pwresq, Our first Tauck tour was Imperial Europe now called Warsaw, Budapest, Vienna & Prague. M was our tour director on that tour. He did mention that he also did the Israel tours. We have not done Israel and Jordan however it has been on our bucket list. Perhaps it might be a while for that one.
Yes, M was our TD on the Warsaw, Vienna Prague Budapest tour some years ago. It was he who was so enthusiastic about the Israel tour and his knowledge of the Jewish stories that made us want to go.
We had C for our tour to Israel and Jordan just a few months ago.
We continue to make every effort to provide the most up-to-date information on the status of your tour or cruise. However, please know that as we share the below updates, we recognize there are events outside our control that we cannot predict or prevent. While access to certain destinations and itinerary elements may evolve over time, what won't change is our commitment to do everything possible to deliver the quality experience and peace of mind you expect when traveling with Tauck. We hope you share a spirit of adventure with us.
ISRAEL
(October 9, 2023) Tauck's Global Response Team is actively monitoring the ongoing crisis in Israel, with our first focus the safety of guests and employees who are on the ground in the destination. Guests who currently traveling with Tauck are being assisted by their tour director with round-the-clock support from our home office.
Unfortunately, we have made the difficult decision to cancel all Israel and Jordan and Jerusalem, The Red Sea and Petra departures through October 21; we are in the process of notifying guests and Travel Advisors affected by these cancellations.
Our Global Response Team continues to meet on a daily basis – and will be making a decision about remaining 2023 Israel and Jordan and Jerusalem, The Red Sea and Petra departures once we have been in contact with guests on departures prior to October 21
I am on pwresq tour. In my opinion Tauck has done a very good job thus far in doing everything possible to keep us safe. There are many hundreds of people trying to get out and therefore there are very few airline seats if any available. All of the fellow guests that I have spoken to have a seat not later than Thursday morning. While I respect the anxiety caused by not knowing whether your upcoming trip was on, the Tauck crisis team had one thing on their agenda, getting four tours out of the Middle East safely with virtually no flights out of Ben Gurion and the Jordan border opening/closing hourly. They then have to find accommodations, transportation, etc. Our tour directors were working 20 hours a day with plans changing almost hourly. More at another time, we just want to get back to the US! This forum has been very helpful over the years and we appreciate the informational posts!
Thank you taxare also for your update. Everyone here has the Tauck people on their minds. When you ‘know’ people trapped in a crisis or disaster, it does make it so much more ‘real’. If Mark and Carmen, the two guides I have toured with, are with you all, they are the best. The good thing about Tauck is that because it is a big company, it has a lot more clout in the tourist arena. Unfortunately it’s not their first rodeo in this situation.
Is there any talk about a private plane coming for the Tauck people? Are you stuck at the airport in Amman ?
We got home from Japan last night and just found out a couple from our neighborhood are on an independent trip to Israel and are stuck there, I think still in Tel Aviv. The message i got from another neighbor, It is of course more difficult for them not being on a tour as far as I know. They are younger and have traveled a lot these past few years. I’ve relayed a message to tell them to register for STEP.
We all are praying for your safe return to the US. Thank you for letting us know you are safe. Kudos to the Tauck team for doing everything they can to keep you safe in such a difficult situation
Our thoughts and prayers are with all and hoping for safe returns.
Thanking Tauck for always keeping the safety of your travelers in the forefront of your plans.
It is deeply appreciated.
We made it home on Tuesday via Jordan-Dubai. Others, from what I've been told, have arrived home, en route to their home, or getting on planes today (Wednesday). A rather unique experience, jaw dropping, sad, and in short, an emotional rollercoaster. Kudos to Tauck for stepping up and handling the trip with care and precision. There were some hiccups along the way but given the circumstances, it must be remembered that Tauck was there for the Tauck guests.
And speaking of guests, perhaps one of the unanticipated silver linings from this experience, is the way that the fellow guest "strangers" became instant allies - i.e., we bonded much faster than the usual Tauck trip where it takes awhile to get to know everybody. Quite the opposite - everyone pulled together - a true band of brothers and sisters. We all commented that it was sad the trip was over since we were really bonding as a group. A true "shared" experience, . . . one I'll never forgot and I'm sure I'm not alone.
We've been watching the updates you and others have posted and have been praying for your safe return - so glad you are finally home!. And yes, from everything that's being reported, Tauck did a great job for their guests.
