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The Best of Ireland, Small Groups

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Uniquely Tauck

EXPERIENCE WITH TAUCK

ALL SMALL GROUP DEPARTURES averaging 24 Tauck guests! A small group size means a more personal travel experience highlighted by stays at some of Ireland's top hotels

TAUCK'S YELLOW ROADS – Journey through the Irish wilds of Connemara & along the spectacular coastal scenery of Northern Ireland's Antrim Coast Road

Accommodations include lavishly restored castles, grand hotels, and manor houses: The Westin Dublin; The Merchant Hotel in Belfast; Lough Eske Castle, Donegal; Old Ground Hotel in Ennis; Aghadoe Heights Hotel, Killarney; Ashford Castle in Cong; Lyrath Estate Hotel & Spa, Kilkenny.

Visit Belfast's award-winning Titanic Belfast interactive museum & enjoy a sumptuous 9-course Titanic tasting dinner

SEE WHAT YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES

Guests should be able to easily walk one to two miles, which may include climbing one or two flights of stairs and walking over uneven pavement, groomed hiking trails or cobblestones. Standing up to one hour or more may be required.

Often robust – may include long days, active sightseeing, early starts, evening activities, significant travel times.

Along Europe's Scenic "Yellow Roads"

Céad Mile Fáilte , Irish Gaelic for "one hundred thousand welcomes"... from the first dawning of a countryside morning to the setting sun over rolling green hills, an Irish welcome for visitors is genuine, exuding warm hospitality...

Belfast's titanic exhibit and a titanic dinner, belfast's award-winning titanic museum... followed by a 9-course titanic tasting dinner.

Learn insider stories behind Titanic, designed to be one of the finest ships ever to grace the seas, on your visit to Titanic Belfast, built on the site of the former Queen's Island shipyards that produced the ill-fated liner. J. Bruce Ismay, Chairman of the White Star Line, asked Lord Pirrie of shipbuilders Harland & Wolff to construct "a stable ship that will not disturb the sediment in the fine wines" they were drinking together at a planning meeting. And while Titanic was, according to her builders, "as nearly as perfect as human brains can make her," she proved no match for nature. Discover more in modern-day galleries that bring the legendary ship back to life... and enjoy a 9-course Titanic tasting dinner in the Great Room of The Merchant Hotel.

Ulster American Folk Park

Hear compelling stories of irish emigrants to north america at the ulster american folk park.

Immerse yourself in the story of the brave Irish emigrants who made the arduous journey across the Atlantic to start a new life in America hundreds of years ago on your visit to the Ulster American Folk Park, an acclaimed open-air museum in Omagh, in Northern Ireland's County Tyrone. Wander through thatched cottages and log cabins, and meet costumed characters who will show you traditional crafts, tell you a few stories and maybe even share a bit of their good food. Board a full-scale emigrant ship to experience the conditions faced by many as they set sail for a new life in America. With 30 buildings and exhibits to explore, the Ulster American Folk Park is a wonderfully unique experience.

Visit and lunch at a family dairy farm

Visit a working dairy farm in kilmallock for a lunch of irish specialties.

Discover the importance of farming in the west of Ireland – and learn firsthand about the country's modern agribusiness pursuits – on a visit to a working dairy farm in Kilmallock that's been in the same family for generations. You're invited for a light, farm-fresh Irish lunch and some excellent stories!

Ashford Castle

A taste of the royal life of the past on a two-night stay at ashford castle.

Turrets and ramparts, armor and oak paneling, Waterford chandeliers and gilt mirrors reflect the royal architectural décor you'll find at Ashford Castle. Its first stones were laid in 1228, and since that time eight privileged Irish families have called this 83-bedroom castle – now one of Ireland's most magnificent castle-hotels – home. And for two memorable nights during this journey, you can, too.

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Take The Details With You

Download day-by-day details.

All the information you need for this journey at your fingertips – day-by-day details, map, hotel descriptions, key highlights and more.

Where you stay is an important part of your journey – with Tauck, accommodations have been handpicked and carefully selected for their location and ambiance, enhancing the destinations you explore. Download accommodation details and your travel plans begin!

