Discount Coach Tours strongly recommend you read Tauck World Discovery’s most frequently
asked questions below which is useful information for your trip so that you are
well informed.
Booking your air is easy with Tauck
Tauck makes it easy to enjoy seamless travel from the moment you book your journey.
Ask us to check into the best flights for your journey if your travels originate
in the United States to Alaska, Hawaii, and destinations outside of the U.S. (except
Canada). Flights are subject to availability. We have partnered with leading domestic
and international airlines to bring you to these destinations, and can often offer
you significant savings on your airfare. And while purchasing your air through Tauck
takes the hassle out of booking it yourself, it also offers you several advantages
available only with Tauck
- Airline transfers to and from your hotel are often included
- Earn Frequent Flyer mileage on most airlines
- Benefit from Tauck’s lenient change and refund policies
- Reserve your flights in advance; pay later when tickets are issued
- Enjoy significant savings on Business Class airfare on select flights
Accrued frequent flyer miles cannot be used toward the purchase of Tauck’s airfare
or used for class upgrades, however, airfare purchased through Tauck does qualify
to earn you additional miles.
Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point on a Tauck journey
is not included. Some destinations require ‘on-tour’ flights which must be reserved
and purchased through Tauck.
Booking a Trip
Tauck is happy to advise hotels of any special room requests or requirements, provided
we receive them at the time your reservation is made. Please be aware that requests
cannot be guaranteed.
As a service, Tauck will make hotel reservations before and after your journey.
Rooms are reserved at the first or last night’s hotel property of any Tauck journey
so there is no worry of having to change hotels or rooms at the start or end of
your trip. Rooms are reserved on a space-available basis, and the cost will be added
to your tour cost.
We encourage you to make your reservation just as early as possible - especially
if you are limited to the time period in which you can travel. Tauck journeys are
popular and tend to fill quickly.
Once a journey has been booked and deposited, Tauck will automatically send a confirmation
of your reservation. Final tour documentation which includes a day-by-day itinerary
of your journey is sent after final payment is received.
Charter & Incentive Travel
Tauck offers charter and incentive groups an array of award-winning, inclusive travel
programs, including full charters of our fleet of custom-designed luxury riverboats,
regarded among the newest and most spacious in Europe. Tauck not only manages all
the day-to-day program details, from luggage handling to guided sightseeing and
exclusive events, virtually every expense and service is included in one up-front
price for the ultimate cruise touring experience.
Extend Your Journey
Guests often ask us about extending their stay at either the start or end of their
Tauck vacation - and special Tauck prices at our selected hotels make it more inviting
than ever! When you arrive early, you become better acclimated to any time changes,
so you’re truly refreshed and relaxed. You’ll eliminate the stress of worrying about
getting to the starting point of the first day of your journey on time. And you’ll
have some additional time to explore on your own.
If you want to spend more time in cities where your journey ends, we can also extend
your stay by one or two nights - it’s a great way to make your vacation last a little
longer!
Ask at time of booking for full details about hotel stays before or after your Tauck
journey!
What’s Included:
- Hotel Accommodations
- Airport Transfers
- Breakfast
- Porterage and Taxes
Tauck Advantage:
- Tauck Does the Work For You
- Plan Ahead - Just One Call!
- Relax and Refresh... Unwind and Explore...
- Arrive Stress-free, Depart Energized!
Family Travel: Tauck Bridges
Family travel is important to us. The bond between children and adults as they experience
the world together makes for special memories that last lifetimes. It is for that
reason we created ‘Tauck Bridges’ - journeys for the whole family to enjoy together.
Each of these kid-friendly family oriented journeys has a minimum recommended age
rating to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all our guests. Tauck Bridges itineraries
are not recommended for children under 3 years of age. All children on Tauck journeys
must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Please note that guests must be 21 years of age and older in order to book their
families' travel arrangements. Certain age recommendations and/or restrictions may
apply to some of our journeys. Please inquire at time of booking.
Yes. Just ask your Tauck Bridges Reservations Sales Counselor at the time of booking.
Please bear in mind that bookings, and thus the number and age of children traveling,
may change.
In compliance with our partner hotels and for the safety and security of our guests,
children under 18 years of age must be booked into the same room as an accompanying
adult.
