WHY IT RATES: The
introduction of Tauck's new journeys in Colombia and Japan in 2025 will offer
travelers unique opportunities to explore two culturally rich destinations with
expertly curated itineraries, providing immersive experiences and enriching
encounters. — Laurie Baratti, TravelPulse Associate Writer
Tauck has announced its first-ever tour
of Colombia, with an in-depth nine-day exploration of the South American
country set to launch next year. Also new for 2025 is the company's first-ever
Tauck Bridges family travel adventure in Japan.
Tauck's new "Colombia: South
America's Eternal Spring" (from $8,490 USD per person, double
occupancy, plus airfare) begins with a two-night stay at the Four Seasons in
Bogotá, followed by a three-night stay at the Medellín Marriott in Medellín and
a subsequent three-night stay at the five-star Sofitel Legend Santa Clara in
Cartagena. Guests' time in Bogotá is highlighted by a visit to the Gold Museum,
containing the world's largest collection of gold artifacts (including many
pre-Columbian pieces), and a guided tour of the Botero Museum, dedicated to the
work of noted political critic, artist and sculptor Fernando Botero. The
following day, guests travel by train to Zipaquirá to visit the Salt Cathedral,
a working church carved from subterranean salt some 600 feet underground.
After flying to
Medellín, guests will enjoy a tasting of Colombian coffee before visiting the
Normandia Equestrian Center to learn about the region's renowned Paso Fino
horses. Guests will also learn about Colombia's emergence from its troubled
past when they visit Comuna 13, a vibrant and colorful community that was once
one of Colombia's most notorious neighborhoods. Tauck's exploration of Colombia
continues in Cartagena with a walking tour of Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
(the largest fortress in South America), a visit to a local music school, and
tours of San Pedro Claver Cathedral and the city's popular Getsmani
neighborhood. The itinerary concludes with a sunset cruise and reception along
Cartagena Bay, followed by a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Tauck will
operate 12 departures of the new Colombia tour in 2025, and included in the
price are two on-tour flights, 20 meals, gratuities to all local guides, hotel
staff and restaurant servers, all sightseeing and other activities, airport transfers,
luggage handling, taxes and more.
JAPAN, JUST FOR
FAMILIES
Tauck's new 10-day Tauck Bridges itinerary, "Journey Through Japan… A
Family Adventure" (from $8,990 USD per person, triple occupancy,
plus airfare) has been designed specifically for families, and it begins with a
three-night exploration of Tokyo featuring accommodations at the Conrad Tokyo.
While in the city, Tauck guests will visit the ancient Asakusa Kannon Temple
(circa 645), and enjoy a sightseeing rickshaw ride before learning the ways of
the ninja and visiting the Ginza shopping district. Guests will also visit the
city's innovative teamLab Planets TOKYO interactive museum, tour the Tsukiji
Outer Market, enjoy a sushi-making lunch and visit the Meiji Shrine.
Guests next travel
by high-speed bullet train to Hakone for a pirate boat cruise across Lake Ashi,
a visit to the city's Open Air Museum, and an overnight stay at the Hotel
Indigo Hakone Gora. After traveling by bullet train the following day to
Hiroshima (where they'll enjoy two nights at the Hilton Hiroshima), Tauck
guests will visit the city's Peace Memorial Museum and Park, travel by ferry to
the island of Miyajima to see the Itsukushima Shrine, and participate in a
hands-on okonomiyaki demonstration and dinner, featuring Japan's traditional
crepe-like dish with a variety of meat, seafood and vegetable toppings.
The Tauck Bridges
family exploration of Japan concludes with a three-night stay in Kyoto at the
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, named one of "The Best Hotels and Resorts in the
World" in Conde Nast Traveler magazine's 2024 Gold List. In Kyoto, guests
will visit the Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple and Nijo Castle (both UNESCO World
Heritage Sites), as well as the Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion, Nishiki Market and
the city's geisha district. They'll also enjoy fun cultural immersion as they
learn the intricacies of a formal tea ceremony, take a calligraphy lesson, and
try their hands at traditional Taiko drumming.
Tauck will operate
nine departures of the new Bridges journey, and included in the tour price are
three on-tour trips aboard high-speed bullet trains, 22 meals, gratuities to
all local guides, hotel staff and restaurant servers, all sightseeing and other
activities, airport transfers, luggage handling, taxes and more.
The new Bridges
trip joins Tauck's two other itineraries in Japan, the 13-day "Essence of
Japan" land tour and the 14-day "Cruising
the Land of the Rising Sun" small ship cruise aboard the Ponant ship,
Le Soleal. "Essence of Japan" (from $11,990 USD per person, double
occupancy plus airfare) visits Tokyo, Hakone, Gero Onsen, Kanazawa, Hiroshima
and Kyoto. "Cruising the Land of the Rising Sun" (from $15,390
USD per person, double occupancy plus airfare) begins with an included
three-night hotel stay and exploration of Osaka, continues with an eight-day
cruise aboard Le Soleal, and concludes in Tokyo with an included two-night hotel
stay and Tauck-guided sightseeing in the city. Ports-of-call during the cruise
include Uno Ko, Hiroshima, Uwajima, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, Busan (South Korea)
and Sakaiminato.
TAUCK SEES
DRAMATIC GROWTH IN JAPAN BOOKINGS
The addition of the new Tauck Bridges family itinerary comes as bookings for
Tauck's two other journeys to Japan are experiencing rapid growth. Bookings for
"Cruising the Land of the Rising Sun" are up by mid-double digits,
percentage-wise, over last year at this time. "Essence of Japan"
bookings have experienced even greater growth, and are up nearly triple digits,
percentage-wise, this year over pre-pandemic levels.
Tauck's
announcement of the new Japan tour comes during the U.S.-Japan Tourism Year
2024, an initiative designed to promote increased tourism and cultural
exchanges between the two countries. It also comes at a time of increased
recognition for Japan as a top travel destination. The city of Hokkaido was
recently highlighted in Travel + Leisure magazine's list of
"The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2024," while Morioka and Fukuoka
were recommended in a New York Times feature on "52 Places To Go." In
addition, Tokyo and Japan were recognized in Condé Nast Traveler's 2023
"Reader's Choice Awards," while Hokkaido was celebrated as a
sustainable destination in Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel 2024."
Those interested
in more information can contact their local travel professional, call Tauck at
800 468 2825, or visit the company's website at www.tauck.com (www.tauck.ca in
Canada, www.tauck.co.uk in the
UK, www.tauck.com.au in
Australia/New Zealand).
SOURCE: Tauck press release.
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