Photo: A Week In...Switzerland

In celebration of its 100th anniversary next year and its 35th year of operations in Europe, Tauck is launching four new land journeys in Italy, Switzerland, France and England.

Departing in 2025, the quartet of new itineraries includes “A Week In… Piedmont” and “A Week In… Switzerland” – both additions to the company’s ‘A Week In…’ collection of eight-day tours – as well as two longer tours, England and the West Country” (11 days) and “Paris, Dordogne & Bordeaux” (14 days).

The four new land tours come as Tauck’s business in Europe is surging, says CEO Dan Mahar. The continent continues to be the company’s most popular destination, and 2025 bookings to Europe are up double-digits, percentage-wise, over where 2024 bookings were at this time last year.

In all, Tauck will offer 39 land tours to Europe in 2025, including five Tauck Bridges itineraries designed specifically for families.

Highlights of the four new lands tours include:

A Week In…Piedmont

• 8 days, from US$6,990 per person, double occupancy, plus airfare
• Wine tasting, a cooking demonstration and lunch at the Slow Food University in the Langhe Hills, where the slow food movement began
• Truffle-hunting with specially trained dogs, followed by a chef-hosted cooking class
• Wine tasting lunch in the Gavi region at an award-winning Piedmont winery

A Week In…Switzerland

• 8 days, from US$7,590 per person, double occupancy, plus airfare
• A visit to Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest peak, for lunch and panoramic views
• A rail excursion aboard the Golden Pass Train through the Swiss Alps
• A walking tour and chocolate tasting in Lucerne’s Old Town, followed by a wine tasting at a nearby vineyard

England and the West Country

• 11 days, from US$8,790 per person, double occupancy, plus airfare
• A guided tour of Chavenage House, a 400-year-old Cotswold manor home
• A guided tour of the Morgan Sports Car factory and a chance to pilot a sports car
• A private cooking class at the Philleigh Cooking School

Paris, Dordogne & Bordeaux

• 14 days, from US$11,790 per person, double occupancy, plus airfare
• An early-opening private visit to the 12-century Chateau de Beynac in Perigord
• An expert lecture, accompanied by aperitifs, on the Dordogne’s prehistoric sights, followed by dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant
• A private tour and tasting at the historic Chateau de Ferrand

Growth in small group travel

In recent years, Tauck has reduced the average group size of its land tours in Europe and beyond. It introduced its popular Small Group departures averaging 24 guests each, and more recently, its Smaller Group trips averaging just 15 guests. With the reduced group sizes, guests are able to enjoy more intimate and interactive engagement within the destination, and gain access to people, places and experiences unavailable to larger groups.

Shoulder season departures

Also for 2025, Tauck is boosting its shoulder season departures by 50%, primarily during the fall months of October and November. Mahar noted that the cooler temperatures and smaller crowds make fall an ideal time to visit Europe. Along with these advantages, shoulder season travel also benefits local communities in Europe as destinations are far better able to accommodate additional visitors in the fall and spring versus peak summer months. 

For more information go to tauck.ca.

Source: Travelweek