Other Options...

[CaliKris]

We did one of the small groups Tauck tours last year, and the age range was from an adult grandson (youngest person) to three people who are mature but nowhere near retiring yet (me, my other half & the grandson's mother) to definitely retired. I'm not saying that to be disparaging of retirement. I'm just trying to think of a way to gently state the ages of our group. We skewed to much older than I expected.

That doesn't mean it was a bad trip, and that doesn't mean all Tauck tours are like that. That was just our experience.

I was wondering about Tauck small group tours as well. Thanks for answering the question.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

We did one of the small groups Tauck tours last year, and the age range was from an adult grandson (youngest person) to three people who are mature but nowhere near retiring yet (me, my other half & the grandson's mother) to definitely retired. I'm not saying that to be disparaging of retirement. I'm just trying to think of a way to gently state the ages of our group. We skewed to much older than I expected.

That doesn't mean it was a bad trip, and that doesn't mean all Tauck tours are like that. That was just our experience.

Well - I had a feeling. I know the small group tours are expensive (even the non-small ones are) I think my husband and I may end up the youngest (31 and 33)

Which tour did you do?

 

[RebelHawk]

We're on the 10/14 trip. It's the DIS Boards ABD. It finishes 10/25. I'm guessing you're on the 10/22 trip?

My wife and I were signed up for this China DIS ABD trip but our regular world traveling companions didn't get in quick enough to get a spot. We decided to give up our two spots so we could do that China trip with our IRL friends. I can not wait to read the amazing trip reports from this so I can guilt our good friends (good naturally of course) for years to come.

 

[Chirple]

I wish my wallet was as big as my bucket list, and all of these options you are talking about in this thread keep adding to it.

 

[CrazyZeus1]

We're on the 10/14 trip. It's the DIS Boards ABD. It finishes 10/25. I'm guessing you're on the 10/22 trip?

Ah! Yes, we're on the 10/22 trip. Have fun!!

 

[AquamarineSteph]

Well - I had a feeling. I know the small group tours are expensive (even the non-small ones are) I think my husband and I may end up the youngest (31 and 33)

Which tour did you do?

We did the Ultimate Alps & Dolomites tour. Amazing scenery. Seriously. That part of Europe is just gorgeous.

 

[tink1970]

We did the Ultimate Alps & Dolomites tour

This is one of the two Tauck tours I'm waiting (none too patiently) on them to release the dates. My mother and I are taking my DD to summer school in Scotland (probably) again in 2018 so DH has said we can just tour around Europe while we wait to take her home after 3 weeks. It's on the short list if the dates are right.

Did you enjoy it?

 

[AquamarineSteph]

This is one of the two Tauck tours I'm waiting (none too patiently) on them to release the dates. My mother and I are taking my DD to summer school in Scotland (probably) again in 2018 so DH has said we can just tour around Europe while we wait to take her home after 3 weeks. It's on the short list if the dates are right.

Did you enjoy it?

Quick review: We arrived a couple of days early to see a little more of Munich than the tour itself does which I think was a good choice on our part. We tried out the local public transportation and visited the zoo. We found the church which has the 'devil's footprint' in it. And it's fun to just do the local thing on your own to get a feel of the place while dodging the bicyclists. ;-)

The tour itself was well designed. Fabulous hotels. The mountains are simply breathtaking, and you have a first class view of everything. I LOVED the tour of the salt mines. That was so much fun! Being in Lichtenstein was also fun. We were able to tour their Parliament and even sit in the seats which felt like getting away with something forbidden. All of the countries had great highlights, though. There was a good balance between activities and free time in almost every city.

I liked their way of handling luggage transfers. Instead of putting suitcases into the hallway, you left them tagged inside your room. That way you could still leave your personal items - last minute sweater, hat, day bag, etc., in the room and grab it before heading to the bus. And speaking of the bus, our driver was incredible.

I suggest that you pack at least two nice things to wear to dinner. Many of our included evening meals were significantly dressier than what I have seen on ABD tours.

There were two things I didn't enjoy on this tour. One of them was a fellow tourist who had to complain loudly, daily, about everything. Literally. That's always a possibility when you travel with a group, so I just mention it in passing. The other was something our tour guide did which I'm thinking might be specific to this particular guide. Every day we received a sheet with everything we were doing and the time we were doing it. Yes, I love to know where we're going and what we'll see, but I didn't enjoy knowing that we would be touring X at 4:24 pm and then Y was slated between 5:05 pm and 5:35 pm, and the bathroom break would be from 5:35 pm to 5:50 pm. Yes, the schedule was that detailed. That just made me feel stressed because it made me feel constantly aware of the time and its passage rather than sitting back to enjoy an interlude. That's a personal thing, though. I imagine many people might enjoy that.

So, yes, it was a great trip. We saw SO MANY things and places that still amaze me that I've seen them!

