Across country to spend time with kids/grandkids, or doing a “cross-country” trip?
I would also suggest that once you have a Tauck tour that interests you, look at other land tour companies for similar itineraries—some departures can be labelled as ‘small group tours’ and the # of people is capped at a number much lower than a full bus.
The price you quoted in an earlier reply seems super-expensive for a land tour, I hope that’s for two people–even then it’s a lot of $$$.
We’ve done probably 8 land tours, with 4 different companies–we choose based on itinerary, as long as costs are comparable. Look for hotels in the heart of cities, not in suburbs or near the airport. Being walking distance away from city center is invaluable.
On our recent tri to Salzburg we were not impressed with the Viking tour guides we saw. On two separate occasions H and I were taking pictures of something when the Viking tour guide brought his group and stepped right in the middle of our pictures.
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No doubt there are some tour guides (all local, not Viking employees) that might not be the best, but over 3 weeks, we found all of ours (except 1) fantastic.
We fly across country . Once will be for a month, the other 2 (so far) trips will be for a shorter time.
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Poppy season in Puglia!
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I’ve just booked 9-10 days Iceland for mid-March and I’m working on an itinerary for Sicily in late April-early May. A 14 day cruise to Norway (and going above the Arctic Circle) is planned for October.
Iceland and Norway will be with the same friend. Sicily will be with my cousin and possibly others.
And, I just renewed the annual travel insurance policy.
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I’ve been seeing that flights to and from the Caribbean are canceled today? Is anyone traveling?
For those of you who purchase yearly travel insurance policies (vs. trip-specific): Do you need to purchase soon after first payment to assure that it covers any potential pre-existing conditions? Or can you purchase closer to the actual travel date? We are hoping to take a major trip this year, but nothing yet planned, and it may be spring or fall.
Any specifics why??
There are several in Denver. My nephew was an escort for this ball at the Brown Palace (the biggest and oldest) a couple of times. He was also an escort at the Central City Flower Girls a few times. Yes, he was always going to something when in high school and college. His sister was a deb at the Ballet Ball (not sure of the exact title), a much lower level (and cost) event, and there is a male version and he was in that. My sister and BIL were usually invited to attend the balls where nephew was an escort, and didn’t have to pay for the tickets! The dress at $7k is NOT the biggest expense!
There is also a female and male version for Black teens (the “Owl Club Ball” and the beautillion for the guys ).
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Probably the Venezuelan attack and military in the area.
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And proximity to Cuba, who is an ally of Venezuela.
https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/5670934-caribbean-flights-canceled-venezuela-strikes/
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I had a nice chat with Steve of Tripinsurancestore.com about which policy to buy & when. It was informative and confirmed my choice to buy an annual policy the day before we leave for our international trip.
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I heard they were stopping around the Virgin Islands and this was during report of the Venezuela take over, or whatever it actually is - not sure. I would assume anything in the Western or Southern Caribbean (i.e. Curacao, Bonaire, Aruba, etc) as well, again though, not sure.
And there I go showing my poor geography knowledge…..makes total sense now. 
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Here’s a article and a list of countries in the Caribbean that are affected
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This is certain to mess up the plans of lots of cruisers.
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Are these all flights from the US to these cities? From any US city?
And are the airports closed so you can’t fly anywhere from those airports?
Yes, what a mess for those places that have a lot of January tourists and depend on the revenue.
Brother is currently on a cruise but looks like Eastern rather than Southern Caribbean so hopefully won’t be any issues. I would not want to be near the ABC islands right now. They do have to go past Cuba
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