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Twice it's Happened

During the pandemic my Huband and I planned a trip to Africa. Unfortunately, I was frightened and there were no airplanes flying anywhere, so we canceled. Consequently, the trip was canceled altogether. Tauck wouldn't give me back my down payment even then. They said it will be held for a dreamer's trip. Earlier last year, since I couldn't get my deposit back, we decided to take a trip this year. Unbelievably they made me pay another $1200 payment. I know insurance is important; my husband was going to get it this year. Unfortunately, we both can't make the trip due to illnesses. Again, I was told I would not be getting back my payments of $2400. They didn't care that we would have gone but for medical issues we could not. We are both 77 years old. I sent messages to two TV stations, and I hope they take the case. I've seen other travelers not getting their money back either. We should all get together and put in a complaint.

Date of experience : April 19, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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 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.

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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Hi- We are considering a 14 days Tauck Tour of Scotland and England. I reviewed their brochure and noticed that the hotels all seem really upscale compared to Insight vacations. (Looked into that one, also.) Also, it seems to be a slower pace where there are half days of sight-seeing and time off for yourself. Can anyone out there comment on Tauck Tours and the quality for the money? Taking my 91 year old Dad and want this to be really nice. Probably, won't be doing it ever again. Thank you.

786 replies to this topic

Appreciate your comments; we did go ahead and book the Tauck tour over ABD. For us, having some non-structured time is a plus, as we’ll get a chance to do a few things on our own (shopping, other sightseeing, local restaurants).

Tauck are dishonest.

We were stuck on a Alaskan Family Tour. Every single family tour usually had 10 or so kids. I even asked about it and was told “Yes it’s a family tour specifically for families with kids.”

It was a lie

It was a senior citizen tour like every other.

We were made to pay months in advance so they knew how many kids were on the tour.

They never told us that my kid was the only one.

I hope you complained to the Consumer Affairs Department and their national association. I feel sorry for the child.

We just returned from a Tauck “Legends of the American West” tour. While the sights (Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Mount Rushmore) were truly amazing, we were disappointed in the overall services of Tauck. They did not seem very organized with regard to timelines (such as coordinating leaving luggage for pick up, breakfast times, as well as allowing adequate time once we reached a hotel to have at least a few minutes to get ready for dinner). The guide was somewhat disengaged and did not appear very informed about the areas we visited. She seemed to rely heavily on the Ken Burns videos shown while riding on the bus. The service at the National Park lodges was VERY slow - usually taking 3 hours to eat a 2 or 3 course meal after a long day of touring. They seemed to lack staff – possibly because it is the end of the summer season. (I realize Tauck did not have control over the National Park lodge staff but nevertheless it did not make the trip enjoyable). I’ve heard so many great things about Tauck, but after this trip I think I would be reluctant to book another trip with them.

I've worked for tour operators for 19 yrs as a tour guide. The tour industry is booming but hotels, and restaraunts have never recovered from the pandemic. My friend is in Jackson Hole Wy and a simple room facing the street is $800. National park lodges have decided that tour companies aren't profitable when people will pay double what a TO contracted rate goes for. I just did a tour where a simple fish and chip dinner was $70 plus tip and drink costs. Something has to give and people just don't want to pay as much as what costs have increased. I was at lk Powell where 17 tour groups were staying and the dining room had only 3 waiters show up for work. All the tour guides acted as staff. Many of us just quit as we work too hard, get paid lousy and client expectations are very high. Something has to give but its most likely not the fault of Tauck

I’ll just add to David’s post that I’m very familiar with Yellowstone. I go every June for 2 weeks and happen to be there now for a birding program.

The in park lodges have not been fully staffed since the pandemic although it really started before that when the short term work visas for foreign workers changed. On the Yellowstone forum we recommend people travel with a cooler as food service is so irregular. Of course you can’t do that on a tour bus.

Not defending Tauck, but the poor in park food facilities were beyond their control.

I have had 4 trips with Tauck. Everything was outstanding. However, all of our trips were in Europe.

"I have had 4 trips with Tauck. Everything was outstanding. However, all of our trips were in Europe."

Sonya, welcome to Trip Advisor and thanks for posting. Were your trips before or "after" Covid?

I am a solo traveler and have done both river cruises and land tours with them. As compared to other companies I’ve traveled with, I think Tauck is superb. I’m doing a Christmas river cruise in December and I’m looking forward to the special touches I’ve always noted with Tauck. For me, it’s well worth the price to book with Tauck.

Here's a good example of why it often pays to travel with a group in certain areas.

I know people who are on a Tauck Tour in Israel/Jordan.

Tauck managed to get them out of Israel and into Jordan even though the border was closed.

Here's a quote of how it went....

Just saw this on the Tauck Forum...

"Update: I didn’t want to say anything before but yes, we (the remaining 2 Tauck groups) arrived in Jordan via the land bridge. We waited 2 hours to cross.

When we got on the bus this morning to go to the border, we were told the border was closed. Tauck stepped up and negotiated a deal where we could cross over so long as we arrived before 12 noon. Not a problem.