Update: we were informed by our TD that all have left Jordan and have arrived safely home (or en route). The following is what I posted today on Facebook.
Escape from the War in Israel - Homeward Bound and I Wish I Was.
Well, my wife and I were one of the fortunate ones who were able to return home Tuesday October 10, from a cancelled tour in Israel. There are a range of emotions one experiences while in the middle of a War Zone.
A rather unique experience, jaw dropping, sad, and in short, an emotional rollercoaster. Kudos to our tour group for stepping up and handling the trip interruption with care and precision. A few of the highlights:
Diverting quickly to the bomb shelter in the Tel Aviv hotel after the sirens alerted the city that bombings were likely.
Arriving at the airport for a scheduled evacuation, only to be told that all flights were cancelled out of Tel Aviv.
Getting on the bus, and then off the bus, to go to the Jordan border crossing after Jordan refused to honor their commitment to allow our tour group to cross over into Jordan.
Getting back on the bus to arrive at the border before 12 noon Monday after Jordan reversed their decision - and now
allowing our border crossing. It took 5.5 hours to cross and enter Jordan.
Arriving at the airport Monday evening for a departure at 2:00 a.m., Tuesday, only to be told that my wife and I don't exist - i.e., Jordan has no record we entered their country that day. After 1.3 hours, it was sorted out but not without a struggle. There were 50 or so other similarly situated travelers - we were the first in line.
Living and existing on a pure adrenaline pump - we were in and out of busses, airports, borders, uncertainty, and yes a "hidden" fear of the unknown. In hindsight, I think the biggest thing on all our collective minds was just getting out Israel and getting home, safely and quickly.
And yes, there were some pluses to the trip. It was truly an adventure, but the loss of human life, on both sides, has been (and will probably continue to be) devastating. It seems that Peace in the Middle East will remain a contradiction in terms.
Finally, we wish to thank all of the people who reached out to us, sharing their love, support, prayers, and blessings. Thanks to your support it definitely carried the day, and carried us day by day. We are truly appreciative and thankful.
Thanks for your “Argo” review. About item #5. I’ve entered countries. a few times when I did not have a visa, or they did not stamp my passport. I’m guessing you had no visa or passport stamp, or maybe neither. All of pre-WWII Palestine, or most of it, was administered by the British, so they learned their bureaucracy from the experts. I once lost an engine on takeoff from Bombay (Mumbai) and had to return to Bombay and land. I had no documents that showed that I departed from ‘somewhere else’. So we had to ‘arrive’ through departures.
Welcome back. I’m sure you will sleep for a couple days. We have not slept for a couple days worrying about you guys. I’m sure your experience was ‘intense’. I spent a couple years in a war zone, but I was young and immortal. I hope you all appreciated your TD, because they all appear to have done a fantastic job under difficult circumstances.
We arrived home late in the evening of the 11th. Its appears all of our group has arrived home. pwresq has done a nice job of articulating those last few days. A couple of items to add to that summary. The group on the bus before us had already checked in for the flight to Amman and then when we arrived and the driver was taking luggage off the bus, both groups were informed that the flights to Jordan had been cancelled. Regarding item #5, I don't know whether their information hadn't gotten into airport system yet. Sealord, at the Jordan border they took our passports and pasted a sticker with an identity number into our passport. That was our "visa" to be used for exiting. After all of the pent up stress at that point, I guarantee there would have been significant tears before they got it fixed. I'm sorry pwresq and spouse had to endure that. As a pilot Sealord, you may find it interesting that the German government asked Lufthansa to send in four planes to pick up German residents in Tel Aviv. The crews are not required to go, but many are.
Our group of strangers was very cohesive and it helped that we could all lean on each other. The tour directors must have been working at least 20 hours/day and were in constant contact with the Tauck emergency team. Due to many reasons including the shortness of our tour, we did not get a Tauck evaluation. I do hope our group will send directly a note about our tour director V. He was the height of outward calm and professionalism.
Thank you to this community, since I started participating it has been invaluable. I had hoped to post a complete review upon our return including the Uri Buri ice cream.......no such luck. I send you all blessings, safety and good health!
Maybe a bit too late for some, but probably welcome for others still stuck in country. According to the Washington Post,
A spokesman for Delta Air Lines said Thursday that it was partnering with the U.S. government and “setting up flights to get U.S. citizens home.”
