| Tour Name (click name for details) |
Duration |
Region |
Date(s) |
Price From |
Description |
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Classic Italy 2012
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14 Days |
Italy & sicily |
June 13, 2012 |
$5545 |
Book by May 10, 2012. Discover bella Italia on Tauck's most popular of Italy tours with visits to scenic Tuscan hill towns, in centuries-old cities and countryside villages, and along the Amalfi Coast. Classic Italy is highlighted by a Tauck Exclusive – an after-hours guided visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel for an extraordinary look at some of the world's most magnificent art treasures – without the crowds – during a three-night stay in glorious Rome. Art is the focus in Florence; a lecture by an art historian precedes a walking tour of the city and a visit to Galleria dell'Accademia. You'll also tour the magnificent Uffizi Gallery with a local guide. Cruise along the shores of Cinque Terre villages... stay at a 17th-century country house hotel in Torgiano and share the secrets of great Italian cooking with an Umbrian chef... discover historic sights in Pompeii... spend two nights in magical Venice... and visit the hill towns of Orvieto, Assisi and San Gimignano. New for 2012 – special "Ferragamo" departures. |
Included:
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, first-class accommodations on the Eurostar train from Florence to Venice, entertainment, special dinners, sightseeing, admissions, porterage and the services of local guides, drivers and the Tauck Director are included. Transportation from Naples International Airport or Naples Central Train Station to the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is included, regardless of the time you check in to the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks before to the start of your tour. If you are arriving into another local train station please retain a receipt from your transfer and submit it to your Tour Director for reimbursement. Transportation from The Westin Europa & Regina Hotel to Venice to Marco Polo Airport or Santa Lucia Train Station is also included on when you check out of the hotel. Transportation to and from airports and train stations may be shared with other Tauck guests.
Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Dining - Most restaurants open for lunch around 12:00 PM and close at 3:00 PM, then re-open again for dinner at 7:30 PM. A "‘coperto", or cover charge, is commonly added to the top of your bill for table service and bread. The typical cover charge ranges from 2-4 Euro per person. A "servizio", or service charge, is often added to the bottom of your bill and ranges from 10-12%. If there is no service charge added to your bill, you may tip as you wish.
Water from the tap is safe to drink; however, restaurants will offer bottled water, usually sparkling, "frizzante", or non-sparkling, "naturale". Ice is not usually offered automatically, as Italians are not fond of it. If you ask for ice, "ghiaccio", you will probably receive a few cubes of ice in a bowl.
Tauck Director – Classic Italy is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff and local guides are included.
No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.
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Day 1 Arrive in Naples and head to Sorrento
Meals D
Tauck's most comprehensive of Italy tours begins at 6:00 PM at Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria. A transfer is included from Naples International Airport to Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria. Tauck's Classic Italy tour begins in the southern resort town of Sorrento, where your historic hotel – family owned and operated since 1834 – overlooks the beautiful Bay of Naples and powerful Mt. Vesuvius. Get to know your fellow travelers at a welcome cocktail reception and dinner.
Lodging Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria
Day 2 A drive along the spectacular Amalfi Coast
Meals B, L
Take an unhurried drive along the Amalfi Coast, one of Europe's most dramatic shorelines. Stop for visits in Amalfi, where some medieval dwellings date to the 10th century, and Ravello, perched on towering cliffs above the sea. Explore Sorrento’s piazzas, old Roman streets and narrow alleys as you please upon your afternoon return, spending the evening as you wish.
Lodging Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria
Day 3 Explore Pompeii, then on to the Eternal City of Rome
Meals B, L, D
Today, explore an ancient community captured in time – the excavated ruins of the Roman city of Pompeii, buried in volcanic ash when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Walk through city streets with a local expert, where you'll discover remarkably preserved ancient architecture and artifacts that portray what daily life was like in this 1st-century city. Continue on to remarkable Rome, where your next three nights are spent at The Westin Excelsior, Rome, one of the most prestigious addresses on the famed Via Veneto.
Lodging The Westin Excelsior, Rome
Day 4 Tauck Exclusive – After-hours Vatican Museums visit
Meals B
Your sightseeing in Rome on this most remarkable of Italy tours is highlighted by a special Tauck Exclusive – an after-hours guided visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel (subject to availability and day of the tour may vary). This after-hours visit means you'll avoid the long lines and the usual crowds found earlier in the day; the experience is rich when you explore the treasures in the Vatican Museums at your own pace. See the Candelabra Gallery, Map Gallery, and the Tapestries; in the Sistine Chapel, gaze in amazement at Michelangelo's masterpiece ceiling – and be able to contemplate all that you see in quieter surroundings. It's certain to be a true highlight on this most memorable of Italy tours... one that you'll remember forever.
Lodging The Westin Excelsior, Rome
Day 5 A day in the Rome of the Caesars
Meals B, D
A sightseeing excursion begins the day in Rome, once the virtual capital of the ancient world, and now Italy's capital city. Tour the 2,000-year-old Colosseum; see Circus Maximus, the 4th-century BC stadium where chariot races were held, and the ruins of the Imperial Palace. View the Roman Forum from above, then return to the microstate of Vatican City for a tour of St. Peter's Basilica to view the art and architecture, and explore St. Peter's Square. Pursue your own passions in Rome during the afternoon. You'll get a real taste of Italian cuisine this evening with a family-style dinner at a traditional restaurant.
Lodging The Westin Excelsior, Rome
Day 6 Orvieto's Duomo and a wine tasting in Torgiano
Meals B, L, D
Journey to Orvieto, set on a 984-foot-high plateau overlooking vineyards below. Visit the Duomo of Orvieto, a notable Romanesque-Gothic cathedral built over a span of 300 years. After a trattoria lunch near the Piazza del Duomo, continue through the wine-producing regions of Umbria. Arrive in Torgiano, a small village in the Tiber Valley, and your home for the next two nights, Le Tre Vaselle. The present-day hotel is a carefully renovated 17th century country villa of which the key elements have been preserved – thick walls, wooden beams, terracotta floors, broad stone fireplaces, antique furniture and hand-woven fabrics – with its own private winery. Warm hospitality, elegant decor and exquisite cuisine are reminiscent of the aristocratic country houses of centuries past. Tonight, you'll attend a wine tasting and sample the vineyard's grapes in the osteria.
Lodging Le Tre Vaselle
Day 7 Back in time in old Assisi – and a chef shares secrets
Meals B, D
Drive to Assisi, a well-preserved medieval hill town designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its art and architecture, and the hometown of St. Francis, the revered patron saint of animals and founder of the Franciscan order. Visit the Basilica di San Francesco, built to honor Assisi's beloved saint and favorite son and his final resting place. Gaze at the basilica's impressive 13th- and 14th-century frescoes, some of Italy's finest, and enjoy some free time in the center of town. This evening, return to Torgiano, where you'll discover the secrets of great Italian cuisine from an Umbrian chef who shares insights into the nuances of Italian cooking at a demonstration – another highlight of one of Tauck's most popular Italy tours!
Lodging Le Tre Vaselle
Day 8 Traces of Italy's medieval days in Tuscany
Meals B, D
From Torgiano, traverse Tuscany's lush, rolling landscapes rich in fig and olive trees to the hilltop town of San Gimignano, where you'll see 13 medieval towers built in the 12th century by the nobility as both private fortresses and symbols of wealth. Stroll along the town's narrow streets and visit Piazza della Cisterna, one of Italy's most picturesque town squares. Continue your travels under the Tuscan sun to the seaside resort town of Viareggio for an overnight at the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte, where you'll dine à la carte this evening.
Lodging Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte
Day 9 Cinque Terre storybook villages
Meals B, D
The picture-book coastal villages of Cinque Terre were accessible only by sea for hundreds of years; today, you'll travel by train through the mountains to one of these villages for a look at daily life in this unique corner of the country. You'll have time to yourself to wander through the town's cobblestone streets, where you'll experience it all from colorful fishing boats home from the sea to the wine, olives and citrus fruit produced locally. Cruise along the Mediterranean shores of the Italian Riviera where views of these centuries-old Cinque Terre villages, set on rocky bluffs hemmed in by steep cliffs, are a knockout! Journey on to the Renaissance city of Florence for a three-night stay in the heart of the city.
Lodging The Westin Excelsior, Florence
Day 10 Become an art aficionado in Florence
Meals B
Experience magnificent Florence, where the arts flourished between the 13th and 16th centuries, giving birth to the Renaissance. Learn about art history from a local lecturer, then take a walking tour of the city. Later, a guided tour of the Galleria dell'Accademia – the first art school in Europe – introduces you to some of the world's great art treasures, including Michelangelo's marble statue of David. You'll have time on your own in Florence this afternoon; your hotel is right in the heart of the city, which makes it easy to explore!
Lodging The Westin Excelsior, Florence
Day 11 Masterpieces of the Uffizi
Meals B
Join a local expert for a guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery, Florence's extraordinary art museum founded by the Medici family in the 16th century; it can be rightfully called the oldest art gallery on Earth. Admire some of the world's greatest art masterpieces on display within its walls, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and more. The remainder of the day is spent as you please; you may want to visit the Pitti Palace or the Medici Chapels, or stroll across the Ponte Vecchio to the lovely Boboli Gardens.
Lodging The Westin Excelsior, Florence
Day 12 In Venice – the Doge's Palace, after hours...
Meals B, L
Guests rave that one of the things they like best about our Italy tours is traveling by different modes of transportation; Classic Italy continues today with a journey by the sleek, high-speed Eurostar train from Florence to Venice. Transfer by canal boat to your hotel, conveniently located near St. Mark’s Square; after lunch, embark on a walking tour. Visit St. Mark’s Basilica as well as the sumptuous Doge’s Palace, once the official residence of the elected officials of the Venetian Republic. Indulge in the quintessential Venetian experience, a serenade aboard a gondola on the canals. Dinner tonight is on your own in Venice, a city embraced by the most popular Italy tours for its many fine restaurants!
Lodging The Westin Europa & Regina, Venice
Day 13 The romance of Venice, as you please
Meals B, D
The entire day is free to do as you please in Venice – and to say that you have a lot of choices is an understatement. You might decide to visit the museums, an eclectic group housing some of the world’s most famed art; stroll the winding, narrow streets that lead to countless bridges; or perhaps you might choose to take a boat to one of the islands in the Venetian Lagoon, such as Murano, Burano or Torcello, where centuries-old crafts and a kaleidoscope of color are found... This evening, join us for a farewell cocktail reception and dinner that marks the end of one of Tauck's most popular Italy tours.
Lodging The Westin Europa & Regina, Venice
Day 14 Ciao!
Meals B
One of Tauck's most popular Italy tours ends in Venice. Fly home anytime; a transfer is included from The Westin Europa & Regina, Venice to Venice's Marco Polo Airport. You should allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in.
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Empire of the Incas Peru & Bolivia 2012
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13 Days |
Peru |
June 22, 2012 |
$3745 |
Book by June 22, 2012. Explore the world of the Incas on Tauck’s 13-day Bolivia and Peru tour, and witness the impact of the Spanish conquistadors on cultures from out of the mists of history. Wonders await at every turn, from Francisco Pizarro’s colonial Lima and Cusco, to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and Machu Picchu to Lake Titicaca to La Paz. Discover ancient Inca strongholds and sacred sites surrounded by the majestic Andes Mountains... admire the skill and craftsmanship of ancient artisans whose true medium was gold... learn the secrets of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, and have your journey blessed by a local shaman. See the incredible Nazca Lines – only visible from the air – on an optional flightseeing excursion. Attend a folkloric performance based on Inca mythology... chug through spectacular Andean scenery on a vintage rail car... meet locals living like their ancestors did on floating reed islands on Lake Titicaca... watch a Peruvian chef – and famous Peruvian Paso horses – demonstrate their skills... and discover the cultural and architectural diversity of La Paz, highest capital city on earth.
Price includes on tour air. |
Included:
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, entertainment, special dinners, sightseeing, admissions, the rail journeys through the Andes from Urubamba to Aguas Calientes and from Aguas Calientes to Cusco aboard the Vistadome, and from Cusco to Lake Titicaca aboard the Andean Explorer, luggage handling, and the services of the Tauck Director, local guides and drivers are included. Transportation from Lima Airport to the Miraflores Park Hotel is included, regardless of the time you check in to the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of your tour. Transportation from the Camino Real Hotel to La Paz El Alto International Airport is also included when you check out of the hotel. Transportation to and from airports and train stations may be shared with other Tauck guests.
Hotel Accommodations ― The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from place to place, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triple accommodations are not available on this tour.
Meals ― Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tauck Director ― Empire of the Incas: Peru & Bolivia is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
Gratuities Included ― All appropriate gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff and local guides are included.
No Options Sold ― Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.
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Day 1 Welcome to Peru!
Meals
Our Bolivia and Peru tour begins in Lima. Upon arrival at Lima’s Jorge Chavez International Airport, you’ll be met by a Tauck representative and transferred to the Miraflores Park Hotel, your home for your first three nights.
Lodging Miraflores Park Hotel
Day 2 Explore Lima, "City of Kings"
Meals B, L, D
Your Peru tour begins in the lovely colonial center of Lima, originally mapped out by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, which appears on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. You’ll be inspired by its age-old beauty and venerable traditions during a tour this morning. Some of Lima’s most historic buildings surround the splendid Plaza Major – see the Archbishop’s Palace, with its fine carved balcony; the opulent Government Palace, the official residence of the president of Peru; and the 17th-century Church of San Pedro, an excellent example of Peruvian Baroque architecture. Visit the impressive, 16th-century Cathedral of Lima, whose first stone was laid by Pizarro himself in 1535, and in which he is buried. Get a sense of what life was like for the wealthy of Lima centuries ago during lunch at Casa de Aliaga, a beautifully preserved colonial mansion that has been owned by the same family for 17 generations; then visit the privately owned Museo Larco, housing one of the world's largest collections of pre-Columbian artifacts and art. Please join us for a special welcome cocktail reception and dinner at Casa Luna, the private hacienda of your hosts Javier and Eva Luna, where an eclectic art collection containing over 1,500 nativities is on display.
Lodging Miraflores Park Hotel
Day 3 Lima's culture and cuisine... or the Nazca Lines
Meals B, L
Discover Lima’s rich artistic heritage – representing some 3,000 years and a mix of cultures including pre-Hispanic, colonial and contemporary Peruvian art – on this morning's walking tour of the city's "Bohemian" district, Barranco, followed by a visit to one of Lima's fine art museums with a local guide. Enjoy lunch at Cala, a local seaside restaurant that’s truly one of Lima’s spots to “see and be seen," where you'll sample authentic Peruvian cuisine – a tantalizing fusion of Andean and Spanish flavors. Or you may choose to join us for an optional, full-day excursion (available for an additional $349 per person – ask at time of booking) to see the amazing Nazca Lines from the air! You'll drive across one of the driest deserts on Earth along part of the Pan American Highway to Pisco, where you'll take off on a flightseeing trip to observe these massive animal figures, visible only from the air, carved into the desert floor many centuries ago by the Nazca people. Return to Lima this evening, where dinner is on your own tonight.