Our flights to Amman yesterday were cancelled as were most flights from Tel Aviv. We are flying out early Tuesday a.m., and home that same day. Assuming, of course, all things go according to plan"

• Good Life Abroad company 07:07
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Hi- We are considering a 14 days Tauck Tour of Scotland and England. I reviewed their brochure and noticed that the hotels all seem really upscale compared to Insight vacations. (Looked into that one, also.) Also, it seems to be a slower pace where there are half days of sight-seeing and time off for yourself. Can anyone out there comment on Tauck Tours and the quality for the money? Taking my 91 year old Dad and want this to be really nice. Probably, won't be doing it ever again. Thank you.

786 replies to this topic

I hadn't done group tours until recently, having traveled with my late husband independently. I have read about TAUCK for years, so decided to start with their Japan small group land tour trip last October (Kit excellent Tour Director) went on their small group land tour of Croatia in May (Glorija an excellent Tour Director who grew up in the region with a wealth of information and experiences she shared), and am heading for their small group land tour of Sicily in October. I am impressed with the level of organization, experience and knowledge of their tour directors, as well as the local guides. The hotels are 5*, with staff who treated me like an honored guest. The food was exceptionally good, with most meals being anything off the regular menu. Everything was top of the line. Good mix of touring with time to relax, varied sights with something for everyone, and special events such as sumo wrestlers performing for our last dinner together, a private tea with a Buddhist monk leading us in the ceremony, an acapella concert in the "concert hall" of the Postojna caves, a silkworm farm, Croatian wedding, and many other experiences interspersed with visiting well known sights, monuments, temples, national parks, beautiful gardens. The other travelers were inclusive and welcoming for me as a now solo traveler, bright, well traveled, most enjoyable to be with. No prima donnas in either of the tours. So far, TAUCK has exceeded my expectations. I intend to continue with them, as they are worth the slight difference in cost for a more "upscale" experience.

I did the Tauck Portrait of India Tour in February of this year. The tour was wonderfully planned and the tour guide was excellent. HOWEVER - India has some of the worst air pollution on the planet right now and we were not advised about this in advance. As a consequence, almost everyone on our tour got sick and required some form of medication for their upper respiratory distress. The pollution was particularly horrible in the north, with New Delhi being the worst. And when I tried to post this problem on the Tauck website, there were somehow technical difficulties that prevented the revue from posting. Hmmm. Tauck Tours are highly guided and this is helpful in India. In other places, I would prefer to go on my own.

Tauck tour is great for seniors, the tour directors are great, services are wonderful. We highly recommend them. If prices are not issu for you, Tauck. And A & K are two the best you can get for group tour

The Tour Director assigned to your Tour and the Itinerary execution will make or break your experience. We have been on 2 Tauck tours over the last 2 years. Both were small group Tours (24 guest max). Classic Italy in 2018 and Romantic Germany completed in June 2019. We got two very different experiences. We would rate our Italy experience a 10 out of 10, fabulous experience. The Germany experience maybe a 5 out of 10. The German cities were wonderful so that was not the problem. The main issue was our Tour Director's execution of the itinerary as well as the Itinerary itself. The Hotels are fantastic on the Tauck tours and they should be these tours are expensive. In Italy we had fantastic dining experiences every day (14 Day tour). In Germany we had poor Dining experiences. It was NOT because of the difference between Italian and German food but instead of how the meals were planned and where we had them. Too many early in the day, HEAVY lunches in Germany. We also ate all meals almost exclusively in Hotel restaurants. Not what we were after to experience German cuisine. Service was absolutely terrible on several occasions particularly for dinner at the Hotels and our Tour Director insisted on breaking our group up into individual reservation times so our group never ate together expect for a couple times on the entire 14 day tour. The itinerary for the German tour has too many longer (over 2 hours) Motor Coach rides and several 1 night Hotel stays which do not make for a pleasant travel experience. Our “Spa” Hotel stay was scheduled on day 3 of the tour which was too early in the tour to really give us a break as we had just got started. The German itinerary also missed several opportunities in cities we visited to offer a better experience than what Tauck had scheduled (Lake side dining, Boat rides, Castle Tours, Tram rides …etc). On several days Tauck offered free time (in our opinion too much free time) to "explore" but the time allowed was not enough to allow you do what you wanted to do and the only reason you did not have enough time was that we had to leave the area to get to the Hotel with nothing else planned for the day so what was the rush? We also were disappointed with our final day in Berlin as Tauck gives you a "Museum Island" pass and drops you off to explore "Natural History Museums" for a large portion of the day before they pick you up to go back to the Hotel to prepare for the Farewell Dinner that night. We didn't come to Germany to look at History museums with artifacts from other parts of the world. Bad plan for our final Berlin day.

Final Summary:

 Review the itinerary VERY carefully

 Ask lots of questions about how the tour will be executed (Meals included, eating as group, Length of coach rides, 1 night stays…etc)

 Ask about the experience level of the Tour Director that will be assigned to your tour.

 Ask about what are the things you could do during the “Free” time

 Unless Tauck changes this Romantic Germany tour itinerary we would suggest booking your own tour of Germany focusing on a few cities in either the northern or southern portion of the country.

There are many positive reviews for Tauck but we wonder if people that have a bad experience simply do not share their thoughts on the review sites. One of the couples we traveled to Germany with had been on 10 Tauck tours and experienced several bad tours. We asked why they keep coming back and whether they share their views with Tauck on forums like this one. Their reply was they did not think any other tour company would do any better and they did not want to spend the time arranging their own travel itinerary. They as a rule do not want to viewed as "negative people” so they do not share their views on-line. Makes you wonder how many others like them are out there.