The United States is arranging the charter flights starting Friday to evacuate U.S. citizens and their “immediate family members” from Israel, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. “From these locations,” which he did not specify, “individuals will be able to make their own onward travel arrangements to the destination of their choice.”
Americans in need of assistance evacuating should fill out an intake form on travel.state.gov, he said.
The Delta spokesman said the effort will “operate from Athens.”
We haven’t heard from our neighbors since Tuesday. I’ve been sending all news to them including filling in the government’s form. The entire neighborhood is concerned, the only Jewish family, it’s always been fun because the husband has the same name as a very famous actor, so I always boast my neighbors is …….. And coincidence, When we were coming home from our Bridges tour in the summer, they were on our flight.
Not a surprise, posted today on Tauck Website-(October 12, 2023) As reported in the media, the tragic conflict between the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel persists. As a result of the on-going hostilities in the region, Tauck has made the difficult decision to cancel all remaining October and November, 2023 departures of Israel and Jordan and Jerusalem, The Red Sea & Petra.
We are in the process of placing outbound calls to all impacted guests and travel advisors, in order of departure date. If you have not heard from us, please know a member of our Tauck team will be reaching out shortly.
Our Global Response Team and colleagues in Worldwide Operations continue to actively monitor all events and news on an on-going basis, consulting with our vast network of outside agencies, supplier partners, and other industry contacts to stay abreast of circumstances and unfolding events in all areas where we operate. As always, the health and wellbeing of our guests, employees, and partners are our highest priorities.
Update; @taxare: "We arrived home late in the evening of the 11th. Its appears all of our group has arrived home. pwresq has done a nice job of articulating those last few days. A couple of items to add to that summary, . . . "
Taxare is right on point. I've had some friends reach out as well asking what happened at the airport in Jordan when we departed. Here's a bit more to the story.
When we traveled to the airport, we were joined by another Tauck couple who arrived with their group the day earlier in Jordan. This Tauck group had literally arrived a day or so earlier in Tel Aviv, only to be told that their trip was cancelled. They saw/visited nothing. They were able to clear Jordan's Immigration without incident. When my wife and I showed up at Immigration after getting our boarding passes, that's when chaos ensued.
The first thing asked by the officer was for my "visa." When I explained the situation - our two buses arrived that day, we were given a computer generated sticker on our passport and told that is all that would be necessary, we were met with mixed glances of doubt. Another immigration officer attempted to enter my passport on their system, and carefully inspected it to verify it was the real deal. He closely examined the pages to see if they were stuck together, indicating a fraud.
Finally, when our Tauck assistant arrived, there were several more discussions. Tauck had an aide/assistant to walk each Tauck guest to the check-in at the airport. The problem was that the "passenger manifests" of our two tour buses never made it into the Jordanian system, for whatever reason.
The Tauck assistant was able, after almost an hour and a half, to get the "passenger manifests" of our two buses of Tauck guests. Lo and behold, my wife and I were on the list, as were the others for both tour groups.
When the problem first surfaced, I had reached out to our TD on WhatsApp, the medium we all used for information on the tour, but did not receive a response or any assistance. Regrettably, our TD said that once we reached the hotel, his job was done. Many in our group felt that given the unique circumstances, the TD should have ensured that all Tauck guests made their flights.
Having said that, our TD and the other TD, as well as Tauck staff did an absolutely incredible job under obvious stressful and changing conditions. Bottom line - we got out of Israel and Jordan, safely. I will always be grateful and indebted to them.
In any event, after the passenger manifests surfaced. I was euphoric and let out a demonstrable and emotional Hallelujah, among other choice terms. I thanked the Tauck assistant, and the other Jordanian officials individually, hugged them as well, and we were finally off.
One more memory - before we left for the border, our TD suggested that on our phones, we turn on “location services” so that family and friends were aware of our travel plans “just in case” . . .
Comments
pwresq, Our first Tauck tour was Imperial Europe now called Warsaw, Budapest, Vienna & Prague. M was our tour director on that tour. He did mention that he also did the Israel tours. We have not done Israel and Jordan however it has been on our bucket list. Perhaps it might be a while for that one.
Just got the Tauck call. Our Oct 19th tour is cancelled. Extrapolate from that as you may. Safe travels to all still there!
Praying that all travelers make it home safe. Such a scary situation for all the people of Israel.
Yes, M was our TD on the Warsaw, Vienna Prague Budapest tour some years ago. It was he who was so enthusiastic about the Israel tour and his knowledge of the Jewish stories that made us want to go.
