I just looked at the itinerary. Were the hotels below your standards? The tour choices must have taken a lot of pre tour research. Anyway, now you have to tell us
I also enjoyed Budapest to the Black Sea. It was up there because of the history but I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite. My favorite was be Africa, and Antarctica, and all the rest mingled in with other tour companies too. I do not have a a particular order of favorites of all the river cruises or ocean voyages or land trips.
I'm not exactly a veteran compared to many others, but for our 12 trips so far, here is our experience:
Tier One:
1) Classic Italy. If you want the caffeine jolt of Italy and have never been.
2) Morocco. A completely different, intriguing cultural experience. So many colors and warmth. If you do a stopover in Paris, do it before, otherwise Paris will look grey, grey, grey.
3) Patagonia. Stunning, majestic scenery, and interesting cities.
4) Grand Australia NZ. So many different activities, beautiful NZ scenery, and a relatively good value for what you get.
5) K and T Classic Safari. Fantastic trip with, mesmerizing animals, gorgeous hotels, exhausting early mornings and a firsthand experience with humbling resilience in the face of shocking poverty.
6) A Sicilian Odyssey. Stunning food, fascinating history, its own unique culture and scenic volcanic landscape
Tier 2:
7) Paradors of Northern Spain (has changed since we went). If your soul needs a reset. (We went to southern Spain with a different company, and would definitely choose Tauck for a Tier One experience there).
8) Adriatic Treasures. Beautiful coastline, culture and tragic history. Slovenia was the big surprise.
9) Puglia: Rural Italy AND the blue blue Adriatic.
10) Bellissima Northern Italy. A nice mix of city, country, food and art without the drama.
11) Tuscany and Umbria. Beautiful scenery and wine tasting. Local culture.
Tier 3:
12) Scandinavia. Glad we went. Excellent museums. Beautiful scenery, the main reason to go (but IMHO New Zealand and Patagonia matched, and a personal trip to the Dolomites surpassed.) The people are cool, calm and collected. My husband loved this trip.
I just saw this:
If something good happens, travel to celebrate.
If something bad happens, travel to forget.
If nothing happens, travel to make something happen.
Comments
Mike Henderson - sent you a PM
Come on Sam, tell us all!
Yeah Sam, inquiring minds want to know!
I just looked at the itinerary. Were the hotels below your standards? The tour choices must have taken a lot of pre tour research. Anyway, now you have to tell us
When we did Blue Danube, I thought the stretch of river between Bratislava and Budapest to be extremely boring.
BKMD, British - I pretty much said it in the Budapest to the Black Sea Forum thread when I returned from the trip.
I also enjoyed Budapest to the Black Sea. It was up there because of the history but I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite. My favorite was be Africa, and Antarctica, and all the rest mingled in with other tour companies too. I do not have a a particular order of favorites of all the river cruises or ocean voyages or land trips.
Sorry, I don't see any message in my inbox.
Sam, much appreciated, I re -read JohnS’s review and wife Sue. Will miss John’s great reviews.
I'm not exactly a veteran compared to many others, but for our 12 trips so far, here is our experience:
Tier One:
1) Classic Italy. If you want the caffeine jolt of Italy and have never been.
2) Morocco. A completely different, intriguing cultural experience. So many colors and warmth. If you do a stopover in Paris, do it before, otherwise Paris will look grey, grey, grey.
3) Patagonia. Stunning, majestic scenery, and interesting cities.
4) Grand Australia NZ. So many different activities, beautiful NZ scenery, and a relatively good value for what you get.
5) K and T Classic Safari. Fantastic trip with, mesmerizing animals, gorgeous hotels, exhausting early mornings and a firsthand experience with humbling resilience in the face of shocking poverty.
6) A Sicilian Odyssey. Stunning food, fascinating history, its own unique culture and scenic volcanic landscape
Tier 2:
7) Paradors of Northern Spain (has changed since we went). If your soul needs a reset. (We went to southern Spain with a different company, and would definitely choose Tauck for a Tier One experience there).
8) Adriatic Treasures. Beautiful coastline, culture and tragic history. Slovenia was the big surprise.
9) Puglia: Rural Italy AND the blue blue Adriatic.
10) Bellissima Northern Italy. A nice mix of city, country, food and art without the drama.
11) Tuscany and Umbria. Beautiful scenery and wine tasting. Local culture.
Tier 3:
12) Scandinavia. Glad we went. Excellent museums. Beautiful scenery, the main reason to go (but IMHO New Zealand and Patagonia matched, and a personal trip to the Dolomites surpassed.) The people are cool, calm and collected. My husband loved this trip.
I just saw this:
If something good happens, travel to celebrate.
If something bad happens, travel to forget.
If nothing happens, travel to make something happen.