April showers bring May flowers

Welcome on a journey of discovery as we take you inside some of our favorite destinations, places and unique experiences around the world.

It’s that time of year again – when the flowers burst through winter’s lingering shadow and stretch toward the sun. For many, spring marks an exciting return to the garden. These first few months – March, April, and May – are prime time for planting, setting the stage for the rich harvests of autumn as summer’s warmth aids in their growth. Throughout history, gardens have served as muses for artistic expression. From the intense creativity of Impressionists to the vivid landscapes of literature, gardens have inspired creators for centuries. Today, they continue to flourish in countless forms – formal, wild, ornamental and practical. Their beauty and sustainability thrive across the world, each one telling a unique story. Gardens are more than just scenic – they’re integral to many of our journeys, enriching the experience in destinations around the globe, including:

Tucked into the pastoral hills of northern France lies the village of Giverny – and the former home of Claude Monet. A founder of Impressionism, Monet lived here from 1883 until his death in 1926. More than just a painter, Monet was a devoted gardener, once saying, “All my money has gone into my garden.”

His estate is divided into two strikingly distinct sections: the formal Clos Normand, a vibrant flower garden bursting with color, and the tranquil water garden, known for its Japanese bridge and serene water lilies. These gardens were more than a personal passion – they were Monet’s muse. Masterpieces such as Water Lilies and the Japanese Bridge, Le Jardin en fleurs, and Les Arceaux fleuris all found their genesis here.

Next, we travel east to Japan, but instead of seeing the illustrious cherry blossoms the country is known for, we visit one of its many gardens, in this case the revered Saihōji Temple – also known as Koke-dera, or the Moss Temple. According to legend, it was founded in the Nara period (710–794 AD) to honor Amida, one of the principal Buddhas of Mahayana Buddhism. Over time, the temple fell into disrepair, lying dormant for nearly six centuries before being revived in the late 14th century as a Zen sanctuary.

Its gardens are among the most ethereal in the world – home to more than 120 varieties of moss, arranged in a circular promenade around the reflective Golden Pond, shaped like the Chinese character for “heart” or “mind.” It’s a landscape that invites stillness, contemplation, and quiet wonder.

Back in Europe, we head to the windswept hills of Cumbria, England, and the whimsical Topiary Gardens at Levens Hall. First laid out in 1694 by French gardener Guillaume Beaumont, under the commission of Colonel James Grahme, these gardens are the oldest surviving topiary gardens in the world.

Beaumont saw potential in the fertile soil and began sculpting trees and hedges into a living, breathing gallery of form and structure. From 1699 until his death in 1727, he shaped the gardens into what we see today – grand walkways, towering beech hedges, a lush fruit orchard, and the enchanting Beech Circle.

Ten head gardeners have since carried his vision forward, each adding their own creative touch while honoring the past.

We cross into the Netherlands to discover one of the most dazzling seasonal displays in Europe – Keukenhof Gardens. Nestled in the Dutch town of Lisse, these world-renowned gardens open their gates to the public for just eight weeks each spring. But what those two months brings is simply magical. Imagine sweeping fields awash in tulips of every hue, daffodils glowing gold, hyacinths in soft purples and blushing pinks, and bold narcissi, each bloom seemingly choreographed to bloom at once. With over seven million flowers on display, Keukenhof offers a fleeting, fragrant celebration of spring you’ll never forget.

We return to France for one of the most iconic landscapes in the world – the Gardens of Versailles. Spanning more than 2,000 acres, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a triumph of symmetry, scale, and storytelling. It’s no surprise that it remains one of France’s most-visited destinations, right alongside the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.

Commissioned during the reign of Louis XIII and further expanded under Louis XIV, the gardens were originally designed by Claude Mollet and later reimagined by André Le Nôtre. Over the centuries, they’ve undergone numerous expansions and replantings, but their sense of grandeur has never diminished.

Today, they stand as a living symbol of French artistry and royal ambition.

And finally, we end our garden tour in a place where all great tours should; where the greenery meets good company and the beauty and wonder are not in the foliage, but the people and good conversation that surround you – the traditional Biergarten of Germany.

