Best Of
Re: Budapest August 11, 2016 - Arriving early
I was on the Blue Danube driver cruise (Prague to Budapest) in October 2023. I added extra days at both ends and added the following tours in Budapest:
Tour of Parliament / buy tickets in advance
Food walking tour (mailto:tiberiustours@gmail.com)
Strudel workshop-Flavors of Budapest
http://www.cookinghungary.com
Jewish heritage plus sites in Budapest not covered by TAUCK. Andrea G. at ToursByLocals <guide_1071-101@toursbylocals.com
It was a fantastic trip!! So much to see!!
Re: Tours in Prague
When I was there I took an WWII underground walking tour. It was fascinating. There is a beautiful city underground that dates back to the 1400’s as I recall. I was there in 2014 and I’m sure there are still companies that run a similar tour.
Re: Advertising
Rick Steves has been an activist for various causes for many years. It's nothing new. He still produces excellent guide books, videos, etc for travel and most people who have taken his tours are very happy with them. We all have the right to support businesses who's philosophies we agree with or boycott them if we don't.
Re: WiFi problems
I agree with all of you. Those are all the advantages you all mentioned of cell phone use that I’m referring to. I think it’s so rude and inappropriate when a person is speaking to someone on their phone to another person and I’m in ear-shot. There isn’t any cell phone etiquette.
Re: WiFi on river cruises
I rarely use my phone on a tour. I use my iPad if there is wifi, otherwise I forget about it. I use ‘ Notes’ for my diary of the trip which doesn't need Wi-Fi. My family can get in touch with Tauck if there is an emergency. WhatsApp is useful and no phone plan needed.
British
Re: WiFi problems
Oh my goodness. This seems like more trouble than it’s worth for a mere 2 and a half week trip. One way or another, we’ve all become addicted to these devices. It’s amazing when observing how many heads are bent down looking at a phone especially when there is something to see. I have no idea what the long run effect of this will be socially in time to come. I understand that technology has its advantages and disadvantages.
Re: Advertising
Travel should not be political. That said, I see that Rick Steves is now involved in fundraising that I don't agree with. He should stick with what he knows.
SGF
Re: US passports can now be renewed online!
Using your own camera to take your passport photo for the online application is incredibly easy. You follow general guidelines- white or light background, no smile, no glasses. approx size, etc. Then, as you upload the photo the online software does any cropping needed. Seriously, it was easy.
AlanS
Re: Advertising
A Tauck ad popped up in an unexpected place today. Since we're going on the Scandinavia tour this summer I've been studying Swedish on Duolingo. If you've never heard of it, Duolingo is a mobile app to learn languages. It's a bit of a silly app geared for all ages but actually fairly effective. Since I use the free version I get occasional ads. The Tauck ad/video was short. A travel ad in a language learning app makes a lot of sense.