Tour Planner

Download the details to make planning your trip easier - including an itinerary overview, pricing based on your selected departure date and accommodations, plus protection plan costs.

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Overnight Accommodations

Extend your stay

Arrive Early

College green hotel dublin, autograph collection.

Dublin, Ireland

The Merchant Hotel

Belfast, Ireland

Lough Eske Castle

Donegal Town, Ireland

Lough Corrib, Ireland

Old Ground Hotel

Ennis, Ireland

Nights 10-11

Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa

Killarney, Ireland

Nights 12-13

Lyrath Estate Hotel & Spa

Kilkenny, Ireland

Your Journey

Pricing & Availability

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About Booking This Tour

Covid Travel Requirements

The below provides an overview of Tauck's requirements and those of the countries we visit, along with our supplier partners who have implemented their own Covid policies that may go beyond Tauck's requirements. The trip-specific guidelines are for U.S. travelers.

Up-to-date destination entry requirements will be posted 60 days prior to the first seasonal departure for each tour or cruise series. For journeys not yet posted below, please visit our Travel Requirements page. As entry requirement change frequently, please check often.

Tauck 2024 Covid Policy

For 2024 tours and cruises, Tauck has no remaining Covid requirements. There is no vaccination requirement or travel pledge to be signed. This 2024 policy could change if there is a surge in infection rates or other factors that could impact the safety of our guests and employees.

Tauck 2023 Covid Policy

• Vaccination Requirement:  All Tauck guests age 12 and older must be fully vaccinated. Additionally, you must have had at least one booster dose and/or have proof of recovery from Covid.
• Requirements for Minors:  Though highly recommended, vaccination for minors age 11 and under is not required by Tauck. However, if unvaccinated they must present a negative result from either a PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days of departing for their Tauck trip. If a child age 11 or under is vaccinated but not boosted, they must also present a negative test prior to their Tauck trip.
• Tauck Travel Agreement:  Tauck requires all guests to sign our Travel Well Pledge . Your Tauck Director will provide this document for your signature on the first day of your trip, and will check your proof of vaccination and booster/or proof of recovery. Additional information can be found at here .

To ensure the safety of your fellow travelers and the communities we visit, all guests must follow health and safety protocols when necessitated by local health guidance or our supplier partners. Your Tauck Director will keep you informed of these local requirements.

Although not required by Tauck, some countries may require a pre-travel Covid test. It is important that you carefully check the most recent entry requirements (listed below) for your tour or cruise. 

Additional Destination Requirements

There are no specific Covid destination requirements for this tour.

How to Book a Tour

See your travel advisor, or call Tauck at 800-468-2825 to make a reservation.

At the time of booking, please have the following information ready for all members of your party:

• Tour Name and Departure Date
• Traveler's Name: First and last names as they appear on your passport or driver's license
• Traveler's Address(es)
• Email Address*
• Traveler's Phone Number(s)*
• Emergency Contact Information: Please provide the name and phone number  of a relative or friend (not travelling with you) whom we could contact during the tour in the unlikely event of an emergency
• Interest in purchasing a travel protection plan (US and Canada)
• Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
• Interest in our specially negotiated airfares

* Required Fields

Deposits & Final Payment

Deposits and fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking.

The deposit amount is $600 per person

Final Payments:

Final Payment is due at Tauck's Wilton, CT office  60 days before departure. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

Travel Protection Plan

Effective for plans purchased as of July 1, 2021:

Tauck's Guest Protection

Tauck's Guest Protection provides you with cancellation protection before your journey begins as well as insurance benefits while you are traveling. Guest Protection includes the following:

Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:

Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the land tour cost, based on your original method of payment.

*Extreme Circumstances:  In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.

Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.

• Trip Cancellation –  If you must cancel your tour due to a covered reason, the plan provides coverage for the amount you paid for your travel arrangements. Since the non-insurance cancellation waiver takes care of the land package cancellation fees already, this benefit reimburses the airfare cancellation charges up to the value of your original airfare purchase.
• Trip Interruption –  If you have to interrupt your tour for covered reasons, the plan provides reimbursement to catch up to your tour or return home.
• Travel Delay –  Provides reimbursement for missed, prepaid travel arrangements if you are delayed by a common carrier, natural disaster, unannounced strike, or other reasons as cited in the plan.
• Medical Expense –  Reimburses covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or sick during your trip. 
• Baggage / Personal Effects Protection –  Provides reimbursement in the event your luggage or personal effects are, lost, stolen, damaged or delayed during your trip.
• Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services –  Provided by Carefree Travel Assistance; 24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems.