We had C for our tour to Israel and Jordan just a few months ago.
Here is the banner headline on the Tauck website
Tour & Cruise Status by Destination
We continue to make every effort to provide the most up-to-date information on the status of your tour or cruise. However, please know that as we share the below updates, we recognize there are events outside our control that we cannot predict or prevent. While access to certain destinations and itinerary elements may evolve over time, what won't change is our commitment to do everything possible to deliver the quality experience and peace of mind you expect when traveling with Tauck. We hope you share a spirit of adventure with us.
ISRAEL
(October 9, 2023) Tauck's Global Response Team is actively monitoring the ongoing crisis in Israel, with our first focus the safety of guests and employees who are on the ground in the destination. Guests who currently traveling with Tauck are being assisted by their tour director with round-the-clock support from our home office.
Unfortunately, we have made the difficult decision to cancel all Israel and Jordan and Jerusalem, The Red Sea and Petra departures through October 21; we are in the process of notifying guests and Travel Advisors affected by these cancellations.
Our Global Response Team continues to meet on a daily basis – and will be making a decision about remaining 2023 Israel and Jordan and Jerusalem, The Red Sea and Petra departures once we have been in contact with guests on departures prior to October 21
Cathy, it will be interesting to see how your cruise company deals with your tour.
I am on pwresq tour. In my opinion Tauck has done a very good job thus far in doing everything possible to keep us safe. There are many hundreds of people trying to get out and therefore there are very few airline seats if any available. All of the fellow guests that I have spoken to have a seat not later than Thursday morning. While I respect the anxiety caused by not knowing whether your upcoming trip was on, the Tauck crisis team had one thing on their agenda, getting four tours out of the Middle East safely with virtually no flights out of Ben Gurion and the Jordan border opening/closing hourly. They then have to find accommodations, transportation, etc. Our tour directors were working 20 hours a day with plans changing almost hourly. More at another time, we just want to get back to the US! This forum has been very helpful over the years and we appreciate the informational posts!
Thank you taxare also for your update. Everyone here has the Tauck people on their minds. When you ‘know’ people trapped in a crisis or disaster, it does make it so much more ‘real’. If Mark and Carmen, the two guides I have toured with, are with you all, they are the best. The good thing about Tauck is that because it is a big company, it has a lot more clout in the tourist arena. Unfortunately it’s not their first rodeo in this situation.
Is there any talk about a private plane coming for the Tauck people? Are you stuck at the airport in Amman ?
We got home from Japan last night and just found out a couple from our neighborhood are on an independent trip to Israel and are stuck there, I think still in Tel Aviv. The message i got from another neighbor, It is of course more difficult for them not being on a tour as far as I know. They are younger and have traveled a lot these past few years. I’ve relayed a message to tell them to register for STEP.
taxare pwresq
We all are praying for your safe return to the US. Thank you for letting us know you are safe. Kudos to the Tauck team for doing everything they can to keep you safe in such a difficult situation
I’m wondering if everyone got their flights out of Amman. Any reports?
Hopefully, no news is good news.
It’s been mentioned some aren’t due to fly until Thursday
A church group from our area was in Jerusalem on Saturday. They have made it into Jordan. We haven’t heard about their flights.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all and hoping for safe returns.
Thanking Tauck for always keeping the safety of your travelers in the forefront of your plans.
It is deeply appreciated.
Update: "Homeward bound, and I wish I was, . . ."
We made it home on Tuesday via Jordan-Dubai. Others, from what I've been told, have arrived home, en route to their home, or getting on planes today (Wednesday). A rather unique experience, jaw dropping, sad, and in short, an emotional rollercoaster. Kudos to Tauck for stepping up and handling the trip with care and precision. There were some hiccups along the way but given the circumstances, it must be remembered that Tauck was there for the Tauck guests.
And speaking of guests, perhaps one of the unanticipated silver linings from this experience, is the way that the fellow guest "strangers" became instant allies - i.e., we bonded much faster than the usual Tauck trip where it takes awhile to get to know everybody. Quite the opposite - everyone pulled together - a true band of brothers and sisters. We all commented that it was sad the trip was over since we were really bonding as a group. A true "shared" experience, . . . one I'll never forgot and I'm sure I'm not alone.
We've been watching the updates you and others have posted and have been praying for your safe return - so glad you are finally home!. And yes, from everything that's being reported, Tauck did a great job for their guests.
