TAUCK HAS NEW WAYS TO SEE EUROPE’S OLD CITIES
Tauck is broadening its European portfolio with special in-depth explorations of some of Europe’s most iconic cities beginning next month (September). The coming 18 months will see the launch of two different explorations of London, the debut of a third “city-centric” itinerary in Florence, and the reprise of Tauck’s first such event with the return of its popular “Roman Holiday Event” in Italy’s capital city next year.
Two of the four itineraries, “The Tauck London Event” and “Roman Holiday,” are part of the company’s Tauck Events portfolio, while “World Cities… London” and “World Cities… Florence” together comprise Tauck’s new collection of World Cities tours. Tauck Events are larger (average capacity is approximately 200 travellers, divided into smaller groups for sightseeing) and they typically have a maximum of just one departure per year. Most evenings at Tauck Events also include special gala gatherings at exclusive venues, from the historic Guildhall in London to the Vatican Museums where Tauck guests enjoy a private dinner. By contrast, World Cities trips are small-group, city-specific tours that each have multiple departures, with an average of just 24 travellers per departure.
According to Tauck CEO Dan Mahar, the new Tauck Events and World Cities programs reflect the company’s long history of innovation. “For 88 years we’ve continually redefined the tour category and re-imagined what guided travel can be,” said Mahar. “In much the same way, these in-depth explorations offer our guests a new way to experience some of Europe’s most classic cities. Each of these journeys delivers the in-depth learning gained from travelling with expert guides, and incredible ‘insider’ access to people, places and experiences that travellers could never get on their own. And each offers the ease of a single, relaxing, extended hotel stay, with the convenience of unpacking just once.”
Tauck’s World Cities trips and European Tauck Events are all-inclusive, with five night’s accommodations at luxury hotels, all sightseeing and entertainment, admission to all attractions, most meals, airport transfers, and more included in the price. Mahar added that Tauck will be expanding both its Tauck Events and World Cities portfolios, with a New Year’s Eve event in Paris late next year, and World Cities itineraries in both Rome and Paris also in the works.
“The Tauck London Event” will have its inaugural departure later this year, from Sept. 19-24. A 2014 departure is scheduled for May 22-27 of next year, with both departures featuring a five-night stay at The Langham, London. As with other Tauck events, the larger group of 200+ attendees will divide for daily small group sightseeing “tracks” focused on specific themes, ranging from London’s Victorian Era, to the maritime’s role in establishing the British Empire, to the impacts on London during World War II. Different groups will enjoy different tracks on subsequent days, providing all guests with the same cumulative experience over the course of the event.
All guests will join together for special gala experiences, including an exclusive discussion on Winston Churchill’s life and times with his noted biographer (and granddaughter) Celia Sandys, a private viewing of the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London, and a memorable dinner at the newly restored clipper ship, the Cutty Sark. Prices for the six-day event this September are from $5,290 p.p., double occupancy, plus air, and from $5,590 for the 2014 departure. (http://www.tauck.com)