The cost of Tauck's Guest Protection is: $559  per person

This protection provides insurance coverage that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

This optional Guest Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. Fees are based on costs as of July 1, 2021, and are subject to change. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your tour reservation. Guest Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.

The Guest Protection plan waives cancellation fees outlined below, provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. Tour cancellation fees are waived regardless of reason, without written notice, and Tauck will refund land tour cost.

To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit  affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACGPPINTL .

If You Have To Cancel

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees. If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply.

Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

Loss of Guest Protection fee, per person 

Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Guest Protection Plan :

60 days or more before departure = $600 per person

59-8 days before departure = $900 per person

7-1 days before departure = $1500 per person

Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.

Note:  All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Guest Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

Travel Terms and Conditions

Click here  to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

Travel Requirements For This Tour

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The Meandering Traveler

A Travel Blog with Travel Tips and Interesting Facts

Spotlight: A Trio Of Tauck Small Group Journeys Close To Home

  “Small is big” aptly describes Tauck’s growing philosophy about escorted tours. It’s ramped up the number of small group land tour departures offered in 2023.

Tauck plans 35 percent more Small Group Journeys this year, when compared to pre-pandemic levels. 

An enticing mix of 75 Small Group Journeys offer travel across the globe in 2023. But for today’s blog, we opted to look at a trio of enticing, “closer to home” options including, for example, Savannah, GA ( see photo above; photo by Tauck ).

So, keep reading below for a bit more detail about our selections. Plus, we’ll show you how to secure a handy e-brochure outlining all of Tauck’s 2023 small group options.

Tauck’s Philosophy

Before we get to that, though, let’s briefly review Tauck’s philosophy and what a Small Group Journey actually entails. Simply put, Tauck recognizes that many travelers love an escorted tour with all the vacation details handled, the services of a professional tour guide, exclusive events or inclusions and immersive sightseeing.

But the tour operator also knows that, increasingly, many travelers, while enjoying the socialization, camaraderie and cost savings that can be delivered via booking a group tour, also prefer not to travel with a huge entourage. They just don’t want to travel with 35 to 45 other people. They desire a better guest-to-guide ratio.

So, Tauck’s Small Group Journeys instead average just 24 passengers. And for many of Tauck’s African safaris, there are as few as 18 guests on all departures.

“Our guests understand and appreciate that they’re able to immerse themselves in the destination in a more interactive and authentic way, and enjoy a more engaging and enriching experience, when they travel in a smaller, more intimate group setting,” says Dan Mahar , Tauck’s CEO.

While the onset of Covid boosted the appeal of small group travel for very different reasons, he noted that even before the pandemic, Tauck was already moving firmly in that direction.

Spotlight: Small Group Journey – Eastern U.S.

Tauck offers at least seven small group journeys within the eastern U.S. For example, travelers can explore “Cape Cod, the Islands and Newport,” “Grand New England,” “ Bluegrass and Blue Ridges: Louisville to Nashville ,” “Michigan’s Lakes and Mackinac Island,” “Hidden Gems of New England” and “New Orleans and Mississippi River Country.”

For our spotlight in the eastern U.S., The Meandering Traveler has selected the eight-day “ Southern Charms: Savannah, Hilton Head and Charleston .” It’s a designated Ken Burns American Journey too.

Guests start their tour in Savannah , GA., and visit Fort Pulaski National Monument. Then the tour winds its way up the southeastern U.S. coastline to Hilton Head Island , SC, before continuing to Beaufort , SC, and  Charleston , SC.