Lodging Miraflores Park Hotel
Day 4 Meet alpacas and Peruvian Pasos in the Sacred Valley
Meals B, L, D
A short flight this morning takes you from cosmopolitan Lima to Cusco; continue overland to the Sacred Valley of the Incas for a two-night stay. Did you know that South America’s iconic llama and the ubiquitous camel of the Middle East are both camelids – and thus “kissing cousins” – although they live half a world apart? That's just one fact you'll learn when you meet the llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos that are so associated with the Andes during a visit to the Awanacancha farm that raises them. Enjoy lunch and an equestrian demonstration starring famous Peruvian Paso horses at Wayra Ranch en route to your Sacred Valley hotel, where you can relax, have dinner and adjust to the higher altitude this evening.
Lodging Casa Andina Private Collection Sacred Valley
Day 5 Incan mysteries and a performance by Kusiwasi
Meals B, L, D
Like Egypt’s pyramids, mystery surrounds the construction methods used to build the massive stone fortress of Ollantaytambo. One of the best preserved of the Inca settlements, this living museum reveals much about what life was like here in the 15th century during a tour; the people of the town of Ollantaytambo still practice a very traditional lifestyle, as you'll discover on a visit to a private home. Return to your hotel for a demonstration of Peruvian cuisine preparation by a chef, followed by a scrumptious buffet lunch – and you'll learn how to make a Pisco Sour! Later, meet a local shaman who will bless your journey and share insights on the spiritual nature of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Tonight, you’ll be treated to a performance of The Apus of the Andes, representing Quechua lore and Inca mythology, by the folk-arts group Kusiwasi, followed by dinner.
Lodging Casa Andina Private Collection Sacred Valley
Day 6 A rail journey to another time at Machu Picchu
Meals B, L, D
Board the Vistadome train in Ollantaytambo and travel through mist-shrouded peaks that the Incas believed to be sacred to Aguas Calientes, gateway to the “lost city of the Incas,” Machu Picchu. Spending the afternoon exploring this incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site, recently named one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World,” with our local guides will be an unforgettable highlight of your Peru tour. Inspiration is everywhere amidst the architectural and aesthetic genius evidenced in the palaces, temples, houses and baths of this mountaintop, totally self-contained retreat. It is said by some that if you are a spiritually sensitive person and touch your forehead to the Intihuatana stone – still a precise indicator of the two annual equinoxes – you’ll be able to see into the spirit world! Return to Aguas Calientes for an overnight stay at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel... where you can enjoy a complimentary Pisco Sour at the bar (between 5:00 and 6:00 PM) prior to dinner at your leisure.
Lodging Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Day 7 From the past to the present
Meals B, L, D
This morning is yours to do as you please... which might include returning before sunup to Machu Picchu to explore more of the site on a memorable guided sunrise tour; enjoying a nature walk through your hotel’s stunning gardens, home to many species of orchids and birds; checking out local shops and such in Aguas Calientes; or indulging in a soothing treatment employing local botanicals and a mystical Andean approach at the hotel's spa (for an additional charge). After lunch, again board the Vistadome train for the scenic rail journey to Ollanta, and drive to Cusco for a two-night stay. The beautiful Hotel Monasterio, named the “Best Hotel in South America” by Condé Nast Traveler in 2007, will be your home for the next two nights. Originally built in 1592, this former monastery in the center of Cusco will indulge you with its unique atmosphere, unequaled charm and gracious hospitality.
Lodging Hotel Monasterio
Day 8 South America's oldest city... Cusco
Meals B
Just about everywhere you look in Cusco – once capital of the Inca Empire, and South America's oldest continuously inhabited city – you’ll see traces of its Incan past and its importance to the Inca people as the “navel of the world,” as well as of the early Spanish colonial city built above it. Begin the day with a walk through the bustling modern-day market. Discover the ruins of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, “the House of the Sun,” an important Inca stronghold. Nowhere is the collision between the European and Inca cultures more apparent than at the Baroque Convent of Santo Domingo; after the Inca Temple of the Sun at Koriqancha was ransacked by Spanish conquerors, its amazing stone walls became the foundation for the convent, built atop the temple. The 16th-century Cathedral of Cusco, whose massive altar is made of solid silver, is a splendid example of Spanish colonial churches in the “New World.” Perhaps you’ll hear the tolling of the Maria Angola bell, the largest in South America, during your visit, as your local guide shares insights about the conversion of Incan sites to Spanish churches. Your afternoon and evening are at leisure in Cusco; the city's many fine restaurants offer a range of opportunities for lunch and dinner on your own today.
Lodging Hotel Monasterio
Day 9 Into the Andes and on to Lake Titicaca
Meals B, L, D
Board the Andean Explorer for a highlight of Tauck’s Peru tour – a spectacular rail journey meandering through majestic peaks and across the Andean plains from Cusco to the shores of Lake Titicaca, the most sacred lake in the Inca world. Settle in for a pleasant and leisurely ride aboard your vintage rail car in the style of Europe's famous Orient Express; lunch and afternoon tea will be served on the train. You’ll spend the next two nights lakeside at Libertador Lake Titicaca Puno Hotel; the region's only five-star hotel, this lovely property on Isla Esteves provides wonderful views of the world’s highest navigable lake.
Lodging Libertador Lake Titicaca
Day 10 Lake Titicaca, where time stands still
Meals B, L, D
Legend has it that the Inca Empire began at Lake Titicaca when the sun god summoned his children from its chilly waters and sent them forth to establish Cusco. Centuries later, some of the indigenous people of the area – the Uros – dwell on forty-five Islas Flotantes de los Uro, floating islands made from reeds that dot the lake, living much as their ancestors did and still following their ancestral customs. View and visit some of these islands via powerboat, going ashore to meet the inhabitants and discover what their lives are like. Later, on Taquile Island, visit the home of an Aymara family who will prepare lunch for you and perform some of their traditional dances. You’ll no doubt notice that on Taquile all the men seem to be industriously knitting, and you’ll see some of the items that they produce. After returning to the hotel, you’re free to spend the afternoon as you choose.
Lodging Libertador Lake Titicaca
Day 11 Bolivia bound
Meals B, L, D
Begin the day with a drive along the coast of Lake Titicaca, then head across the lake via private hydrofoil to Sun Island, Bolivia, the legendary birthplace of the Incas. The ancient Aymara and Quechua peoples believed that the sun and the gods were born here and founded the Inca Empire… and many of their descendants still hold that belief; the only means of transportation between the five villages on the island, home to about 5,000 people, is the donkey. Savor a typical Bolivian lunch against the scenic backdrop of Titicaca's blue waters, its many islands, and the snow-capped Andes beyond. Hop back aboard a hydrofoil and pass through the narrow Straits of Tiquina to Huatajata, where you’ll stop at the museum of the Limachi family, builders of the reed boats Tigris and RA II, used by famed explorer Thor Heyerdahl to prove his theory that ancient vessels could cross vast oceans. Continue overland to La Paz, the highest capital city on Earth, for a two-night stay; enjoy dinner à la carte at your leisure in the hotel this evening.
Lodging Camino Real Suites Hotel
Day 12 Lively La Paz
Meals B, D
Begun on the site of an existing Aymara village, La Paz was founded in 1548 by Spaniards. The highest capital city in the world above sea level, La Paz is also home to the highest golf course on Earth; in the thin air, a good tee shot will travel an amazing distance! Venture just outside the city to explore the lunar-like badlands dubbed the Valle De La Luna (Valley of the Moon), a stone landscape of deep gullies and bizarre rock formations, before heading to La Paz's city center to soak up some local color in the bustling Indian Market... and browse in the Mercato de las Brujas (Witches’ Market) for magic amulets, potions, spells or plants reputed to have healing powers. From the Plaza Murillo, you’ll see the colonial-era Government Palace, known as the Burned Palace because it was set on fire during eight different revolutions; the Congress building had been a convent, a jail and a university before being renovated in 1904 to house the congress of Bolivia. Explore more of La Paz as you please this afternoon, and have lunch on your own; this evening, join us at Bolivia's National Art Museum for Tauck's exclusive farewell reception including a private tour of the museum followed by dinner in the courtyard.
Lodging Camino Real Suites Hotel
Day 13 Say adios to the Andes
Meals B
Tauck's Bolivia and Peru tour ends in La Paz. A transfer from the Camino Real Hotel to La Paz El Alto International Airport is included. Please allow 3 hours for airport check-in formalities. Thank you for traveling with Tauck; we wish you a safe and pleasant journey home. Hasta la vista!
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San Francisco, Sonoma & Napa Valleys 2012
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7 Days |
USA |
June 16, 2012 |
$2169 |
Book by May 28, 2012. The charms of the City by the Bay and the delights of California's wine country make this sophisticated San Francisco, Sonoma and Napa Valley tour a memorable experience. Take a private San Francisco Bay catamaran cruise with lunch by local legend Boudin Bakery... an exclusive guided tour of the Embarcadero's Ferry Terminal Building with a culinary expert... an interactive culinary experience and gourmet meal with local chefs... a private tram tour with lunch in a wine cave and a tasting at a winery in Sonoma... a "team" wine blending at a Napa winery... a special lunch and behind-the-scenes kitchen visit at the Culinary Institute of America... and a rail journey through the region's lush vineyards featuring a gourmet lunch and tastings aboard the celebrated Napa Valley Wine Train. Savor the best that northern California has to offer on the ultimate Sonoma and Napa Valley tour with Tauck! |
Included:
All prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, entertainment, special dinners, sightseeing, porterage, and the services of local guides, drivers and the Tauck Director are included. Transportation from San Francisco International Airport to the Le Méridien San Francisco is included, regardless of the time you check in to the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to your departure date. Transportation is also provided as one group transfer from the Lodge at Sonoma – A Renaissance Resort & Spa to San Francisco International Airport at 8:00 AM to arrive at 10:00 AM on the last scheduled day of the tour. If you book additional nights with us after the tour at Le Méridien San Francisco, you will first travel to the airport and then to the hotel. Transportation to and from airports may be shared with other Tauck guests.
Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.
Meals- Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tauck Director – San Francisco, Sonoma & Napa Valleys is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the duration of the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff and local guides are included.
No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.
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Day 1 Welcome to San Francisco
Meals D
Your northern California and Napa Valley tour begins at 5:30 PM at Le Méridien San Francisco. A transfer is included from San Francisco Int'l Airport to Le Méridien San Francisco in the heart of the city's vibrant Embarcadero Center. Please join us this evening to meet your fellow California dreamers at our welcome cocktail reception and dinner.
Lodging Le Meridien San Francisco
Day 2 The beautiful City by the Bay
Meals B, L, D
Get to know some of San Francisco's most famous landmarks and attractions during a morning sightseeing tour; from earthy Fisherman's Wharf to the beat generation's North Beach to the tortuously twisted Lombard Street, see the City by the Bay from literally top to bottom. Sail around San Francisco Bay on a private catamaran cruise for a 360° view of sights such as Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge, with lunch featuring the famous sourdough bread from Boudin Bakery – it's magic! After your cruise, take a look at San Francisco's elegant Victorian, Italianate and Queen Anne-style architecture before exploring as you please for the rest of the afternoon. This evening, it's dinner with a difference as you take part in an interactive culinary experience, helping to prepare a gourmet meal with the chefs of San Francisco's Hands On Gourmet.
Lodging Le Meridien San Francisco
Day 3 Sights and sounds of San Francisco
Meals B
Your taste buds are in for a treat today as we sample some of San Francisco's noted cuisine at its source. Join a local epicurean concierge to discover the swirling sights, sounds and scents at the bayfront Ferry Terminal Building in the Embarcadero and its famous Farmers Market on a customized culinary experience featuring exclusive tastings and specialty talks – the perfect prelude to a Sonoma and Napa Valley tour focusing on those superb California wines! Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in this remarkable city, and choose from among San Francisco's array of restaurants for dinner on your own tonight.
Lodging Le Meridien San Francisco
Day 4 Vineyards of a peaceful valley – Sonoma's wine country
Meals B, L, D
Head out from San Francisco through the Sonoma Valley's wine country today, arriving mid-morning at the Benziger Family Winery for a private tour of the vineyards and production facilities, a wine tasting and lunch in a barrel cave – a great opportunity to see firsthand how fine California wine is produced through a combination of time-honored and thoroughly modern methods. Stop at a private winery and art gallery for a tasting and a glimpse of wine-inspired art en route to The Lodge at Sonoma – A Renaissance Resort & Spa, your luxurious home for the next three nights of your Sonoma and Napa Valley tour. If you wish, join the resort's sommelier for a wine education class prior to dinner this evening.
Lodging The Lodge at Sonoma – A Renaissance Resort & Spa
Day 5 All aboard the Wine Train for a Napa Valley tour
Meals B, L
Travel to the town of Napa this morning, where you'll board the celebrated Napa Valley Wine Train for a trip back to the bygone days of elegant rail travel. Dig into a gourmet lunch aboard a faithfully restored 1917 Pullman Dining Car – and sample local wines, of course – during a delightful 36-mile excursion through the valley's verdant vineyards to quaint St. Helena. Later, you may choose to stroll around the charming historic mission town of Sonoma with your Tauck Director, or just relax and enjoy all the amenities offered by your resort.
Lodging The Lodge at Sonoma – A Renaissance Resort & Spa
Day 6 Wine blending & a look at the culinary arts
Meals B, L, D
Today, journey to the Franciscan Winery, where you'll learn the art of wine blending and team up in a friendly winemaking competition with your fellow Tauck guests. Then a guided behind-the-scenes visit to the Culinary Institute of America features a special lunch with more wine... and a creative approach to dessert! Back at your resort this evening, cap your Sonoma and Napa Valley tour with a farewell reception and dinner.
Lodging The Lodge at Sonoma – A Renaissance Resort & Spa
Day7 Journey Home
Meals B
Your San Francisco, Sonoma and Napa Valley tour ends at San Francisco International Airport at 10:00 AM. A transfer is included from The Lodge at Sonoma – A Renaissance Resort & Spa to San Francisco Int'l Airport (approximately 45 miles) or to Le Méridien San Francisco, where Tauck can arrange additional hotel nights. Please allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in formalities. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home.
