Best trip/tour ever?
I've had discussions with people on several tours that I've been on about whether they have done the Antarctica tour or are considering doing it. Several people say they are considering it because several people have told them it's the best tour they've been on.
I'm curious with experienced tour people that have done the Antarctica tour, where they would place the Antarctica trip relative to the other tours they've been on. Do any on you consider it your #1 most favorite tour? I know almost all tours are great fun and you have a great time, but as you step back and do a comparison where does Antarctica rank in your list of favorites?
I know this is hard to do because it is so different from any other tour. That said, hopefully you experienced Tauckers can do some kind of assessment/ranking.
I haven't been on the Antarctica tour, but I have been on 13 Tauck tours. Of those tours my favorite is the Kenya & Tanzania Classic Safari tour, followed by the Peru & Galapagos tour. I've enjoyed all 13 tours, but I wanted to show that I have done with my tours what I'm hoping some of you can do: Place the Antarctica tour in some ranking of your tours from most favorite on down.
Thanks in advance for hopefully satisfying my curiosity. 😁
Comments
I think my wife, Judy, would say that Antarctica was her favorite trip. Mine is a cruise we did along the west coast of South America and around the cape.
Anyway, here’s a link to our Antarctic trip. Perhaps it will help you decide if you want to go. https://www.mikeandjudytravel.com/2021-2Antarctica-01.htm
I have a section on clothes and other preparations that might be helpful. It was not really cold when we went. The worse thing was spray when we were in a Zodiac - because of rough seas. But if you're prepared (waterproof pants and the waterproof parka they give you) you'll be in good shape. You'll be wearing insulated, waterproof, boots.
The excursions were not difficult. A young guy like you could even do the polar plunge.
I loved Antarctica. However, before I even knew about Tauck my husband, daughter and I went in 2003 with A&K. It was indeed one of the most memorable trips we have taken. I rank it as one of the most fascinating and majestic places I’ve been fortunate to experience. The beauty and the quiet was a surreal experience. It is unlike any other trip so any comparison wouldn’t be justified in my opinion. We caught the ship in the Falkland Islands and ended in Ushuaia, Argentina. The history of Ushuaia is fascinating as well. I having stunning pictures of the quiet beauty of icebergs that are still on my wall. You’ll have to read the book, Shackleton. We had many lectures on the Expedition on our tour. Best of luck making your decision. I say “go” if your able body and it does seem that you are. When we went, yes it was cold but not as cold as other places I’ve been. In fact, it was warmer in Antarctica than it was in Lake Tahoe! Still, you need to be prepared.
I know we will hear what you decide Smiling Sam.
Thanks for your comments. A couple of follow up questions if you don’t mind.
Mike - What specifics about the tour made it your wife’s favorite? (Young, I guess it is relative. I’m rapidly closing in on 73. 😀)
Cathy - Even being your second favorite is high praise. Same question to you - what specifics about the tour made Antarctica your second favorite.
OurTravels - If I interpret your comments correctly it seems like the ‘the beauty and the quiet was a surreal experience’ made it like no other tour and therefore was ranked very high for you. Is that a correct interpretation?
Further commentary from other experienced Tauckers would be welcome.
Thanks
Thanks for your comments. A couple of follow up questions if you don’t mind.
Mike - What specifics about the tour made it your wife’s favorite? (Young, I guess it is relative. I’m rapidly closing in on 73. 😀)
Cathy - Even being your second favorite is high praise. Same question to you - what specifics about the tour made Antarctica your second favorite.
OurTravels - If I interpret your comments correctly it seems like the ‘the beauty and the quiet was a surreal experience’ made it like no other tour and therefore was ranked very high for you. Is that a correct interpretation?
Further commentary from other experienced Tauckers would be welcome.
Thanks
I have no interest in Antarctica, though I've been close in Punta Arenas. It's a long way to go and a lot of time spent seeing endless snow and penguins. Seems to me a lot of people go to check a box (all 7). I have no interest in that.