Originating in the early 17th century, beer gardens were born from practicality. Brewers dug cellars along riverbanks to keep beer cool in warmer months. To help with the heat, they planted large trees – typically horse-chestnuts with wide, shady canopies. Soon, tables and benches appeared, and the Biergarten as we know it began to bloom.

These outdoor gathering spaces remain a beloved part of German culture, where community, conversation, and cold brews flourish side by side.

These stories shared from the road are a testament to the endless joys of travel in some of the world’s best destinations.

In early February, all of us here at Tauck gathered in Florence, Italy to celebrate Tauck’s 100th anniversary. For four days, we came together as one global family, connected by a shared belief that travel enhances lives and is a force for good in our world. It was a celebration of people and purpose – an opportunity to honor the values that have guided us for a century and the experiences we create together that bring people closer, across cultures and across continents.

A highlight of our time in Florence was giving back to this remarkable city that welcomed us so warmly. Over the course of 2 days, in collaboration with 5 partners, our team of nearly 700 split into 32 teams for nearly 2,000 hours of volunteering efforts across Florence. Activities included an array of restoration and beautification projects, an initiative designed to integrate the English language into educational programs offered by the city’s museums, and art-themed projects that “upcycle” discarded items and employ marginalized members of the local community. Tauck also provided a generous grant to help restore the historic Madre Terra floor mosaic in the Duomo’s famed Baptistery of San Giovanni, dating back to approximately 1200 AD.

These efforts were a reminder that travel isn’t just about seeing the world, but leaving it better than how we found it. It was deeply meaningful work empowered by close partnerships with local organizations – and it showed us, once again, that the journeys we take can have a positive impact that lasts long after we return home.

Patron of the Month – Meet the Murphy’s – Mike and Eloise

Mike and Eloise Murphy are adventurers at heart. Avid travelers, they have explored the world together for decades, favoring cruises over land journeys and wildlife over museum tours. Before they knew about Tauck, they sailed to their chosen destinations aboard big ocean liners that were less customer-focused than they liked. They turned to Tauck after their travel agent recommended they take a look at our trips. Their first Tauck trip, Kenya & Tanzania: A Classic Safari hooked them on Tauck, becoming their all-time favorite Tauck travel experience and keeping them captivated enough to experience this same journey four times.

“We really liked the itinerary and saw a great variety of animals every time we went. The whole trip runs very well, and we’ve always liked the people that we met there. Plus, the tour directors have always been very good,” Mike told me, adding that they traveled to Africa with Tauck every two years for 10 years, joining us on Botswana, South Africa & Zambia as well. “We like all the locations we visited as well. I personally think the Mount Kenya Safari Club is one of my favorite places on the planet. It’s just a great place to kick back for a couple days. We normally go horseback riding there, and they used to have some dogs there that liked to go on walks with us.”

“It was definitely a different experience every time we went, even though we traveled to Africa more or less at the same time of year, in the June and July timeframe. The weather at that time of year is good, and the bugs you hear about are relatively minimum,” he shared.

Except if you wear black, I learned, like one young man on one of his safaris did, attracting all the flies to him with his dark shirt, sparing the rest of the group from contending with them. Mike, a retired “fly boy” (pilot) himself, nicknamed him “fly,” a name the young man happily claimed, further enhancing the camaraderie that’s inherent on safari.

Listening to his stories transported me back to my own safari experience. I share Mike’s feelings about Africa and its wonders, admittedly envious of his many return trips, and still dreaming of reliving my time in Kenya. Not only was I mesmerized by the animals we encountered, napping lion families, cheetahs on the hunt, gentle giraffes, trumpeting elephants, barking zebras and more, I was equally moved by the Maasai, whose always smiling faces belied the challenges of life in the bush.

“We visited a local primary school on our last safari with Tauck. The children sang and danced and put on quite a show for us. They were pretty amazing. My wife, Eloise, and I were so touched that we gifted them a donation. Others in our group followed suit, anteing up a total of $930 that went towards the purchase of a truckload of school supplies, soccer equipment and the like. That felt really good.”

