Tauck is a local company here and highly regarded. We don't take tours, but if we were to, we would absolutely consider them. I know many people who have taken their tours (all over) and always hear rave reviews, from people who are not always easy to please.

I loved Spain when we went in summer '17. Highly recommend it. We had no real choice in terms of timing and went in July (ugh). We dealt with ~100 degree heat by taking up the siesta habit. I'd think May would be brilliant. best of luck

My brother in law and his wife travel everywhere with Tauck and love it. It is very high end and they will take care of you every step. I traveled to Spain with another tour company (OAT) and had a great time staying in paradors along the way. I went in early June and by the time we reached Madrid at the end of the trip it was scorching.

It will be hot in southern Spain and possibly Madrid as well. If you want to make sure to have cooler weather, I'd opt for late October/early November.

The trip I’m looking at will have us in Madrid in mid-May. Maybe it won’t be too bad.

We were in Italy for 3 weeks last year. Our travel agent had a car and driver meet us at most cities. Almost all of our tours were just us and the driver/guide, so they were easily tailored to DH’s level of energy on any given day. However, that trip made me realize that we needed someone who could handle the luggage from the lobby to the room, on and off trains, etc.

From some literature that I’ve seen, Tauck seems to make accommodations for travelers who have difficulties (for example, they will arrange cabs to go up streets with steep inclines). The agent I talked to today said the only luggage I would need to handle would be whatever personal bag I wanted with me during the day. Our suitcases will be picked up in our room and delivered to our new room.

Thanks, eld for the kind words about DH. He’s a trooper!

1929Spanish, I looked at October. However, DH’s brother and sister are both in declining health. I’d rather do it sooner than later.

Got it. I was in Seville in March and it was in the 80's. Northern Spain was much cooler an raining at times. Similar climate to California. Just make sure you take that into consideration. I love Spain!

We traveled with Tauck in the US a few summers ago and I loved it. I would call and ask about your tour specifically with regard to physical activity and accommodations. Ours was a family tour and there were a couple people who couldn't participate in everything, but I think that's different for other types of tours. They take care of everything though! It's an easy way to travel. You just lose some of the independence you have when you are on your own- stay at this site longer, ready to leave here, etc.

LEGO mom, I wish we had time to take a “test drive” trip with Tauck here before we jump in to 2 weeks in Spain. Regretfully, because of things beyond our control, we don’t have that luxury. I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed your trip with Tauck. I’ve talked to the agent at Tauck and she has sent me some specific information on conditions that we might encounter. There is only one day that may cause DH some trouble, but Tauck suggests that the terrain can be overcome by taking a cab to the museum.

Just want to reiterate what many have already said... my parents have traveled much of Europe with Tauck. They can't say enough about the tours - from the guides, accommodations, dining, etc. I think you'll be in great hands.

We've done quite a few Tauck tours and they've all been wonderful. We did:

• Hawaii (5 islands)
• Canadian Rockies (including an overnight train ride from Vancouver)
• Panama & Costa Rica (on a 3-masted yacht through the Panama Canal)
• London and the West Country
• Italy (Milan, Lugano, Venice, Sienna and Rome)
• Alaska (one week land, one week cruise)
• Danube Riverboat Cruise (Czech, Germany, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary)
• Paris and the Rhone Riverboat Cruise

They are not cheap, but you get a lot more than you pay for in that, if you tried to do it on your own, you'd never be able to replicate it for the price.

The other thing is they include all the costs of the tips and side trips....except for the tour director and sometimes the bus driver. So the only money we've ever needed was for a few side meals, and souvenirs. They are big on a vacation being as worry-free as possible. They take care of *everything*. When you go to a restaurant, you eat off the menu, unlike some tour companies that take you in a back room where you have a choice of only a couple of things for the group. They also always include something *extra* in each tour. For instance in Hawaii, they took us to a couple's home at the foot of Diamond Head for dinner, or in Vienna, they took us to a palace for dinner and a private show of ballet dance and opera.

We liked how they handled Italy in that they took care of all the logistics and then took us first thing in the a.m. on a tour of the city for an overview, or to get us into the crowded places like the Sistine Chapel, and then let us have the rest of the time to ourselves. So while we were on a tour, we also were able to vacation on our own.

Their "yellow roads" tours takes you off the beaten path and onto some pretty small back country roads to really see some nice scenery too.

They also rate their tours for activity level so they can help you judge it for accessibility ... some are more strenuous than others. And with free time, some can choose more strenuous activities than others. Also they have tours that are designed for families with children and those geared toward adults, which, being child free, we always appreciated.

I have no reservations recommending them at all.

Thank you so much Annie for that full review! I am ready to get this show on the road! I’m going to have to question the agent much more closely about the travel insurance, however. After talking to my SIL last night, we‘ve found that DH’s brother may be declining faster than we thought. It may end up with us having a May reservation but not actually being able to get away until October or November.

Read the fine print on trip insurance...the one we typically get only includes our own illness...or presumbly death...but not if anyone else is sick or other reason like your house just burned down...

Booked it! AD, I took the insurance sold by Tauck, after calling the insurer and asking many many questions about pre-existing conditions and the health of other family members. The agent at the insurance company pointed out to me that the Tauck policy allows cancellation for any reason. That only covers the land portion of the trip, so we would lose the flights, but that wouldn’t be too bad.