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Williamsburg & Washington, DC 2012
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8 Days |
USA |
June 17, 2012 |
$2139 |
Book by May 31, 2012. Travel back in time to walk in the footsteps of American history on this Philadelphia to Washington DC tour. In Philadelphia, ride a horse-drawn carriage along cobblestone streets, tour Independence Hall, see the Liberty Bell, and view Freedom Rising at the National Constitution Center. Visit the poignant battlefields of Gettysburg, where a storyteller reveals what it was like to be a civilian during the Civil War battle at a private Tauck dessert reception. Discover Jamestown's cultural influences at an educational lecture... visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps and George Washington's home at Mount Vernon... meet 18th-century "residents" and dine at a colonial tavern in Colonial Williamsburg... and tour the spectacular monuments of America's capital city, illuminated at night! |
Included:
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, entertainment, special dinners, sightseeing, porterage, and the services of local guides, drivers and the Tauck Director are included. Transportation from Philadelphia International Airport or the 30th Street Train Station (meet driver upstairs by large statue of angel holding railroad worker) to the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia is included, regardless of the time you check in to the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of your tour. Transportation from the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel to Ronald Reagan National Airport or Dulles International Airport or Union Train Station is also included when you check out of the hotel. Transportation to and from airports and train stations may be shared with other Tauck guests.
Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually two-bedded rooms.
When visiting Colonial Williamsburg, we reserve rooms at the Williamsburg Lodge. On a limited, space-available basis and for an additional $299 USD per person, double occupancy, or $576 USD per person, single occupancy, you may reserve accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn. Triple accommodations are only available at the Williamsburg Lodge.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tauck Director – Williamsburg & Washington, DC is conducted by a Tauck Director who will remain with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff and local guides are included.
No Options Sold – Your Tauck Directors will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.
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Day 1 Welcome to Philadelphia
Meals D
Your Philadelphia to Washington DC tour begins at 6:00 PM at the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia. A transfer is included from Philadelphia International Airport to the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia. You might want to schedule your arrival a day ahead of time to explore Philadelphia on your own. Please join us and meet your fellow travelers at this evening's welcome cocktail reception and dinner at your elegant hotel on Philadelphia's Logan Square.
Lodging Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia
Day 2 Have fun with history in exciting Philadelphia
Meals B
Your Philadelphia to Washington DC tour down America's road of history begins with a full day's exploration of The City of Brotherly Love. Ride a horse-drawn carriage through the Old City's beautiful, tree-lined cobblestone streets; visit America's birthplace, Independence Hall; view the Liberty Bell in its new home, and watch the renowned multimedia presentation Freedom Rising at the National Constitution Center. Spend the rest of the day as you please in Philly, perhaps exploring some of the city's numerous museums, or sampling its rich culinary culture from cheesesteaks to pretzels and beyond during lunch and dinner on your own.
Lodging Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia
Day 3 Amish country & Gettysburg's Civil War battlefields
Meals B, L, D
Journey to Pennsylvania's Lancaster County, home of the Amish. With their simple ways, the Amish still live very much as their ancestors did, without all the modern conveniences that we take for granted. Gain insights into the Amish culture during a tour with a local guide, then continue on your Philadelphia to Washington DC tour to historic Gettysburg. Sense the haunting quality of the battlefields where this decisive 1863 Civil War battle was fought as you explore Gettysburg National Military Park with a National Park Service guide. Tonight, a storyteller in Civil War-period garb describes the experience of a Gettysburg civilian caught in the fighting at an exclusive Tauck dessert reception.
Lodging Wyndham Gettysburg
Day 4 Semper Fi... and a colonial dinner in Williamsburg
Meals B, D
After crossing the Mason-Dixon line, arrive at Virginia's National Museum of the Marine Corps, where interactive exhibits showcasing the USMC's glorious history illustrate the meaning of "Semper Fidelis." Today's final destination is Colonial Williamsburg, whose cobblestone streets and buildings have been restored to the way they looked when the city was Virginia's colonial capital. As you step back in time on a two-night stay, have dinner tonight at one of Williamsburg's famous taverns featuring authentic colonial-era fare.
Lodging Williamsburg Inn / Williamsburg Lodge
Day 5 Living history at Williamsburg
Meals B, L
Restored to its 18th-century glory and inhabited by interpreters in period dress living its 18th-century lifestyle, Colonial Williamsburg awaits your independent exploration today. Discover life in days gone by as you step back in time to meet residents ranging from artisans and tradespeople to militiamen and ordinary citizens, and visit restored buildings including Virginia's colonial Capitol, the Governor's Palace, Raleigh Tavern, Bruton Parish Church and scores of colonial homes and shops.
Lodging Williamsburg Inn / Williamsburg Lodge
Day 6 Old Jamestown & on to Washington, DC
Meals B, L, D
En route to the nation's capital, visit the historic site of Jamestown, Virginia, established 400 years ago as the first permanent English settlement in the Americas. Contrast the three cultures that converged here – Powhatan Indians, the English and the Africans – at an educational lecture, and take a walking tour to view gallery exhibitions focusing on America's early heritage. Continue on to America's capital city for a two-night stay in the heart of it all at the landmark Mayflower® Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel; enjoy dinner at a popular DC restaurant tonight.
Lodging The Mayflower® Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel
Day 7 From historic Mount Vernon to Washington by day & night
Meals B, D
Take a morning excursion to the beloved Mount Vernon estate of George Washington, overlooking the Potamic River; explore the estate with its state-of-the-art interactive museum, the 18th-century mansion and its landscaped grounds. Return to the capital for daytime sightseeing featuring the National Mall and its poignant memorials to those who served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, as well as the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and Capitol Hill. Tonight, your memorable Philadelphia to Washington DC tour concludes with a sparkling evening including a farewell cocktail reception and dinner at your landmark hotel, capped by a nighttime tour of the capital's iconic monuments, magnificently illuminated against the night sky.
Lodging The Mayflower® Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel
Day 8 Homeward bound
Meals B
Tauck's Philadelphia to Washington DC tour ends in Washington, DC. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from The Mayflower® Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel to Ronald Reagan National Airport or Dulles International Airport; allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in formalities.
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Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks Northbound 2012
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10 Days |
USA |
June 14, 2012 |
$2395 |
Book by May 27, 2012. Stay right in the heart of the world's first national park on Tauck's most comprehensive of Wyoming and Yellowstone tours. Explore Yellowstone's amazing geothermal features, Old West history in Cody, the colossal Black Hills masterpieces of Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial, and the peaks and glaciers of the Grand Tetons! See Old Faithful, just outside your hotel... raft along the Snake River... enjoy a classic western ranch experience... attend a Wild West rodeo or a cowboy music revue... and take part in a volunteer project with park rangers in Grand Teton National Park! |
Included:
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, entertainment, special dinners, sightseeing, porterage, and the services of local guides, drivers and the Tauck Director are included. We have arranged with All Resorts Transportation Service to provide you with a shared ride van service from Salt Lake City International Airport to the Grand America Hotel when you check in to the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks before your departure date. We will also provide transportation from the Adoba Eco Hotel to Rapid City Regional Airport, when you check out of the hotel. Transportation to and from airports may be shared with other Tauck guests.
Hotel and Lodge Accommodations - The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tauck Director – Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks is conducted by a Tauck Director who will remain with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff and local guides are included.
No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.
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Day 1 Welcome to Utah
Meals D
Trip begins: 6:00 PM, The Grand America Hotel. A transfer is included from Salt Lake City International Airport to The Grand America Hotel, right in the heart of the city. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner.
Lodging The Grand America Hotel SLC
Day 2 Pioneer days to Olympic venues in Salt Lake City
Meals B
In Salt Lake City, view the unique downtown architecture of Utah's capital city; visit This is the Place Monument, where Mormon pioneers decided to build the city in 1847, and facilities used during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. In your free afternoon, perhaps visit Temple Square highlighted by the impressive Salt Lake Temple, the world-famous Tabernacle or the Beehive House, or trace your genealogy at the Family History Library. Attend an interpretive lecture on the ecology of the Great Salt Lake Basin tonight.
Lodging The Grand America Hotel SLC
Day 3 On the trail to Grand Teton National Park
Meals B, L, D
This most engaging of Wyoming and Yellowstone tours takes you along the edge of the Great Salt Lake, then north to Idaho, where you'll stop for a special pioneer lunch at the National Oregon / California Trail Center in Montpelier, featuring an interactive wagon train experience. Continue on to Wyoming, a landscape of vast grasslands and oil wells backed by mountain ranges. Visit the historic town of Jackson before entering Grand Teton National Park with its jagged peaks, glaciers, lakes, and dense forest. Spend the first of two nights in a scenic lakeside resort in the heart of the national park.
Lodging Jackson Lake Lodge
Day 4 Snake River rafting and more
Meals B, D
Today, view some of North America's most spectacular mountain scenery – and keep an eye peeled for wildlife ranging from moose and elk to beavers and bald eagles during a ten-mile rafting trip* along the Snake River. During a free afternoon and evening, explore Grand Teton National Park as you please, enjoy optional activities from horseback riding to fishing (available at additional cost) at your lakeside lodge, or take part in a special volunteer project with park experts, made possible by Tauck's long-standing relationships with the national parks. Enjoy dinner à la carte at the lodge tonight.
Lodging Jackson Lake Lodge
Day 5 A day in amazing Yellowstone National Park
Meals B, L, D
Heading out of Grand Teton National Park, see the snowy Tetons reflected in Jenny Lake, which was formed by melting glaciers. Arrive midday at Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872 as the world's first national park, known for its unique geothermal activity. Witness Old Faithful Geyser, shooting up to 184 feet in the air approximately every 90 minutes – the number one attraction for all Yellowstone tours. Learn more about this phenomenon and check out the Upper Geyser Basin on this afternoon's guided excursion in the park; enjoy an à la carte dinner at your leisure at your classic inside-the-park hotel close to Old Faithful itself.
Lodging Old Faithful Inn
Day 6 Yellowstone's Grand Canyon & more
Meals B, D
America's first national park is yours to explore today on this ultimate of Yellowstone tours; witness some of the parks abundant geysers, as well as hundreds of brilliantly colored hot springs, bubbling mudpots, steaming fumaroles, and other geothermal wonders that early 19th-century skeptics found too astounding to be believed. You'll follow the Firehole River to Fountain Paint Pot – a collection of colorful, bubbling mudpots – then view the dramatic Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone; overnight in a historic 19th-century hotel on the shores of Yellowstone Lake.
Lodging Lake Yellowstone Hotel
Day 7 The Wild West in Buffalo Bill's Cody
Meals B, D
Leaving the mountains for the open grazing land of western Wyoming, arrive in the quintessential 1890s town of Cody, named for its famous founder, William "Buffalo Bill" Cody. For an authentic picture of the art and culture of the Wild West, visit the museums of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center – including the Whitney Gallery of Western Art, the Draper Museum of Natural History, the Plains Indian Museum and the new Buffalo Bill Museum, opening in 2012. Tonight, an evening of western fun beckons at either the Cody Wild West Rodeo (seasonal) or the Dan Miller Cowboy Music Revue, depending on the time of year.
Lodging Holiday Inn® Cody at Buffalo Bill Village
Day 8 The Bighorn Mountains and a taste of ranch life
Meals B, L, D
Traverse the Bighorn Mountains with their breathtaking vistas of rugged canyons, sparkling waterfalls, miles of grassland, and colorful vegetation. Feel the spirit of the West during an authentic ranch experience – including a horseback ride* – during an overnight at The Ranch at Ucross, a real working Wyoming ranch in the heart of "cowboy country."
Lodging The Ranch at Ucross
Day 9 Mount Rushmore & Crazy Horse
Meals B, L, D
Enter the Black Hills of South Dakota, where you'll have lunch and visit the in-progress Crazy Horse Memorial. Work on the colossal rock sculpture has been ongoing for more than 50 years; it will be the largest stone carving in the world when completed. Continue on to one of America's best-known icons – Mount Rushmore National Memorial, where the faces of former presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln are carved into granite bluffs; learn about the monument's creation at the Borglum Historical Center. Arrive in Rapid City, where you'll share favorite highlights of this most unforgettable of Yellowstone tours at tonight's farewell reception and dinner.
Lodging Adoba Eco Hotel / Rapid City
Day 10 Journey home
Meals B
This most memorable of Grand Teton and Yellowstone tours ends in Rapid City, South Dakota. Fly home anytime; a transfer from Adoba Eco Hotel / Rapid City to Rapid City Regional Airport is included. Flight departure times vary; allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in.
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Classic New England 2012
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8 Days |
USA |
June 15, 2012 |
$1869 |
Book by May 27, 2012. Tauck traces its origins to Arthur Tauck Sr. and the very first guests he guided through New England in 1925 – 86+ years later, our New England tours are still immensely popular! From Boston's colonial history to the rugged Atlantic coast to the Green and White Mountains, this journey is a joy in every season of the year. Cruise aboard a real working Maine lobster boat... check out the ecology of northern New England with an engaging environmental presentation... take a guided interpretive walk on Portland's historic waterfront... attend a "Town Hall Meeting" in Portsmouth... sample local cheese and wine at a "Taste of Vermont" reception... visit the New Hampshire studio of documentary filmmaker Ken Burns... see a definitive collection of original works by Norman Rockwell in Stockbridge, and much, much more on this true classic among New England tours. |
Included:
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, entertainment, special dinners, sightseeing, porterage, and the services of local guides, drivers and the Tauck Director are included. Transportation from Logan International Airport or South Train Station (pick-up Atlantic Avenue exit) to The Westin Copley Place Hotel in Boston is included, regardless of the time you check in to the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of your tour. Transportation from the Crowne Plaza Berkshires to Logan International Airport to arrive at 3:00 PM or to the South Train Station on the last day of the tour is also included. We will then proceed to The Westin Copley Place Hotel for guests who have arranged additional hotel nights in Boston through us. Transportation to and from airports and train stations may be shared with other Tauck guests.
Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.
Meals - Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tauck Director – Classic New England is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff and local guides are included.
No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.
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Day 1 Welcome to Boston
Meals D
This most memorable of New England tours begins: 6:30 PM at The Westin Copley Place, Boston. A transfer is included from Boston's Logan International Airport to The Westin Copley Place, Boston. We invite you to meet the fellow travelers with whom you will share this delightful exploration of New England at a welcome cocktail reception and dinner this evening.