We have so many activities for active feet and curious minds that it's difficult
to know where to begin! Here are just a few examples for families of all ages: a
mule ride at Bryce Canyon, a ghostwalk in Colonial Williamsburg, a gondola driving
lesson in Venice, a visit to the turtle hatching facility in Costa Rica and a double-decker
bus ride through London
Planning for the Family Vacation
- Involve! Everyone wants to be part of something they created. As possible, give
your child a voice and vote in where they’re going.
- Learn! Go to the library and take out books, maps or videos on the place you’re
going. The internet is a great tool as well. Show where the country, state or city
is in relation to where you live. Read about what you’ll see and do. Read about
the history and culture of the place—be it the wolves in Yellowstone or the Eiffel
Tower in Paris.
- Anticipate! Put it on the calendar and count down the days so both parents, grandparents,
etc. and the children have an idea when all of this is to happen.
- Reinforce! Talk about the destination at breakfast or dinner time and what they'd
like to see, have them list some places or activities they may be able to partake
in.
Packing for Children
- Roll it! Rolled clothes take up less space in the suitcase—you’ll fit more in.
- Kids get their own bags. Pack backpacks / small carry on bags together before the
trip, and let the children choose a few small toys to bring for the plane ride.
Washable white boards and markers for drawing are inexpensive and fun inclusions.
Try to keep the items small and light—otherwise it may become too heavy for small
arms and the adult is left schlepping that too!
- Don’t be a sherpa. You can always purchase something if the weather changes. Clothes
can be washed along the way. The more you pack, the more you carry, the more you’ll
have to keep an eye on, the more irritated you are at risk of becoming.
Flying with Children
- Dress for the day. Brightly colored clothes make kids easier to spot in a crowd.
Comfortable, loose fitting clothing makes everyone happier.
- Surprise! Buy each child small little gifts in advance, hide them, and then surprise
each of them while the plane is taking off — i.e. new toy cars, stickers, crayons….
Wrapping each one individually and giving them out every 30 minutes also works —
it keeps them entertained!
- Burn off energy. At the airport, walk around; don’t just sit at the gate. Leave
the sitting for the plane! Also, don’t forget to go the bathroom before you board.
- I’m hungry! Bring lots of snacks but not too high in salt - more salt means more
drinking which means more trips to the bathroom….just when you’re ready to take
off! Also, many airlines now offer special kids meals—call to reserve before your
flight.
- I’m thirsty! On the subject of drinking, buy a few bottles of bottled water before
going to the airport. The cost of bottled water at the airport is high.
- Keep everyone comfortable. If the child has allergies or get colds very easily-bring
along decongestant for the plane ride. Chewing gum or sucking on lollipops help
the ears ‘pop’ or equalize during take off. Also, a hat of some kind is useful to
wear on the plane so the air from the vents don't blow right on little faces.
- Seat distractions. Check with the airlines to determine if headsets are free on
board. Otherwise, purchase a cheap headset before you fly, so they can listen to
the music on their own or the movie on board for long flights. Also, many children
love the window seat so they can watch the Atlantic Ocean, the Rocky Mountains or
other natural wonders pass under them—call in advance to reserve your seat preference.
Keeping Everyone Entertained
- Play destination bingo with pennies or 20 questions.
- A deck of cards is endlessly fun for Go Fish, Hearts, Solitaire, building card towers,
etc.
- Electronic toys or music systems with an ear piece for volume are useful on longer
drives.
- Small coloring pencils and a sketch pad are great to draw and play games. A washable
white board and markers also work well.
- For older kids, a journal or small scrapbook they can fill in daily with pictures
offers a lifetime of memories. On a tour, if the older kids / teens make new friends,
have them write in a community journal and then ask the tour director to copy the
pages and hand out to those who wrote in the journal as a keepsake.
- Disposable cameras are inexpensive and indispensable!
Overcoming Jet Lag
- Sleep before! Get plenty of sleep for at least the two nights before traveling.
- Be a local. Try to adjust to the local time as much as possible—eat and sleep according
to the new clock.
- Exercise and go outdoors. Natural light and physical exertion help to ‘reset’ your
internal clock to the new time.
- Medication? Some people swear by some over-the-counter antihistamines which cause
drowsiness to ‘help’ a child sleep. Be forewarned, however, that sometimes these
can cause excitability in children—exactly the opposite of what you want the child
to be! Check with your pediatrician first.