BKMD - I have a similar perception, but I’ve heard from so many people that it is their favorite that I figure I’m missing something and therefore I’m seeking the thoughts of experienced travelers to see what I might have missed in my evaluation.
I wasn’t going to chip in because we haven’t been, but this time, I think exactly as BKMD has written.
We’ve taken the Patagonia tour and saw icebergs, glaciers and more diverse animals there. We are going again in January with another company that takes us to Ushuaia and Tierra Del Fuego and the Beagle channel that Tauck does not go to. There are plenty of other countries that have more appeal to us.
Kathy and Steve: Beautifully said. I feel the same way.
Cathy - Thanks for the comments. You are exactly right about visiting if you desire it, not because you were talked into it.
I guess your desire is explained by your statements, ‘Antarctica…is Alaska on Steroids. It is …’
I guess I am seeking an answer to a question that has no answer for me.
Cathy and Steve: I recently came back from Botswana, Zambia and South Africa this month. I thoroughly enjoyed that trip. I’ve been to Kenya and Tanzania also but a very long time ago. Again, I honestly believe there isn’t any comparison between those two trips. Our Tauck group of 18 guests, mostly unknown to one another, made it special too. I’m going to quote what my dad used to tell me: if you have the desire, “travel while you can”.
I'm afraid I can't really answer that. I'll ask her and see if she can give me enough that I can pass along.
One thing I'll say is that I found the trip very interesting - to see the amount of ice and snow and the animals living there. It's just that there's another trip I would rate higher.
You really only get a piece of the continent. There's a peninsula (the Antarctic Peninsula) that sticks out towards the tip of South America and that’s where they take you. It’s probably representative.
We’re going back at the end of 2025, and this time the trip will include South Georgia.
I encourage you to look at our blog of our Antarctic trip - it will give you an idea of what people see.
Cathy - I rate the Kenya & Tanzania tour as my number one tour because of the access and closeness to all of the animals in their natural habitat. The number and diversity of animals and birds, all foreign to someone from North America, that we saw on this trip was amazing. And you don't just see them at a distance through binoculars. Things like when a rhino came up and rubbed its horn against one of the safari cars or when a lioness was lying on the side of a road with its cub no more than 15 feet away stand out. But there were many more.
A similar reason is why the Peru & Galapagos tour ranks as my number two tour. The number, closeness, and diversity of animals seen in the Galapagos both on land and in the water is amazing. Again, with species not typically seen in places that I've lived.
As with all Tauck tours there were the usual Tauck surprises and nice hotels. And yes I do like nice hotels. For me, I don't need to sleep on a cot in a tent to maximize my experience - a nice room and a nice restaurant provided by the Tauck hotels works for me.
I have not been on the B,SA, Z tour. I'm sure it would be spectacular. It would have things like the K&T tour and then throw in Victoria Falls. At the time (I was still a working man) we did the K&T it was the added time, cost and difficulty of getting to and from South Africa that was the driver for selecting K&T. Now that I'm retired we are venturing to South Africa in 2026.
Mike - It does sound special to you. So much so that you're returning in 2025.
For me, with somewhat limited resources, I prefer to not do return visits, preferring to see places I haven't seen before. That approach has worked well for me, keeping my curiosity and desire for travel high. That said, finding places (in a broad sense) that we haven't been to before is becoming more and more difficult. Yes, we could return to different parts of a country that we haven't been to, and we're doing some of that now, but I still prefer to find large regions that we haven't been to getting the highlights version of those areas vs the in depth, city-by-city or neighborhood-by-neighborhood version of places we've already been to.
