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Welcome on a journey of discovery as we take you inside some of our favorite destinations, places and unique experiences around the world.
Did you know? M. Night Shyamalan’s 1999 psychological thriller “The Sixth Sense” is turning 25 this year? Considered one of the best movies of all time by IMDb, “The Sixth Sense” stunned audiences upon release with its chilling atmosphere and stellar plot, ultimately culminating with one of the greatest twists in film history.
In the spirit of Halloween, let’s embrace that famous line, “I see dead people,” as we explore places where the past is truly palpable. With Tauck, you can visit historic sites, monuments, and memorials where the stories of those who came before still echo—reminding us that history is always just beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered.
Built in the 16th century BC, the Valley of the Kings was primarily used between 1550 – 1070 BC as the final resting place for pharaohs and the powerful nobles of ancient Egypt and is one of the most famous archeological sites in the world.
Due to incredibly difficult, time-consuming and expensive conditions, traveling to Egypt prior to the 18th century was almost unheard of. It wouldn’t be until the mid-18th century that a Danish explorer by the name of Frederic Louis Norden would provide the first record of Thebes and consequently – The Valley of the Kings.
Starting in the 19th century, the Valley would be explored on a more consistent basis, with expeditions occurring semi-frequently. At the turn of the 20th century, numerous excavations took place including one in November 1922 that discovered the unopened tomb of King Tutankhamun, renowned for the wealth of valuable antiquities it contained.
Today, the Valley of the Kings is one of the country’s top attractions averaging 4,000 – 5,000 guests daily. On visits with Tauck, you’ll have the opportunity to visit these tombs on a private, after hours visit.
On June 6, 1944, Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy in a day that will forever be known as “D-Day.” In the largest seaborne invasion in history, over 10,000 allied causalities occurred, including 2,501 American troops, in what is recognized as the beginning of the liberation of France and ultimately laid the foundations of the Allied powers’ victory on the Western Front.
Following the end of the war, the American Military Cemetery in Normandy was established, becoming the final resting place of thousands of U.S. troops. The most visited cemetery of those maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), the American Military Cemetery attracts over one million visitors a year.
Today, the cemetery continues to be a poignant reminder of the atrocities of World War II and the sacrifices thousands made in the pursuit of a better future.
The battle of Gettysburg was a three-day battle that took place from July 1 to July 3, 1863. During this short period, over 50,000 Americans from both sides perished. Considered the bloodiest battle ever fought on American soil, the Battle of Gettysburg is also widely recognized as one of the major turning points of the American Civil War leading up to the Confederacy’s eventual surrender.
At Gettysburg National Cemetery, over 6,000 service members are memorialized, many of which are unnamed. Originally called the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, history remembers it as the place where President Lincoln delivered his famous address in 1863.
Finished in 1511, St. Stephen’s Cathedral is one of Vienna’s most popular attractions and one of Austria’s largest and most significant religious buildings.
The origins of the crypt date back to 1735, when Vienna experienced an outbreak of the bubonic plague. In an effort to keep the Black Death at bay, the numerous cemeteries surrounding St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the charnel house (a building for storing stacked bones) were emptied, and thousands of bones and rotting corpses were thrown down into the pits dug in the floor of the crypt. The downside? The smell from the decaying bodies would occasionally make its way up to the main floor, making religious services impossible.
These boots are made for walkin’
Exploring isn’t always easy and sometimes finding the right footwear for each destination can be tricky. Thankfully, a group of the world’s best travel companions – our expert Tauck Directors – are happy to provide some suggestions when searching for the perfect travelling shoe.
Leah Iverson
About Leah: A tour guide for the past 15 years, Leah has been a member of the Tauck team for the last 7 years as a Tauck Director, guiding tours through Yellowstone, London & Paris, Australia & New Zealand, Kenya & Tanzania and Alaska.
What shoes does Leah recommend?
“This winter boot is perfect for wet, cold weather as it has a 100% waterproof barrier, Vibram soles with arctic grip, and there’s a zipper to take them on and off. Plus, they’re fashionable and keep the feet warm with the included insulation. They’re a lifesaver guiding Tauck’s ‘Winter in Yellowstone’ trip – and while visiting family in Alaska during the winter – with the addition of crampons.”
“These booties can go with jeans, black pants, skirts or dresses and are a vital part of my European wardrobe. You can wear them starting day 1 without a break-in period.”
Ursula Henke
About Ursula: A member of the Tauck team since 2021, Ursula has been working as a tour guide for over 20 years. You can find Ursula guiding our Grand Alaska, Essence of Japan, and Cruising the Great Lakes: Chicago to Toronto tours.
What shoe does Ursula recommend?