Local Insight and Sea Isles

“Tauck Exclusives” on this small group journey include the chance to view film narratives with Civil War insight by documentary filmmaker Ken Burns; a taste of Savannah’s beloved Madeira traditions at the Federal-style Davenport House Museum; and a tour of the sea islands off Beaufort, South Carolina

Shelby Steudle , president, Pavlus Travel , the world’s largest seller of Tauck tours, also points to other value-added inclusions. “Tauck’s guests will also enjoy dinner at 45 Bistro in The Marshall House, Savannah’s oldest hotel,” she says. “They’ll also visit Savannah’s Massie Heritage Center and enjoy a culinary demonstration and lunch featuring Low Country cuisine .”

More Details

This small group journey is offered in April and May 2023, and again in September and October 2023, as well as in 2024. At press time, 2023 pricing started at $4,990 per person, double occupancy; pricing is subject to change.

Click on this website page for more details about the “ Southern Charms: Savannah, Hilton Head and Charleston ” itinerary.

Spotlight: Small Group Journey – American West

In the American West region, Tauck offers eight small group journeys. These tours will take travelers to California’s national parks, New Mexico’s scenic spots, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, and other western U.S. destinations. 

Our Small Group Journeys pick for the American West? To combine the best of the great outdoors, national parks and American gaming glitz, we’ve selected the eight-day “ America’s Canyonlands .”

Tour goers will explore Grand Canyon National Park , as well as Bryce Canyon National Park ( shown in the photo above ) and Zion National Park. Zion is famed for its massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink and red. This tour also includes Lake Powell, Glen Canyon, and yes, Las Vegas too.

As this is a Ken Burns American Journey tour, Tauck’s guests will hear insider stories about the national parks during filmed narratives by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan.  Another Tauck exclusive is a champagne welcome and private yacht dinner cruise on scenic Lake Powell .

Park Accommodations

During this small group tour, guests will stay at inside-the-park accommodations at three national parks – Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion . Plus, they’ll go “flightseeing” over Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

As for enrichment, Tauck’s guests will gain insight into the Grand Canyon’s ecology from a geology expert

The Small Group Journeys depart on multiple dates between April and October 2023, as well as in 2024. At press time, 2023 pricing for this Small Group Journeys tour started at $5,290 per person, double occupancy; pricing is subject to change.

Again, you’ll find the full itinerary here, and be sure to contact your professional travel advisor for questions and booking.

Spotlight: Small Group Journey – Hawaii

In our third spotlight pick,  The Meandering Traveler singles out Tauck’s 12-day “ The Best of Hawaii ” escorted small group journey. Travelers will journey to four Hawaiian Islands — Oahu, Hawaii, Kauai and Maui .

For all 11 nights, guests will stay in lovely oceanview rooms at beachfront island resorts. Here’s the line-up of hotel stays:  The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort , at Waikiki, Oahu (nights 1-3); the Fairmont Orchid , Hawaii, along the Kohala Coast (nights 4-6); the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa , Koloa, Kauai (nights 7-8); and the Fairmont Kea Lani , Maui (nights 9-11).

Among the sightseeing highlights are Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Kailua-Kona, to name just a few. Tour goers will also visit the USS Missouri Memorial at Pearl Harbor on Oahu.

Tauck Exclusives

Tauck Exclusives include a private evening with an after-hours tour, reception and dinner at Queen Emma Summer Palace on Oahu. Plus, tour guests will make a pre-opening visit to magnificent Iolani Palace , the opulent official residence of Hawaii’s former monarchy.

For a bird’s-eye view of Hawaii’s gorgeous scenery, they’ll set off for helicopter flightseeing on Kauai. On Maui, they’ll enjoy a festive evening of dance, song and exotic flavors at a traditional Hawaiian luau.

At press time, pricing for this Small Group Journey started at $11,690 and is subject to change. Departure dates are from April through November in both 2023 and 2024.

Click on this link for more about “ The Best of Hawaii ” itinerary. Also, “be sure to chat with a personal travel planner if you have questions, desire to talk about vacation options or are ready to book this small group escorted tour for 2023 or 2024,” says Pavlus Travel’s Steudle.

In a previous blog in February 2023, we profiled one personal travel planner, Jamie Roach.

Small Group Journeys – New E-Brochure

For the full listing of Small Group Journeys in North America and farther across the globe, check out Tauck’s new 28-page “e-brochure .” Here you’ll find more information about the benefits of small group travel and all itineraries where small group departures are available.

