Thank you cards??

imo, no cards. I daresay that a verbal thank you would be more appreciated. What are they going to do with cards but throw them away as soon as you leave? Waste of trees.

Well, it’s not that it is a “bad idea”, I just don’t see the point, unless you want the farmer to know your name for some reason. Wouldn’t a firm handshake and a hearty “thank you” do nicely?

I think the thought is nice, and they won't in any way be offended, but since you're with these optional people for such a short time, that means you've already had the card ahead of time. There's also a chance you weren't pleased with that local guide. I think a "thank you" or similar words of praise or conversation would be appropriate.

Since you're with your driver and tour guide much longer, a card and/or small gift would be nice for them. The group often chips in for these anyway.

I do take a couple of greeting cards from a local photographer but I would not give them to a tour or service provider.

Sometimes I want to write a special note to the RS guide or bus driver so want to have them handy.

A real tip of a couple of euro would be more appreciated than a worthless paper card.

I think in this day and age, a card without a tip would be a letdown. A verbal thank you and particular comment might go further. 'Thank you. I really appreciated learning xxx'. Knowing so eonetook something away with them may provides ome satisfaction.

Thanks everyone. That was my thinking too but I wasn't sure so I thought I’d ask you. I will let her know no thank you cards.

Say "thank you" by giving the tour a good review and mentioning the person by name.

Thank yous are always appreciated, but I agree a verbal thank you with a monetary gratiutity (where appropriate) is often the best option. That said, this past year in Italy, we had two situations in which more was warranted. Our hotel owner in Monterosso went out of his way to create a memorable experience for us, handling restaurant reservations, booking a tour (frankly better concierge service than most actual concierges). We bought him a lovely bottle of wine from our family origins (Sicily) for him to share with his lovely wife. The same was true for our B&B owner in Florence who went above and beyond to get us to tour on-time, actually driving us to the destination. For each of those we wrote a personal thank you card and gave stellar reviews on Trip Advisor.

For each of those we wrote a personal thank you card and gave stellar reviews on Trip Advisor.

It's those stellar reviews that are the most valuable to a business owner.

A real tip of a couple of euro would be more appreciated than a worthless paper card.
Tipping guides and others on RS tours is not encouraged and would be out of the ordinary.

Not only are tips not encouraged on RS tours, they are actively discouraged. All tips for group events are included in the tour price.