Carmen was my TD in October of 2018. He is fabulous. I’m glad to know he still works for Tauck.
Update: we were informed by our TD that all have left Jordan and have arrived safely home (or en route). The following is what I posted today on Facebook.
Escape from the War in Israel - Homeward Bound and I Wish I Was.
Well, my wife and I were one of the fortunate ones who were able to return home Tuesday October 10, from a cancelled tour in Israel. There are a range of emotions one experiences while in the middle of a War Zone.
A rather unique experience, jaw dropping, sad, and in short, an emotional rollercoaster. Kudos to our tour group for stepping up and handling the trip interruption with care and precision. A few of the highlights:
Diverting quickly to the bomb shelter in the Tel Aviv hotel after the sirens alerted the city that bombings were likely.
Arriving at the airport for a scheduled evacuation, only to be told that all flights were cancelled out of Tel Aviv.
Getting on the bus, and then off the bus, to go to the Jordan border crossing after Jordan refused to honor their commitment to allow our tour group to cross over into Jordan.
Getting back on the bus to arrive at the border before 12 noon Monday after Jordan reversed their decision - and now
allowing our border crossing. It took 5.5 hours to cross and enter Jordan.
Arriving at the airport Monday evening for a departure at 2:00 a.m., Tuesday, only to be told that my wife and I don't exist - i.e., Jordan has no record we entered their country that day. After 1.3 hours, it was sorted out but not without a struggle. There were 50 or so other similarly situated travelers - we were the first in line.
Living and existing on a pure adrenaline pump - we were in and out of busses, airports, borders, uncertainty, and yes a "hidden" fear of the unknown. In hindsight, I think the biggest thing on all our collective minds was just getting out Israel and getting home, safely and quickly.
And yes, there were some pluses to the trip. It was truly an adventure, but the loss of human life, on both sides, has been (and will probably continue to be) devastating. It seems that Peace in the Middle East will remain a contradiction in terms.
Finally, we wish to thank all of the people who reached out to us, sharing their love, support, prayers, and blessings. Thanks to your support it definitely carried the day, and carried us day by day. We are truly appreciative and thankful.
Thanks for your “Argo” review. About item #5. I’ve entered countries. a few times when I did not have a visa, or they did not stamp my passport. I’m guessing you had no visa or passport stamp, or maybe neither. All of pre-WWII Palestine, or most of it, was administered by the British, so they learned their bureaucracy from the experts. I once lost an engine on takeoff from Bombay (Mumbai) and had to return to Bombay and land. I had no documents that showed that I departed from ‘somewhere else’. So we had to ‘arrive’ through departures.
Welcome back. I’m sure you will sleep for a couple days. We have not slept for a couple days worrying about you guys. I’m sure your experience was ‘intense’. I spent a couple years in a war zone, but I was young and immortal. I hope you all appreciated your TD, because they all appear to have done a fantastic job under difficult circumstances.
An after-action report from the TDs and Tauck might be nice to see somewhere. I'm sure some employees deserve recognition and a shout-out.
We arrived home late in the evening of the 11th. Its appears all of our group has arrived home. pwresq has done a nice job of articulating those last few days. A couple of items to add to that summary. The group on the bus before us had already checked in for the flight to Amman and then when we arrived and the driver was taking luggage off the bus, both groups were informed that the flights to Jordan had been cancelled. Regarding item #5, I don't know whether their information hadn't gotten into airport system yet. Sealord, at the Jordan border they took our passports and pasted a sticker with an identity number into our passport. That was our "visa" to be used for exiting. After all of the pent up stress at that point, I guarantee there would have been significant tears before they got it fixed. I'm sorry pwresq and spouse had to endure that. As a pilot Sealord, you may find it interesting that the German government asked Lufthansa to send in four planes to pick up German residents in Tel Aviv. The crews are not required to go, but many are.
Our group of strangers was very cohesive and it helped that we could all lean on each other. The tour directors must have been working at least 20 hours/day and were in constant contact with the Tauck emergency team. Due to many reasons including the shortness of our tour, we did not get a Tauck evaluation. I do hope our group will send directly a note about our tour director V. He was the height of outward calm and professionalism.
Thank you to this community, since I started participating it has been invaluable. I had hoped to post a complete review upon our return including the Uri Buri ice cream.......no such luck. I send you all blessings, safety and good health!