Small group sizes don’t apply only to tours either. This concept also extends to Tauck’s small-ship ocean cruise or European river cruise offerings. For more information, talk with a travel advisor or check out Tauck online.

Susan J. Young

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Pricy and Nothing Special

We have taken one TAUCK 8 day tour (Savannah/Hilton Head/Charleston) and based on that experience would not recommend them for the following reasons: 1. They are expensive. We paid $5,589 PP. If you booked this yourself, it’s only ~$3,165. This means you are paying almost twice as much for the same experience. 2. The experiences were “nothing special”. We could have booked any of them on the internet. 3. The food was mostly “OK” with one meal being superb and one meal being inedible. 4. We got the impression that our tour director was “phoning it in”. She really didn't seem like she wanted to be on the tour. 5. They also overcharge – we booked an extra day at the hotel and were charged $298.50 (the single person rate) times 2 (since there were two of us) for a total of $597. The published rate for our room was $383. I’d also consider another aspect of the tour: You are being “programmed” and in order to get the most out of the tour, you need to be up in the morning and stick with the group. If you’ve never watched the movie, “If it’s Tuesday, this must be Belgium”, please do so prior to booking. Sure it’s satire, but there’s a lot of truth there. There's not fault to Tauck for this, that's what they do, we just decided it's not our "style". If you do decide you’re a “tour person”, check out Roads Scholar tours. A similar tour from them would have been $3,099 PP and the tour leader, Ruth Miller, would have been fantastic (we had her for our Tauck bus tour in Charleston, she was fantastic, one of the highlights of the trip. ) Net-net, do your homework and make sure this type of travel is really “for you” and whatever you do, don't book extra days through Tauck.

Date of experience : April 10, 2024

Tauck is a First Rate Company

My wife and I recently took a trip to Italy, a 14-day Tauck Classic Italy. The trip was wonderful until my wife fell and could not continue on. Although we had issues with the travel insurance company, Tauck stepped up and agreed to reimburse us for the expenses we had because of some communication issues when we left. I will definitely be scheduling more trips with Tauck. They are a first-rate company who understands the value of dedicated customers.

Date of experience : October 02, 2023

After 16 trips with Tauck

After 16 trips with Tauck, this was my last. The overall trip was BORING, on and off the bus, packing/unpacking after 1 or 2 days in each hotel, dull sites. Their choice of hotels has deteriorated considerably. One of the "hotels" was less than 1 star. But the worst part is their customer service. Apparently they could care less about keeping customers. Maybe ignorant first-timers will keep them going for a while. Doubt it.

Date of experience : October 12, 2023

Purpose of trip insurances .

Whenever a tour is cancelled for any reason and trip insurance was purchased that amount is used for that exact purpose ie. insurance . Most tour companies take the premium , however Tauck credits that total amount to another tour if booked within their time frame . We have taken many tours , Tauck has gone above and beyond their duties to us each tour . It is unfortunate some do not understsnd trip insurance . When purcasing auto insurance your premium is not refunded if you have no accidents .

Date of experience : May 26, 2021

Right now waiting for any responses to…

Right now waiting for any responses to problems with upcoming tour of Southeast Asia. Lots of call holding and bs. I would never recommend cibt for visas. Disorganized mess with no one ever responding and delays that are not explained and charges to credit card yea reversed but $1400 errors. And visas still not delivered and no explanations.

Date of experience : September 09, 2022

Seven months in advance, refuse to return deposit

Douro River cruise, excellent. Booked a summer cruise out of Nice 2023. Had to cancel seven months prior to the departure date. Had made a $3000 deposit that Tauck refused to return or apply as a future credit. Never will travel on them again

Date of experience : May 09, 2023

Tauck is a disaster

Tauck is a disaster! Save your money and use another tour company. Went on very expensive Danube tour starting 10/1/23 from Budapest on the Danube. Cabin filled with sewer gas the whole trip. Asked for help three times and Tauck employees pretended they didn’t know. Never helped. Left review an Tauck said tough. Sorry sewer gas was so bad in your cabin it kept you awake at night. No help and no consideration. Avoid Tauck. If Tauck is brave enough to contact me they can check their internal reviews from 10/1/23 Danube trip starting in Budapest. However, Tauck cares not for their customers and are cowards. I only wish I could give them less than a 1 star review. My feeling are negative 5 stars or worse. Was on tour with another family that will verify sewer gas and no relief from Tauck. Very sad company. Happy to talk to any prospective future Tauck victims. Take my advice and avoid Tauck. Find another tour company.