Excellent! I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

Now, I have to figure out what the weather is likely to be and what to pack! We generally travel with only a carry on and a backpack. On this trip someone else will be handling our luggage. We can have one bag each up to 50 pounds! That is just an invitation to over-pack!!! :-)

Don't over pack esp if you'll be on a bus where people have to handle the luggage a lot and the driver has to fit everyone's bag in the bus. Also remember you will be packing and unpacking at every hotel and you have to be able to get the luggage to the door of your room...

I always go to vivienne files to get inspiration for maximum outfits with minimum items...

On the tauck tours, the first night is usually a little dressier for the meet and greet and the last night is usually dressier for the farewell. Otherwise nice casual daywear is acceptable. But look to see if a jacket is required at all for men. That will depend on the tour and where they're taking you.

The Tauck agent I’ve been working with told me that our luggage would be delivered to our room. And when we left the hotel, it would be picked up while we were at breakfast. I sure hope that is the case (look! I made a pun). However, good point about having to fit all in the luggage space on the bus. DH and I will each have a carry on, a backpack, and we might share a larger suitcase.

I love The Vivienne Files! I bought this dress in navy to take to Italy last year because of The Vivienne Files. It is Eileen Fisher.

It was the best purchase I’ve ever made! It is a lightweight jersey. I could throw it on in the morning and it felt like I was hardly wearing clothes. Then I could wash it in the sink at night and it would be dry by the next morning! When I got home, I bought the same dress in black! Folded, they take up less room than a tee-shirt. Both will go with me to Spain!

Glad to know about the first night and last night being a little dressier. Thanks.

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.

Good points, AD! That is so funny about folks forgetting to pick up their luggage! Your private jet from island to island sounds divine. We are contemplating Maui in October or November.

I told my sister I could take a trip for weeks with just those two dresses!

DH doesn’t like money belts. He finds them extremely uncomfortable. For our trip to Italy, I found this for him

It works great! It is big enough for both our passports, a couple of credit cards, and some cash. He threads his belt through whichever loop blends with his belt color, then drops the wallet down inside his trousers.

I use this:

The pouch is designed to be worn looped over the front band of your bra. That is not a good look for me or most women (looks like a 3rd boob). I modified the loop to make it slightly longer. I wore it looped over the side band of my bra under my arm, or like DH’s pouch, threaded through my belt and dropped inside my slacks. I wear mostly tee-shirts, so my shirt covered the loop. It will not hold a passport, but it is big enough for several credit cards and a good amount of cash.

I also travel with a cut-resistant Travelon cross-body purse that has RFID blocking pockets.

I’m getting excited about our trip!

Sounds like you're well prepared...and getting read is always half the fun!

Did you go to Spain? Tauck? We are trying to decide where to go next, and DH wants to do several trips a year.

I did a 3 week European Yellow Roads with Tauck years ago with my dad, my sister and my youngest daughter. It was wonderful. My dad traveled the world and most of his tours were with Tauck. He would often travel 2-3 consecutive months a year. My sister traveled with him sometimes (not for more than 2 weeks though), as my mom refused to fly. One year my husband met him in Japan. We all enjoyed the Tauck tours.

Allison0704, we did go to Spain and Portugal with Tauck in mid-May. It was a Small Group tour. I cannot say enough good things about Tauck. Out of the 24 people in our group, only 4 of us had not traveled with Tauck before. This was the 16th trip with Tauck for one couple!

I think I mentioned that DH has some mobility problems. On this trip, he also had vision problems related to surgery for a torn retina. Besides DH, there were 2 others who had mobility problems. Our tour director was johnny-on-the-spot making sure there were cabs so they didn’t have to walk over challenging terrain.

Our tour director ran a tight ship but did it charmingly.

I would not hesitate to take another trip with Tauck. In fact, we are going to London next summer to watch the Cardinals and the Cubs play. I’ve looked to see if there is a Tauck tour we can take. Unfortunately, all of the tours that cover the area we would like to see are already booked up!

A quick update on DH’s siblings: They are doing great! We could have easily gone in Fall, but the weather in May was not bad at all. In fact, there were several times in Portugal and southern Spain when we were quite chilly.

I’m sorry to hear that your mother wouldn’t fly. When Mother died last year, we realized she and Daddy had been on every continent except Antarctica. Daddy didn’t enjoy flying, but he gutted it out (with a little liquid self-medication) because his FOMO (and curiosity) exceeded his fear of flying.

Thanks for the update.I love that your dad traveled even though he didn't want to fly.

Mother originally did fly, but a bad engine experience in the States stopped that. LOL They went over to Europe and back on the QE2 in 1982. It was the first voyage after the ship was converted back to a cruise ship, after being used to transport servicemen during the Falklands war. They did not stop traveling, and saw much of the US during their Golden Years.

I saw Outsideplaying did a Regent. Another one we are considering. I'd love to hear from anyone that has taken recent cruise (not just Alaska) on Tauck, Regent, Crystal and any other small/smaller ships. TIA

Daddy preferred to drive. He and Mother drove to Fairbanks, Alaska twice. They drove to the Panama Canal. When they got there, Daddy shipped the car to Miami and flew over to pick it up. He said the Pan American Highway was the worst road, including some dirt roads in the backwoods, that he had ever been on. There was no way he was going to drive back home from Panama. They also drove to Newfoundland once without getting on interstate highways unless there was no other way!

DD’s in-laws cruised on Regent last year. It was a Baltic Sea Cruise. They loved it! Last November/December, they took a Danube or Rhine river cruise on AmaWaterways and said they would go again.

I have a friend who is particularly loyal to Oceania.