Tauck () is an operator of guided tours and cruises and is based in

Wilton, Connecticut Wilton is a New England town, town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the town population was 18,503. The town is part of the Western Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut, Wester ...

. Founded in 1925, the company offers guided land journeys, small-ship ocean cruises, European

river cruises A river cruise is a voyage along inland waterways, often stopping at multiple ports along the way. Since cities and towns often grew up around rivers, river cruise ships frequently dock in the center of cities and towns. Descriptions River d ...

safaris A safari (; originally ) is an overland journey to observe wild animals, especially in East Africa. The so-called "Big Five" game animals of Africa – lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo – particularly form an important p ...

, and family travel experiences. These tours take place in 70 countries and on all seven continents.

History

Tauck was founded in 1925 by Arthur Tauck, Sr. In 1958, Arthur Tauck, Sr. was succeeded by his son, Arthur Tauck, Jr., who expanded the company by adding additional domestic and international destinations.

Today

Today, Tauck offers over 150 guided journeys to over 70 countries and on all seven continents. Travel categories offered by Tauck include land journeys, European river cruises, small ship ocean cruises, and individual family travel adventures and special events. Tauck is a member of the

United States Tour Operators Association United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) is a 501(c) registered nonprofit professional association that represents the tour operator industry. Its members are made up of companies who provide services worldwide but who conduct business in ...

, and the National Tour Association.

Ken Burns Partnership

In September 2010, Tauck announced a partnership with the documentary filmmaker

Ken Burns Kenneth Lauren Burns (born July 29, 1953) is an American filmmaker known for his documentary films and television series, many of which chronicle American history and culture. His work is often produced in association with WETA-TV or the Nati ...

and his longtime collaborator

Dayton Duncan Dayton Duncan (born September 3, 1949) is an American screenwriter, producer and former political aide. He is best known for his collaborations with documentary maker Ken Burns. Early life and education Born and raised in Indianola, Iowa, Du ...

to tailor land journeys and special events to topics covered in Burns’ films, including the

Civil War A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same Sovereign state, state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies.J ...

, America's

national parks A national park is a nature park designated for conservation (ethic), conservation purposes because of unparalleled national natural, historic, or cultural significance. It is an area of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that is protecte ...

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...

, and

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...

. The partnership had several components: * Tours designed by Tauck, Burns and Duncan, including itineraries exploring

New England New England is a region consisting of six states in the Northeastern United States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. It is bordered by the state of New York (state), New York to the west and by the ...

, New York's

Hudson Valley The Hudson Valley or Hudson River Valley comprises the valley of the Hudson River and its adjacent communities in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. The region stretches from the Capital District (New York), Capital District includi ...

Yosemite National Park Yosemite National Park ( ) is a List of national parks of the United States, national park of the United States in California. It is bordered on the southeast by Sierra National Forest and on the northwest by Stanislaus National Forest. The p ...

Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park is a List of national parks of the United States, national park of the United States located in the northwest corner of Wyoming, with small portions extending into Montana and Idaho. It was established by the 42nd U ...

in wintertime, and the parks of the U.S. Southwest. * Themed events in which Burn himself delivered a keynote address. Subjects included the history of

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

, the cultural roots of

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

, jazz in

New Orleans New Orleans (commonly known as NOLA or The Big Easy among other nicknames) is a Consolidated city-county, consolidated city-parish located along the Mississippi River in the U.S. state of Louisiana. With a population of 383,997 at the 2020 ...

, and baseball in Cooperstown, NY. * Original short films produced by Burns and Duncan that provide their perspectives on people and places featured in their documentaries, while travelers are visiting the areas under discussion. Ken Burns created a film specifically on the history of Tauck, called ''Tauck: An American Story.''

Awards

* 2021: **

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Co. (formerly Wyndham Destinations, Inc., and Wyndham Worldwide Corporation) is an American timeshare company headquartered in Orlando, Florida. It develops, sells, and manages timeshare properties under several vacation owners ...

magazine: World’s Best Tour Operators, and the World’s Best River Cruise Lines. ** Conde Nast Traveler magazine: Readers’ Choice Awards lists of the world’s best tour operators and river cruise lines. *2020: ** Travel Weekly magazine Readers Choice Awards: *** Best Tour Operator: Domestic Escorted *** Best Tour Operator: International ** Travel Pulse silver-level award in the Best Escorted Tour Operator, Family category. * 2019: *
Luxury Travel Advisor
magazine: Best Luxury Escorted Tour Operator *
AFAR
magazine Travelers’ Choice Awards: Cultural Trips category

References

External links

* {{Official website 1925 establishments in Connecticut Companies based in Fairfield County, Connecticut River cruise companies Transport companies established in 1925 Travel and holiday companies of the United States Wilton, Connecticut