Sam - Antarctica was hands down my husband’s favorite. He loved it because, for him the vast desolate landscapes were a spiritual experience. There are very strict rules that are followed regarding the number of people at any one time that can be on the continent. All clothing must be devoid of any potential pollen or seeds of what can become an invasive species. Your boots have to go through a series of dis- infectants every time you leave and get onto the ship. He loved being able to walk among the wildlife in it’s undisturbed habitat . He loved the amount of wildlife we saw. There were many whales ( orcas and humpbacks) , seals ( elephant, leopard, etc), different species of penguins, and birds ( albatross, etc). Everywhere you looked it was like a panoramic scenic overlook at a national park on steroids. It was the only chance we will ever have to see such a large part of the world in its undisturbed splendor. Walking along pebbled beaches avoiding whale bones and elephant seals was a singular experience. Investigating the ruins of long ago abandoned whaling stations is not something you can easily replicate. For me - I don’t have a favorite trip. I have trips that I think about a lot that have become part of my self- directed education. I love different parts of each of them because they are so remarkably different than what has been the fabric of my American urban and suburban life. Going through the Drake passage was an amazing experience, scopolomine patches and all. While traversing it the naturalists spotted a pod of Orcas ( type D) ( Stacie Knight the TD took some great photos) that increased the known population of the species by 20% . The crew and naturalists were going crazy. For me , I love maps. I kept visualizing myself on a map and pinching myself, hardly believing where I was. I felt so blessed that my life had afforded me the ability to be in a place that only 100 years ago only the bravest men amongst us had ventured to. Here I was - a small, lower middle class girl from Brooklyn in Antarctica. It was mind blowing.
MotherOfPoodles - Thanks for the details. It does sound amazing.
I grew up in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. Seeing glaciers, orcas, and seals is not a foreign spectacle for me. Although seeing them how you see them in Antarctica would be a totally different experience.
If they had a way to beam me to Antarctica I'm sure I would have already been there. It's just the ratio of 4 days on the Drake Passage to get 4 days in Antarctica has pushed its appeal down my travel list. As I stated above, it is getting harder and harder to visit places that we haven't been to before. As such, the possibility of an Antarctica visit is getting closer to the top of the travel list.
Whether it reaches the top of the travel list before my body (or my wife) says I'm done is a bit of a race. We'll see what wins. The earliest visit possibility would be 2027 or 2028.
NOTE: Kudos to my wife for being a willing and wonderful partner in helping to scratch my travel desires for over 40 years of our marriage. 😘
On our last tour, we met a woman who had been to Antarctica three times and was going again.
Cathy and Steve: you write as if you are an author. I think we can all agree that nature teaches us.
Cathy - Cruises certainly seem to be the best way to see the plethora of countries along each coast of Africa in a fairly efficient manner.
You’ve almost been on more cruises than I’ve been on total tours - land, river, and small ship.
What is a Kariega Ukhozi Safari? Is that just a company name?
Sam I'm with you in visiting places I've been to before, there is still so much new territory so see, enjoy, learn the customs of the inhabitants.
Like you I have Antarctica on the back burner, I have motion sickness and experiencing four days of rough seas is not at the top of my list.
A friend and I once found a company that will fly from Argentina to the ship by passing the Drake passage and that may be an option one day, I'm 81 and so far no health problems and I'm very active but one never knows, so for now I'm concentrating in places I have not been to, I will be going to Morocco next month with another company because they have a very extensive itinerary, it's a long tour but I think worth it.
Cathy - I looked up the Kariega Ukhozi Safari. It looks amazing. Do you need a valet? 😃
I have met several people on our travels who have visited over 100 countries but never known anyone join the Century club. They have usually just used the term ‘joined the century club’ I looked into it a while ago. I had no idea it was a club that cost an initial fee of $100 and then $75 a year. There is a chapter near us in Philly but they hardly ever meet. Likely we would be traveling when they do meet. I think usually it’s just a meal together and that’s it. However those 100 country travelers are sure interesting to talk to.
Sounds like a pointless organization just for bragging rights, like Mensa.
Wow, what an interesting conversation! All of you write so beautifully about your recollections of Antarctica and other tours. Cathy, you are my hero. Almost 100 countries, what a life! I have 60 under my belt, and are having some difficulty choosing other places I want to visit. We have discussed Antarctica numerous times, and what Sam is expressing is exactly where we are:
“ For me, with somewhat limited resources, I prefer to not do return visits, preferring to see places I haven't seen before. That approach has worked well for me, keeping my curiosity and desire for travel high. That said, finding places (in a broad sense) that we haven't been to before is becoming more and more difficult.”