Yes! Special rates are available and vary by journey. Children under 12 are eligible
for the special rates on all of our adventures; please note that some U.S. itineraries
may extend special savings to children who are under 16 years of age.
On most tours, we also offer special child rates on Tauck contracted airfare. Please
inquire at the time of booking for details. Please note that at this time we do
not hold special children's rates for our Guest Protection Plan.
You should also note that we strive to offer a 6 star experience at a 4 star price.
Further, you'll find our prices to be 25-50% less compared to most other escorted
family travel companies!
In most cases, there are menus available for children. Please note that in destinations
such as Europe and Africa, these options may not be typical American "kids' meals."
Yes. There really is no vacation like a family vacation, for the connections you
make and the discoveries you share create cherished memories that last lifetimes.
It is for this reason we created ‘Tauck Bridges’ - journeys for the whole family
to enjoy together. Each of these kid-friendly family oriented journeys are designed
to let you learn, see and do things together, sharing in the spirit of discovery
that is geared toward the entire family. Travel with people of all ages and generations,
from grandparents and grandchildren, parents and their children, aunts, uncles,
and nephew and nieces. Tauck Bridges journeys offer a perfect mix of fun and relaxation,
and provide pleasures aplenty for young and old. (Though children 3 years of age
and older are welcome on our journeys, our experience tells us that children 8 and
older will get the most out of a Tauck Bridges trip.)
The laws and requirements for children traveling abroad with a guardian or only
one parent differ by country and change frequently. Unfortunately the incidence
of international child abduction by a family member or parent is a grave problem.
Many countries on Tauck Bridges itineraries have specific entry requirements for
children under 21 who are traveling internationally without both parents. Usually,
a notarized letter, signed by the parent or parents not traveling with the child,
that states the name of the child, the adult guardian, the itinerary and dates of
travel, and the flight number, is required. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck Bridges
requires all travelers to comply with the regulations for the country you are visiting.
Please note that Tauck Bridges is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused
by improper documentation for children traveling abroad without both parents. For
more information on documentation, please visit the “Need to Know” tab under the
itinerary in which you are interested in on this website.
Note: The regulations and laws of the countries specific to each tour journey are
available from each country's consulate. There are no specific requirements when
traveling within the United States.
We cannot guarantee adjacent, adjoining or connecting rooms. We will note to our
hotels and to our Tauck Director that you have requested this, and we will do all
that we can to secure rooms next to one another or connecting when possible. Please
be as specific as possible in your request, as often a hotel considers 'adjacent'
to be across the hall. You should also note that connecting rooms are often not
available in many hotels, especially in Europe.
We accommodate single, double and triple rooming arrangements on all of our itineraries.
In some instances a triple room accommodation may have a rollaway bed. On 6 of our
U.S. itineraries for example, 4 people-maximum 3 adults-may stay in one room. Please
note that our ability to accommodate different rooming options varies by hotel and
location. For example, rooms in Europe may be smaller than those in the U.S., and
thus a rollaway may be difficult to place.
*Rooming arrangements specific to each tour journey will be addressed at the time
of booking.
For the same reasons as stated above, Tauck Bridges requires that you comply with
the regulations for the country you are visiting. Usually this means you must carry
with you a signed, notarized letter from the other parent indicating you have permission
to travel abroad with the child, if the child is under 21. If the other parent is
deceased, you usually need to carry a copy of the death certificate. But it's best
to check with the consulate of the country you are visiting to ensure you are compliant.
For more information on the documents you might need, please visit the “Need to
Know” tab under the itinerary in which you are interested in on this website.
Tauck Bridges journeys differ in that all of the journeys' components are designed
to best suit "family" travel. Our itineraries, hotels, meals and activities are
specially planned to thoroughly compliment our loyal family travelers. However,
Tauck Bridges and Tauck World Discovery's journeys both are designed and delivered
by the same devoted and experienced staff, whose expertise and love of travel have
brought numerous awards throughout the company's history. Do note that Tauck World
Discovery experiences are designed primarily for adults, although children are certainly
welcome. We do not offer child rates on Tauck World Discovery itineraries.
The discounts we offer are based upon what we are able to secure from the many different
hotels, restaurants and other suppliers we use throughout the world. In general,
most discounts apply to children under 12.
Many hotels do offer babysitting services that may be arranged on site. Please do
note that babysitting services are not guaranteed at all of our hotels.