“I have been wearing Ilse Jacobsen shoes for the last 5 years and love the comfort and style they offer for the price point (under $100). Both the sneakers and slip ons are lightweight and offer excellent cushioning and support. They also come in a large variety of colors, making this the perfect walking shoe while also being fashionable!”
Rob White
About Rob: A member of the Tauck team for the past 18 years. Robert guides tours through the Mediterranean, the Hudson Bay, Antarctica, The Canadian Rockies, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island and leads polar bear expeditions in the sub-arctic.
What shoe does Robert recommend?
“Paraboots are so comfortable you’ll want to keep them long after they’re “work worthy,” for personal wear. Easy to dress up or down, and are equally cool with a blazer and khakis or shorts and a tee. I wear them in the sub-arctic, Antarctica and everywhere in between!”
Dave White
About Dave – A new member of the Tauck Team! Dave has been guiding in the Canadian Rockies for 10 years and is now excited to guide tours for Tauck there.
What shoe does Dave recommend?
“These Australian-made boots are the jack-of-all-trades. Sturdy enough to hike in, while also being waterproof for rainy and muddy mountain days, yet easy to clean and still look classy when I enter the spectacular hotels in the Rockies.
I have been using them for over 5 years now and as long as you regularly wax the leather, they will hold up to any abuse. I had these trusty shoes on when my group evacuated from the fires in Jasper National Park this year, and I am certainly glad that I had them on my feet as we braved the long journey in the middle of the night to safety. From walking through the ash that fell from the sky, to facing the rain brought on by the lightning storm that followed, my feet were both dry and comfortable allowing me to put my full focus on getting my 41 guests to safety.”
Monica Celacu
About Monica: A member of the Tauck team since 2016, Monica has been a guide for over 10 years. Monica primarily guides tours on the Danube, Main and Seine Rivers, but also leads our Norwegian Fjords small ship cruise during the summer months.
What shoes does Monica recommend?
“I’ve been wearing my ECCO shoes a lot this year, because they can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion, and they have a really soft bottom, perfect for walking along the cobblestone-lined streets of Germany.”
“For sandals, Fly London has been my favorite brand for a couple of summers. I’ve bought my first pair in Porto, a city with cobblestones on hills, and I walked with my brand-new sandals on my feet from the store. I was second guessing that decision when I started the hike to my accommodation, but the climb was super comfortable because of the thick soles and security of the crisscross straps.”
Stutterheim – Chelsea Rainwalker
“For rain boots, my favorite ones are from Stutterheim. They get the job done while not taking up a quarter of my suitcase.”
Learn more about some current events happening around the world this month.
Do you have what it takes to be a gladiator?
Taking place over two decades after the events of the original Gladiator, Gladiator II picks up with Lucius, the grandson of Rome’s former emperor – Marcus Aurelius and the son of Maximus (Russell Crowe) and Lucilla, as he is thrust into slavery and forced to follow in his father’s footsteps as a gladiator under the tutelage of Macrinus (portrayed by Denzel Washington).
The Sweet Life: Rome & Sorrento Italian family adventure transports you back in time and thrusts you into battle during a visit to gladiator school. Don a protective tunic and get a crash course in the basic techniques of sword fighting, just like Maximus Aurelius and learn what it would take to be a warrior in the Roman Empire.
Dive headfirst back to Motonui
Disney’s upcoming sequel to 2016’s critically acclaimed Moana swims into theaters on November 27. Picking up where the previous film left off, Moana, alongside her trusted companion Maui, must journey to the far seas of Oceania into dangerous, long-lost waters in search of a hidden island that could break a curse that has fallen upon Oceania.
Based on the history and culture of the Polynesian islands, Moana wears its Polynesian influences on its sleeve and much of the story and culture shown in Moana is based on real-life heritage and traditions. Some of those include the mythological deity of Maui, the navigational method of wayfinding used by Moana, the use of voyaging canoes, the homes portrayed on Motonui (designed after the traditional Samoan fale) and the tattoos found on Maui.
On The Best of Hawaii land journey, visit the island named after the deity Maui and explore moana (the ocean) on swimming, snorkeling and canoeing excursions.
Let our travel guides help you pick the perfect journey
Interested in a specific journey-type or destination, but don’t know where to start? We’ve created comprehensive guides for some of our most popular journeys, from safaris to river cruises to Italy tours, to help you select the perfect one for you.
See the world through our guests’ eyes
We’re excited to introduce our new Photo Journals, giving you a captivating glimpse into some of our guests’ favorite tours. These collections of photos, taken by Tauck guests, guides and team members, provide an inside look at the experiences, landscapes, cultural encounters and magical moments that make each tour unforgettable. Start exploring our first few Photo Journals today featuring destinations like Egypt, Great Britain, Alaska and America’s national parks – and be sure to check back often as we add more.
English (US) · 