Hal Taussig's Page

I am unable to celebrate Berit Greutert’s life with those who did so in Sarnen on Thursday

I consider her to be my very best friend—that’s counting all my 85 years. I want to honor her now with those of you who knew her and who also frequent the Untours Café.

Those of you who knew her can testify, Berit spread happiness in the wake of every path she walked, a happiness that was a profound version of fun. Berit and I had carloads of fun on day-trips together. I wish to commemorate her here with… Continue

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I and Brian Taussig Lux, my nephew and the COO of Untours recently traveled together for ten days in Europe staying in two of our Untour locations: the Rhine and Vienna. The biking video featured here took place the very day after our arrival in the charming town of Kaub. We rented bikes from a hotel just steps away from our apartment. I knew that t… Continue

One of the early Untourists to stay in Margrit's apartment was a certain Jim Cashman. Mr. Cashman, who, it happens, owned the Cadillac agency
in Reno, Nevada asked me what the family did to earn a living. I explained that
they had a number of sources of income but that the family saw themselves as
"farmers." They sold their cows' milk
(and cheese made from it); and sometimes they slaughtered a calf or a cow,
selling and eating the meat.

"How many cows do they have?" Cashman asked me.… Continue

So, Margrit, and about fifteen other landladies agreed to rent their properties to me for almost the entire 1976 tourist season
(late May to mid-September). I was over-confident about the prospect of finding
enough clients to fill these facilities; in fact found clients for only about
1/3 of the space reserved. Aware that I had not met my obligations, I went to
each apartment-owner agreeing to pay the full amount, but bargaining
(successful in all cases but one) for reductions. I remember vividl… Continue

I'd like to start a little mini-series of blog posts about our the Untours staff people you meet when you are on site in European countries. . Since I've recently returned from two weeks in Switzerland I begin by musing about our one full-time European colleague. We have about 55 part-time (full time equivalent 25) staff in Europe.

When I took the original six Untour guinea pigs to Meiringen, Switzerland in September, 1975, I stayed with fri

… Continue