the Cape Grace hotel in Cape Town, it’s one of the best hotels we have stayed in for that, also, I note the first hotel n the Spotlight tour is not even in Capetown, so if arriving a day early or doing something on your free afternoon it would involve more planning. The Cape Grace had a free limo service to utilize when we were there. The driver took us to Kirstenbosch gardens which was not part of the tour when we went and collected us later.
British
Re: June 4, 2025 French Escapade Excursion Changes
That's a lot of change! If omitting Aix-en-Provence means more time in Nice I think that's a good thing. We took this trip last year and all they did in Nice was to go to the market and have a potty break.. While I think Nice is the most convenient place to stay on the Riviera, Cannes seemed out of the way and isn't as interesting as other places. You might be happier in Monte Carlo.
If you really want to go to St Paul de Vence look into hiring a driver for the day and include a couple of other places you would like to see. There are lots of interesting towns. If a DIY, then it's only about 20 min by train to get from Monaco to Nice. From there you can take a taxi or uber to St Paul de Vence, about 25 to 30 min away. Some places you really need a car or driver. We've done both but one day we used a combination of train, bus, Uber, and taxi. It's doable.
Enjoy your time there.
Re: Having done South Africa -Elegant Adventure, what do you recommend for our next visit to Africa
I’ve been to different areas of sub Saharan Africa 8 or 9 times now. I took the ‘Elegant’ a long time ago.
For a complete contrast, my first choice for you would be Classic K and T…if you are fit enough, splash out and do the K and T and Gorilla trek in Rwanda. I think the Migration tour is an unnecessary expense, it’s short and you may encounter some of the migration s anyway if you happen to be there at the right time as there are no set dates for it because it depends on the rains which are far less reliable in timings due to global warming/climate change.
I’ve been to Botswana a couple of times and I love it there but it’s a bit more like you experience in South Africa.
I’m looking at even more countries to visit in Africa, definitely addicted.
British
Re: Independent Tiger Safari?
There are tours with other companies that are purely for big cat viewing in India, Asiatic lions, leopards and tigers, so there is a better chance of seeing something
British
Re: Independent Tiger Safari?
I didn't think either place was very close to tiger country. So, I did a quick look on Trip Advisor. New Delhi looks closer, but the tours I saw were 3 days with one day of safari and two travel days. If you're still interested, I would contact the concierge at the New Delhi hotel. That's probably the best way to ensure that you have accommodations to your liking and meals that are safe to eat.
By the way, POI is one of our top two favorite Tauck tours. You should really enjoy it. Happy travels!
Re: Independent Tiger Safari?
A couple of women from my India trip booked a couple of tiger safaris after our trip. They saw many Tigers. I’m sorry I can’t remember the company they used but it’s definitely an option.
MS78
Re: Excursions
The Tauck agents willingly give you the detailed daily schedules if you call them. They don't publish those because of the vast number of things that can impact the schedule which Tauck can't control. Things I've seen cause changes - a river cruise ship from another company hitting a lock and putting it out of business for weeks, traffic congestion from accidents, tourist sights changing their schedules, special events in the local area, snow storms, etc.
You are free to try and plan other activities, just be sure to be on board at the designated all aboard time. The captain will leave on time. River cruise ships book their time slots for locks and docks ahead of time. Failing to meet those times causes a domino affect.
Henry, if you hate Tauck that much GO AWAY.
