Q – We have friends who want us to join them on a tour to Japan with Tauck Tours. Part of the trip involves a cruise on a ship called the Austral, which I’ve never heard of. The whole thing lasts two weeks and it cost about $12,000 per person which is almost $1,000 per day. We’re thinking of going this fall and wonder if you think we should pull the trigger?
A – Tauck’s 14-Day “Land of the Rising Sun” land and tour program is brilliantly conceived and a creative way to gain immersion in the Japanese culture and way of life. In fact, this program is in contention for our “Trip of The Year” Award. The mix of seven days aboard the the spectacular French-crewed L’Austral yacht is icing on the Japanese cake. But here’s the bad news – this program is so unique that it has quickly become one of the toughest to book tours in existence. We recommend you forget about 2017 and concentrate, instead, on getting on one of the two departures of this tour in 2018. As to the pricing, quality sightseeing, and top-drawer hotels with all meals at $2,000 per couple per day is really not expensive when compared to land-only costs in Japan. Sorry for our enthusiasm – this is an extraordinary program with availability far below demand.
