As we celebrate 100 years of enriching travel, we want to take this opportunity to thank our guests who have made it all possible with their loyalty and kind referrals to friends and family. Your stories continue to inspire us to raise the bar in everything we do, and reflect so much of the shared joys and friendships we are blessed to experience with you on our travels together. In recognition of our gratitude, we are turning the spotlight on our patrons, showcasing your journeys with us over the years.
February: The Siegle Sisters
“How you gonna keep ‘em down on the farm after they’ve seen Paree?”
A popular hit created on the heels of World War I when US soldiers were returning home from Europe, “How you gonna keep ‘em down on the farm after they’ve seen Paree?” could well apply to the Siegle sisters, longtime guests who have, to date, logged in 62 Tauck trips.
Farm girls born and raised in Iowa, their first Tauck trip took them, coincidentally enough, to Paris in 1969. Their family, hardworking farmers all, did not have time to travel when the girls were growing up, given the daily chores that kept them busy at home. Once they started traveling with us, nothing could keep them down on the farm for long.
“We heard about Tauck from two widowed ladies we knew from church. We thought if they like it and it’s good enough for them, then it’s good enough for us.”
That recommendation turned into a lifelong love affair with travel for the sisters, the more adventurous the better I learned after chatting with them, with small ship cruises among their very favorites. Among the many voyages they have enjoyed with us, they braved the cold on our cruise to Antarctica where they warmed up to the penguins and marine life they encountered. They circumnavigated the land of fire and ice with us in Iceland, gamely soaking in the thermal delights of the Blue Lagoon. They explored the Norwegian fjords and the Scottish Isles aboard our “lovely” Ponant ship; indulged in the Treasures of the Mediterranean and the Aegean on idyllic cruises they’ll long remember; transited the Panama Canal and met the Guna people in the remote San Blas Islands; and discovered the exotic sights of the Arabian Peninsula and the antiquities of Egypt with wide-eyed wonder. Most recently, they joined us aboard Cruising the Great Lakes: Chicago to Toronto, revisiting places they explored with us on Michigan’s Lakes & Mackinac Island back in 2006.
Whether by land or sea, Phyllis and Arlene choose Tauck because of the great care they receive and peace of mind they experience, noting “how thankful we have been for the trust and security we always feel.” But it’s our uniquely interesting itineraries – polar bears in Manitoba, lions, rhinos, giraffes and more in Africa; giant tortoises, playful seals and blue-footed boobies in the Galápagos; Yellowstone in winter – and exclusive cultural experiences they can only have with Tauck, that kept them coming back for more. “Each journey enriched our lives and far surpassed our fondest dreams.”
“Gratitude is essential to living a full and happy life which certainly applies to travel. Each and every Tauck tour is a metaphor for life. We feel extremely and bountifully blessed to have found and appreciated Tauck tours and family. What the precious privilege of cultivating a lifetime of joy, beauty and spiritual growth that have been the paradigm of our life. A sincere thanks to Tauck.”
With loyal guests like Arlene and Phyllis, whose stories and memories are truly steeped in the attitude of gratitude and in the magic of travel, the pleasure is all ours.
January: Sue Werner
70 Tauck trips and counting…
A dedicated solo traveler, Sue Werner has saved 70 group pictures from her Tauck trips, dating from 2019 all the way back to 1987 when she traveled with us on Southern Charms: Savannah, Hilton Head & Charleston. Sue, who likes a good party just as much as we do, has also attended just about all of Tauck’s events, joining us more than once on annual events like the Kentucky Derby, Run for the Roses; our New Year’s Eve gala, A Celebration of Roses in Hollywood and the Jazz Event in New Orleans. While she doesn’t have group photos of those experiences, “you can’t easily fit everyone into one picture,” she has lasting memories of the good times she shared with everyone in attendance.
With so many trips under her belt, I wondered how she chose them and if she had a preference for a mode of travel.
“I like it all. I enjoy the river boats, but I like the land tours too and especially enjoy the comfortable motor coaches Tauck uses. Usually, I just choose a destination, knowing that no matter where Tauck goes or how we travel, Tauck is going to take care of me.”
Wherever she chooses to explore with us, the draw for Sue is a well-rounded mix of culture, scenery and wildlife. South Africa, An Elegant Adventure appeals to her and is on her bucket list as are Essence of South America and Essence of Japan. She also has been dreaming about Grand Australia & New Zealand, something she hopes to do in the future. The Christmas Market cruises are favorites and she has put both the Belgium and France holiday cruises on her wish list.
She is not done traveling with Tauck yet, even though she joked that she will have to live until she is 150 to take all of Tauck tours she is interested in! What keeps her coming back is what Arthur Tauck Sr. had in mind 100 years ago when he founded the company.
“All I want is a congenial party. We shall be just one happy party, properly chaperoned, out for a real good time…”
“The trips are a lot of fun. Tauck does an amazing job. They put a lot of thought and effort into them, and you have nothing to worry about. They take care of things that you wouldn’t even think about, and then you’re just free to experience the destination, free to enjoy it and do what you want. They have a nice even balance of tour time and free time on every trip.”
