I've enjoyed reading this thread!~ My DH and I had planned one major foreign trip a year and one major domestic trip a year during our retirement, but his death a few years into retirement put an end to that--he had traveled the world in his job so knew his way around many places that he wanted to take me back to see. I have taken my daughters to England and we'd love to visit Ireland but they live far away and their jobs prevent them from having much time off. So my intention is to travel while I am still in good health and able to do so. I had heard good things about the Tauck Tours; some good and some bad about the Viking River cruises, and a good friend in her mid fifties and her new husband thoroughly enjoyed the Perillo Tour, but it didn't sound like my cup of tea. We always traveled on our own but I'm a little reluctant to do that now. These suggestions help immensely, thanks and dedtired, happy travels!

Hi Jules, We ended up using Amber Tours, based in Delhi, and they were excellent. I basically planned the itinerary, and the hotels, but they had someone with us every moment we were in India. A local guide, our driver and his assistant. It was better than 5 star service. Exceeded my expectations (as did the entire trip). I don't usually like or want my hand held, but India may not be a good DIY destination especially with a family and if one likes creature comforts. You of course balance creature comforts against "authentic" experiences, but I felt pleased with the balance for us. I chose them over Greaves because they are based in India. The pricing was very similar (no bargains anywhere for sure). We flew into and out of Mumbai, but only to get free flights (for five people in flat beds over spring break, not easy). The only way I could use my frequent flyer miles was by taking that route, so that was pretty compelling (the seats would have cost 10-12k each). I would not suggest Mumbai otherwise. I didn't go to Delhi because I had been on business before and I generally didn't want big cities. But at least Delhi makes sense geographically if you want to see Agra and Rajasthan. Once I get over the jet lag, I am tempted to go back. We didn't see the Himalayas, or the South at all (many recommend river cruises in Kerala). We were not interested in any safari-type destinations, BTDT, but many seem to like those too. Our itinerary within India was: Mumbai, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaiselmer, Jaipur, Alwar, Agra, Varanasi We stayed at a the Oberoi Mumbai, Oberoi, Udaivilas, Umaid Bhiwan Palace, The Serai, Oberoi Rajvilas, Amanbagh, Oberoi Amarvial and the Nadesar Palace. As far as itineraries go, Mumbai is interesting but I wouldn't have gone there if we hadn't landed there. I would also take Jaiselmer and Varanasi off the itinerary, and maybe even Alwar (where the Aman is). The rest of the cities are musts, and we loved visiting them. India is such a beautiful place. Mumbai is mostly just a big modern city. There were some interesting temples, the market, the laundry, a house where Ghandi lived, but .. ehh. Jaiselmer had intrigued me for the sand dune camel rides and the 14th century fort, near the Pakistan border. The fort was kind of honky tonk, plus you will see soooo many forts. The camel rides were fun, but you can do those elsewhere, and people say the dunes are even better outside Jodhpur. The best thing about it was the hotel, where we stayed in luxury tents that were fab. we had never done the luxe tent before and I thought the kids would love it; they did. But it is a long way to go! We rented a plane to get us from Jaisemler because otherwise it was 10hr on the road. Not worth it. Alwar is where the Aman is. And not a whole lot else. There is a fort and a temple, like just about everywhere, and the property is gorgeous, just a show stopper ... but TBVH I don't think it is worth a detour in the context of a once-in-a-lifetime trip to India. We had a wonderful stay at the Aman (big fan of the brand) but the Oberois "-vilas" brand is every bit as good as Aman, if not better (heresy!). I do not think it is hyperbole to declare Oberoi -vilas the best hotel brand in the world. Since the Aman is out of the way, I would take it off the list, if that allowed me to visit say, the Himalayas, or Kerala. We knew Varanasi was a "challenging" place to take a family. I'm glad I went but not sure I would recommend it, esp, since, like Jaiselmer, it is out of the way. It is a crazy circus of a place, like Time Sq New Years eve and Coney Island, times ten, with lots of cows, bulls, dogs, incessant horns, rickshaws, tuks tuks, and motorcycles thrown in, and incredible layers of dirt and stench and the infrastructure of a war zone. It was important to me to visit the Ganges, even if it would probably be a Superfund site here at home. I think we will always remember it, I will say that. Some people think it is the most important site in India. Maybe if you are very spiritual (certainly if one is devout Hindu). I thought the Aarti ceremony with fire was interesting but not worth the trip itself. The cremations are interesting but I didn't feel it was a terribly moving expereince, YMMV. The holy men, covered in white ash and dredlocks and wearing loincloths, seemed like something out of a NatGeo film. As far as hotels, they were superb. I would make only one change. In Jodhpur, everyone favors the Umaid Palace. Look at the room photos online. For some reason it makes me think of 70s Moscow. I found it depressing. The common areas are TDF and it is cool that the Mararaja lives there, but I would choose the hip Raas downtown. We lunched there. In Varanasi, another former palace, the Nadesar was cool (Reza Pahlavi slept in our room once -- sp?) but a tad rundown. That said, it is the best in Varanasi. The service and food (both Western and Indian) at all of these hotels was more than 5 star. But, as you know, the prices are Western. I was told even domestic travellers pay those prices, and I can believe it; there is tremendous wealth there alongside the poverty. Eye-popping wealth. We took Ciproflaxin with us and ate everything, including foods offered to us by locals in a few cases. Three of us got sick over out trip but within hours the Cipro cured it, and we all just took one each day from then on. I was very surprised at the quality and hipness of the Western fare, we also tried a lot of Indian dishes, did a cooking demo, and gained new favorites. The people are very warm, and it seemed, genuine. They truly seem to have a light, as corny as that sounds. We drove for hours through many small towns, deserts and farms and saw shepherds and farmers and women in saris carrying things on their head. They wave and smile and say hello. We saw very very little begging, and at no time did we ever see anyone who appeared malnourished, to my great surprise. I was told that Rajasthan, where most of our touring was, is one of the wealthier states. Flights within India were fine (usually only one class of service), but Air India is just ok where as Indigo is a great airline (seems identical to Jetblue). HTH! I will post pictures soon but I still have a laptop issue with Iphoto and it is a long saga to fix.

