Having taken two other tours by Tauck, one to South Africa and 10 months ago to Australia and New Zealand, I can honestly say the guide was out of her element. She belonged doing family tours as she spoke to us, all well travelled, smart and savy travelers, like we were 5 year olds. We had to practice lining up for the train for example. Our local guides was sweet but difficult to understand. Our second local guide had better English but he refused to use the flag so not easy to find him among so many people. He was very scripted and no chemistry between him and our English guide. Tauck seemed to skimp on things like in hotel breakfasts at Shangri-La and first night get together. A few lunches were outright poor! Also, letting us be on our own for the two nights in Tokyo was not a good way for us to meet others. Our dinner "homey" style was an embarrassment to say the least Good appetizers then they served us the most minimal "dinner"! Many temples and shrines, most of which we could climb to them but not go inside. Big waste of time after spending a good portion of the day traveling by train to Hiroshima, were not allowed to go to the hotel, but go by ferry to see another shrine and wandering deer! We did not return to hotel til 5:30 pm having left The previous hotel 8 am! We did have a few highlights which was expected taking a Tauck tour, however, I will not be recommending this tour to friends. This was an overwhelming feeling from everyone of the guests, new ones and seasoned ones. Find out who your tour guide is and make your decision.A 30 year old very inexperienced guide who mainly did family trips, and who fashioned herself unprofessionally as a Disney princess, was not what I expected on a Tauck tour. Ask me any questions. I would be happy to tell you some things to do and avoid.