Lodging The Westin Copley Place, Boston
Day 2 The Cradle of American Liberty
Meals B
America finds its roots in beautiful Boston. Explore the rich history of the area as you view some of the most famous sites of the country's "cradle of liberty," such as Faneuil Hall, the South Meeting House and the Old State House, and visit iconic Old North Church. Cross the Charles River to see one of America's oldest and most venerable institutions of higher learning on a walking tour of Harvard University in Cambridge. Return to Boston to explore on your own for the rest of the day; your hotel is in the heart of the city's Back Bay district.
Lodging The Westin Copley Place, Boston
Day 3 Revolutionary sights in Lexington & Concord
Meals B, D
Follow the route of Paul Revere's ride through Lexington and Concord to warn the citizenry that the British were coming as you visit these historic Massachusetts towns. Then travel to Salem; although it may be best known for its infamous witches, the town's Federal-era townhouses and beautifully preserved pre-1900 residences are impressive. Continue along the Atlantic coast to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, first settled by Europeans in the 17th century; get a taste of New Hampshire's role in national politics at a "Town Hall Meeting" hosted by a local expert tonight.
Lodging Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside
Day 4 From the sea to the mountains
Meals B, L, D
In Portland on the rugged coast of Maine, take a scenic and culturally interactive cruise aboard a working lobster boat*, during which you'll actually pitch in and learn about the lobstering life firsthand. Then a guided interpretive walking tour offers an insider's view of Portland's historic Old Port. From the coast, climb into New Hampshire’s scenic White Mountains, where you'll enjoy a most interesting presentation on the seasonal ecology of northern New England’s North Woods this evening.
Lodging White Mountain Hotel & Resort
Day 5 White and Green Mountain magic
Meals B, D
Experiencing mountain splendor is a must-do on New England tours... as you'll do all day today, Tauck Style, traveling through the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the beauty of Franconia Notch, and Vermont's famous Green Mountains. Arrive in riverside Quechee, Vermont for a visit to the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, dedicated to engaging individuals and communities in the care of their environment through education and research. Your final destination is the Hawk Inn & Mountain Resort in Plymouth for a two-night stay in the heart of the Green Mountains; a "Taste of Vermont" reception featuring locally produced wine and cheese precedes dinner at your leisure this evening.
Lodging Hawk Inn & Mountain Resort
Day 6 Woodstock farms and Coolidge country
Meals B, D
With its quaint covered bridge, Woodstock is a quintessential Vermont village; a tour of Billings Farm and Museum provides insights into life in rural Vermont, past and present. In Plymouth, visit the birthplace and boyhood home of President Calvin Coolidge and historic buildings constructed by his father, a local notary public who swore him into office here. Join us for an optional nature walk this afternoon, or enjoy your resort as you please.
Lodging Hawk Inn & Mountain Resort
Day 7 Ken Burns's studio & Norman Rockwell's Berkshires
Meals B, L, D
If schedules permit, you'll have a chance to visit the personal studio of documentary filmmaker Ken Burns in Walpole before heading south from New Hampshire along scenic country roads into Massachusetts and the Berkshires. In Stockbridge, take an in-depth look at the life and immense talent of beloved illustrator Norman Rockwell – and many of his original works, including many famous Saturday Evening Post cover paintings – at the Norman Rockwell Museum. You'll discover for yourself why the Berkshire Hills provide such inspiration to artists and writers as you continue on through their rolling landscapes to Pittsfield for a one-night stay. Tonight, join us for a farewell reception and dinner to cap your memorable New England journey.
Lodging Crowne Plaza Pittsfield-Berkshires
Day 8 Journey home
Meals B, L
Return to Boston today (a journey of approximately 160 miles), stopping for lunch at the Salem Cross Inn. This most enjoyable of New England tours ends: approximately 3:00 PM at Boston's Logan Airport, or 4:00 PM at The Westin Copley Place, Boston. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home. Allow at least two hours for airport check-in.
*For activities marked with an asterisk (*) in day-by-day descriptions, participation is at your own risk and a signed liability waiver will be required.
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Americas Canyonlands 2012
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8 Days |
USA |
June 1 & June 11, 2012 |
$2375 |
First date book by May 15, 2012. Second date book by May 25, 2012. Tauck takes you behind-the-scenes with filmed narratives by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan – creators of "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" – who share personal stories of the dreamers, visionaries, and unsung heroes who shaped the preservation of three great national parks of the American West – Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion. Stay at sought-after lodges in the heart of the parks. Enjoy an ecological talk on the Grand Canyon's rim by a geology expert... a private Lake Powell dinner cruise aboard a yacht... an interpretive lecture on Southwestern ecology... a float trip on the Colorado River... aerial sightseeing over Rainbow Bridge... an off-road adventure to colorful slot canyons... a walking tour of Sedona... Bryce Canyon's hoodoos... and an overnight in Las Vegas. Discover why our popular Bryce Canyon, Zion and Grand Canyon tour is one of Tauck's favorite journeys anywhere in the world! |
Included:
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, entertainment, special dinners, sightseeing, admissions, porterage, the flight trip to the Rainbow Bridge National Monument, the float trip on the Colorado River in Glen Canyon, and the services of local guides, drivers and the Tauck Director are included. Transportation from Phoenix International Airport to the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, regardless of the time you check in to the hotel, is included, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight information at least two weeks prior to the start of your tour. Transportation from the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport is also included when you check out of the hotel. Transportation to and from airports may be shared with other Tauck guests.
Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.
Some accommodations within the national parks are operated by the National Park Service. Service staffs in these facilities are often part-time employees who are relatively inexperienced; therefore, service may not compare to our choice of hotels in other locations.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tauck Director – America’s Canyonlands is conducted by a Tauck Director who will remain with the group throughout the duration of the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff and local guides are included.
No Options Sold – Your Tauck Directors will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.
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Day 1 Relax in Phoenix
Meals D
Your Zion, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon tour begins at 5:30 PM at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North. A transfer is included from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North. Meet your travel companions at the welcome reception and dinner tonight at your luxury desert resort.
Lodging Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
Day 2 From Sedona's red rocks to the ultimate Grand Canyon tour
Meals B, D
Kick off your Southwest and Grand Canyon tour with a visit to Sedona – home to famous red-rock formations with whimsical names like the Mittens and the Rabbit Ears, and the backdrop for many western movies and TV shows – for a guided walking tour that takes a look at the early settlers, cowboys, artists and Hollywood celebrities who shaped this intriguing town. Wind through Oak Creek Canyon en route to Grand Canyon National Park. Arrive at your inside-the-park lodge on the South Rim of the amazing Grand Canyon, carved over millions of years by the Colorado River, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tonight, enjoy dinner at your choice of restaurants on the canyon's rim at El Tovar, the Arizona Room or Bright Angel Café.
Lodging Kachina Lodge
Day 3 Compelling images of the American Southwest
Meals B, D
You just might want to take advantage of your lodge's ideal location on the South Rim by waking early enough to catch one of nature's grandest shows – a Grand Canyon sunrise! Learn about the geology and wildlife of the region from a local geology expert in a perfect location, right on the rim. And no Grand Canyon tour would be complete without exploring the canyon rim and Canyon Village as you please, witnessing the rugged landscape's vast grandeur and changing colors as the sun climbs in the sky. Travel through the Navajo Reservation en route to the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Lake Powell, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, for a two-night stay. A lecture on the ecology of the Southwest is followed by a true highlight – a private Lake Powell dinner cruise aboard the sleek double-decked yacht Canyon Princess.
Lodging Lake Powell Resort
Day 4 Perspectives on Lake Powell
Meals B, D
See remote corners of 186-mile-long Lake Powell – created from the Colorado River by the Glen Canyon Dam in the 1960s – from a variety of perspectives. First take an included early morning, 30-minute flight* to see the unusual red-rock formations reflecting in the lake; view Rainbow Bridge, the world's largest natural arch. Back on land, set off on an off-road adventure* to hidden slot canyons in the Navajo Nation, whose sandstone walls seem to change color. You have an option (at an additional cost of $199) to take a four-hour excursion to Monument Valley* in the Navajo Nation, made famous as a setting of many westerns by director John Ford; combine aerial sightseeing with a land tour by a Navajo guide through rock buttes and spires – ask at time of booking.
Lodging Lake Powell Resort
Day 5 Rafting on the Colorado River and on to Bryce Canyon
Meals B, L, D
Led by a river adventure guide, take a float trip* down the Colorado River, admiring Glen Canyon’s sandstone walls before setting off for Utah's Bryce Canyon National Park. Have lunch en route as you travel across quintessential western landscapes as seen on both the big and small screens. Arrive in Bryce Canyon National Park, where you'll immediately be awed by towering rock pinnacles, strangely sculptured hoodoos and immense semi-circular rock amphitheatres. Keep an eye out for elk, coyotes, marmots, and prairie dogs while driving the canyon rim road. Overnight at a classic national park lodge listed on the National Historic Register.
Lodging The Lodge at Bryce Canyon
Day 6 Explore Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks
Meals B, L, D
During your free morning, perhaps rise early to watch the sun rise over the hoodoos, or hike on Bryce Canyon's trails to seek out more dramatic views of the park's remarkable features, wildflowers, birds and wildlife. America's Canyonlands began with a Grand Canyon tour, followed by Bryce Canyon – and continues next to Zion National Park, boasting steep canyon walls, odd geologic formations, and a complex ecological system ranging from desert plants to lush greenery on the canyon floor. You'll spend the night in historic Zion Lodge, the only accommodation within the national park itself.
Lodging Zion Lodge
Day 7 From mountain majesty to glitz, glitz, glitz
Meals B, L, D
Spend the morning exploring the color-splashed canyons, waterfalls and pools of Zion National Park at your leisure. Then depart Utah and traverse the northeastern Mojave Desert to the glamour and glittering lights of Las Vegas, Nevada, highlighted by themed casinos, headline entertainers, and a host of other attractions. Wrapping up your Zion, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon tour with a farewell reception and dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas gives you one last chance to share travel memories with new friends.
Lodging Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas
Day 8 Journey home
Meals B
Tauck's comprehensive Zion, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon tour ends in Las Vegas. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport. Checkout time at Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas is 11:00 a.m.; allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in.
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French Escapade Monte Carlo to Paris Northbound (riverboat) 2012
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14 Days |
France |
June 12, 2012 |
$5095 |
(Cat. 1) Book by May 10, 2012. On one of the most enjoyable France river cruises you could imagine, journey from the jet-setting capital of Monte-Carlo into Provence to Arles to board ms Swiss Emerald for a leisurely voyage along the Rhône River to Lyon and on along the Saône. |
Included:
Cruise prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All riverboat and hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, port charges, land excursions, admissions, entertainment, special dinners, wine with dinner and all-day soft drinks while on the riverboat, sightseeing, porterage, and the services of the Tauck Directors, the Tauck Cruise Director, hotel and ship staff, and local guides and drivers are included. Transportation from Nice Côte D’Azur Airport to the Fairmont Monte Carlo are included, regardless of the time you check in to the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight or train arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of your tour. Transportation from the Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris to Paris-Charles De Gaulle Airport, Orly Airport or Paris-Gare de Lyon central train station is also included when check out of the hotel. Transportation to and from airports and train stations may be shared with other Tauck guests.
Hotel and Riverboat Accommodations - The cruise price includes all hotel and riverboat accommodations. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Two-bedded rooms are reserved at both hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.
If you request an adjacent, adjoining or connecting room, we will try to accommodate your request. However, we cannot guarantee such accommodations will be available. Please note that a hotel may define “adjacent” as “located across the hall”.
Children under the age of 18 must be booked in a room or cabin with at least one adult.
The riverboat accommodates only 118 guests. Your well-appointed, outside-facing cabin is equipped with a plasma television, mini-bar, radio, international direct-dial telephone, safe and hair dryer. Your cabin also features adjustable air-conditioning and a bathroom with shower en suite. Most cabins have two twin beds that may be separated or combined. Triple accommodations are only available in Category 6 on this cruise. Quadruple accommodations are not available.
Other riverboat facilities include: lounge with a panoramic bar and dance floor; spacious restaurant that can accommodate all guests in one seating; large sun deck with deck chairs; a whirlpool; library; an exercise room features stationary bicycles and treadmills; and small boutique.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
On board the riverboat, an ample buffet breakfast, both hot and cold, is served in the spacious restaurant. At lunch, you are presented with a choice of entrée with several courses or a delicious buffet. Dinner’s choice of entrée is accompanied with an international selection of wines and beer. Please let us know about your special dietary requirements when booking your cruise; vegetarian and special diets are available with advance notice, however kosher meals are not available. We will be pleased to meet your special dietary requirements whenever possible.
Complimentary all-day soft drinks, coffee and tea service, cookies and fruit are available in the Lido Bar. A continental breakfast of muffins, pastries, fruit and yogurt is served here daily, as well as a light lunch of soup, salad and sandwiches.
All guests may order complimentary snack baskets to their room. Room service breakfast is complimentary for Category 6 cabins.
The legal drinking age aboard the riverboat is 21 years old.
Tauck Director – Your cruise employs one Tauck Director for every 40 guests and one Tauck Cruise Director who will remain with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Directors are professional, fully trained employees of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for the hotel and ship staff, local guides and drivers, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director are included.
No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.
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Day 1 Welcome to Nice and Monte-Carlo
Meals D
Tauck’s cruise-tour begins at 6:00 PM at the Fairmont Monte Carlo. A transfer is included from the Nice Cote d’Azur Airport to the Fairmont Monte Carlo; guests in Category 6 aboard the riverboat will enjoy sea-view rooms in this world-class hotel on Monte-Carlo's famed waterfront. Join us for a cocktail reception and dinner here in Monaco as we welcome you to one of our two France river cruises.
Lodging Fairmont Monte Carlo
Day 2 Monte-Carlo magic
Meals B
Mega-yachts from around the world bobbing in the bay… the rich, the famous, the jet setters… a casino world-renowned for its glamour… a real-life royal fairy-tale romance… it’s all part of Monte-Carlo’s magic spell. Get the lay of the land during an orientation tour this morning and then spend the rest of the day exploring as you please.
Lodging Fairmont Monte Carlo
Day 3 It’s always nice in Nice... then start your cruise in Arles
Meals B, D
Today you’ll discover why Nice is a perennial favorite of sophisticated travelers. During a city walking tour this morning as well as time to explore as you please, you may encounter the Promenade des Anglais winding its way along the shore of the beautiful Bay of Angels and the medieval streets of Old Town that make Nice so nice. After lunch on your own, travel on to Arles, where you'll board ms Swiss Emerald and begin one of the most enjoyable France river cruises along the Rhône and the Saône. The Captain welcomes you aboard with a reception and special dinner this evening.