We have just completed a Tauck tour of Tanzania and Zanzibar

It was phenominal The professional organisation ensuring you see the BEST of the country and its people was outstanding. The knowledge and empathy towards the country, the people the animals and environment was perfectly balanced. The local guides give such in depth knowledge sharing and entertaining local stories that the place comes alive .There is always so many hidden WOW factors in their tours that you can guarantee an amazing life time memory .Our tour operator was superb in a professional friendly manner with a wonderful sense of humour and outstanding knowledge of history Geoff became everyones friend .The accomodation was varied but all spectacular with several earning awards for WORLDS BEST HOTELS ALL KEEPING WITH THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT. TAUCK choose their guides and staff to be the best to guarantee you a TOP CLASS adventure

AS above we usually travel independently as love the freedom and happy to be fully immersed in a country and its people. Now having completed and Loved a Tauck tour I say if you can afford it DO IT and add a few extra days to chill and explore yourself at the end of the tour.

what sort of shoes should be worn in Israte/Jorday? Sandals? Sneakers, or what?

When we did the Tauck Tour of Israel and Jordon I mostly wore my Keen Venice H2 sandals. The fact that the toe is covered was great. They offer good support as well.

https://www.keenfootwear.com/p/1012239-5.html?&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=190425_brand_sz_out_br_pla_xx&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhJ_S_oGU5AIVhiaGCh100g1KEAYYASABEgJjgfD_BwE

I am sorry to say we were very disappointed with our Tauck Scandinavia tour the end of May, 2019.. It was certainly far from first class.

We have traveled extensively with other lower priced tours, and gotten much better service.

Others on our tour, who were repeat travelers, said Tauck pays close attention to detail. It did not take them long for them to change their minds.

I agree with others, that some times people don't want to post a bad review, but I want to warn others.

Our tour director was not very friendly, never smiled and had little interaction with the group. His only plus was his narration on our VERY long bus rides.

We were rushed through sights in the AM when the PM was completely free.

In one city it was a holiday, which one of the travelers made him aware of. Our afternoon and evening were free, and the 2 museums he had recommended on his "to do" sheet, were closed. One had been closed for over a year for renovations. He did not bother to inquire to see what was open for us. There were other museums in the town.

Our special anniversary was not acknowledged in any way. Not even a verbal congratulations.

At the farewell dinner, had he not passed out the group photos that were taken that day, we would not have even known he was there. He gave no farewell greeting to the group.

I wrote to guest services on an e-mail, and when I got no response, I wrote a letter. After a few weeks, I got a call from the manager of tour directors, and he wanted to hear about all my complaints. He seemed to agree that I had valid complaints, and I subsequently go an e-mail saying he will talk to our tour director, and offered us $1000 toward a future trip. That is a drop in the bucket when you see what a trip costs. I asked for a refund of that amount, and got no response.

I never heard back from Tauck, so I sent my original letter to the president and to Mr. A. Tauck Jr., chairman of the board.

I never heard back from anyone else representing Tauck, so I guess they don't seem to care.They are relying on their previous reputation. I think, had I gotten some better feedback from the company, I might not have written this for all to see. I considered this far from a first class tour.

triptake37r,

I am so sorry to hear about the poor service you received from Tauck.

The tour director can make or break any trip. Thankfully, we've had great ones. I can't believe yours didn't even see you off. Ours have always seen each group off and on our Israel/Jordon trip each group was assigned as escort who took us all the way through the airport.

It is also sad to hear that the powers that be at Tauck did not solve your issues in a satisfactory manor.

• Good Life Abroad company 21:37
• EF Go Ahead Tours 01 June 2024
• Parents’ First Trip to Europe 01 June 2024
• Best HEALTH Insurance for my American parents visiting Italy 29 May 2024
• Road Scholar Trips 28 May 2024
• Tauck vs Alexander and Roberts 28 May 2024
• Deceptive advertising Holiday Inn Express and Priceline 23 May 2024
• Senior hostels or co-living opportunities 19 May 2024
• OMIO booking 19 May 2024
• AIG Travel Guard fraud 17 May 2024
• Staysure Travel Insurance 16 May 2024
• Return Flight Home with Connection 15 May 2024
• Indonesia Trip for elderly 14 May 2024
• Holiday with Mum 09 May 2024
• Pandemic tour company refund experiences
• Tour Refund suggestions
• Back Packing at 70
• Travel Tips for Seniors
• Seniors enjoying going solo
• Suggestions for finding a *safe* Travel Buddy
• travel insurance policy

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These top tour companies are a particularly good fit for older travelers..

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With tours around the world and experiences that are hard to replicate as an independent traveler, senior-friendly tour companies are a great vacation option for anyone over the age of 50. The best senior travel tour companies offer a wide range of formats to fit the varied needs, preferences, and interests of older travelers, too. And if you’re a senior who’s traveling solo, some of these tour companies also offer discounts so you don’t have to pay full price for a double room.

2024’s Best Senior Travel Tour Companies

The best tour companies for seniors stand out for a variety of reasons. They all have robust plans and protocols in place for such things as cancellations, changes, and other unforeseen circumstances; are very clear about the psychical requirements for each tour; and offer seniors tours to meet the interests all kinds of older travelers. Most also offer flight reservations and optional travel insurance. Here are the highest-rated and most trusted senior travel tour companies in the world.