WE HAVE TAKEN SEVERAL GREAT TOURS WITH…

WE HAVE TAKEN SEVERAL GREAT TOURS WITH TAUCK PRE COVID🥳….however taking tours POST COVID has been a HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. 😱 THEIR Directors are NOW RUDE, ARROGANT, COMBATIVE AND DISMISSIVE! If you have any concerns while on a Tour …KEEP THEM TO YOURSELF🤫….otherwise they will tell the other Traveler’s to AVOID YOU!! THE QUALITY SINCE COVID HAS DROPPED FROM 5* TO 1/2* We will NEVER AGAIN use them.

Date of experience : May 11, 2023

First time Tuack Tour and Last

First time Tuack Tour, Essence of Japan. It will be my last. Spent more than 45k and they handled flight booking. They booked international layover outbound with 40 min window. Not surprisingly my bags, clothes and medicine didn't arrive for 30 hours. They acknowledged their fault in email but Guest Relations tone deaf. They offered small cash refund and future credit on next tour. Won't be a "next tour ". It was once a great brand but they have lost their feel for customer retention. If you use them, bookyour own travel and save money and aggravation.

Date of experience : June 01, 2023

First and last Tauck Tour

First time Tauck Tour, Essence of Japan. It will be my last. Spent more than 45k and they handled flight booking. They booked international layover outbound with 40 min window. Not surprisingly my bags, clothes and medicine didn't arrive for 30 hours. They acknowledged their fault in email but Guest Relations tone deaf. They offered small cash refund and future credit on next tour. Won't be a "next tour ". It was once a great brand but they have lost their feel for customer retention. If you use them, book your own travel and save money and aggravation.

Date of experience : May 06, 2023

Beware of the travel insurance that…

Beware of the travel insurance that Tauck partners with from Aon. We bought this insurance specifically to cover a pre-trip positive Covid test. My wife tested positive 3 days before the trip. The insurance company asked her to get a PCR test which came back positive too. They are now denying the claim because she wasn't sick enough to see a doctor. Tauck now says they will not get involved. This insurance company is labeled as its partner. Terrible customer service. We will never again trust Tauck.

Date of experience : June 30, 2022

Covid Risk on a Tauck Cruise of Greece

I took a Tauck cruise of Greece called Treasures of the Aegean. The cruise itself was great. All the passengers tested negative for Covid before boarding the ship. However, at the end of the cruise more than 10 percent if the passengers had Covid and had to quarantine. I had known of the risk of Covid, I would never have taken the tour.

Date of experience : May 28, 2022

Tauck tour …

Tauck does an excellent job organizing tours. But they are not the best for solo travelers. They will not tell you if other solos are going at least I couldn’t find out, and I was the only one alone on a recent trip. . Given the profile of the other travelers including some families that had to be attached at the hip every second, which made it uncomfortable for me (ie entitled young adult telling me where I could sit so they were all together) probably will not travel with them again unless they will disclose/have other solos - better to go alone and copy their itineraries!

Date of experience : June 13, 2022

Very disappointed Tauck tour( currently…

Very disappointed Tauck tour( currently on). The food: dinner menu: Entree: 1 Red beans & Rice. 2. Crawfish etouffee. Cash bar. That’s. Most dinners are disappointment. Cost: Average $1000+/day/couple.

Date of experience : March 27, 2023

I have taken 3 tours with Tauck

I have taken 3 tours with Tauck. the first was to Provence France and it was wonderful on every level. the second was to northern France and again the best experience. The third was last month July 2022 Best of the Canadian Rockies. The itinerary was good the accommodation were good and the tour director was the worst. He was unorganized, defensive, and combative. He brought no value to the tour. If you are considering this tour I strongly suggest you avoid any tour run by a man named Pete. I made the best of the situation, however when you pay premium prices this is not acceptable and the tour company did not have any concern, which is also a red flag.