Your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with
whom you may make babysitting arrangements, to ensure your precise needs are met.
Furthermore, please note that our Tauck Director are not responsible for providing
child-minding services.
Group Travel
Gatherings, Celebrations, Reunions, Connections
Tauck does the planning for you! Tauck transforms your reunion, your birthday,
your anniversary, your graduation celebration... into an enriching travel experience
that creates everlasting bonds between the friends and family who travel with you.
Tauck takes care of everything seamlessly from start to finish, and is there from
the first phone call to the return home.
There’s no need to worry about hotel check-in, luggage handling, dining arrangements,
or those complicated driving directions - and Tauck vacations include over 100 different
components that have been time-tested through 80 years of guest travel. All you
have to do is gather your friends and family, and Tauck does the rest. One simple
phone call, and Tauck does it all for you.
Book a group of 10 on any 2012 Tauck land trip or cruise and the 11th guest travels
FREE!
Book a group of 8 on any 2012 Tauck Bridges or Tauck Culturious trip and the 9th
guest travels FREE!
- Earn a FREE seat after you book 10 or more friends or family members on the same
Tauck land trip or cruise.
- Earn a FREE seat after you book 8 or more friends or family members on the same
Tauck Bridges or Tauck Culturious trip.
- Great Tauck value - Tauck’s prices include virtually every travel expense - hotel
and ship accommodations, most meals, private shore excursions, airport transfers,
taxes, porterage, most gratuities including local guides - and all Tauck Director
gratuities on Tauck Bridges, European River Cruises and Small Ship Cruises!
- Personal Service at its best - Attentive personal services from experienced Tauck
Directors, local experts and guides, start to finish, ensure group satisfaction
- Personal concierge-style services - On-tour group advantages include hotel check-in,
luggage handling, dining arrangements, sightseeing excursions, admissions fees,
special cultural events and much more
- Hassle-free travel - Tauck takes care of all travel details for your group from
the moment you book
- Priceless travel experiences - Perfect for gift giving, reunions, birthdays, graduations,
holiday gatherings, anniversaries, retirements and special interest groups
A special occasion… It’s your wedding anniversary - an important wedding
anniversary. It’s a milestone, the most important anniversary in quite awhile (except
maybe the original “big day”) - and it’s all about friends and family. You want
it to be special, to bring together the people closest to you - but busy lives make
it almost impossible to spend time together.
A celebration that’s a journey, a journey that’s a gathering, a gathering that brings
friends and family together for a week, ten days, two weeks - and defines the very
reason you’re celebrating. Friends and family make special occasions even more special
by celebrating together on a Tauck journey.
A retirement… Go ahead, throw your own party. You’ve worked the hours, the
days, the weeks, the years - and now that you’ve officially retired, you deserve
to celebrate. Only those you want to celebrate with, the friends and family you’d
like to share your new lifestyle with - they’re still working...
Forget the worries of planning, having to handle the details. You and your friends
and family share the joys of travel, celebrating your retirement from the “9 to
5,” traveling together without a worry about how you’re going to get from point
A to point B. Just great hotels, great food, and great experiences, sunrise to sunset.
A pastime… You garden, golf, play tennis, discuss books, cook, sing in a
choir, ballroom dance, run marathons, make quilts, play the violin, chase ghosts,
ride horses, make jewelry, own a dog. You’ve found a group of people who like to
do something you like to do, and you’ve formed a bond and created friends doing
so.
There are many, many places your mind leads your heart - or your heart leads your
mind - the world over and back again. Bring your group of like-minded friends together
on a Tauck journey or cruise - and discover how enriching it is to discover the
world with those you share interests in common.
A gift… The gift of travel is the most precious gift of all - it’s the gift
of time. The priceless commodity nobody has, yet everybody wants. A vacation with
friends or family is 50% about what you see and do, and 50% about the special bond
that forms when you spend time together in places out of the ordinary. You have
24 hours a day to explore, laugh, learn, dine, and relax together. And even that
may not be long enough.
The gift of travel is a lifetime of memories that at best are incomparable, immeasurable,
and irreplaceable. There’s no better gift you can give your family or your friends
to celebrate, reminisce, rejoice or connect. And that - is invaluable.