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1. Trafalgar Tours

One of the oldest and most respected names in group travel, Trafalgar Tours has logged more than 75 years in the travel business and offers a wide variety of destinations and travel styles: guided tours, river cruising, next-gen and family tours , luxury and customized private tours, and safari and adventure travel.

Trafalgar’s “Be My Guest” experiences allow you to visit and dine with local families in homes, farms, and restaurants. “Mini-stays” of three to five days appeal to the busy traveler or to those who want an “add-on” to a longer tour or stay. “At Leisure” trips have a relaxed pace, longer stays at each accommodation, and later starts in the mornings.

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Because Trafalgar’s customer base is international, tour participants are likely to be English-speaking citizens of a variety of countries—a plus for North Americans who would enjoy traveling with people from all over the globe. A travel director accompanies each tour group and coordinates with local tour guides at each destination. Many of the travel directors have five years’ experience or more.

Trafalgar has a “Very Important Traveler” program that offers 5% savings on selected trips. For solo travelers, the cost of a single supplement depends on the trip. Optional experiences on each tour cost extra but also offer the flexibility to create your own custom tour: You may opt out of the activity and choose to do something else—or just relax.

THE SCOOP: What to Know About Trafalgar Tours Before You Book

Trafalgar is the anchor brand of The Travel Corporation (TTC), which comprises 42 travel brands, including tour operations that specialize in different destinations, age groups, price range, and travel styles. For example, the CostSaver brand is very inexpensive, while  Insight Vacations  is a premium tour company, and  Luxury Gold  is TTC’s high-end tour company.

Quick Facts about Senior Tours with Trafalgar

• Average group size: 22 to 29 people on small group tours; 40 to 50 on classic tours.
• Price range: Moderately inexpensive but “optional experiences” are not included and can be expensive.
• What’s included: All accommodations, meals as stated in itinerary, and most tips.
• What’s not included: Optional excursions, some meals and tips.
• Primary audience: Travelers from around the world; 60% of clients are ages 50 to 71.
• Destinations: 303 trips in 72 countries across six continents.
• How to book: Directly through Trafalgar ; via Travelstride , Tourhub , or TourRadar , all which are tour specialist online travel agents (OTAs) that offer hundreds of Trafalgar trips; or through a travel agent such as AAA .

2. Tauck Tours

Tauck Tours offers deluxe and highly inclusive tours to more than 100 destinations on all seven continents. With nearly 100 years in the tour business, Tauck prides itself on quality and on the experience of its Tour Directors, who come from 40 countries and average 10 years of experience. The hotels it selects are always excellent and well-located.

Tauck aims to appeal to people of all ages by offering land journeys, European river cruises, small ship ocean cruises, and multi-generational “Tauck Bridges” family travel. Each tour has ratings for activity level and pace (rated one through four), but, like many tour companies, Tauck warns that travelers with mobility issues must bring their own assistance.

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Seniors who prefer to have the majority of their experience planned for them will appreciate the full itineraries and the many included meals in fine hotels and restaurants. With individual excursions included rather than optional, Tauck travelers are encouraged to try experiences (e.g., a raft trip or a helicopter ride) they might not otherwise have considered.

Tauck promises to “manage the unexpected—big and small,” with its Global Response Team, a comprehensive support system that takes care of all details, including such exigencies as accidents and quarantines.  The company has a frequent traveler savings program and offers some savings for solo travelers on selected journeys.

Quick Facts about Senior Travel Tours with Tauck Tours

• Average group size: 35 to 44 people for land trips; 24 for small group journeys; river boat and small ship group sizes depend on size of ship but shore excursions are in smaller groups.
• Price range: Upscale/Premium with many inclusions.
• What’s included: All accommodations (generally upscale), tips, most meals, luggage handling, airport transfers as specified in the itinerary, entertainment, local excursions and visits, any taxes or surcharges.
• What’s not included: Tips for Tour Director (and bus driver, where applicable), some meals (usually lunch).
• Primary audience: “People of all ages,” but the company caters to seniors.
• Destinations: More than 70 countries on seven continents (with land journeys on six); river cruises in Europe.
• How to book: Directly through Tauck ; via Travelstride , a tour specialist OTA that offers hundreds of Tauck trips; or through a travel agent such as AAA .

3. Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT)

Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT), part of the Grand Circle Corporation since 1978, focuses on active travelers over 50 who are looking for hands-on experiences in destinations around the world. The seniors-only company prides itself in taking travelers off the beaten track with immersive “Day in the Life” experiences such as shopping at local markets, visiting children at school, and taking part in home-hosted meals. OAT opts for accommodations that offer authentic local experiences—think smaller family-run hotels, paradores , and hotels close to city centers.

Both land and small-ship tours for seniors are available. Most trips last two weeks or more, with optional pre- and post-trip extensions, appealing to retirees and working people who have saved vacation time as well as travel funds. The physical requirements of each tour are described in detail, with an activity level rating system of one (easy) to five (strenuous). Each itinerary outlines the included meals and local tours; optional tours require an additional fee, but the itineraries also recommend many free or inexpensive options for your free time.

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OAT has made itself a leader in solo travel: More than a quarter of its senior citizen clients are solo travelers, and of those, 85% are women. Roughly 92% of its single spaces are free of any singles surcharge, others are heavily discounted, and the company also offers a roommate matching program. In 2019, OAT began offering some women-only departures.