Date of experience : August 03, 2022

Tauck is amazing

I was on two Tauck tours last year: Jordan and Egypt and Rhine Oktoberfest cruise. Both tours were superb. Local guides were used at every stop. We were really pampered: luggage pick up at our room when we moved. On the river cruise, all tips and alcohol are included in the price. Both were truly first class trips.

Date of experience : September 15, 2022

BUYERS BEWARE of TAUCK

BUYERS BEWARE! On day 4 of our 2-week cruise Tauck canceled our riverboat cruise because of low waters in the Danube. All of us understood the problem, but we couldn't understand Tauck's response to it. The company literally left us "high and dry"! They gave us absolutely no support to transfer to other river or land cruises, help with transportation home, or any other kind of assistance. None of us could even get a callback! Why can passengers on the other cruise lines (Viking, Uniworld, etc.) switch to coach tours when the water is low and Tauck has no options at all? We paid a lot of money for this trip and it was a disaster! FYI: We did get a refund from Tauck for the remaining unused days of our trip, but that's it... no letter of apology, no extras of any kind. And... it cost us an additional $8500 to fly home early. SHAME ON TAUCK for treating us all so poorly!

Date of experience : September 01, 2022

I was going to complain to their HQ

I was going to complain to their HQ, but could not find a direct route. However, having read the negative feedback from recent clients on the hugely expensive trip on the Grand New England tour, it looks like I got lucky! Having booked last autumn for next September, my health detriorated, and I needed to cancel. I understand the T&C regarding cancelation but did ask the Tauck might refund my deposit of £400, if they resold the spaces. Seeing that the 29 Sept 2023 tour is now sold out, I asked if they would repay as a sign of goodwill. NO WAY! came the reply. This is sharp practice as they get paid twice over. BTW my health seems to be improving, but I will give Tauck a miss on our next trip to New England.

Date of experience : February 06, 2023

No response to customer inquiries

First tour to Yellowstone postponed until 2021 due to COVID. Unavoidable so fair enough. Missed the first night in Jackson Hole due to flight delays. Not a great start, but not Taucks fault so my loss. The tour director was wonderful but park restaurants were still closed, so lots of takeout, a buffet that ran low on food but I do realize there were staffing shortages….enough said. Given the price paid I was a bit disappointed but fellow travelers assured me this was all atypical and Tauck is usually fabulous, so decided to give them another try this year and had questions about the Spain/Portugal tour. After trying repeatedly to reach Tauck by phone, I emailed them. Three days later still no response. Not what I consider fabulous and certainly makes me hesitant to use them again despite what my friends say.

Date of experience : May 27, 2022

I recently enjoyed a 10 day Tauck Tour…

I recently enjoyed a 10 day Tauck Tour of Tanzania and Zanzibar, Africa. The tour exceeded my wildest expectations. If you are interested in experiencing unparalleled and close up wild animals in their natural habitat this is the tour for you. While the daily safari drives are a bit grueling for my age (67) they are worth the bumpy drive (referred to as an African massage), not to mention the very comfortable accommodations every evening with the best possible views. Our tour guides were superb. They were knowledgeable and eagle eyed at seeing and then quickly driving to see animals doing everything animals due in the wild including hunting and killing prey, caring for their young, mating rituals and much more. We even had a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti. Our tour guide, Ivan, was a wealth of information on local customs and traditions. We visited a local tribe and were granted unprecedented access to their daily lives. A visit to the site and museum where Professor and Mary Leakey spent their lives uncovering the “cradle of civilization” where they discovered the bones of the earliest humanoids was an unexpected treat.

Date of experience : September 08, 2022

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Moscow Metro Underground Small-Group Tour - With Reviews & Ratings

Moscow metro underground small-group tour.

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Tour Information

Key Details

• Mobile Voucher Accepted
• Free Cancellation
• Duration: 3 Hrs
• Language: English
• Departure Time : 10:00 AM
• Departure Details : Karl Marks Monument on Revolution Square, metro stop: Square of Revolution
• Return Details : Metro Smolenskaya
• If you cancel at least 4 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
• If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
• Tours booked using discount coupon codes will be non refundable.

