Tauck Enhances 2012 Family Travel Bridges Trips

Tauck reports it continues to grow its global portfolio of family travel offerings, and for 2012 the Connecticut-based company is enhancing its successful collection of 15 Tauck Bridges itineraries. This includes new family-friendly activities and more access to unique experiences. Tauck Bridges itineraries, each designed specifically for families, are offered in North America, Europe, Africa and Latin America.
 
“We’re coming off of a great year that saw robust, double-digit growth for Tauck Bridges, and our preseason bookings are showing similar gains, so we’re heading into 2012 with optimism and momentum,” said Tauck CEO Dan Mahar. “Since we launched Bridges in 2003 it’s been one of the fastest-growing segments of our portfolio, and by our calculations, we continue to host more families than any other company offering guided family travel experiences.”  To complement its departures in the traditional summer months, Tauck is also expanding the number of Bridges spring break departures in California, the American Southwest, New York City, Washington, DC, France, Italy and Latin America.
 
Special Tauck Bridges experiences for 2012 will include having Elisabeth von Trapp join guests aboard the August 4 departure of Tauck’s “Blue Danube: Family Riverboat Adventure” on the ms Swiss Jewel. Von Trapp, whose family’s story inspired the film The Sound of Music, will offer an interactive performance at the Schloss Leopoldskron in Salzburg, entertain Tauck guests at a private gala dinner at the Palais Pallavicini in Vienna, and share personal stories about her family and their experiences, Tauck says.
 
Among other Tauck Bridges enhancements for 2012, the company has added:
 
*  A special scavenger hunt at the Louvre, cycling through London’s Royal Parks, a “Spy Walk,” a special magic show dining event, and an authentic local pub dinner on the “Castles & Kings” Bridges itinerary to London and Paris.
 
*  Also on “Castles & Kings,” four nights accommodations at the five-star Royal Horseguards hotel. This historic hotel (it served as the British Secret Service headquarters during World War I) was named “AA London Hotel of the Year 2010-2011,” and it boasts a great location within walking distance of Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and Covent Garden.
 
*  A chocolate factory visit for a tasting, a demonstration in the art of chocolate making, and lunch on Tauck’s “Costa Rica: Jungles & Rainforests” adventure.
 
*  Accommodations at the Le Parker Meridien hotel on the Tauck Bridges “Family Fun In The Big Apple” tour of New York City.  Located just three blocks from Central Park, the hotel boasts a unique burger bar in the lobby, a fun and whimsical brunch menu at its “Norma’s” eatery, and a family-friendly rooftop pool with stunning views of the city.
 
Designed specifically for families, Tauck Bridges programs are perfect for multi-generational travelers who want to connect with each other and with other families of similar interests, enabling all to forge bonds and make lasting friendships.

Tauck says its Bridges trips are also an increasingly popular option for large family groups planning reunions, and for those celebrating graduations, birthdays and anniversaries.  These larger groups can reserve an exclusive departure of any Bridges trip, and benefit from special Tauck incentives including cost savings and travel management services to ensure everyone enjoys a fun and hassle-free experience.
 
Tauck is also featuring “family friendly departures” on three of its non-Bridges Tauck trips. Family friendly departures have been added to Tauck’s “Most Hallowed Ground” tour, which traces the Civil War through the mid-Atlantic region.  The 11-day trip, part of Tauck’s Ken Burns American Journeys partnership, was cooperatively designed by Tauck and Ken Burns, whose film The Civil War is the most celebrated documentary in PBS history.  Family friendly departures are also featured on Tauck’s popular 8-day “A Week In… Rome, Umbria & Tuscany” trip, and its 10-day “French Waterways & Vineyards” riverboat cruise aboard the award-winning ms Swiss Emerald.

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