Yes, they will take your luggage, but my point is you do have to manage it in your room. And to and from the airport. (When we went to Hawaii, we were flown on a private jet from island to island and the tour guide said people got so used to not managing their luggage, that they'd forget to pick it up at the airport when they got home!) One big heavy bag that we'd have to share is always awkward for us. We prefer to have a small carry on and one larger bag each...you'll want the carry on for the bus as, after breakfast, when you go back to your room, your luggage will be gone and you'll have to have a way of carrying whatever...you need after breakfast such as toothpaste, mouthwash, sunscreen, etc. as well as sweaters, cameras, sunglasses.... I used to use a large purse and DH a small travel bag, but for Panama, tauck gave us zippered knapsacks and we've found them even more convenient. YMMV. Also some mornings you will be needing to be packed up early so they can load the luggage on the bus, so the less you have to manage in terms of clothes and such, the better off you'll be. That dress looks perfect...can be casual or dressed up! We also each got a waistband wallet (Rick Steve's recommends them) for inside the pants to carry passports and money and credit cards. At the heavily touristed areas, you may find pick pockets are active. A friend of mine had a fanny pack on on one of his trips, and as he stepped off the bus, someone grabbed the strap, cut it with a knife and ran off with all his money and cards. Also a good idea to make sure your wallet or cards are RFID protected.

I was going to mention exactly what Toby did. Hottest month of the year, Multnomah Falls won't likely be 'falling' as spectacularly as usual. The trip down from Seattle will be at least 4 hours-if you go the coast route plan on it being at least 6 hours then another hour plus into Portland. Southern Oregon and Crater Lake would not fit into your itinerary, just too far to go, plus at that time of the year the heat is brutal! Seattle traffic is crummy and no parking, but it's a great place to visit. My Aunt recently moved to Gig Harbor and loves it, I was planning to visit in May but my reason for a trip to Seattle was cancelled, so I'll be postponing that, but I hear it's beautiful. IMHO I'd stick to the Seattle/NW Washington/SW Canada area. You'll definitely want a rest between road trips! I'd suggest a planned visit to the Tacoma Museum of Glass. Dale Chihuly usually has exhibits there-oh and the Chilhuly Gardens. I missed that my last trip up there but it's definitely on my next list. August would be a good time to stay in that area-the weather should be perfect.