Lodging Aboard the Riverboat
Day 4 The many charms of Arles and country life in the Camargue
Meals B, L, D
It may seem strange to encounter Roman ruins in Provence but Arles was, after all, once a Roman city; while the gladiators are gone, the arena they left behind – just one of the town's many Roman remnants – still hosts performances and bullfights today. Explore Arles' medieval streets and city walls and be sure to look out across the surrounding countryside to what van Gogh found so enchanting. It's off to La Camargue, France’s "wild west," where cowboys tend to herds of bulls destined for bullfighting rings in Spain. Visit a working farm to see what these cowhands and their charges do during a demonstration – not something usually experienced on France river cruises – followed by lunch featuring traditional Provençal fare and entertainment.
Lodging Aboard the Riverboat
Day 5 Avignon and Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Meals B, L, D
The fortified city of Avignon was probably a much more peaceful place before Rome became "inconvenient" for the popes who moved the papacy here about 700 years ago. Although they stayed for less than a century, they kept busy during those years... as you’ll see at the impressive Palais des Papes that they built for themselves during this morning’s sightseeing in this medieval city. As well versed in Latin as they all were, they surely understood what "in vino veritas" means, and they all shared a fondness for wine – and the "truth" it brings – which was very convenient, because wine has been grown in the area for over 2,600 years. Taste locally produced wine named for the "new castle of the popes," the world-renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape, on a wine-tasting excursion this afternoon.
Lodging Aboard the Riverboat
Day 6 Vibrant Viviers and the pleasures of cruising
Meals B, L, D
The walled city of Viviers, which retains much of its medieval character, is a delightful stop on Tauck’s France river cruises. A walking tour reveals ancient homes and its unusual cathedral, which looks more like a castle than a church in the opinion of some, high up on the riverbank. After some free time to soak up the character of this lovely town on your own, reboard ms Swiss Emerald for lunch, followed by an afternoon and evening cruising along the Rhône. As you glide past the scenic shoreline bound for Tournon-sur-Rhône, enjoy a demonstration of the popular French game of pétanque on deck (weather permitting).
Lodging Aboard the Riverboat
Day 7 Tournon, Tain-l’Hermitage and a tasting
Meals B, L, D
Once upon a time, feudal rulers looked down on the town of Tournon-sur-Rhône from the castle you’ll see perched on a rock high above the city; its pre-Renaissance roots are evident during a walking tour and time at leisure to poke around as you please. Following lunch aboard the riverboat, we’ll be off to Tain-l’Hermitage, known for its excellent Côtes du Rhône wines; you'll understand why after you sample some of what it produces during a tasting! An afternoon spent on the river leads to Vienne, where we’ll arrive in time for a nice evening stroll… it’s the perfect way to end the day.
Lodging Aboard the Riverboat
Day 8 Veritable Vienne, and on to the Saône
Meals B, L, D
It seems that the Romans were everywhere along the Rhône, and Vienne (which they called "Vienna" in their day) was no exception. During your time here this morning, look for the theatre and temple they left behind, as well as other sights straight out of history. Then it's another languid, lazy and perfectly wonderful afternoon of cruising as ms Swiss Emerald leaves the Rhône and charts a course for Chalon–sur–Saône on the River Saône. Take advantage of all that your riverboat offers, or perhaps just settle into a deck chair on the Sun Deck and watch the world along the river, with its vineyards and bucolic villages, go by.
Lodging Aboard the Riverboat
Day 9 It’s better in Burgundy
Meals B, L, D
The Sâone River flows through the southern part of France’s famous Burgundy region, home to some of the world’s finest wines. But Chalon-sur-Sâone should be world famous for an entirely different reason; this is considered the birthplace of photography. So, as you’re lining up great shots of the town's sights in your viewfinder, whisper a little "thank you:" to local inventor Nicéphore Niépce, who achieved several photographic firsts right here back in the 1820s. Now... ready to give your taste buds a workout? First, join us to savor local culinary offerings on a guided tasting tour of some of Chalon-Sur-Saône’s noted food shops. Then come with us to Mercurey to sample its noted reds, born here in the largest wine-producing area of the Côte Chalonnaise, at a tasting at one of the region's 30 local premier cru vineyards.
Lodging Aboard the Riverboat
Day 10 Heritage, horses, an abbey and more
Meals B, L, D
In Mâcon on the Saône, follow the Heritage Trail as you explore the town’s rich history and traditions. Continue on to visit the Abbey of Cluny, the center of a major monastic reform movement in the Middle Ages after its founding in 910 AD by Benedictine monks, and the largest Christian building in the world until St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome was erected in the 16th century. Later, tour France’s renowned Haras Nationale, the country's esteemed national riding school, where the horse and everything about them is the centerpiece, before reboarding the riverboat and cruising back down the Saône to gastronomic Lyon.
Lodging Aboard the Riverboat
Day 11 Luscious Lyon
Meals B, L, D
If you’re still hungry after all the great meals you’ve eaten aboard ms Swiss Emerald, Lyon is the place for you! Regarded as France's culinary capital, there are more restaurants here per capita than anywhere else in the country; for lunch, you get to sample the best of Lyon's gastronomic largesse on a tasting tour of the historic Les Halles de Lyon indoor food market – where the city's best chefs shop – with samplings of the freshest breads, cheeses, meats, produce and more paired with local wines! Your day also includes visits to the Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-Fourvière, built in the 1870s with exquisite marble work, stained glass windows, colorful mosaics and gilt galore; and Vieux Lyon, the city's medieval center. And you'll have a chance to sample local Beaujolais at a wine tasting in that famed region today. As ms Swiss Emerald spends the night docked in Lyon, join us aboard ship for the Captain’s farewell reception and dinner this evening.
Lodging Aboard the Riverboat
Day 12 Bound for Beaune and on to Paris
Meals B
As all France river cruises must, the cruise portion of your vacation ends today as you bid a fond farewell to ms Swiss Emerald. Ahead lies the walled city of Beaune, billing itself as the "Capital of Burgundy Wines," surrounded by prestigious vineyards whose very names put a gleam in the eyes of wine lovers. The Hospice de Beaune, with the Hôtel-Dieu (now a museum which you'll visit) at its heart, is the city’s best-known landmark, and you’ll discover why during a tour. Receiving its first patient on January 1, 1452, this unique charitable institution welcomed the elderly, disabled and sick, orphans and the poor, providing them with badly needed treatment and refuge, for centuries – and carries on its good work in modern facilities today. After lunch on your own, it’s on to Paris for two nights at an ideally located hotel in the center of the city.
Lodging Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris
Day 13 Paris as you please & dinner at Fouquet's
Meals B, D
If this is your first visit to Paris, you’ll find it an awesome place. If you’ve been here many times, today might be the day that you discover something about the city that you didn’t know before. After a guided tour this morning to help you get your bearings, the rest of the day is free to explore and enjoy as you please. We’ve included admission to your choice of museums from a selection of the city’s best, including Musée du Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay (subject to availability). If you’re not in a museum mood, just poke around Paris to see what you might discover about the "City of Light." Tonight, we'll all gather for a farewell dinner to remember at chic Fouquet’s, the quintessential Parisian brasserie on the Champs-Élysées!
Lodging Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris
Day 14 Homeward bound
Meals B
This most memorable of France river cruises ends in Paris. Fly home anytime. A transfer from the Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris to Charles de Gaulle Airport is included. Please allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home.
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Canadian Maritimes 2012
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11 Days |
Canada |
July 1, 2012 |
$2739 |
Book by May 28, 2012. Time stands still in the Canadian Maritimes... preserving a way of life that honors the land and sea – and a multitude of cultures. Halifax invites reflection with gracious Victorian parks and gardens. Fishing hamlets in Nova Scotia celebrate their rich seafaring heritage. Diverse cultural influences are chronicled in Lunenburg; at a Cape Breton museum dedicated to the Acadian celebration of La Mi-Careme; and at Gaelic College. Culinary specialties are on the menu from fresh lobster on Prince Edward Island to a “Kitchen Party” at the Keltic Lodge to lunch in the Hall of Great Whales at the New Brunswick Museum. Tauck's New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia tour immerses you in the lure and lore of this down-to-earth, mystical world of mountain lakes, eagles, whales, fishermen, and the sea. |
Included:
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach and ferry transportation, special dinners, sightseeing, admissions, porterage, and the services of your Tauck Director, local guides and drivers are included. Transportation from Halifax Stanfield International Airport to The Prince George Hotel is included, regardless of the time you check out of the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to your departure date. Transportation from The Prince George Hotel to Halifax Stanfield International Airport is also included when you check out of the hotel. Transportation to and from airports may be shared with other Tauck guests.
Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations in each area without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually two-bedded rooms with a rollaway cot where available and are not recommended for comfort.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tauck Director – Canadian Maritimes is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All gratuities for restaurant and hotel staff and local guides are included.
No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.
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Day 1 The best Nova Scotia tour begins in Halifax
Meals D
Tour begins: The Prince George Hotel at 5:30 PM. A transfer is included upon arrival from Halifax Airport to The Prince George Hotel in the heart of downtown, within walking distance of the beautiful Public Gardens. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner at the Citadel, a 19th-century fortress on a hilltop overlooking the city and the harbor, to mark the start of Tauck's engaging Nova Scotia tour.
Lodging The Prince George Hotel
Day 2 A city and a village... this is Nova Scotia
Meals B
Halifax is cosmopolitan and eclectic, with its eyes on the future and feet firmly in the past. Fresh sea air enhances its exhilarating mix of modern towers and colonial brick buildings, avenues lined with hip cafes, shops and galleries, surrounded by gracious Victorian parks and gardens. Drive less than an hour to Peggy’s Cove – population 76 – a place on this Nova Scotia tour that is truly a world apart – a fishing village with a lighthouse overlooking St. Margaret’s Bay. Nestled on a rocky coastline with stunning vistas, it is a magnet for artists and photographers. You’ll also make a visit to Mahone Bay, a picture-postcard maritime town, en route to the fishing town of Lunenburg. Old Town Lunenburg was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as one of the best surviving examples of a planned British Colonial settlement in North America. This town once excelled at wooden shipbuilding, and its masterpiece was the Bluenose, a replica of which draws thousands of visitors each year. Return to Halifax this afternoon and dine on your own this evening; there are over 400 restaurants to choose from.
Lodging The Prince George Hotel
Day 3 Historic Halifax & on to Moncton
Meals B, D
Take a cruise on Halifax Harbour for a guided look at the city’s significant landmarks and raucous privateering history. Explore the historic waterfront district on your own; find lunch possibilities in interesting places like Privateers Warehouse, where fortunes in plunder were made in centuries past. Later, embark on a journey through central Nova Scotia’s beautiful and diverse landscape and on into New Brunswick. Arrive late afternoon in Moncton, “the crossroads of the Maritimes” on the Petitcodiac River. Your hotel is the Delta Beauséjour in the historic downtown area, where you’ll enjoy dinner tonight.
Lodging Delta Beauséjour
Day 4 Nature at Hopewell Rocks & St. John
Meals B, L
Torrential tides and surface water carve towering rock formations out of the cliffs at Hopewell Cape; at low tide, they stand on the beach like sculptures in a vast outdoor gallery. View firsthand this land of giants to feel the awesome power that shapes these stones, tunnels through them, and covers them at a depth of 50 feet or more when the tide comes in. Drive on to Sussex, “the Covered Bridge Capital of Atlantic Canada,” and pause for a photo-op at one of its picture-perfect covered bridges. Continue to St. John on the Bay of Fundy, surrounded by sheer cliffs and coves. Migrating whales frequent this area, and you'll get acquainted with their role in local history and culture at the New Brunswick Museum – and have lunch in the Hall of Great Whales, an incredible gallery that includes a life-size (in other words, humongous) model of a Right Whale. Take an interpretive walk through the history of New Brunswick at the museum before returning to Moncton for dinner and an evening on your own.
Lodging Delta Beauséjour
Day 5 Landscapes of "Anne of Green Gables"
Meals B, L
Cross the Confederation Bridge to Prince Edward Island, truly a storybook setting where you'll find yourself immersed in picturesque, inspirational scenes of Victorian farmsteads, green rolling fields, and red sand beaches reposing between seas and skies of vibrant blue. See the scenic fishing town of North Rustico ("Rossicot"), home to a thriving Acadian population. Visit the site ("the wondercastle of my childhood") where author Lucy Maud Montgomery created her beloved fictional orphan Anne Shirley – the house is a museum with rooms preserved as they were in 1908. Have lunch at a family restaurant in New Glasgow specializing in fresh lobster prepared the island way – a favorite among the locals. Today's final destination is Charlottetown, known as “The Birthplace of Canada” and the capital city of Prince Edward Island. Spend the next two nights at the Prince Edward Hotel overlooking the harbor, where there are many fine restaurants to choose from for dinner on your own tonight.
Lodging Prince Edward Hotel
Day 6 Exploring PEI National Park
Meals B, D
Spend the morning exploring the dunes at Prince Edward Island National Park, where you’ll experience an ecology so fragile that a few wayward human steps could alter the future of the landscape forever. Return to Charlottetown for free time to lunch and explore on your own. There’s a wealth of Victorian houses, a lively waterfront with a boardwalk, art galleries, museums and gorgeous scenery. Tonight, dine at the hotel at your leisure.
Lodging Prince Edward Hotel
Day 7 Cape Breton Island & Bras d'or Lake
Meals B, L, D
Ferry to mainland Nova Scotia, where you’ll drive over a causeway to Cape Breton Island. Known to the French as "Isle Royale," this island changed hands between colonial powers several times, creating a unique culture that blends Acadian and Gaelic traditions. Journey through a dramatic landscape that echoes the Highlands and the great shoreline cliffs of Brittany in France; enjoy some panoramic views of the Canso Causeway at lunch today. Travel along the coast of Bras d'Or Lake, which is an inland sea ringed with cliffs and rolling mountains – it's a favorite fishing spot for bald eagles. Drive north to Ingonish and the Keltic Lodge, a Tudor-style château nestled on a cliff surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean.
Lodging Keltic Lodge
Day 8 A little walking, a little cooking...
Meals B, L, D
Your day begins with a presentation by a naturalist who educates you on the indigenous wildlife, then the remainder of the day is spent as you please. There are a variety of optional activities at the historic lodge (some at an additional cost), including links golf, tennis, and whale watching; hike the beach or the nature trail, or perhaps enjoy some time at the spa. Prior to dinner this evening you’ll get a good “taste” of what Nova Scotia cuisine is all about at a cooking demonstration; of particular note is the unique “oyster shucking” as demonstrated by a local resident.
