Best Of
Re: Norwegian Fjords
I"m not put off by the "review" posted. Most of it I already had factored into my expectations and some of it I don't care about like finding food we want. We don't have any dietary restrictions and are willing to try most things at least once. The only things I hope they fix before next year are the Vasa Museum tour, local guide and a more comfortable bus. The rest I'm good with. Having an experienced TD and a "go with the punches" group means more.
Re: Package from Tauck
kfnknfzk, what a lovely story! The best TDs are the best listeners.
Re: Package from Tauck
On our Dec 2023 holiday tour, one of the directors approached me saying she had overheard my husband telling another guest that he would no longer be traveling long distances (too difficult now). I thought nothing of it and had a lovely chat with her. About two months after returning home, my husband received a beautiful card signed by multiple Tauck employees thanking him for his years of travel and wishing him well in his "retirement." Along with the card, he received a beautiful ceramic container with lid made by Tiffany--blue box and all. It has the Tauck logo and a map of the world. It's just another example of the incredible graciousness and class of Tauck.
kfnknfzk
Re: Switzerland: Europe's Crown Jewel, September 10-20, 2023 Trip Report
British - My knee length rain jacket is lime green--hideous to look at but it has a removable lining for added warmth. Now, if people would just be mindful of those "ski poles."
kfnknfzk
Re: Package from Tauck
Yes its been my understanding the TD has funds for extras that could be gifts, food, or sightseeing. Its always varied. Our Scotland tour last year included inexpensive scarves, shopping bags, a book about Holyrood house and beautiful whisky glasses. But we also got cheated out of our farewell dinner at Balmoral so maybe that freed up some funds.
Its not a make or break thing but we have enjoyed using some of the items and remembering our tour.
Re: Norwegian Fjords
sereneleen, sorry to hear about your experience. Let me contrast your experience with what I experienced on the same tour (Small Group) back in 2016 in June. I think it was the 2nd year of that tour and it started in Copenhagen then Stockholm then Bergen, up the coast then back to Bergen for the flight to Oslo. I remember the bus ride from Copenhagen to Stockholm and the overnight stop; a small place with a zillion Tesla chargers. Yes, we did have the local folk dancers. In Stockholm we had a private performance at the Opera House after dinner there and before the evening's performance by the tenor and a piano player. It was wonderful!.
The flight from Stockholm to Bergen was cancelled late the evening before due to a pilot strike and this where I think Tauck and the TD worked their magic. The morning we were suppose to leave, the TD arranged for later flights from Stockholm to Copenhagen then to Bergen. That morning he gave us each something like $50 equivalent and told us to enjoy Stockholm for the afternoon and meet back at the hotel late afternoon for the first flight. When we arrived at the airport in Copenhagen to change planes it was after the food concessions had closed, but our TD had pre arranged for the concession to put out a dinner buffet spread in the departure gate area just for us while we waited for the Bergen flight. We were very grateful.
It was our first Tauck tour and to this day I recommend it to anyone who asks, not just for the beauty of Scandinavia but for how Tauck handled this last minute "glitch" that was out of their control. I know your experience was no where near mine or what you expected but keep the faith with Tauck.
Re: General Questions
one of our frequent contributors here is on this tour now - I know she will post a review when she returns in a couple weeks. We have this tour booked for May 2025. On the Tauck Facebook group - this tour gets fantastic reviews.
Re: Malaria / Yellow Fever
We just returned from South Africa.....mid-June. No specific medications needed since it's the start of their Winter. Cool mornings and warm days, absolutely perfect! No mosquitoes the entire trip!
Re: Air to Cape town.
We are doing this trip in September and our UA routing is Chicago-Dulles-Cape Town; J’berg-Frankfort-Chicago. The layovers are reasonable, and also flying business class.
JanP