I don’t know if we will live to see Antarctica. It is so far, and my hubby has a heart condition, so we might never get there. Fear of him becoming ill and being SO far from civilization has stopped us. I’m okay with that, I think. Closing in on 73, as Sam says.
We have done three separate private trips to Africa seeing South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Botswana. Any trip to Africa is #1 to me, as I love the wildlife and close encounters. Also love antiquities and wonders of the world….have explored everything from Stonehenge to Egypt (twice!), Angkor Wat, China, Malta, Turkiye, India, Easter Island, Japan, Israel and Russia. I know how fortunate I am, but still have so much wanderlust left in me!
We have only been on four Tauck trips…so we are not the experts you all are, but we have really enjoyed them. We have plans end of 2025 to cruise southern Spain and experience Gibraltar and part of Morocco. (Crystal) For me, travel is experiencing life itself, in so many different places and cultures, meeting people from all over the world. That has made me richer than all the money in the world!
Thank you all for such a fabulous discussion of your adventures. I hope all of you continue to travel as much as you can, as often as you can.
Cathy….I still want to travel, however, my husband is saying “ENOUGH”. I believe it is because of his illness, and I get it. Fortunately for me, he does not stop me going with friends or as a single. I did Peru, Japan, Southeast Asia, and southern Spain in the last 12 years without him. Also did many Euro trips years go with music loving friends, and he did not go. I have been noticing that on some robust excursions I cannot go like I did in the past. Age is in the way, and it literally shocks me, as my mind is willing, but my body gives out some times. So from now on I choose carefully, and hang back so as not to slow any fellow travelers down. So grateful to have experienced so many wonderful places when younger, and I’m not giving up now!!
Cathy - you what Groucho said about joining clubs, right?
"I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member" Groucho Marx
Smiling Sam: Back to your original question: We have done 17 Tauck trips. Although we did not do Antarctica with Tauck (we did it with Silversea long ago), it is still our favorite trip of all time. To describe it as just sea and icebergs is such a disservice. As someone earlier said in their response, it's almost spiritual. You will never see anything like it. However, trips are expensive, and life is short, so don't go to please someone else--except your wife! Our second favorite trip was Egypt and Jordan--yes, even before Africa!
Smiling Sam: Back to your original question: We have done 17 Tauck trips. Although we did not do Antarctica with Tauck (we did it with Silversea long ago), it is still our favorite trip of all time. To describe it as just sea and icebergs is such a disservice. As someone earlier said in their response, it's almost spiritual. You will never see anything like it. However, trips are expensive, and life is short, so don't go to please someone else--except your wife! Our second favorite trip was Egypt and Jordan--yes, even before Africa!
I’m on a tour so I have not read all of this. But, I did not have Antarctica high on my list. We have done K&T four times, so we obviously love it. Our favorite tour, and I would rate it equal to Antarctica, but I think one Antarctica tour is enough, but I am really happy that we did it. Great memories.
Jteiii - Thanks for your response. I especially like your comment, ‘You will never see anything like it.” That might be the most positive statement one could make as for a reason to go.
Smiling Sam: 18 Tauck Tours, #19 Egypt and Jordan next month, #20 Antarctica in January. Kenya and Tanzania in 2013 was top of my list. It was surpassed in 2015 by Botswana, South Africa & Zambia. Same continent, vastly different. More intimate, more wild, fewer numbers/herds (animals and touristsl) yet more exotic, much more "safari". South Africa Elegant Adventure paled in comparison. I repeated KT in 2022, initial thrill was gone, Amboseli in long drought meant straggling elephant families not the abundant herds of the past. Totally surprised by falling in love with India, Morocco, Vietnam/Cambodia/Thailand. I'll post update in February. In the meantime, LIFE IS TOO SHORT NOT TO GO ON THAT TRIP!