Will you be going back to Africa with Tauck again, I asked?

“I’ll never say never, but it’s a pretty long way to go from California. We will, however, travel with Tauck again and are taking the Iceland cruise in June, our 17th Tauck tour. We like the way Tauck takes care of all the details,” Mike told me, sharing that “Tauck fits our desires perfectly.”

Aside from their Africa safaris, cruises, both riverboat and small ship, are their favorite ways to travel. They have sailed with us to the far reaches of the world in Antarctica, their 2nd favorite destination by the way, and cruised with us aboard Treasures of the Aegean, Treasures of Spain and Portugal, and The Blue Danube among others, often traveling with like-minded friends they met while sharing their mutual love of travel.

As we were ending our conversation, Mike told me that he watched the video we have online about The Tauck Story. He was surprised and delighted to see the old photo of the Wigwam Restaurant that Arthur, Sr. took his first guests to on our trips along the back country roads of New England in the 1920s.

“My family used to go there too when I was a young child. I even have of a photo of my sister and me, at 5 years old, standing in the front of the Wigwam. Sure brought back a lot of fond memories,” he shared.

Memories like Mike’s are so much a part of the magic of travel and one of the reasons why we often long to revisit those places that touch our heart. We’re beyond thrilled that Mike and Eloise have made their way back to some of their favorite places with us making more lasting memories along the way.

Learn more about some current events happening around the world this month.

Longtime Tauck Partner Ken Burns honored by Lanterns & Luminaries at Old North Church

We’re honored to announce that longtime Tauck partner and friend, Ken Burns, is this year’s honoree for the Third Lantern Award, presented to an individual who embodies the values symbolized in Old North Church’s iconic signal lanterns: leadership, courage, tenacity and active citizenship.

Tauck has a longstanding history with the Old North Church. Our commitment to destination preservation can be traced back to Tauck’s quiet donation to help restore and preserve the Old North Church in Boston.

In tandem with the award, guests who attended the event enjoyed a preview of Ken’s much-anticipated upcoming series, The American Revolution, scheduled to premiere on November 16, 2025.

Congrats again to Ken for this prestigious award!

You can see the Old North Church during your stay in Boston on our Hidden Gems of New England tour.

The Sound of Music sings its way to 60

The hills are alive… with the sound of music.

Since its release in 1965, The Sound of Music has grossed over $286 million worldwide and become one of the most celebrated and beloved films of all time.

Set in 1938, the film follows the von Trapp family, led by widowed naval officer Captain Georg von Trapp, who raises his seven children with strict discipline following the death of his wife. Into this orderly household comes Maria, a free-spirited nun sent from Nonnberg Abbey to serve as governess. Though initially met with resistance, Maria soon wins the children’s hearts—and eventually the Captain’s as well.

Their love story unfolds against the backdrop of Austria’s annexation by Nazi Germany. When the Captain is ordered to serve in the Nazi navy, he defies the regime and orchestrates a daring escape. Disguised as performers at the Salzburg Festival, the von Trapps flee, ultimately finding safety in Switzerland.

Today, guests can step into the world of The Sound of Music on select Tauck land journeys and river cruises that visit Salzburg, where several beloved film locations come to life. And for a personal connection to the story, we had the chance to interview Elisabeth Von Trapp – granddaughter of the legendary Maria and Baron Von Trapp during a special insideTauck presentation.

Travel Tip

When traveling to a different time zone, try to adjust your sleep schedule, even slightly, prior to your trip. Additionally, when you land in a new time zone and all you want to do is sleep – push through it. Go for a walk, get some fresh air and try to get on the local time zone. Your body will thank you! – Jen Henry, Tauck Operations Manager

insideTauck – Geary Brewing

This month’s insideTauck introduces us to Alan and Robin Lapoint, owners of Geary Brewing Company in Portland, Maine for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at New England’s first craft brewery and a discussion about its rich history and innovative brewing techniques.