Tauck Tours
Tauck Tours is a seasoned travel company; it has been operating continuously since 1925 and in recent years has taken the honor of Travel + Leisure's "World's Best Tour Operator and Safari Outfitter" three times. Tauck's mission is to provide fun, educational travel experiences with the ultimate in comfort and luxury.
While the price tag is a bit higher than other tour companies, Tauck overlooks no detail. Travelers stay in only the best, most centrally located hotels, family-friendly meals are included in the initial cost, and a well-trained tour guide provides the history and highlights of the region. Also of interest to families is Tauck's small group size and guaranteed departure dates. Tauck offers three European travel packages: London to Paris; Cruising the Blue Danube (Hungary, Austria and Germany); and Rome to Venice.
Tauck World Discovery
10 Norden Place, P.O. Box 5020
Norwalk, CT 06855
tauck.com
(800) 788-7885
Adventures By Disney Vacations
When it comes to fun, exciting family travel, look no further than Adventures By Disney. A relatively new venture for the Mouse, these family tours are designed not only to keep kids entertained, but learning at the same time. "Adventure" (Tour) Guides lead the group through some of Europe's most storied locations, adding a family-friendly twist like scavenger hunts at the Louvre and pretzel-making in Germany.
With destinations all over Western Europe, Disney's vacations include hotel accommodations, train travel and most meals, and are more appropriate for younger children. Vacationers should be aware that no departure is guaranteed until 85 days before the travel date.
P.O. Box 61010
Anaheim, CA 92803-6110
(800) 543-0865
abd.disney.go.com
Rick Steves Tour
On the opposite end of the Disney spectrum is Rick Steves Tours, based out of Washington state. Steves is the well-known author of the "Europe Through the Back Door" travel guides, and started his own tour business to provide vacationers with the experiences he felt they were missing. While Steves' travelers visit important destinations like the Uffizi Gallery and Il Duomo, they are also afforded the opportunity to experience smaller villages and family-run restaurants that larger tour groups shy away from.
In fact, much of Steves' philosophy revolves around a smaller group of only 24-28 people to ensure maximum attention is paid to each traveler, a policy which also makes it easier for the tour to access more out-of-the-way locales. Destinations include old favorites like London, Paris and Rome, but also extend to Prague, Istanbul, and Budapest for the more adventurous travelers. All trips are safe and family-oriented, and designed for travelers to get the most out of their European experience.
Europe Through the Back Door
130 Fourth Ave. North
P.O. Box 2009
Edmonds, WA 98020-2009
(425) 771-8303
ricksteves.com