Lodging Keltic Lodge
Day 9 Behold the beauty of the Cabot Trail... then party time
Meals B, L, D
Experience breathtaking coastal landscapes on the Cabot Trail, a serpentine highway that is one of the world’s most exciting and scenic drives. The winding road is carved into the side of mountains along unforgettable ocean vistas, ascending to the plateaus of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Drive through a landscape rich in rugged barrens, waterfalls, cliffs, and panoramic views of canyons, highlands, and seacoast. You'll visit Chéticamp, an Acadian fishing community on the Cabot Trail, and Grand Etang, where you’ll learn about La Mi-Careme, a Lenten celebration involving masks and disguises whose history dates back to the Middle Ages. The Centre de La Mi-Careme offers interactive exhibits about this annual event, as well as art and masks by local artisans. Return to the Keltic Lodge where this evening you’ll take part in a unique, lively Cape Breton tradition – a “kitchen party” featuring local cuisine, spirits, tastings, and Celtic music.
Lodging Keltic Lodge
Day 10 Learn about all things Gaelic
Meals B, L, D
A highlight of this trip is today’s visit to the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts at Englishtown, where you’ll learn about Nova Scotia’s Scottish Gaelic culture. Watch a kilt-making demonstration, and learn a little Gaelic – through song – while learning about the fabric milling tradition. Have lunch along the Causeway before making the return trip to Halifax. Join us this evening at The Prince George Hotel for a farewell cocktail reception and dinner.
Lodging The Prince George Hotel
Day 11 The journey concludes
Meals B
Tauck's New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia tour ends in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Fly home anytime. Individual transfers are available from The Prince George Hotel to Halifax Airport. Allow three hours for check-in.
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California's Gold Coast 2012
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10 Days |
USA |
July 4, 2012 |
$2995 |
Book by May 15, 2012. Tauck's California tour discovers the many treasures that lie along the Gold Coast, from San Francisco to Yosemite to the Pacific Coast Highway. Explore San Francisco and Los Angeles; visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Hearst Castle. Enjoy unique Tauck experiences like a privately guided walk with a naturalist in Yosemite; a private wine tasting at a Sonoma Valley vineyard; and a guided visit to the J. Paul Getty Museum. In 2012, your journey features stays at The Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, The Ahwahnee, the InterContinental the Clement Monterey, The Cliffs Resort on Shell Beach and The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles in Pasadena. |
Included:
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, entertainment, special dinners, sightseeing, porterage, and the services of local guides, drivers and the Tauck Director are included. Transportation from San Francisco International Airport to The Westin St. Francis is included, regardless of the time you check in to the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of your tour. Transportation from The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles to Los Angeles International Airport is also included when you check out of the hotel. Transportation to and from airports may be shared with other Tauck guests.
Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually king-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tauck Director – California‘s Gold Coast is conducted by a Tauck Director who will remain with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff and local guides are included.
No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.
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Day 1 Arrive in amazing San Francisco
Meals D
California travel Tauck-style begins at The Westin St. Francis at 5:30 PM. San Francisco, the beautiful city by the bay, wins awards year after year as the "world's favorite city" – from the cultural arts to intriguing architecture and diverse cuisine, discover what makes this city special. Join us tonight for a welcome reception and dinner at your historic hotel on Union Square, a San Francisco landmark since 1904.
Lodging The Westin St. Francis
Day 2 Head to the wineries of the Sonoma Valley
Meals B, L
This morning get a taste of what exciting San Francisco has to offer with a brief sightseeing tour that includes Nob Hill, Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf. Head over the Golden Gate Bridge to the lush Sonoma Valley and a day exploring some of the world’s finest vineyards – a quintessential California tour experience. Following a wine tasting and lunch at a local winery, return to San Francisco mid-afternoon for an evening spent discovering more of the city on your own.
Lodging The Westin St. Francis
Day 3 A taste of gold fever... and on to Yosemite
Meals B, L, D
Travel through California's Gold Country, with its historic communities created during the Gold Rush boom years of the 1850s. Then head into the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Yosemite National Park for two nights at one of the most distinctive hotels inside a national park – The Ahwahnee, a National Historic Landmark built in 1927. Dine à la carte this evening in the award-winning Ahwanee Dining Room, where floor-to-ceiling windows look out on the grandeur of Yosemite.
Lodging The Ahwahnee®
Day 4 Savoring a national treasure – Yosemite National Park
Meals B
Yosemite National Park's unequaled splendors range from magnificent waterfalls to spectacular glacier-hewn gorges, and represent five of the seven life zones found in North America – all in an area about the size of Rhode Island. Start discovering it all with Tauck's enriching, privately guided two-hour morning walking tour of Yosemite with a local naturalist. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is then yours to explore as you please for the rest of the day.
Lodging The Ahwahnee®
Day 5 Through the San Joaquin Valley to Monterey
Meals B, L, D
Departing Yosemite, visit the Mariposa Museum and History Center before your California tour winds its way through the rich farmland of the San Joaquin Valley – along with the Salinas Valley, the two regions have been dubbed "America's Salad Bowl" due to their production of citrus fruit, leafy vegetables and nuts. Stop in the quiet town of Merced, then continue on to fashionable Carmel-by-the-Sea on the Pacific coast, taking some time to explore the town's celebrated galleries and boutiques. Arrive in the beautiful, historic coastal city of Monterey for a two-night stay; your accommodation is set close to the famed Monterey Bay Aquarium. Dine at your leisure at this evening.
Lodging InterContinental The Clement Monterey
Day 6 In and around Monterey Bay – the Aquarium & 17-Mile Drive
Meals B
A day of discoveries under and around Monterey Bay begins with a visit to the aquatic world of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, home to 200 award-winning galleries and exhibits featuring marine life from the waters of the bay and elsewhere. Catch a glimpse of the Monterey Peninsula's impressive homes and stunning beaches as you travel the 17-Mile Drive through Del Monte Forest to Cypress Point, home of the Pebble Beach golf course. The rest of the day is spent exploring Monterey as you please.
Lodging InterContinental The Clement Monterey
Day 7 A day of drama – Highway 1, Big Sur and Hearst Castle
Meals B, L, D
Tauck's California tour expertise takes you past redwood forests and playful seals along one of the most scenic drives in North America... Pacific Coast Highway 1. View the rugged coastline of Big Sur as the dramatic road weaves its way southward along the Pacific Ocean. Stop along the way to marvel at the elaborate adornments of Hearst Castle – the grandiose, "study in excess" estate of publisher William Randolph Hearst, and the model for the fictional "Xanadu" in the movie Citizen Kane – on a walking tour of the historic 165-room mansion. Today's final destination is your Pacific oceanfront resort on Shell Beach.
Lodging The Cliffs Resort
Day 8 From Santa Barbara, get ready for your close-up in Los Angeles
Meals B, D
Journey along the coast to Santa Barbara, set against the Santa Ynez Mountains, where you'll have some time to explore the city and its Mediterranean-style courthouse. Then it's on to Los Angeles, one of the world's great entertainment capitals, and your landmark Pasadena hotel, a longtime retreat for Hollywood celebrities.
Lodging The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles
Day 9 California dreamin' in Hollywood
Meals B, D
Start the day with a hearty "Hooray for Hollywood" on a sightseeing tour of the entertainment capital and environs, including Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, Sunset Strip and Grauman's Chinese Theater. Spend the afternoon amidst European art, sculpture and antiquities at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Getty Center and end your day with our farewell dinner tonight.
Lodging The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles
Day 10 Journey Home
Meals B
Your California tour with Tauck ends in Los Angeles. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles to the Los Angeles International Airport. Allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in.
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Treasures of the Mediterranean Northbound 2012
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11 Days |
Central Europe |
June 22, 2012 |
$5769 |
Book by May 19, 2012. Tauck's 11-day Mediterranean cruise explores the French Riviera, Italy's Amalfi Coast, and remote Mediterranean islands by land and yacht. Explore Malta, and board Le Ponant, your 60-passenger motor-sailing yacht to discover the islands of Lipari, Ponza, Stromboli, Elba, Corsica and Sicily; feel like a jet setter pulling into ports aboard Le Ponant, designed to access the small harbors and remote destinations that large ships can’t maneuver. See fortified medieval towns, ornate cathedrals, ancient castles, and the incredible cliff-side drive along the Amalfi Coast. Experience glittering Monte-Carlo during a 2-night stay and visit Saint Paul-de-Vence for medieval enchantment handed down through the ages. |
Included:
Cruise prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel and cruise ship accommodations, motor coach transportation, port charges, land excursions, admissions, entertainment, sightseeing, special dinners, porterage, and the services of the Tauck Directors, hotel and ship staff, and local guides and drivers are included. All-day soft drinks, daily cocktail hour, and wine with dinner aboard the cruise ship are also included. Transportation from Malta International Airport to the Hotel Phoenicia Malta is included, regardless of the time you check in to the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of your tour. Transportation from the Fairmont Monte Carlo to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is also included when you check out of the hotel. Transportation to and from airports may be shared with other Tauck guests.
Hotel and Cruise Ship Accommodations - The cruise price includes all hotel and cruise ship accommodations. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.
Onboard Le Ponant each stateroom includes either one queen bed or two single beds which can be joined together to form a queen bed, and a private bath with shower only. A limited number of rooms have one queen bed and a convertible sleeper sofa.
Le Ponant accommodates fewer guests than large ocean-going vessels. Your well-appointed cabin includes these amenities: radio, television with VCR, mini-bar, international direct-dial telephone, safe and hair dryer.
Other ship facilities include: bar, lounge, restaurant, sun deck, library, fitness room and boutique.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Onboard Le Ponant, breakfast and lunch are served buffet style on a canopied deck, while dinner is served in the panoramic, window-lined dining room. International cuisine is featured and complimentary wine is offered with dinner. Both restaurants accommodate all guests in one seating.
Complimentary soft drinks, coffee and tea service are available throughout the day. Each night you are invited to attend a complimentary cocktail hour. The legal drinking age aboard the cruise ship is 21.
Tauck Director – Treasures of the Mediterranean is conducted by one Tauck Director for each 40 guests (with a maximum of 62 guests total), who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for hotel and ship staff, local guides, drivers and Tauck Directors are included.
No Options Sold – The Tauck Director will assist with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.
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Day 1 Arrive in Malta
Meals D
Tauck’s Mediterranean cruise begins at 6:30 PM at Hotel Phoenicia Malta, Valletta, Malta. A transfer is included from Malta International Airport to Hotel Phoenicia Malta, set just outside of the ancient city walls of Valletta, overlooking the harbor. Meet your fellow cruisers this evening at a welcome cocktail reception and dinner.
Lodging Hotel Phoenicia Malta
Day 2 All about Malta, then embark your yacht
Meals B, L, D
On the island of Malta, tour the medieval walled city of Mdina, go on a coastal drive along St. Julian's Bay, and take a walking tour within the centuries-old defensive walls of the capital city of Valletta, founded by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century. If you wish, see the art treasure-filled Co-Cathedral of St. John, one of the world’s finest examples of Baroque architecture, on an optional walking tour this afternoon before boarding the sailing yacht Le Ponant for the start of your Mediterranean cruise.
Lodging Aboard Le Ponant
Day 3 Taormina on Sicily
Meals B, L, D
Admire the view as you sail toward Taormina, a terraced town clinging to high cliffs on the east coast of Sicily, with Mt. Etna towering in the distance. Take a tender ashore where guided sightseeing includes a stroll along the Corso Umberto, Old Town’s main pedestrian street lined with cafés and patisseries, and the Greco-Roman Theater. You'll have some free time in the afternoon to explore Taormina on your own, or you can return to the ship to swim or relax. Your Mediterranean cruise continues tonight with a sail to Lipari.
Lodging Aboard Le Ponant
Day 4 Mediterranean cruise days in the Aeolian Isles
Meals B, L, D
Travel by zodiac for a shore excursion on Lipari, the largest of the seven Aeolian Islands that lie off the northern coast of Sicily; vestiges of Lipari's ancient days under Greek and later Roman rule still reign on its rugged terrain, alongside medieval fortresses and other evidence of centuries of struggle for the island’s control. Get a guided tour of the island and visit the fascinating Archaeological Museum. You are in for one of life's great experiences this evening when Le Ponant sails by the island of Stromboli, one of the world's few constantly active volcanoes. The natural "show" is unforgettable, and is certain to be a highlight of this Mediterranean cruise.
Lodging Aboard Le Ponant
Day 5 Travel along the dramatic Amalfi Coast
Meals B, L, D
Go ashore today to set out on the mountainous route along Italy's Amalfi Coast, one of the most spectacular drives in the world. Take a guided walking tour of the town of Amalfi, then arrive in stunning Ravello, perched on cliffs overlooking the sea. Visit 13th-century Villa Rufolo, the former residence of several popes. Feast on some pretty spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea as you dine on regional specialties in a seaside restaurant, and spend some time exploring Ravello on your own before boarding Le Ponant for a sail by the Isle of Capri and onward to the island of Ponza.
Lodging Aboard Le Ponant
Day 6 Island life in Ponza
Meals B, L, D
Le Ponant anchors in Ponza, giving you lots of time to explore this largest island in Italy’s Pontine Archipelago. Your visual take-away will be the island's dramatic coves and cliffs, the main town's yellow and pink houses, vineyard-covered hillsides, and an 18th-century harbor. Enjoy time as you please before reboarding Le Ponant, where cocktail hour precedes another dinner at sea. Evening sea breezes make nights extra-special aboard Tauck's Mediterranean cruise.
Lodging Aboard Le Ponant
Day 7 Hidden port of Bonifacio
Meals B, L, D
Sail into the nearly hidden Corsican port of Bonifacio with its deep, narrow harbor sitting at the base of sheer limestone cliffs; the entry is so spectacular it is certain to be a highlight of your Mediterranean cruise... keep that camera at the ready! On shore, hop aboard Le Petit Train for a ride to the town's walled fortress area; the fortified 12th-century town is built on the top of the cliffs with great views of the sea. Take a walking tour to see this walled fortress area, stroll along the bluff above the harbor, and see the former barracks of the French Foreign Legion.
Lodging Aboard Le Ponant
Day 8 "Able was I ere I saw Elba..."
Meals B, L, D
Le Ponant arrives pierside on the picturesque island of Elba and the secluded harbor of Portoferraio. Today you'll learn about the isolated life of Napoleon Bonaparte on Elba, who spent a brief exile here in 1814 prior to his daring escape. Visit the Palazzina dei Mulini, where he and his sister lived for a time; enjoy time at leisure in Porto Azzurro, where sights include a fortress built in 1603; and savor local wine at a family-owned Elba winery. Set sail for the Côte d'Azur after lunch.
