Recommend December 2011 - (Page 89)

TAUCK’S winning year rca Best Tour Operator, USA/Canada 15th annual winner T carla hunt FOR AWARDS PIECES rca 15th annual readers’ choice awards winner “Thank you so much for sharing with us this excellent news. We are delighted and honored to be awarded as such, especially for the second straight year.” Jennifer Tombaugh, President, Tauck This year was New Orleans and all that jazz, next year they’re up and running at the Kentucky Derby. Every year there’s something special that draws ﬁrst-time and repeat travelers to hit the road with Tauck, again this year the Readers’ Choice Award winner for Best Tour Operator, USA/Canada. And indeed this has been a winning year for Tauck in many ways, says Tom Armstrong, the company’s corporate communications manager. “Five years back, sales of the USA/Canada products were ﬂat, but there has been a big bump up in the last few years, for people are staying home to do quality things. We’re seeing family travel increasing; we’ve had a big year in Alaska; and our Cowboy Country experience— the ultimate family South Dakota & Wyoming travel adventure—remains golden as always.” Armstrong is no less upbeat about 2012, when the company will again be offering dozens of ways for clients to “Explore the Possibilities” from Alaska to the South/Mid USA, from Hawaii to the U.S. West to New England. “We are continuing to expand our American Journeys partnership with award-winning ﬁlmmaker Ken Burns, who helps with tour design and enriches our programs by opening doors to his extensive network of local experts amassed during the decade spent making the acclaimed documentary, ‘The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.’” Coming up in the New Year is Wonderland: Yellowstone in Winter, a Tauck Culturious brand itinerary, one of its collection of immersive, small-group trips for active boomer-age travelers. The 9-day tour, priced at $3,490 pp, will operate in January, February and March—months that Burns ﬁnds Yellowstone to be “10 times more spectacular, for the crowds are gone, the park has a special majesty and serenity, the opportunities to see wildlife are incredible.” Also crafted by Tauck and Ken Burns for the next year is John Muir’s California, exploring Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks on an 8-day tour, beginning and ending in San Francisco and laced with local experts who share their knowledge, experiences and passions for park traditions. Priced at $4,290 pp dbl, departures are scheduled from June 2 to mid-October. Travel professionals signed on to Tauck Agents Services Extranet probably already have the “insider news” that Tauck is rolling out the red carpet for tour guests joining a 5-day event: Run for the Roses: The Kentucky Derby. May 2 to 6, guests will stay at the Grifﬁn Gate Marriott Resort & Spa, while experiencing all the pomp and circumstance leading up to the world’s most famous horserace. Tauck guests are booked for reserved seating at the ﬁrst turn at Churchill Downs on Derby Day (May 5), as well as gala events, horse farm and distillery visits. The program also offers a choice of sighting focus: Bluegrass Country, focusing on historic traditions or Thoroughbred World, for horse enthusiasts. Tauck offers family tours to the Grand Canyon. And undoubtedly Tauck travel agent partners already know all about the 5-day Civil War Event in and around Washington, D.C., highlighted by such Tauck-exclusive experiences as private access at a number of museums and historic venues, as well as keynote address from ﬁlmmaker Burns during an interactive evening with the ﬁlmmaker. Starting dates will be May 20 and Oct. 14—and the Tauck family will be hosting the evening galas. l contact information Tauck: (800) 468-2825; tauck.com december 2011 89 http://www.tauck.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend December 2011

Sabre Travel Network
Rail Europe & Hertz Rental Car
Southwest Airlines & Delta Air Lines
Florida
Hawaii
France & Italy
Tahiti
Thailand
China
Cancun
Riviera Maya
Costa Rica
Jamaica
Aruba Certified Expert Specialist Program
Saint Lucia
South Africa
Israel
Isram
Abercrombie & Kent
Globus
Goway Travel
Travel Impressions
Avanti Destinations
GOGO Worldwide Vacations
Apple Vacations
Tauck
Marriott International
Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
Sandals & Beaches Resorts
AMResorts
Best Western International
Cruising to the Top

Recommend December 2011