While not a cut-rate tour company, OAT works hard to provide senior tours at low per diems—giving you more for your travel dollar. The Travel Channel recognized it as a top provider for budget-conscious travelers, and the Grand Circle Foundation received a Global Vision award for leadership in tourism and philanthropy.

Quick Facts about Over-50 Tours with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT)

• Average group size: Small-group land tours have no more than 16 travelers; small-ship adventures have no more than 25 participants.
• Price range: Moderate.
• What’s included: All accommodations (comfortable hotels), most meals, daily cultural activities, some tips, and airport transfers.
• What’s not included: Some optional tours, meals, and tips.
• Primary audience: “Curious lifelong learners” age 50+.
• Destinations: 76 countries on six continents; no tours in North America
• How to book: Directly through OAT

4. Road Scholar

Road Scholar is a senior travel tour company that emphasizes lifelong learning and educational travel for older travelers. Founded in 1975 as the nonprofit Elderhostel, the organization changed its name in 2010 and now provides study tours throughout the U.S., Canada, and in more than 100 other countries. All of its senior-focused tours include guidance and lectures by Road Scholar faculty who are experts on topics relevant to the destination. Lodgings are always comfortable and “sometimes even iconic.”

Road Scholar programs include theme-based travel (such as arts, philosophy and religion, and nature studies), outdoor adventures, service learning trips, adventures afloat, intergenerational tours, and independent city discoveries. The “Choose Your Pace” feature allows you to choose among multiple options of tour length, challenge, and pace. Extended-stay programs range from eight days in Florence to 45 days in southern Spain.

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Activity levels for tours range from “easy-going” to “outdoor: challenging,” with the physical demands of each tour described in its itinerary. An “easy” tour might cover a week of Chautauqua lectures in New York, while a “challenging” tour might include hiking and kayaking in Alaska.

Nearly 25% of Road Scholars are traveling solo; the senior tour company offers some discounts on single rooms, provides supportive advice to women traveling solo, and emphasizes “learning in the company of a small group of individual friends, rather than traveling with a collection of couples.”  Road Scholar travelers tend to be curious and open to new ideas and cultures. The travel company recently added a virtual Adventures Online series of in-depth lectures for those who wish to supplement an in-person journey or simply learn from home.

Quick Facts about Senior Travel Tours with Road Scholar

• Average group size: 13 to 24 people on “small group” tours; 12 or fewer on “micro group” tours; other group sizes vary by tour type and destination.
• Price range: Moderate to expensive, but with lots of included perks that other tour companies charge extra for.
• What’s included: All accommodations, most meals, tips, excursions, expert lectures (in addition to your tour director), and airport transfers if you book flights through Road Scholar.
• What’s not included: Porterage and airport transfers if you arrange your own flights.
• Primary audience: Lifelong learners over the age of 50.
• Destinations: Road Scholar’s senior tours cover all 50 U.S. states as well as 100 countries on all continents; the emphasis is on North America.
• How to Book: Directly through Road Scholar ; via Travelstride , a tour specialist OTA that offers more than 1,500 Road Scholar trips; or through a travel agent such as AAA .

5. Smithsonian Journeys

Like Road Scholar, Smithsonian Journeys is a group travel company for seniors that focuses on educational travel. It offers specialized land journeys, active outdoor journeys, small ship cruises, and cultural stays. At least one expert accompanies each tour or stay, providing lectures and local tours appropriate to the destination. Tours include culturally immersive experiences like visits to homes, meals with locals, and demonstrations of local crafts and cuisines. High-quality accommodations are included in the price and reflect the character of the local culture.

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Smithsonian also provides special interest tours for older travelers, including study at Oxford, cave art exploration, and observation of the total solar eclipse in 2024. Its Cultural Stays allow travelers to “unpack once” and spend from one to three weeks exploring and learning in and around a single destination.

A branch of the 175-year-old Smithsonian Institution, Smithsonian Journeys has operated tours for more than 50 years. Its wide range of travel options appeals to many age groups, but the average age of travelers with this company is 55+. (The typical age range on active tours is 45 to 70; on special interest tours, it’s 55 to 80.) Smithsonian’s five activity level ratings are somewhat more demanding than Road Scholar’s, ranging from “Easy” (easy walking and shorter travel days) to “Challenging” (e.g., climbing Kilimanjaro).

Quick Facts about Senior Tours with Smithsonian Journeys

• Average group size: 12 to 24 people for most land journeys; cruises from 36 people (river boat) to 264 (small ship cruise).
• Price range: Moderate to expensive, but with lots of included perks.
• What’s included: Excellent accommodations, most meals, most tips, excursions, experts and lectures, and airport transfers. Some itineraries also offer airfare-inclusive pricing
• What’s not included: Some meals and some tips.
• Primary audience: Travelers 45 to 80 years old who want to better understand the world.
• Destinations: 130 itineraries on seven continents (with an emphasis on Europe).
• How to Book: Directly through Smithsonian Journeys or through a travel agent such as AAA .

Established more than 90 years ago, Globus heads a family of travel brands that also includes Avalon Waterways (river tours) and Cosmos (budget tours). The company offers travel styles for a variety of fitness levels and interests, with an emphasis on freedom and flexibility that works especially well for seniors. It ranks among the best escorted tour companies for the 55+ age group because it recognizes that the one-size-fits-all mentality does not work for everyone, especially older travelers.