Lodging Aboard Le Ponant
Day 9 Nice is nice and so is Monte-Carlo
Meals B
Disembark Le Ponant in Nice, France, where your Mediterranean cruise comes to an end; a brief sightseeing tour provides a view of the seaside Promenade des Anglais, which borders some beautiful beaches along the French Riviera, and time to explore on your own. Later, it's all about Monte-Carlo as you arrive in Monaco in mid-afternoon; if you wish, join us for a visit to the palace and gardens, schedule permitting. Your hotel is located in the heart of glittering Monte-Carlo, close to the famed waterfront casino.
Lodging Fairmont Monte Carlo
Day 10 Saint-Paul-de-Vence & a Monte-Carlo farewell
Meals B, D
Travel this morning to the medieval village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence for a walking tour that introduces centuries of history, chronicled in the architectural treasures that are found along its cobblestone streets; visit the grave of artist Marc Chagall, a picture of serenity overlooking panoramic views of the countryside. Return to Monte-Carlo and join us this evening for a farewell cocktail reception and dinner to toast warm memories of a fabulous Mediterranean cruise!
Lodging Fairmont Monte Carlo
Day 11 Au revoir, Mediterranean
Meals B
Your Mediterranean cruise and tour ends in Nice, France. A transfer is included from the Fairmont Monte Carlo to Nice Cote d'Azur International Airport; you should allow a minimum of 3 hours for check-in.
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Best of the Canadian Rockies 2012
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8 Days |
Canada |
June 1, 2012 |
$2845 |
Book by May 15, 2012. Tauck's Canadian Rockies / Alberta vacation is packed with breathtaking scenery, adventure and natural history as you explore Banff, Jasper and Yoho national parks. Enjoy a "Wild West" welcome dinner... climb up the surface of a glacier on an Ice Explorer... learn park history, legends and folklore at a presentation by a Parks Canada official... keep an eye out for elk, bighorn sheep, moose and grizzlies... discover the Icefields Parkway... explore Jasper National Park "your way" with a choice of wilderness adventures... attend an educational wine tasting... and stay in the Canadian Rockies' best resorts – at The Fairmont Banff Springs and The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, in Signature Club rooms at the Delta Lodge in Kananaskis, and in lake-view rooms at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. |
Included:
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, entertainment, special dinners, sightseeing, porterage, and the services of local guides, drivers and the Tauck Director are included. Transportation from Calgary International Airport to the Delta Lodge at Kananaskis leaves promptly at 3 PM or earlier, if all confirmed guests have arrived. Those who choose to pre-stay at the Westin Calgary will be picked up at 1 PM. If you do not join the tour in time for the group transfer, alternative transportation is available through Brewster Transportation and must be arranged at your own expense. Transportation is also provided from The Fairmont Banff Springs to Calgary International Airport on the last day of the tour. Transportation to and from airports may be shared with other Tauck guests.
Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms with a rollaway cot where available and are not recommended for comfort. On this journey, our guests will enjoy Signature Club guest rooms and privileges at the Delta Lodge at Kananaskis, and lake-view guest rooms at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tauck Director – Best of the Canadian Rockies is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff and local guides are included.
No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.
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Day 1 Head out to Kananaskis country
Meals D
Tauck's Alberta vacation experience in the Canadian Rockies departs at 3:00 PM from Calgary International Airport. For guests who are spending the previous night in Calgary, an airport transfer from Calgary International Airport to The Westin Calgary is included; pick-up time today will be 1:00 PM at The Westin Calgary. Your trip begins with a journey from Calgary that takes you across the last few miles of Canadian prairie to Kananaskis country, the foothills of Canada's Rocky Mountains. As a Tauck guest, your Signature Club room at the Delta Lodge at Kananaskis offers you exclusive concierge services, complimentary high-speed Internet access, and access to the Signature Club Lounge. Please join us this evening at our “Wild West” welcome cocktail reception and dinner featuring rodeo entertainment at an upscale ranch – a great way to kick things off!
Lodging Delta Lodge at Kananaskis
Day 2 Spectacular glacial lakes
Meals B, L, D
From Kananaskis, head high up into the Canadian Rockies and cross the Continental Divide through Kicking Horse Pass on a day of Alberta travel on which you'll see some of the most beautiful lakes in North America. Enter Yoho National Park, where Emerald Lake sparkles with the surrounding peaks reflected in the green waters. See the Spiral Tunnels, a century-old engineering feat created for the Canadian Pacific Railway, and Natural Bridge, a rock formation over the Kicking Horse River. Arrive at your historic chateau-style resort hotel on the edge of Lake Louise overlooking Victoria Glacier in Banff National Park, where you'll enjoy lake-view accommodations during your two-night stay; have dinner at the hotel tonight.
Lodging The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Day 3 A Moraine Lake excursion
Meals B, D
Weather permitting, we invite you to join our naturalist guide today for an excursion to lovely Moraine Lake, one of the most photographed spots in all of Canada, located in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. This glacially fed lake reflects the awe-inspiring beauty that prompted explorer Walter Wilcox, who named it Moraine Lake after the moraine, or rock pile, deposited by the Wenkchemna Glacier, to write “no scene had ever given me an equal impression of inspiring solitude and rugged grandeur,” adding that his time spent contemplating the view was the happiest half-hour of his life. Return to The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise to spend the rest of the day as you wish.
Lodging The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Day 4 Along the Icefields Parkway
Meals B, L, D
After breakfast, set off along the Icefields Parkway, an Alberta vacation highlight whose 143-mile length past more than 600 glaciers, six icefields and a cornucopia of mountains features jaw-dropping views of spectacular rocky peaks, waterfalls and snowfields around every turn. Watch for bears, moose, elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats – especially in the spring and fall – en route to your lodge in the heart of Jasper National Park. During your two-night stay, you'll have an opportunity to attend a presentation by a Parks Canada official to hear the history, legends and folklore that are the very essence of Canada's magnificent national parks.
Lodging The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Day 5 Explore Jasper your way
Meals B, D
Continue your Alberta vacation with a day spent exploring magnificent Jasper National Park with your choice of an included "Jasper Your Way" discovery tour. You may choose from among an "Experience Maligne Valley" tour offering a guided walk along the beautiful Maligne Lake shoreline; a "Wilderness Discovery Tour," joining a wildlife interpreter to search for bear, elk and more; an Athabasca River whitewater rafting adventure led by Rocky Mountain River Guides; or a trip on the Jasper Tramway through alpine tundra, leading to the interesting alpine town of Jasper. Or you may want to engage in some of the optional activities at your lodge (available at an additional cost) including horseback riding, biking, tennis, golf, fishing or boating.
Lodging The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Day 6 Climb along Athabasca Glacier on an Ice Explorer
Meals B, L, D
Retracing your route along the Icefields Parkway back to Banff National Park today, you'll appreciate the region's spectacular scenery from several perspectives. View powerful Athabasca Falls and Athabasca Glacier on the Columbia Icefield – the largest ice cap in the Canadian Rockies – as well as the two majestic peaks that frame it. Then take a memorable ride across the surface of Athabasca Glacier on an Ice Explorer, a specially designed glacial vehicle, for a close look at the glacier's geological features – another highlight of your Alberta vacation adventure. Arrive in Banff National Park, the first national park in Canada; your grand hotel, one of the Rockies' finest resorts, was built more than a century ago to resemble a Scottish baronial castle.
Lodging The Fairmont Banff Springs
Day 7 The incredible bounty of Banff
Meals B, D
Today is yours to explore Banff National Park and environs as you please. You may wish to check out the village of Banff, which, with its spectacular scenery and trendy shops and boutiques, has grown over the decades to rival the chic alpine villages of the American Rockies. Tauck includes a Heritage Pass that grants admission to the Banff Park Museum National Historic Site of Canada, housed in a grand 1903 landmark building of cross-log construction. There are also many optional activities to choose from (available at an additional cost) in Banff National Park itself. You can ride the Banff gondola, take a guided nature walk, go horseback riding, mountain biking, or canoeing on the Bow River. Play a round of golf at your world-famous resort, or perhaps book an alpine aromatherapy massage at the Willow Stream Spa, ranked among the top spas in Canada. The week comes to a conclusion tonight at a special farewell reception with musical entertainment, followed by dinner where the views are a feast for the heart and a great finale to your Alberta vacation.
Lodging The Fairmont Banff Springs
Day 8 Journey home
Meals B
Travel back to Calgary, approximately 80 miles. Tauck's spectacular Alberta vacation experience ends at 10:00 AM at Calgary International Airport. Guests spending additional nights in Calgary will be transferred to The Westin Calgary upon arrival; a transfer from The Westin Calgary to Calgary International Airport is included. Allow a minimum of three hours for check-in; U.S. direct flights clear U.S. customs in Calgary.
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Most Hallowed Ground 2012
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11 Days |
USA |
June 9 & 19, 2012 |
$2995 |
First date book by May 16, 2012. Second date book by May 28, 2012. Ken Burns, award-winning creator of the great documentary film The Civil War, brings personal stories and insightful interpretations to an amazing journey through the Civil War’s “most hallowed ground,” one of the most comprehensive Civil War tours. This 11-day trip, from our Crafted by Tauck and Ken Burns collection, chronicles some of the pivotal events and venues of the war. From Washington, DC to Richmond, VA, the trip is highlighted by guided visits and unique access to some of its most significant sites, including the battlefields of Gettysburg, Antietam and Petersburg; enjoy private presentations and talks by experts; a behind-the-scenes experience at the National Archives; an interactive experience where guests assume the identity of an actual Confederate or Union soldier, and more. Tauck Exclusives include Stories by Ken Burns – filmed vignettes offering Ken's unique perspectives on the terrible conflict and its pivotal role in shaping the nation we live in today, enlivening your travels in Washington, Gettysburg, Harpers Ferry, Charlottesville, Appomattox and Richmond. |
Included:
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, entertainment, special dinners, sightseeing, porterage, and the services of local guides, drivers and the Tauck Director are included. A transfer from Ronald Reagan National Airport, Dulles International Airport or Union Station to The Mayflower® Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel is included, regardless of the time you check in to the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of your tour. Transportation from The Jefferson Hotel to Richmond International Airport is also included, when you check out of the hotel; there is also a one-time transfer provided to Washington’s Reagan National Airport or Dulles International Airport. Transportation to and from airports and train stations may be shared with other Tauck guests.
Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tauck Director – The Civil War: Most Hallowed Ground is conducted by a Tauck Director who will remain with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff and local guides are included.
No Options Sold – Your Tauck Directors will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.
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Day 1 Arrive Washington, DC – the perfect place for Civil War tours to begin
Meals D
Tour begins: The Mayflower® Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel, 5:30 PM. A transfer is included from Ronald Reagan National Airport or Dulles International Airport to The Mayflower® Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel. The Civil War began 150 years ago in 1861. Over the next 11 days with Tauck, you'll embark on this most comprehensive of Civil War tours, developing a deeper understanding of the war and its legacies. Visit key places where the war was fought, that “most hallowed ground”... listen to stories in the words of people who were there... and meet scholars, experts and living historians who interpret its lessons today. Learn about the days ahead through a filmed vignette by Ken Burns during tonight’s welcome cocktail reception, followed by dinner.
Lodging The Mayflower® Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel
Day 2 House Divided: Ford's Theatre and a visit to Arlington
Meals B, L, D
Most Hallowed Ground begins by fast-forwarding to the end of the conflict – the tragic night of April 14, 1865 – for a deeper understanding of the beginning. Visit the restored Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site, where President Abraham Lincoln was fatally shot that evening by actor John Wilkes Booth. Explore the theatre itself and the Ford's Theatre Museum chronicling Lincoln's presidency. A guided sightseeing tour examines the capital's beginnings as well as its role in the Civil War, viewing the White House, the Capitol, the Mall and more. The human cost of the war, as well as its ironies, are the focus of a poignant visit to Arlington National Cemetery, situated on what had been the estate of General Robert E. Lee. A private tour includes gravesites of Civil War dead, the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and the JFK Memorial; visit Arlington House, Lee’s former home, now a memorial to the Confederate leader. After dinner, enjoy an evening tour of Washington and its illuminated monuments.
Lodging The Mayflower® Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel
Day 3 American Stories: The National Archives
Meals B
The seeds of discontent that grew into secession and war are brought to light in a Tauck Exclusive keynote presentation at your hotel by a noted Civil War historian on events occurring during the 36th U.S. Congress (1859-1861). Stories recounted include abolitionist John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry and his subsequent execution; Abraham Lincoln’s election; the secession of seven states, and the shelling of Fort Sumter in April, 1861. Another behind-the-scenes look at the Civil War tours the Rotunda of the National Archives, where exclusive early admission provides a private viewing of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, with welcome comments by an Archives insider. Go behind the scenes with a staffer to learn how modern archival techniques preserve both great documents and stories of individual Americans. Spend the rest of the day as you please in Washington.
Lodging The Mayflower® Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel
Day 4 "Bloody Antietam" to Gettysburg
Meals B, L, D
Heading outside the Beltway into Maryland, stop in Frederick for a guided visit to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. Exhibits tell inspiring stories of care, healing and courage, and advances such as Dr. Jonathan Letterman's system for treating battlefield casualties, still in use today. In Sharpsburg in 1862, a little creek gave its name to American history’s bloodiest single day of combat; your guided tour of Antietam National Battlefield includes the story of Burnside’s Bridge. Travel to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; a Ken Burns vignette offers insights on the town’s destiny as the site of the “high water mark of the Rebellion.” After lunch at a 19th-century Gettysburg inn, explore Gettysburg National Military Park’s new Visitor Center and the amazing Cyclorama that brings vividly to life the sights and sounds of the battles that raged here on July 1-3, 1863. Drive with a Gettysburg expert through some of the battlefields, viewing pivotal sites and hearing stories such as the defense of Little Round Top and the courage and futility of Pickett’s Charge. Many Civil War tours visit Gettysburg, but none bring the special insights that Tauck does.
Lodging Wyndham Gettysburg
Day 5 A trip to Harpers Ferry, and the magnificent Skyline Drive
Meals B, L, D
More than 50,000 men on both sides were killed, wounded or missing at Gettysburg; about 6,000 lie in the national cemetery here, which Lincoln dedicated with his famous address later that year. This morning you'll visit the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center, an amazing interpretive center. The Cyclorama, Film and Museum Experience includes a film narrated by Morgan Freeman, A New Birth of Freedom; the massive Cyclorama painting, which literally surrounds visitors with a magnificent visual of the fury of Pickett’s Charge, and the Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War, featuring 12 exhibit galleries that contain artifacts and interactive displays. Traveling to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, a Ken Burns vignette sets up your visit to the site of John Brown’s failed 1859 raid on the town’s federal arsenal, where the abolitionist was captured and most of his 21-man “army” were killed. Ride the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains along Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park; overnight at Big Meadows Lodge or Skyland Resort.
