Best Of
Re: Portugal/Spain - March/April 2025
Hello David. We tend to call the person leading the tour the Tour director, and the local people who lead the local tours as the tour guides. So I’m thinking you mean tipping the Tour director. It is most usual to pay them in cash and Tauck says in dollars. The Local guides are tipped by Tauck. Sometimes the tips for bus drivers are also covered by Tauck, especially when there are different drivers throughout the tour. This will be explained in your final documents, you will see whether the driver is included or not.
The Tour directors almost always give suggestions for restaurants and attractions but it’s best to Google ‘ Things to see and do in….fill in the blanks, before you go incase you need to buy tickets on lime in advance.
British
Re: Portugal/Spain - March/April 2025
Yes the tour director will often give restaurant recommendations. They will usually be fairly nice restaurants which is great if that's what you want on the nights you need to find your own dinner. We prefer to go lighter on those nights as the Tauck provided dinners are extensive - starter, main, and dessert. After a few days eating like that a simple salad starts sounding pretty good. I use google to locate restaurants within easy walking of the hotel. Type in the name of the hotel, click on the small map that should pop up next to other info on the hotel, then on the left side of the screen click on the Nearby button and enter what you're looking for. These days, most restaurants have online menus so you can see if it's what you're interested in.
The concierge at the hotel is also a good source of restaurant advice.
Re: Portugal/Spain - March/April 2025
Dave and Marci,
You picked a fabulous tour for your first Tauck journey! It is our favorite of the European land tours taken with Tauck.
Regarding Marbella, Hotel Don Pepe sits right on the Mediterranean and offers many dining options, as well as the opportunity to swim or just relax poolside. I can't offer assistance with boat tours since we chose to walk to the nearby old town area then returned to the hotel to take advantage of all its amenities.
Yes, the tour director—hopefully, you will have Patrica H.—will hand out dining suggestions ranging from fine dining to reasonably priced 'mom and pop' eateries offering regional cuisine.
The food on this tour was always plentiful and the wine free-flowing. If you wish, I will be happy to offer some suggestions for things to do and/or places to dine at in the other cities you will visit. Just let me know.
kfnknfzk
Re: Northern Lights
We tried to get on this trip about 6 weeks ago and they were sold out. Maybe it has opened up.....We decided to go and see the Northern Lights in Fairbanks.
Re: Northern Lights
We saw the Northern Lights with another company. It’s not a guarantee that The Northern Lights will show up, but they certainly did for us. That trip was fabulous.
Re: Laundry Service on Tauk Tours
I am a carry on only woman. I like detergent sheets. What other people think of me is none of my business.
Re: Laundry Service on Tauk Tours
As one Tour Director said to our group, "Re laundry, it may be cheaper to buy new clothes." ![]()
Re: Northern Lights
Yes you can Henry but it’s more expensive and their tour inclusions are inferior
British
Re: Laundry Service on Tauk Tours
If you really have to send items out, just do it the afternoon you arrive at a new hotel and double check with the front desk that it is sufficient time.
As others have said, it's best not to have to rely on that. It is doable to pack for a 2 week tour in 1 checked bag and moderate hand luggae that meets Tauck limits. Everyone's wardrobe preferences are different so you need to develop a strategy that works for you and the clothing you prefer to wear. Things that have helped me:
- not over estimate how dressy dinner wear needs to be - if you like dresses that's fine but a nice pair of slacks, 2-3 tops and a pair of flats does me just fine - your tour packing lists says a sportcoat/tie are optional for men
- it's not a fashion show and nobody cares if you wear the same outfit multiple times
- focus on being able to adjust to the weather conditions (very hard to predict these days)
- sink washing is doable if you have at least some items made of blend fabrics that dry fast - rayon/poly/spandex slacks, high tech fabrics made to keep you cool, etc - some cotton and wool can take forever to hang dry
- minimize the number of shoes you need - I don't bring any that are only needed for one outfit unless it's going to be worn more than once
Best wishes on your tour.