Maybe a bit too late for some, but probably welcome for others still stuck in country. According to the Washington Post,
A spokesman for Delta Air Lines said Thursday that it was partnering with the U.S. government and “setting up flights to get U.S. citizens home.”
The United States is arranging the charter flights starting Friday to evacuate U.S. citizens and their “immediate family members” from Israel, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. “From these locations,” which he did not specify, “individuals will be able to make their own onward travel arrangements to the destination of their choice.”
Americans in need of assistance evacuating should fill out an intake form on travel.state.gov, he said.
The Delta spokesman said the effort will “operate from Athens.”
taxare & pwresq -So happy you are safe and back home, will continue prayers for all remaining in Israel.
Feel the same as gladysorlando984.
So glad for all who have gotten out safely so far and praying for all still trying to get out and for all of Israel
We haven’t heard from our neighbors since Tuesday. I’ve been sending all news to them including filling in the government’s form. The entire neighborhood is concerned, the only Jewish family, it’s always been fun because the husband has the same name as a very famous actor, so I always boast my neighbors is …….. And coincidence, When we were coming home from our Bridges tour in the summer, they were on our flight.
Thank you for all the updates and notes about safe returns and all Tauck TDs and company did. Praying for a quick end to this horror.
Not a surprise, posted today on Tauck Website-(October 12, 2023) As reported in the media, the tragic conflict between the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel persists. As a result of the on-going hostilities in the region, Tauck has made the difficult decision to cancel all remaining October and November, 2023 departures of Israel and Jordan and Jerusalem, The Red Sea & Petra.
We are in the process of placing outbound calls to all impacted guests and travel advisors, in order of departure date. If you have not heard from us, please know a member of our Tauck team will be reaching out shortly.
Our Global Response Team and colleagues in Worldwide Operations continue to actively monitor all events and news on an on-going basis, consulting with our vast network of outside agencies, supplier partners, and other industry contacts to stay abreast of circumstances and unfolding events in all areas where we operate. As always, the health and wellbeing of our guests, employees, and partners are our highest priorities.
Update; @taxare: "We arrived home late in the evening of the 11th. Its appears all of our group has arrived home. pwresq has done a nice job of articulating those last few days. A couple of items to add to that summary, . . . "
Taxare is right on point. I've had some friends reach out as well asking what happened at the airport in Jordan when we departed. Here's a bit more to the story.
When we traveled to the airport, we were joined by another Tauck couple who arrived with their group the day earlier in Jordan. This Tauck group had literally arrived a day or so earlier in Tel Aviv, only to be told that their trip was cancelled. They saw/visited nothing. They were able to clear Jordan's Immigration without incident. When my wife and I showed up at Immigration after getting our boarding passes, that's when chaos ensued.
The first thing asked by the officer was for my "visa." When I explained the situation - our two buses arrived that day, we were given a computer generated sticker on our passport and told that is all that would be necessary, we were met with mixed glances of doubt. Another immigration officer attempted to enter my passport on their system, and carefully inspected it to verify it was the real deal. He closely examined the pages to see if they were stuck together, indicating a fraud.
Finally, when our Tauck assistant arrived, there were several more discussions. Tauck had an aide/assistant to walk each Tauck guest to the check-in at the airport. The problem was that the "passenger manifests" of our two tour buses never made it into the Jordanian system, for whatever reason.
The Tauck assistant was able, after almost an hour and a half, to get the "passenger manifests" of our two buses of Tauck guests. Lo and behold, my wife and I were on the list, as were the others for both tour groups.
When the problem first surfaced, I had reached out to our TD on WhatsApp, the medium we all used for information on the tour, but did not receive a response or any assistance. Regrettably, our TD said that once we reached the hotel, his job was done. Many in our group felt that given the unique circumstances, the TD should have ensured that all Tauck guests made their flights.
Having said that, our TD and the other TD, as well as Tauck staff did an absolutely incredible job under obvious stressful and changing conditions. Bottom line - we got out of Israel and Jordan, safely. I will always be grateful and indebted to them.
In any event, after the passenger manifests surfaced. I was euphoric and let out a demonstrable and emotional Hallelujah, among other choice terms. I thanked the Tauck assistant, and the other Jordanian officials individually, hugged them as well, and we were finally off.
One more memory - before we left for the border, our TD suggested that on our phones, we turn on “location services” so that family and friends were aware of our travel plans “just in case” . . .
I’m wondering if you had an AirTag that was connected to an email of someone at home that you kept on your person, whether they would work?