Preparing to Go
Past Tauck travelers are the most important voice we have when it comes to sharing
the experience of a Tauck journey. We encourage you to visit the Tauck Travel Forums
on our website where travelers ask questions, and share information, travel experiences,
photos and more.
Tauck has partnered with Longitude, a travel book company, and prepared lists of
recommended reading material appropriate to each of our journeys. To view or order
these selections, go to each tour or cruise page and look for the "Suggested Reading"
box featuring Longitude Books; click on the link at the bottom of the box. You will
be taken to a listing of books, reference material, maps and guidebooks that will
be interesting, informative and realative to your destination.
No matter where your destination may be, you should bring identification with you.
A valid passport is always an appropriate form of identification. If you are a U.S.
citizen traveling abroad then a valid passport will be required, and though not
mandatory, we also recommend bringing some form of government issued photo ID such
as a driver’s license. For U.S. citizens traveling within the United States, while
passports are not required, proof of identification at airport check-in has become
mandatory. A valid passport or a government issued photo ID is sufficient. Tauck
recommends that non-U.S. citizens consult the embassies or consulates of the countries
they will be visiting to determine identification and travel document requirements.
Due to motor coach space limitations, most Tauck journeys only allow for one normal
sized suitcase per individual. Remember, a wise traveler packs light! We also encourage
just one carry-on bag per individual (for carrying items that might be needed during
the day’s sightseeing excursions or camera/video equipment). Dimensions for carry-ons
should not exceed 17” x 12” x 10”, allowing it to fit under the seat or in the overhead
rack of most motor coaches.
When traveling to destinations outside of the country from which you are traveling
from, or for which you are not a citizen of - you will be required to have a valid
passport. Many countries require that your passport remain valid for at least 6
month beyond the completion date of your visit. With tighter security and immigration
policies, even U.S. citizens traveling to Canada will very soon be required to have
a valid passport to enter. Most Tauck cruise journeys require we receive and submit
to the cruise line our guest’s passport information well in advance of the cruise
departure date.
Solo Travel
We have a special page dedicated to traveling solo with Tauck - check out all of
the details here. Tauck has negotiated with its hoteliers to offer special solo
traveler savings on limited departures of select trips - details can be found on
our Traveling Solo With Tauck page or you can check for savings on individual trip
pages under Pricing & Availability. And for travel tips or discussions about traveling
solo with other solo Tauck travelers, please go to our Solo Travelers Forum.
Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from travel and hotel
providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings.
Guests choosing not to purchase Tauck’s Guest, Cruise or Event Protection will incur
these cancellation penalties. Penalties vary depending on destination, and whether
it is a land, rail, or cruise journey.
When you purchase Tauck’s Guest, Cruise or Event Protection, you are entitled to
a money-back refund in the event your plans change. Our travel protection includes
coverage for lost luggage, medical emergencies and more. All travelers, with the
exception of residents of Puerto Rico, are eligible to purchase one of Tauck's Protection
products. Residents of Puerto Rico are eligible for some cancellation protection
by purchasing Tauck’s Cancellation Fee Waiver. For more information on how this
protection can protect your travel investment, please visit Tauck’s Guest, Cruise
and Event Protection designated by the “Tauck Travel Protection” link on each itinerary
on this website.
The customary gratuity to the Tauck Director and Driver is not included on most
Tauck trips. Such gratuities should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis
and not done as a group. As an exception, there are some Tauck journeys in which
the Tauck Director gratuity is included and/or a Driver gratuity will not be applicable.
Information about Tauck Director and Driver gratuities specific to a destination
is included within final tour documentation sent after a reservation has been paid
in full.
All appropriate gratuities for luggage handling, bellman, doorman, dining room servers,
housekeepers, local city guides, ship and train crew are included in the price of
a Tauck trip.
Wheelchairs and certain types of motorized scooters can be accommodated on some
Tauck journeys. It is best that you inquire for the specific journey you are interested
in. As a general rule, wheelchairs and motorized scooters are not accepted for Tauck’s
international and exotic destinations. The international community does not adhere
to the same accessibility standards that hotels, restaurants and public buildings
do in the United States. That combined with tour itineraries that might require
a considerable bit of walking in old historic city sections, in and around attractions,
over cobblestone streets, up hills and climbing staircases make wheelchairs impractical
to bring.