Go beneath the streets on this tour of the spectacular, mind-bending Moscow Metro! Be awed by architecture and spot the Propaganda , then hear soviet stories from a local in the know. Finish it all up above ground, looking up to Stalins skyscrapers, and get the inside scoop on whats gone on behind those walls.

Know More about this tour

We begin our Moscow tour beneath the city, exploring the underground palace of the Moscow Metro. From the Square of Revolution station, famous for its huge statues of soviet people (an armed soldier, a farmer with a rooster, a warrior, and more), we’ll move onto some of the most significant stations, where impressive mosaics, columns, and chandeliers will boggle your eyes! Moreover, these stations reveal a big part of soviet reality — the walls depict plenty of Propaganda , with party leaders looking down from images on the walls. Your local guide will share personal stories of his/her family from USSR times, giving you insight into Russia’s complicated past and present. Then we’re coming back up to street level, where we’ll take a break and refuel with some Russian fast food: traditional pancakes, called bliny. And then, stomachs satiated, we are ready to move forward! We’ll take the eco-friendly electric trolleybus, with a route along the Moscow Garden Ring. Used mainly by Russian babushkas(grannies) during the day, the trolleybus hits peak hours in the mornings and evenings, when many locals use it going to and from their days. Our first stop will be the Aviator’s House, one of Stalin’s Seven Sisters, followed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — and you’ll hear the legends of what has gone on inside the walls. Throughout your Moscow tour, you’ll learn curious facts from soviet history while seeing how Russia exists now, 25 years after the USSR.

Local English-speaking guide

Pancake snack and drink

Additional food and drinks

Tickets for public transport

Souvenirs and items of a personal nature

Tips and gratuities for the guide

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking

Dress standard: Please wear comfortable shoes for walking. For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people

Traveler Reviews

This tour exceeded our expectations. Nikolai (Nick), our tour guide, was very knowledgeable, thorough, and has a great personality. He didn't take shortcuts and really covered everything that was on the agenda in great detail. We saw beautiful metro stations and learned the history behind them, including many of the murals and designs.

We did the tour with Anna her knowledge and understanding of the History surrounding the metro brought the tour alive. Well done Anna!

This tour was amazing!

Anna was a great tour guide. She gave us heaps of interesting information, was very friendly, and very kindly showed us how to get to our next tour.

Amazing beauty and history.

An excellent tour helped by an absolutely amazing guide. Anna gave a great insight into the history of the metro helped by additional material she had prepared.

great tour and guide - thanks again

great will do it again, Miriam ke was very good as a guide she has lived here all here life so knew every interesting detail.a good day

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All-Inclusive Cruising

Travel effortlessly, knowing that every aspect of your trip is already paid for – and taken care of – from shore excursions to gratuities, with no options sold

Exceptional Travel, Made Effortless

With Tauck, your fare is your passport. Everything you need to experience the best of land and sea with Tauck is included. For one upfront price, you'll enjoy world-class hotels, exquisite meals and drinks, jaw-dropping excursions, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. There are no little extras you have to pay for, no hidden expenses. You'll travel effortlessly on a truly seamless journey, where all the details seem to magically fall into place. This is all-inclusive cruising, for those who refuse to settle.

When you travel with us, you'll never wonder whose turn it is to pick up the check at dinner, how much to tip, or whether you booked the right hotel. There are no options sold, no hidden costs and no compromises on quality. Just pure exploration, with nothing to take you out of the moment.

Look very carefully at what's included in the price of your small ship cruise – it's the quality of everything that's included that defines the word "value."

What's Included?

• All shore excursions, private to Tauck and offering insights not available on your own 
• Premier hotels, handpicked for location, service and style
• Fine dining, onboard and onshore
• All gratuities to the Tauck Director, ship & hotel staff, drivers, local guides and experts – handled for you
• All accommodations, on land and at sea
• Airport transfers, on arrival & departure
• All taxes, port charges and fees, luggage handling and more
• No options sold, no hidden costs 
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