blog post

Tauck Targets Culturally Curious
Mon Dec 29 2008, by Travel Trade Staff

Tauck World Discovery's new Culturious brand is aimed at travelers whose cultural curiosity reflects their desire to learn about the world and experience the ways of life of the people who live in the destinations they visit, Jeremy Palmer, director of Tauck Ventures, told Travel Trade.

Culturious aims to fill the gap between the traditional Tauck World Discovery customer and the young families that Tauck Bridges tours appeal to.

Culturious tours will be in small groups, averaging 20 persons on regionally focused, "zoomed in" itineraries with multiple-night stays that feature immersive activities, along with the signature Tauck attributes of top of the line inclusions and meticulous attention to detail.

Transportation is by minivans for up to 15 passengers and accommodations are in hotels authentic to the destination -- luxury boutique hotels, castles and chateaux, said Palmer.

Culturious tours will provide a "nice blend of guidance, insider access and freedom" for clients to do their own thing, Palmer told Travel Trade.

Culturious programs include:

Provence, France, eight days priced from $4,190 per person, double, with a maximum group size of 21. Activities include sketching in the Aix countryside, kayaking on the Sorgue River, a visit to the market and a cooking class in Avignon, a pub crawl in Arles, a discussion with a local historian, and a wine and olive oil tasting at a local estate.

Tuscany & Cinque Terre, Italy, eight days from $4,250, limited to 24 persons. Wine tasting, a walk through the Vasari Corridor in Florence, a cooking class, an art history lecture, a private boat cruise and biking in the streets of Luca (home to Puccini) are among the activities on this Culturious.

Croatia's Dalmatian Coast, eight days priced from $3,975, with a maximum of 24 persons, includes art lessons along the Dalmatian Coast, cruising among the coastal islands, visits to local homes, mountain biking through vineyards and crewing a private sailboat.

Costa Rica, eight days from $3,490, is limited to 22. This Culturious includes visits to local villages, horseback rides through the hills, hiking, lunch at a local farm, salsa dance lessons, kayaking, whitewater paddling and lessons on cooking tortillas.

Peru & the Amazon, eight days, priced from $5,490, with a maximum of 22 persons. Activities include a cruise on the Amazon and trekking through the countryside around Cuzco; a Peruvian cooking class; lessons from a native shaman; a talk with an archaeologist; visits to local artisans; and a discussion and dinner in a local home.

Polar Bears of Manitoba, seven days from $4,550, has a maximum group size of 30. Highlights include seeing polar bears up close, learning about native culture along Hudson Bay, a bird watching trek with a naturalist guide and a talk with a Parks Canada official.

Vietnam & Cambodia, 14 days priced from $5,190, is limited to 24 persons. This Culturious includes exploring Hanoi on foot and by cyclo; a chat with an expert on ancient Hue culture; biking to the Emperors Tombs; a cooking class; cruises to the floating villages on the Mekong River; and a lecture on Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge from a survivor of the regime.