Best Of
Re: Ultimate alps and Dolomites experience
We did this tour in Oct 22 (when it was part of the Passion Play) and it goes down as one of our favorite Tauck Tours since 2003.
I don't recall a lot of free time. It is pretty packed with very good activities and coach time. We LOVED the Salt Mine near Salzburg. There is a lot of Motor Coach time, but the scenery and stops along the way are fantastic. We did extend on each end and in Munich, it was the beginning of Oktoberfest so there was a lot going on around Marienplatz as far as parades, etc. It was not our first time in Munich -- we have been to Dachau Concentration Camp before - but if you've never been, I do think it is very worthwhile. We have a great guide if you need one.
We also extended in Lucerne which is one of our favorite European towns -- it is stunning and very walkable. Sorry I don't have more tips for you - as I said, we didn't have much free time, but you will love this trip.
Seems we did have some down time in Salzburg - we have been there a few times before. There is a concert in the cathedral at noon daily which is excellent. And taking the Funicular up to the Fortress gives you amazing views of Salzburg.
Re: Pre-tour activities in Venice 2024
We will be in Venice In October (we are doing some time there on our own before our Tauck Tuscany & Umbria Tour) - if you want to book St. Marks, do so ASAP, many times were already booked up when we reserved our time a few weeks ago. We have hired a private guide for 5 hours and that is one of our stops.
Re: Duffle Bag
OurTravels34
11:03AM
'I'm not convinced Tauck only mean a backpack for the extra piece of luggage although I will bring one. I'm sorry my attachment couldn't open. . . . . "
Unless they are using larger aircraft which I doubt, the aircraft used for 4 of the 5* on-tour flights on the Botswana, SA, Zambia tour were very small Cessna Caravans which had low ceilings and no overhead bins or even racks, and almost no room under the seats either, so you must typically hold your "small carry-on bag (soft-sided)" in your lap or down by your feet. That, along with the "17 lb" limit should give you an idea what they mean by "small." If you have a small bag at home, load it to 17 lbs with the things you might want access to during the flights or trip from the airstrip to the camp, plus a few more items, then see how much more you can pack in the duffel up to 44 lbs.
(Many years ago, during the Kenya portion of K&T, my wife and I shared one duffel! We had no problems! We each used our own duffel during during Botswana several years ago, but each of us had plenty of room to spare in them.)
Loading for our flight from Kisane airport to the Eagle Island dirt airstrip. It required 2 to 3 aircraft to transport our small group. Seating was 1 - 1. In addition to no overhead bins or racks there was barely a center isle! (photo was taken looking down the "isle" such as it was! Think about trying to lug any sort of bag down the non-isle! You are not going to roll anything down the isle, you can barely walk it facing sideways!
The duffels are loaded into a small cargo area in the cabin behind the seats and in a "canoe" under the aircraft. The TD was special he got two very large orange duffles. 
That is our ticket agent/baggage handler/pilot holding one of the TD's bags!
Landing at Eagle Island air strip. There was a nice "lounge" while waiting for ground transportation to the Eagle Island Camp. 
p.s. your attachment opened fine for me. *You fly on a small, multi-engine commuter type turboprop or jet from Maun to Cape Town.
AlanS
Re: Switzerland Crown Jewel September 1
We went on the tour at almost exactly the same time of year in 2021. There were a wide range of temps from warm (short sleeve tops and capris) in Lugano to pretty cold at Jungfrau especially in the Ice Palace. The good news it's a fairly casual tour. The Welcome Dinner is at the hotel in a private room and the Farewell at a family run hotel/restaurant so I wore dress slacks and a nice top with flats. Dressing for the elements is more important. Most of the time the temps were fairly moderate. You want to be able to layer as needed.
In Zermatt there is the trip up to Gornergrat and you can return via the same cogwheel train or hike part way down. It's a very gentle hike. I had boots but would have actually done better with sneakers. It's a bit rocky so my ankles kept tilting and the boots dug in. The hotel provided hiking poles so no need to bring them.
At Jungfrau it was pretty cold on the train up and very cold in the ice palace plus you're walking on ice. To go outside there is a large metal deck and there is a way to walk out onto the snow which was a bit slushy. I was glad of my boots then. I also had a hat, a scarf, light gloves and hat. We had a sunny but breezy day. The weather up there can be completely different from down in the valley.
Re: Pre-Cruise Hotel -- Arriving Early in the AM
Please excuse my error. The only hotel listed on the website for the “Impressions …” tour is the Napoleon. The Lutetia must be a ‘stealth’ offering. (;-)
Sealord
Re: Pre-Cruise Hotel -- Arriving Early in the AM
Terrilynn/ Hotel Lutetia is fantastic - very well situated. The hotel has quite a history. Check out Wikipedia!
Re: Welcome to Tauck’s Canada Capital Cities Travel Forum
When you only see month and day, the post is in the current year. The June 12 dates are this year—2024.
There have been several recent threads for this tour. You might enjoy reading some of them. Go to the 'home page' and look for the tour's title.
To answer your question, the welcome reception and dinner is held at the Royal Ontario Museum in a beautifully decorated room. It is the most "dressed" of all the dinners. I can only tell you our preferences. My husband always wears a suit jacket, with or without a tie. I like to sew and wear simple but 'nice' dresses/skirts and/or tops with tailored dress slacks. You are not going to be denied entry if you do not adhere to the aforementioned.
It's a great tour. Enjoy.
kfnknfzk
Re: SEPT 15-22, 2024 VENICE, FLORENCE, ROME GROUP!!! ANYONE INTERESTED IN PRIVATE VATICAN VISIT???
I really appreciate the advice! And you are right, we wouldn't want to miss a scheduled part of the Tauck tour. I had really just thrown this out to see if anyone else would be interested but doubting I could organize 10 people on this forum for it! lol We will likely just stick with the Tauck schedule and be happy with whatever they provide. We are thrilled to travel to Italy for the first time, so we will be happy no matter what!
Corker