Collapsible wheelchairs are more widely accepted for Tauck journeys within the United
States and Canada. But even to this, there are exceptions so it always is best to
inquire to be certain. Motor coach space limitations make motorized scooters harder
to accommodate on journeys, but there are certain model collapsible motorized scooters
that can be accommodated on many of Tauck’s North American journeys. Again, it is
best to inquire.
Tauck cannot provide wheelchairs to guests or wheelchair assistance during the journey.
Persons needing such assistance must be accompanied by an able companion.
Many special dietary needs can be accommodated on Tauck journeys with advance notice
but cannot be guaranteed. Different destinations make some dietary needs harder
to accommodate than others. We will do everything possible in communicating your
requests to hotels and restaurants. Common dietary requests like ‘ low sodium’ or
‘vegetarian’ are likely to be accommodated much easier than very special or unique
dietary needs. Meals that are full a la carte offer more flexibility for special
dietary requests as do some limited a la carte meals. For the occasional ‘set menu’
or ‘buffet meals’ on Tauck journeys, unique dietary needs may prove a bit more challenging.
With the exception of most Tauck Bridges destinations, 4 guests (or quads) cannot
be accommodated on our journeys. Tauck Bridges are journeys designed to be kid friendly
and family oriented. Room accommodations for four on Tauck Bridges journeys are
typically two beds and a roll-a-way.
Most every Tauck journey can accommodate three people in a room. Typical room accommodations
for triples are two beds and a roll-a-way. Though very rare, there is sometimes
an occasional hotel that must accommodate a triple by using two rooms. This cannot
be requested and is only done out of necessity by the hotel for lack of rooms accommodating
three beds. Most all cruise journeys have limited cabin types accommodating triples.
When you travel with Tauck you can always count on the best available accommodations
in great locations, from landmark city hotels to country hotels in areas of stunning
regional beauty. Many companies use less expensive hotels to keep their prices down;
they are often of lesser quality and poorly located in outlying areas. In contrast,
Tauck hotels are selected for their central location, ambiance, service and value;
most are conveniently located, close to key historic and cultural sights.
Tauck land trips and cruises are enjoyed by people of all ages, by anyone who has
a passion for enriching, rewarding and memorable travel experiences. Our Tauck Bridges
family adventures are designed for family travel and attract people of all ages
and generations; Tauck Culturious trips appeal to "boomer" travelers looking for
culturally immersive, active, small group travel.
The average group size of a Tauck journey varies depending on the trip that is selected.
Most of our land and rail journeys average 35 to 44 guests. Some of Tauck’s cruise
programs will average larger group sizes based on the capacity of a ship. While
the group size can be larger for such cruise programs, the land touring and shore
excursions are orchestrated in smaller group sizes.
Typical dress for any Tauck journey is casual attire. Some journeys may include
a specific dinner function or an event in which gentleman may be required to have,
or feel more comfortable wearing, a sport jacket. But overall the rule of thumb
is casual comfortable clothing. Our final tour documentation will mention occasions
(if any) on a journey in which a sport jacket or dressier clothing is suggested.
Tauck journeys are seen through the experienced eyes of our Tauck Directors, knowledgeable
professionals whose expertise, wealth of information, friendliness, warmth and enthusiasm
earn them the highest praise from our guests. They are the personifications of the
word "leader." Tauck Directors are passionate in their desire to deliver enriching,
rewarding and memorable travel experiences - and they are with you through your
entire journey.
Tauck’s “free choice” dining allows you to eat many of your meals when you want
and with whom you want. Special occasion dinners are held as group functions, and
lunches that are included during group sightseeing excursions are often held in
a group setting.
Trip Inclusions
Most meals are included on Tauck journeys. Dining is a delightful and integral part
of the Tauck experience - and that is why Tauck selects restaurants that offer a
true taste of each region you visit. Enjoy Tauck’s “free choice” dining where you
often dine when and with whom you wish; some meals are full a la carte, some may
be limited a la carte, and some may be from a set menu or buffet.
Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point on a Tauck journey
is not included. Some destinations require ‘on-tour’ flights which must be reserved
and purchased through Tauck.
Just about everything! Virtually every travel expense is included in one up-front
price - airport transfers as specified in the itinerary, all hotel and ship accommodations,
entertainment, meals as specified in the itinerary, special dinner, land and cruise
transportation, sightseeing, shore excursions, luggage handling, most taxes, concierge-style
services Tauck Directors, services of local guides and more.