Lodging Big Meadows Lodge / Skyland Resort
Day 6 President James Madison's Montpelier and on to Charlottesville
Meals B, D
The Civil War was fought in 10,000 places, the majority of them in the South; armies swept across American farms and burned American towns, and homes became headquarters and hospitals. A look at life at one of those homes in the prewar South begins at Montpelier, the former estate of President James Madison and his wife Dolley, nestled in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Discover the home’s early history and way of life in the years between the Revolution and the Civil War; see archaeological work being done on the estate. After a filmed vignette by Ken Burns en route, arrive in Charlottesville and visit the University of Virginia’s landmark Rotunda and Grounds, described by its designer Thomas Jefferson as an “academical village.” The day ends in Charlottesville.
Lodging Omni Charlottesville Hotel
Day 7 Intriguing Monticello and an exclusive lecture
Meals B, L
You’ll feel the presence of author, statesman, scientist and third U.S. President Thomas Jefferson throughout your guided visit to Monticello, the hilltop house he designed on the principles of Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. As you explore the house, plantation and grounds, you’ll observe that the realities of plantation life did not always fit comfortably with the founding father’s principles of equality and liberty. After lunch featuring colonial fare and servers in 18th-century period attire at the historic Michie Tavern, enjoy a Tauck Civil War Tours Exclusive: a lively private presentation on “Slavery, the Plantation and the Civil War” by Dr. Leni Sorensen, scholar, living history interpreter, and African American Research Historian for the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello.
Lodging Omni Charlottesville Hotel
Day 8 Appomattox and on to Richmond
Meals B, L, D
Journey this morning from Charlottesville to Appomattox Court House. Town resident Wilmer McLean had moved to this quiet village to escape the tumult of war after the First Battle of Bull Run had raged across his property in 1861. But on the afternoon of April 9, 1865, he was reluctantly thrust into history when Generals Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant met in his parlor and agreed to terms which would lead to the reunification of the nation – so in another of the war’s great ironies, it could be said that the conflict began in McLean’s backyard and ended in his parlor four years later! Relive the moment on a visit to McLean’s reconstructed house with a local guide, and gain insights from a Ken Burns vignette en route to Richmond and a three-night stay at The Jefferson Hotel, the city’s finest since 1895.
Lodging The Jefferson Hotel
Day 9 Richmond, Heart of the Confederacy
Meals B
An in-depth view of the war from various perspectives awaits in Richmond, once the Confederate capital. Hear the story of Robert E. Lee’s divided loyalties on a guided visit to the Rotunda of the Virginia State Capitol, where Lee accepted command of the state military forces, and stand in the space shared by the Virginia legislature and the Confederate government during the war. Examine the life of Confederate President Jefferson Davis in his wartime home, the White House of the Confederacy; step back to the time he resided here with his family on a guided visit, and take a self-guided tour of the Museum of the Confederacy. After lunch, experience Union, Confederate and African American viewpoints at the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar and the Tredegar Iron Works, the Confederacy’s industrial heart. In another Tauck Civil War Tours Exclusive, meet with a local historian who shares insights about the unique role of the Tredegar works, along with little-known facts about “industrial slavery.”
Lodging The Jefferson Hotel
Day 10 Petersburg, and a visit to the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier
Meals B, L, D
Explore the siege of Petersburg on a tour of Petersburg National Battlefield, where you’ll view re-creations of troop bunkers and officers’ quarters, and relive the drama of battle with the iconic story of The Crater. Then enjoy a unique glimpse of what life was really like in the field with a powerful interactive experience at Pamplin Historical Park and the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier – where you’ll assume the identity of an actual Union or Confederate soldier, listen to his own words and stories through your headset, and learn his ultimate destiny during the war. You’ll also see Civil War reenactors depicting camp life, musket firings and other period demonstrations. Tonight, enjoy a farewell reception and dinner at your stately five-star hotel, a National Historic Landmark in downtown Richmond.
Lodging The Jefferson Hotel
Day 11 Journey Home
Meals B
Tour ends: Richmond. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from The Jefferson Hotel to Richmond Int’l Airport; allow two hours for check-in. A one-time early-morning courtesy transfer is offered to Washington, DC airports for guests departing from Reagan National Airport after 12 noon or from Dulles Int’l Airport after 1:00 PM.
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French Waterways and Vineyards 2012
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10 Days |
France |
June 21, 2012 |
$4195 |
Book by May 19, 2012. When it comes to France cruises, it’s hard to imagine a more enjoyable one than gliding along the Rhône through the vineyard country from which come some of the world’s most exceptional wines. But first, spend two nights at the Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris to explore as you please, and perhaps discover things you don’t yet know about the "City of Light." After riding the high-speed TGV through the French countryside to Lyon, embark aboard the ms Swiss Emerald to begin this crème de la crème of France cruises. All along the river, centuries-old towns, each with its own unique personality, compete for your attention with winery visits to sample the unique flavors of the wines produced in different regions on the river’s banks. Add the pleasures of Provence in Avignon, Arles and Roussillon... and France cruises by riverboat don’t come any better! |
Included:
Cruise prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All riverboat and hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, port charges, land excursions, admissions, entertainment, special dinners, wine with dinner and all-day soft drinks while on the riverboat, sightseeing, porterage, and the services of the Tauck Directors, the Tauck Cruise Director, hotel and ship staff, and local guides and drivers are included. Transportation from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport or Paris-Orly Airport to the Hilton Arc de Triomphe is included, regardless of the time you check in to the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of your tour. If you are arriving into a local train station you will need to take a taxi to the hotel and retain a reciept from the driver to give to your tour director for reimbursement.Transportation from the riverboat to Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport or Gare de Lyon-Part-Dieu central train station is also included when you disembark the riverboat. Transportation to and from airports and train stations may be shared with other Tauck guests.
Hotel and Riverboat Accommodations - The cruise price includes all hotel and riverboat accommodations. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in at the Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris. Triples are two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.
If you request an adjacent, adjoining or connecting room, we will try to accommodate your request. However, we cannot guarantee such accommodations will be available. Please note that a hotel may define “adjacent” as “located across the hall”.
Children under the age of 18 must be booked in a room or cabin with at least one adult.
The riverboat accommodates only 118 guests. Your well-appointed, outside-facing cabin is equipped with a plasma television, mini-bar, radio, international direct-dial telephone, safe and hair dryer. Your cabin also features adjustable air-conditioning and a bathroom with shower en suite. Most cabins have two twin beds that may be separated or combined. Triple accommodations are only available in Category 6 on this cruise. Quadruple accommodations are not available.
Other riverboat facilities include: lounge with a panoramic bar and dance floor; spacious restaurant that can accommodate all guests in one seating; large sun deck with deck chairs; a whirlpool; library; an exercise room features stationary bicycles and treadmills; and small boutique.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
On board the riverboat, an ample buffet breakfast, both hot and cold, is served in the spacious restaurant. At lunch, you are presented with a choice of entrée with several courses or a delicious buffet. Dinner’s choice of entrée is accompanied with an international selection of wines and beer. Please let us know about your special dietary requirements when booking your cruise; vegetarian and special diets are available with advance notice, however kosher meals are not available. We will be pleased to meet your special dietary requirements whenever possible.
Complimentary all-day soft drinks, coffee and tea service, cookies and fruit are available in the Lido Bar. A continental breakfast of muffins, pastries, fruit and yogurt is served here daily, as well as a light lunch of soup, salad and sandwiches.
All guests may order complimentary snack baskets to their room. Room service breakfast is complimentary for Category 6 cabins.The legal drinking age aboard the riverboat is 21 years old.
Tauck Director – Your cruise employs one Tauck Director for every 40 guests and one Tauck Cruise Director who will remain with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Directors are professional, fully trained employees of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for the hotel and ship staff, local guides and drivers, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director are included.
No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.
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Day 1 Bonjour, Paris
Meals D
Tauck's most memorable of France cruises begins at the Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris at 6:00 PM. After our included transfer from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to your centrally located hotel, you may want to relax a while before joining us for our special welcome cocktail reception and dinner at le Fouquet’s on the Champs-Elysées, an iconic landmark for celebrity dining for over a century, followed by an Illuminations tour of the city’s glittering lights!
Lodging Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris
Day 2 A day of Parisian pleasures
Meals B
From the grand boulevards and manicured gardens of the Right Bank to the artsy Left Bank, favorite haunt of writers, dreamers and musicians, Parisian neighborhoods reflect the true essence of the city. Explore one of them with Tauck on a guided tour of le Marais, with its stately mansions, half-timbered houses, covered passageways, and narrow cobbled streets, visiting the Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis Church, Victor Hugo’s home, Hotel de Sully, Village Saint-Paul and la rue des Roisers, Paris' medieval Jewish quarter. Then, Paris is yours to experience in whatever way pleases you for the rest of the day and evening. Perhaps you’ll visit one of the city’s lesser-known museums… a little jewel of a church tucked away on a quiet side street… or an agreeable sidewalk café for some Parisian-watching… and remember: in Paris, you’re never more than 400 meters from a subway station.
Lodging Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris
Day 3 Take the fast train to Lyon
Meals B, D
Enjoy the views from the TGV high-speed train en route to Lyon, set at the confluence of the rivers Saône and Rhône. There, board the ms Swiss Emerald and settle into your cabin before joining the Captain for his welcome reception and dinner as your cruise gets underway.
Lodging Aboard the Riverboat
Day 4 There’s a lot to like in Lyon
Meals B, L, D
Lyon is considered the "culinary capital of France," which is quite a compliment in a country famed for its cuisine and fine vintages. You’ll discover why during a city tour today, including a tasting lunch at the famous Les Halles de Lyon, the celebrated indoor food market that's been a fixture in Lyon since 1850 and offers an unbelievable array of breads, cheeses, fresh fruits and vegetables, sausages, wines, chocolates... the list goes on. Everything is fresh and delicious, and it's said that the best chefs in Lyon shop here; you’ll enjoy tastings of various goodies paired with appropriate wines! But Lyon is also a city with a venerable history and considerable charm, as you’ll discover when you visit Vieux Lyon, the old Renaissance part of the city that is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first protected historic district in France. Sightseeing also includes the Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-Fourvière, built atop the ruins of an ancient Roman forum. Then it’s off to the celebrated wine-growing region of Beaujolais for a tasting in the countryside before continuing your cruise to Vienne.
Lodging Aboard the Riverboat
Day 5 A Roman history lesson & more in Vienne
Meals B, L, D
In the great course of human events, the Romans were somewhat latecomers in Vienne – it was founded by the Gauls – but the town still abounds with ruins they left revealing its life as a Roman colony along the Rhône, which you can explore on a walking tour and during time at leisure. There's a temple erected by the Emperor Claudius; the remains of roads, ramparts, aqueducts and a theatre; and the pyramid-like Plan de l’Aiguille, which one legend says was Pontius Pilate’s tomb! And you'll have hilltop castle ruins, two intact Romanesque churches and a Gothic cathedral to check out as well. ms Swiss Emerald cruises on to Avignon this afternoon.
Lodging Aboard the Riverboat
Day 6 Avignon’s charms
Meals B, L, D
Although the fortified city of Avignon was undoubtedly a pleasant place before they arrived, the 13th-century popes, who spent less than a century here when Rome became "tedious" for them, really put it on the map, and cultivated the local wine industry (Châteauneuf-du-Pape). Sightseeing today includes the Palais du Papes, the vast, fortress-like palace that they built for themselves during that time. After discovering more of Avignon on your own during leisure time this afternoon, visit the Pont du Gard – a famous Roman aqueduct over the River Gardon. This evening, this engineering marvel becomes the amazing backdrop for a special treat for Tauck guests only... an extraordinary Provençal-style dinner accompanied by fine local wines.
Lodging Aboard the Riverboat
Day 7 Arles and other Provençal pleasures
Meals B, L, D
It may seem that the Romans were everywhere along the Rhône, and Arles in no exception. Some impressive Roman monuments attest to that; the gladiators who once did battle here are gone, but structures like the arena in which they fought remains and is still a venue for performances and bull fights today. Later, the city successfully made the transition from ancient to medieval life, as you’ll see during today’s sightseeing and free time to look around on your own in Arles. Do take time to look beyond the city walls at the incredible quality of the light here that so enraptured van Gogh. You'll also venture deeper into Provence today on a visit to the yellow-and-brown town of Roussillon, in the Luberon region. This is a place that is all about color, from the ochre cliffs surrounding the town to the purple of the lavender during its blooming season and the lush, green pine forests. Since the 12th century, the peaceful Romanesque Abbey de Senanque has stood watching over the countryside. You’ll have views of the abbey and – depending on the time of year – the lavender fields surrounding it, tended by the monks who still live in this ancient retreat. The riverboat heads for Viviers tonight.
Lodging Aboard the Riverboat
Day 8 Medieval Viviers and on along the Rhône
Meals B, L, D
If medieval history and authentic period architecture are your thing, Viviers is your kind of place... because it’s one of the best-preserved medieval towns that you’re likely to see on France cruises. Its winding streets and lanes reveal what life might have been like here in the Middle Ages during a walking tour, including the town's 12th-century cathedral. A leisurely afternoon cruise along the Rhône bound for Tournon-sur-Rhône and Tain l’Hermitage is the perfect opportunity to just kick back and let the rhythm of the river soothe you as you glide between its banks, enjoying a lecture by your Tauck Director and (weather permitting) a demonstration of the popular Provençal game of pétanque on the sun deck.
Lodging Aboard the Riverboat
Day 9 Savory Secrets of the Rhône Valley
Meals B, L, D
Tournon-sur-Rhône is a perfect spot to start the final day of your Rhône cruise with a guided walking tour. Wind your way up to a vantage point in this medieval town and admire the views of lush Côtes du Rhône vineyards and dramatic river vistas. After lunch, journey to Valence for an education in epicurean delights; the town is a major hub for fresh Rhône Valley produce and home to some of the finest culinary artists in the country. At an award-winning restaurant and cooking school in town, attend a multi-course tasting presentation illustrating how seasonal ingredients, contrasting flavors and time-tested techniques are combined to create mouth-watering local specialties. You’ll also have time for a wine tasting in Tain-l’Hermitage, known for its chocolate and excellent Côtes du Rhône wines. Tonight, celebrate the conclusion of an extraordinary cruise at the Captain’s farewell reception and dinner aboard the riverboat.
Lodging Aboard the Riverboat
Day 10 Homeward Bound
Meals B
Cruise Ends: Lyon. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the ms Swiss Emerald to Lyon Airport. Please allow 3 hours for flight check-in. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home.
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