 

[tink1970]

Quick review: We arrived a couple of days early to see a little more of Munich than the tour itself does which I think was a good choice on our part. We tried out the local public transportation and visited the zoo. We found the church which has the 'devil's footprint' in it. And it's fun to just do the local thing on your own to get a feel of the place while dodging the bicyclists. ;-)

The tour itself was well designed. Fabulous hotels. The mountains are simply breathtaking, and you have a first class view of everything. I LOVED the tour of the salt mines. That was so much fun! Being in Lichtenstein was also fun. We were able to tour their Parliament and even sit in the seats which felt like getting away with something forbidden. All of the countries had great highlights, though. There was a good balance between activities and free time in almost every city.

I liked their way of handling luggage transfers. Instead of putting suitcases into the hallway, you left them tagged inside your room. That way you could still leave your personal items - last minute sweater, hat, day bag, etc., in the room and grab it before heading to the bus. And speaking of the bus, our driver was incredible.

I suggest that you pack at least two nice things to wear to dinner. Many of our included evening meals were significantly dressier than what I have seen on ABD tours.

There were two things I didn't enjoy on this tour. One of them was a fellow tourist who had to complain loudly, daily, about everything. Literally. That's always a possibility when you travel with a group, so I just mention it in passing. The other was something our tour guide did which I'm thinking might be specific to this particular guide. Every day we received a sheet with everything we were doing and the time we were doing it. Yes, I love to know where we're going and what we'll see, but I didn't enjoy knowing that we would be touring X at 4:24 pm and then Y was slated between 5:05 pm and 5:35 pm, and the bathroom break would be from 5:35 pm to 5:50 pm. Yes, the schedule was that detailed. That just made me feel stressed because it made me feel constantly aware of the time and its passage rather than sitting back to enjoy an interlude. That's a personal thing, though. I imagine many people might enjoy that.

So, yes, it was a great trip. We saw SO MANY things and places that still amaze me that I've seen them!

Oh, thank you so much! I've toured with Tauck before and really like leaving bags IN rooms vice out...small thing but nice

I'm a planner and am of the time is money mindset so I'd probably love the detailed itinerary

There are so many things on the trip that look wonderful...the scenery being number one. I hope the dates work for our trip-I think my Mom, who has never been to that part of Europe, would love it.

Appreciate your feedback, now back to constantly checking to see if it's been announced.

 

[ngl]

I know when I called Tauck they did not seem to have an "official" way of releasing dates. They say it is based on interest. Would really like to do one tour if the dates are right and if not, may do ABD. Do you know anything more about their release of dates?

This is one of the two Tauck tours I'm waiting (none too patiently) on them to release the dates. My mother and I are taking my DD to summer school in Scotland (probably) again in 2018 so DH has said we can just tour around Europe while we wait to take her home after 3 weeks. It's on the short list if the dates are right.

Did you enjoy it?

 

[tink1970]

I know when I called Tauck they did not seem to have an "official" way of releasing dates. They say it is based on interest. Would really like to do one tour if the dates are right and if not, may do ABD. Do you know anything more about their release of dates?

I don't, unfortunately. I'd been waiting and looking and getting mixed messages from their call center. So...ABD for me in 2018.

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

For those of you following my blog, I have not forgotten you or it. I've just gotten really busy with work but it's almost finished. I just need a few last pictures of things and then it will be posted in full this weekend.

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

Hi Everyone, the final posts are now up on the blog. Let me know if you'd be interested in a post on my thoughts/observations on the trip in general, although much of that is found throughout the blog itself.

 

[Praise2Him]

Has anyone done a river cruise with another company? Preferably Rhine, but any will do. I'm looking at Viking and it looks awesome. Any other good companies?

 

[aggiedog]

We're doing the Rhine in September on CroisiEurope. It's thru Road Scholar. I'll report back in the Fall.

 

[Bobo912]

Has anyone done a river cruise with another company? Preferably Rhine, but any will do. I'm looking at Viking and it looks awesome. Any other good companies?

I've done Danube with Tauck and Rhine with Uniworld. Both were family cruises and both were awesome. Not sure if you are traveling with a family, but Viking does not encourage young travelers on their cruises.

 

[Praise2Him]

I've done Danube with Tauck and Rhine with Uniworld. Both were family cruises and both were awesome. Not sure if you are traveling with a family, but Viking does not encourage young travelers on their cruises.

Thanks! No, it's just me and my sister (mid-fifties)

The ABD itinerary looks awesome but we really want something more affordable.

 

[Bobo912]

Thanks! No, it's just me and my sister (mid-fifties)

The ABD itinerary looks awesome but we really want something more affordable.

You should check out Uniworld, as well as Viking. Uniworld has an early booking discount and a paid in full discount. They also offer some deals on airfare. And if your a Costco member you get 10% off, in addition to the other discounts.

 

[Praise2Him]

You should check out Uniworld, as well as Viking. Uniworld has an early booking discount and a paid in full discount. They also offer some deals on airfare. And if your a Costco member you get 10% off, in addition to the other discounts.

Yes I am! Thanks! I will check them out right now.

 

[tink1970]

Yes I am! Thanks! I will check them out right now.

Would love to know what you decide and once you go, report back. We have friends who loved Viking and I suspect that would be my preference since Uniworld seems a bit fussy in decor. That said, the more information the better