All appropriate gratuities for luggage handling, bellmen, doormen, dining room servers,
ship staff and drivers are included. Tauck Director and Tauck Cruise Director (if
applicable) gratuities are included on all small ship and river cruises and all
Tauck Bridges trips (with the exception of the family departures on Egypt: Jewels
of the Nile).
Over 100 cost components are included on every land trip and cruise - which means
no hidden costs, no surcharges, no on-tour surprises!
What to Pack
For every Tauck itinerary, you’ll find helpful information on this very topic at
www.tauck.com. Select an itinerary and click on the tour name. You’ll see a row
of headings leading to information about the trip.
Continue scrolling down to find the section titled, Clothing and Packing. Here you’ll
find information about the type of clothing you’ll need - given the local climate
conditions and how casual or dressy the venues visited will be. You’ll also find
a list of recommended items to pack and important reminders about your travel documents,
prescription medications and laundry service availability on the road.
Following the steps above, you’ll learn that this is a very casual tour with no
need for resort attire; that wearing earth-tone colors is recommended (and why)
– that a bandana will come in handy and using camp laundry services following a
dusty game-drive day is both affordable and practical.
The Clothing and Packing information will tell you that comfortable and casual is
perfect aboard ship or for sightseeing. For the Tauck welcome and farewell dinners,
casual resort wear is likely to make you feel comfortable with your fellow travelers
– for example, chinos and a polo shirt for men; slacks or skirt and a blouse, or
a casually dressy dress for women. Should you decide to dine on your own at a more
formal restaurant (on land), a jacket and tie may be preferred or required for gentlemen.
“Casual elegance” describes the feel of sailing on a yacht as well as the way that
guests typically dress. Dressing for relaxation and comfort are key but it’s helpful
to think about what you would wear at an upscale land resort. We offer suggestions
for both day and evening attire under Need to Know - as well as what to expect when
visiting mosques.
You’ll find guidance on packing essentials for both, from what to wear at sea to
what to wear when crossing the Andes Mountains at high elevations. Included notes
will advise that a special occasion in Lima calls for casually elegant evening attire
and in the Galápagos, water shoes for “wet landings” ashore and beach walks are
a must - and that wet suits are available aboard ship.
No matter your destination, keep in mind that comfort and convenience are critical.
We encourage you not to over pack, but rather to bring outfits that can be mixed
and matched for style - and layered or removed for changes in temperature. Above
all, bring shoes that are supportive and comfortably broken in for walking, preferably
with a non-slip sole. See all this and more at www.tauck.com
Below is a generic packing list for your consideration - but again, it’s always
best to check the itinerary-specific information available for every Tauck trip.
Clothing:
- Comfortable, casual wear for sightseeing in limited colors that can be mixed and
matched
- A slightly dressy outfit for a special evening (for men, a blazer or sport coat,
chinos and polo shirt, for example; for women, a skirt and a casually dressy top
or a simple dress)
- A light to medium sweater and a light jacket or windbreaker for layering
- In humid climates, bring loose-fitting clothes made of natural fibers
- In colder climates, bring layers that you can add or subtract as the day warms up
or the nights cool down
- Swimsuit with cover-up
- Athletic gear for working out (optional)
Shoes:
- Comfortable, broken-in, supportive walking shoes or sandals
- Casually dressy shoes for evening
- Athletic shoes for workouts (optional)
Accessories: Glasses and/or contact lenses, sunglasses, hat, alarm clock,
batteries and chargers for small electronics and phone, camera and memory cards.
Prescriptions: A supply sufficient for the entire trip and a copy of your prescription(s)
in your carry-on bag; extra pair of prescription glasses.
Sundries: Sun, lip and insect protection, preferred over-the-counter medications
for upset stomach, pain reliever or allergies, preferred personal hygiene products,
contact lens solution and beauty items.
Miscellaneous:
- Umbrella / rain jacket
- A tote bag that folds into its own zippered pouch - handy for shopping or bringing
back souvenirs
- Emergency contact phone numbers; addresses for sending postcards.
- Cash, ATM card
- Photograph of luggage contents in case of loss
- Sealable plastic bags for stowing small liquid containers
- Travel documents or confirmation numbers, passport, Frequent Flyer cards, medical
insurance cards, business cards (to exchange with friends made along the way)
- Binoculars