For someone who has traveled to 100 countries, it may come as a surprise to learn that Robin Tauck and her siblings grew up taking the same types of vacations as many of their fellow families in Westport, Weston, and Wilton. Though Robin’s grandfather, Arthur Tauck Sr, founded one of the world’s premiere global travel companies in 1925, Tauck Tours, Robin’s family mostly went skiing and sailing around the Northeast during her childhood. “We went to Vermont and Maine, and spent our weekends sailing at Cedar Point Yacht Club with other kids from Westport,” Robin tells Westport Lifestyle. It actually wasn’t until her senior year at Wilton High School that she first left the country for any extended period— not on one of her own family’s tours, but through a program called World Learning that allowed her to study abroad in Mexico. “It was life-changing,” she says.
In fact, it is what set her on the course she is still on today. Robin is a co-owner, steward, and former President & CEO of Tauck Inc., the 100-year old travel company first started by her grandfather, now with programs in 70 countries on all seven continents. After college, her desire to see and learn more about the world, coupled with her sailing knowledge from growing up, inspired her to build and sail a 39-foot Freya Sailboat nearly 9,000 miles through 32 countries—from San Francisco all the way back to Cedar Point Yacht Club in Westport. “[That experience] was very instrumental in my desire to return to the family business,” she says. “In many ways, it may have led to the development of our small-ship cruising around the world.”
As a company, Tauck offers so much— from land tours to river cruises to family journeys and more— but for Robin, travel all comes back to one thing. “I believe that travel is such a force for good,” she says. “Culturally immersive travel changes your life. It creates connections. I believe that it builds bridges, among societies and among cultures, and that is needed now more than ever.”
This belief inspired many of Robin’s philanthropic initiatives, which have become a fundamental part of her life. During Robin’s generation, as Tauck was rapidly expanding around the globe, she launched a corporate program called World of Giving. “It was innovative at the time to help employees and clients to join in and improve treasured places of travel in the U.S. and around the world,” she says. This work led to President George W. Bush bestowing the nation’s highest “Presidential Preserve America Award” in the Oval Office to Robin and her father for their company’s efforts. “To know our family company had really made a difference in using travel as a force for good was one of the highlights of my career,” she says. In 2010, under Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Robin was asked to join the U.S. World Heritage Commission, a part of the State Department, to advance the more than 1200 UNESCO World Heritage sites designated as our world’s most important places.
Realizing "we can all make a difference between generations with new ideas," Robin started her own family foundation in 2007, the TRIP Foundation, focusing on cross-cultural dialogue and sustainability. Over the last 17 years, they have supported local, national, and international projects— some right here in southwestern Connecticut. One example is IRIS of New Haven, which helps resettle refugees in new employment, schools, and communities. The foundation also has supported the culture of Connecticut oystering and published a book on the original history of Westport and the Sherwood Mill Pond, with all book profits benefitting “Soundwaters.” In June 2025, the Norwalk Arts Space will highlight some of our area’s shared offshore resources—Pecks Ledge Lighthouse and the history of Cockenoe and the Norwalk Islands—thanks to support from Robin’s foundation. “Globally, we support new exhibits such as at the 400-year Chateau de Versailles, the San Francisco Museum’s reformed Native American wing, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 'Divine Egypt' (opening in October),” she says. The foundation also unveiled its new name: The CORA Foundation, reflecting its commitment to cultural diversity; and embracing new leaders on a more global scale.
Another of Robin’s great joys, of course, is traveling with her family. “Here, one can create an environment where two or three generations can truly connect together,” she says. She cites a Tauck African safari she took to Kenya and Tanzania with her then-teenagers as an example that was profound for all ages: “It was so beautiful. It had nature, it was cross-cultural, we learned about wildlife endangerment and citizen advocacy— it was really special.” Since then, she and her daughter have traveled throughout the Middle East, India, MENA, and Gulf States, including her representing U.S. Tourism at the “Opening of Saudi Arabia” in 2019.
Even with all her amazing travels, Robin still spends plenty of time in her beloved Westport. “I love coming back to our special community, especially the rivers and waterways and all our incredible shared places – the Y, MoCA, the Westport Museum, our Library, the Levitt Pavilion, our historic Country Playhouse, and our fabulous 20 Westport parks and beaches,” she says.
It’s part of why Westport is such a perfect fit for Robin, and their Connecticut-based company. “I come from a hardworking family with New England roots; and today, at 100 years, it’s brought us humble feelings and gratitude to see how local and global employees, partners, and guests can create enriching experiences that also work for the greater good,” she says. “I’m now in a position with my siblings and next generations of stewarding a bright future. And our company is now led by a Connecticut woman, CEO Jennifer Tombaugh, who is leading us into the next century.”
“We stand for shared enrichment,” she says. “Not only for the traveler, but for proactively contributing to the communities where we live and where we visit around the world.”
“Culturally immersive travel changes lives. It creates connections. I believe that it builds bridges, among societies and among cultures, and that is needed now more than ever.”
”I love coming back to our community and all our incredible shared places.”