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Free time on every tour allows for “adventure a la carte.” A wide array of optional excursions and activities is offered on each itinerary: some are extra-cost activities provided by the company, while others are simply helpful suggestions for independent exploration. Globus provides tour directors and local guides from the region for every tour, as well as “skip the lines” access to sites, centrally located first-class hotels, opportunities to meet local families, and some “experiential dining” meals.

Globus tours come in many different formats. Globus Undiscovered tours take you off the beaten path where there are fewer crowds; this option is attractive to seasoned travelers who have already seen famous sights like the Tower of Pisa and the Mona Lisa. Escapes by Globus offers up to a 40% discount on tours taken between November and March. Choice Touring and Independence by Globus provide itineraries that allow you to choose excursions and have more “I-time” while the company provides lodging and the help of a tour director.

Quick Facts about Guided Tours for Older Travelers with Globus

• Average group size: 24 people (small-group discovery) to 36 people (average size of a coach tour).
• Price range: Inexpensive, but optional excursions cost extra.
• What’s included: All accommodations, some meals, airport transfers on published tour departure and return dates, and admission to sites included in tour.
• What’s not included: Optional experiences (may be $50 to $100 each), tips, and some meals.
• Primary audience: Adults who want a wide variety of travel options.
• Destinations: More than 50 countries on six continents.
• How to Book: Directly through Globus ; via Travelstride , Tourhub , or TourRadar , all which are tour specialist OTAs; or through a travel agent such as AAA .

7. Intrepid Travel

Founded in 1988 in Australia and now employee-owned, Intrepid Travel offers 1,100 escorted tours worldwide, with an average of 10 travelers per tour. The company focuses on small group active trips off the beaten track. Its tours often use public transportation and stay at locally owned accommodations.

Intrepid has an age-inclusive philosophy (“18 to 70”) and aims to provide tours for all interests and comfort levels. Tour styles include “ Basix ” for the budget travel crowd and “ Comfort ,” which tends to attract older travelers. The travel tour company also offers retreats and tours for women, solo travelers, and the 18-29 age group. Note that while Intrepid tours are active, its tours are “not a constant endurance test.” A general level of health and fitness is adequate for its trips.

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Examples of Intrepid tours include a winter journey to Iceland to view the Aurora Borealis, a hiking-cycling trip in Sri Lanka, snorkeling in Bali, kayaking in Alaska, and enjoying the Naadam Festival in Mongolia or Day of the Dead in Mexico. A “Comfort” trip to Jordan might include some moderate hiking to sites, floating in the Dead Sea, a stay in a desert camp, and snorkeling in the Red Sea. Intrepid also offers small ship adventure cruising to such places as the Galapagos Island, the Greek and Turkish Islands, Antarctica, and French Polynesia.  

Intrepid conducts safety assessments of all included and optional activities; experienced local leaders provide instruction and advice to travelers who are new to an activity or area. It also has an excellent record of corporate responsibility. Intrepid focuses on sustainable travel and has been carbon neutral since 2010.

Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Intrepid Travel

• Average group size: 10 people.
• Price range: Moderately inexpensive but extra cost for premium upgrades.
• What’s included: On general tours, you get accommodations, breakfasts, and local experiences. On premium tours, you can expect additions like breakfast and some other meals, tips, and airport and luggage transfer.
• What’s not included: See above.
• Primary audience: Active adult travelers of all ages.
• Destinations: More than 100 countries on seven continents, including polar regions and more South Pacific destinations than most other senior tour companies.
• How to Book: Directly through Intrepid ; via Travelstride , Tourhub , or TourRadar all which are tour specialist OTAs (online travel agents) that offer hundreds of Intrepid trips; or through a travel agent such as AAA .

8. Viking River Cruises

Viking River Cruises specializes in European river touring, but it also offers small ship ocean cruises and expedition voyages. The company is more than 25 years old and is among the most awarded river cruise lines worldwide. Viking owns and operates its own ships; it also owns some dock locations.

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Viking does not try to be all things to all people. There are no casinos on its river boats, for example, nor are children under 18 allowed. Viking also has a “no nickel and diming and no umbrella drinks” policy. However, you can expect outside rooms, onboard enrichment lectures, destination performances, onshore excursions in every port, introductions to local life and people, and an experienced staff. (In fact, 90% of the company’s river cruise staff returns each year.) Optional pre- and post-tour land extensions are offered.

With a philosophy that travel “should be a doorway to cultural insight and personal enrichment,” Viking could be regarded as a waterborne version of Road Scholar or Smithsonian Journeys. The company owns a learning channel (Viking TV) and provides recommended readings and other materials before you depart.

Quick Facts about Cruises for Seniors with Viking

• Passenger limit on river boats: 190 people  (up to 930 on ocean ships)
• Price range: Moderately expensive but inclusive.
• What’s included: Onboard accommodations, meals, shore excursions, entertainment, tips; and transfers with air purchase through Viking. Some tours also include free international airfare.
• What’s not included: Transfers and porterage for those not using Viking for air reservations, some tips.
• Primary audience: Adults, but primarily older adults.
• Destinations: Mostly Europe for river tours, also cruises on the Nile, Mississippi, and Mekong Rivers; expedition cruises to Antarctica and the Great Lakes; ocean cruises to various destinations.
• How to Book: Directly through Viking ; via CruiseCritic ; or through a travel agent such as AAA .

More Senior Travel Tour Company Options for Older Travelers

If you can’t see yourself in any of the senior tour styles I’ve mentioned above—or maybe you just want even more options—I have a few more recommendations.

1) Those who loved travel experiences in their student days and prefer an inexpensive tour may want to look at EF Go Ahead Tours .

2) Those who are physically fit and want active travel like cycling tours and walking tours with a mixed age group have many good options, including Backroads and Country Walkers , which can be a good fit for senior cycling and walking enthusiasts.

College graduates should check to see if their alumni association sponsors any tours: AHI , Odysseys Unlimited , and other companies work with these associations to provide excellent tours at good prices.

Finally, seniors planning a multigenerational family vacation or skip-gen trip with the grandkids should consider a company like Adventures by Disney , which is a hit with all ages.

More from TourScoop:

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Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done o...

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It's easy to see the world's sights. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. We believe that travel should be easy. It should be fun. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. It should re-energize and transform. And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. Because how you see the world matters.

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Hi- We are considering a 14 days Tauck Tour of Scotland and England. I reviewed their brochure and noticed that the hotels all seem really upscale compared to Insight vacations. (Looked into that one, also.) Also, it seems to be a slower pace where there are half days of sight-seeing and time off for yourself. Can anyone out there comment on Tauck Tours and the quality for the money? Taking my 91 year old Dad and want this to be really nice. Probably, won't be doing it ever again. Thank you.

786 replies to this topic

HI THIS WILL BE OUR FIRST TAUCK TOUR. WE ARE doing the 10 day Yellowstone canyonland trip.we are in our 60-70's and hoping we will not be the only ones in that age group. Canute also tell me how u enjoyed the trip? Any pointers? Thank you.

Hi Bentons from Pt Jefferson. We are the Schmidts from New Suffolk on the north fork. So happy we will be with someone from our area and know we will have fun. We are going on the 28th as because I have travelled with Tauck before we have two free days and we are using them before the tour and the day after we end. My husband hates to fly so hopefully he will be relaxed before we start the tour. I am so excited and can't wait to meet you. Please email me if you want to talk and compare notes. See you at summers end! Sharon

We just returned from the Tauck Brittany,Normandy, Loire Valley and Paris yesterday and it was fabulous in every way. We were totally immersed in history, art and delicious food. I recommend it to anyone..We have also taken the England, Scotland and Wales trip. Those considering that one will not be diappointed either. You stay in lovely places and see wonderful countryside everywhere you go.The Tauck guides are really exceptional and take pride in their service. They make you feel so comfortable and when a problem arrises they solve it for you. This was our 5th tour and we would not consider another company.

Bonnehall18

I felt the same about the France Tour and you gave me insight on the England Scotland & Wales Tour. I will be taking that one in late August and happy to hear you loved that one too. I can't wait! Thanks

My husband and I are from the Seattle area and are looking into the England/Scotland/Wales trip for 2013 - this would be our 1st Tauck Tour. Since we're around the same age group, we would love to read your feedback after the trip.

Cheers! Jennifer

I will gladly post after the trip. I can't wait!

My husband & I just got back from our 6th Tauck Tour. All of them have been wonderful. The individual pickup and return to the airports are the best. You feel special to have that limo driver waiting just for you. All Tauck Tours have little special touches other tours don't have, but you do pay for it. Their prices are high. The tour directors are great, very knowledgable. In the cities and towns you have licensed local guides who know their stuff.

On our last trip in June, The Art of Living Barcelona to Paris I got sick in Carcassonne. I called the tour director in the morning, she spoke to the front desk and voila I had a French doctor make a call to my hotel room. The front desk did the translating and they also went into the town and got my prescription. My tour was not ruined!!

I don't hesitate to recommend Tauck. They are not perfect but they are trying to please the tastes of up to 40 people.

i have heard a lot about tauck tours, i am from india, i am considering doing their hawaii vacation. i am 42 years old moderately active but i am looking at a luxury vacation, thats why i picked up tauck,

can anyone please advise if this is right for me. i love being with senior people so age is not my consideration.

Your question is pretty hard to answer. I was in Hawaii, the big island, for 3 weeks many years ago. I traveled on my own. But tours have many advantages, especially if you are not from the country. Many people go to Hawaii for the beach and scenery rather than specific site seeing. However, I have friends who went to hike and stayed in a camp ground area. So it really depends what you want to get out of the trip and if you are looking for a group then the tour option is a good one. I have been on one Tauck tour and am going to France with them soon. They are a top notch company and in that regard you will likely be pleased and you will likely meet some really great folks. If you want luxury and want to feel very comfortable and attended to on your trip then you will get that. If you haven't taken a look at the comments on the Tauck site you might want to do that.

Also if you want to compare some trips try the website TourVacationstoGo. You don't have to use them but they do group many of the companies offering trips so you can compare them. I hope this helps you some. If you have any specific questions about Tauck feel free to message me here on TripAdvisor. Aloha!

I cannot say enough about why we love Tauck.

Pat & Jeff Einbond

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Tauck is a family-run company that has shown travelers the world since 1925. Today, the company’s assortment of upscale, highly inclusive tours, river cruises and small-ship ocean cruises spans the globe.

Itineraries balance organized activities with ample leisure time so guests can pursue their own interests. "Free choice" dining allows you to dine a la carte from regular restaurant menus with whomever you want, whenever you want. You'll also stay in the finest hotels in the most attractive locations while enjoying modern amenities and convenient access to must-see sights.

A fully trained and experienced Tauck Director will oversee the logistics of your vacation, sharing interesting information about each destination along the way. You'll travel worry-free as all the details are handled for you.

Trip ratings on this site are based on the quality of accommodations, the number of included meals and activities and the level of service delivered. Tauck's vacations are categorized as deluxe on the industry rating scale (budget, first class or deluxe).

Tauck Commemorates 100 Years of Innovation

This article originally appeared in the May issue of AGENTatHOME magazine.  Subscribe here to receive your free copy each month.

Tauck , the luxury tour operator, will mark its 100th anniversary in 2025 by celebrating its long history while also planning for its future and continuing its tradition of innovation, said the company’s CEO Dan Mahar.

Since Arthur Tauck, Sr. began offering all-inclusive tours of New England in 1925, the operator has seen its company culture as central to its having thrived for almost a century. Great longevity “is usually associated with having a deeper purpose than selling a product,” Mahar said.

Enhancing People’s Lives

The Tauck family, which still fully owns the company, realized early on “that we could enhance peoples’ lives,” Mahar said. What motivates all employees is “taking good care of our customers and constantly innovating.”

“After a century, we have an amazing team of employees, amazing partners and amazing relationships with travel advisors,” Mahar said. “We call all of these stakeholders our global family, and it is this family of people who have united to serve the guest.”

Looking Ahead to 2030

Next year, Tauck will celebrate its milestone by thanking each element of that family. It will also be the time when the company unveils a five-year strategic plan that will take it through 2030, answering the question: Where does Tauck want to be at 105 years old?

The person overseeing that five-year plan will not be Mahar because Tauck’s recently announced succession plan promotes him to chairman and Jennifer Tombaugh, who has served as president since 2011, to CEO in October. Arthur Tauck, Jr., currently chairman, will become chairman emeritus. Jeremy Palmer, chief operating officer since 2019, will become president, and Phil Crosby will continue to serve as CFO.

Both Tombaugh and Palmer, Mahar said, have had the opportunity to run different parts of the organization and have also worked closely with the board of directors. And Crosby, he said, has been with Tauck for decades and possesses “an incredibly deep knowledge of the company’s operations.”

The succession plan has been in the works for a long time, and the company is undergoing this process from a position of strength. “We want to demonstrate continuity to our stakeholders and assure them that Tauck is in good hands in its leadership,” Mahar said.

Broadening The Base

Tauck has evolved significantly over its century of operation and plans to continue to do so, Mahar said. One overriding strategy has been to broaden its customer base while maintaining its traditional levels of quality and all-inclusiveness.

The first expansion was in 1993 into small-ship cruising. The company then moved into Tauck Bridges family vacations, then river cruising, then ocean expeditions. And within its land programs – with products now available in 70 countries – expansion has continued with small groups to reach different market segments.

Consistent Level of Quality

“One thing I continually hear from advisors is that with all of these different product lines, we haven’t changed the quality of the product,” Mahar said. “As a result, customers can move freely from one to another and feel comfortable in the kind of experience they will enjoy. We never wanted to introduce a lower-cost option.”

Outside of Tauck Bridges customers, Tauck clients tend to be empty nesters – traditionally Baby Boomers and now Gen X. In addition, there is a substantial amount of multigenerational and “grand travel” (grandchildren traveling with grandchildren), Mahar said. Another important segment is younger families “who want to create memories with their children.”

All Tauck programs are truly all-inclusive. “We build a complete experience so that the customer doesn’t have to worry about buying anything,” Mahar said. Because all of Tauck’s products are all-inclusive, advisors receive commission on every element of a trip. And since the average itinerary has 180 different components, that adds up to significant compensation.

Creating Complete Experiences 

With programs on seven continents, there are always new ways to discover a place. “The world is our canvas and since our founding our goal has been to create experiences, long before that became a standard concept in travel,” Mahar said. “From the beginning of planning an itinerary, we consider how to build a complete experience. With all that’s included, the value is tremendous.”

Travel Advisor Programs

“When it comes to advisors, it’s been a great marriage, and we want to continue to see it flourish,” said Tauck CEO Dan Mahar. To help advisors prosper, the company offers a range of educational and rewards programs.

• Tauck Academy: Where advisors experience a Tauck trip, combined with immersive classroom education. They are then designated Tauck Certified Advisors, which includes such benefits as advance notification of news and events and opportunities to save on personal travel.
• Tauck Specialist: An online training program that enables advisors to familiarize themselves with Tauck products along with sales tools to expand their portfolio of Tauck clients.
• Agent Rewards: A sales based incentive program where advisors can earn up to $12,000 in credits per year toward a Tauck journey.
• Tauck Webinars: Monthly educational webinars hosted by national account managers and special guests. Advisors who participate receive a value-add for first-time Tauck clients who book within 30 days of the webinar.
• Agent Connect: An online platform providing advisors with the ability to view their client’s upcoming reservation, access sales resources and manage payment details and pre-journey requirements.