I've done three or four bus tours around Europe.

Overall, I was quite happy with them.

They bring your luggage right to your hotel room door, and pick it up again in the morning.

They post itineraries next to the elevators every day so you know exactly what's happening.

Every new day that you get on the bus you're given a different seat - they have a rotation system.

They organise local guides in each new town or city to give you a quick tour, which can be good (although some are better than others).

You're expected to tip each tour guide, and you're also expected to tip the bus driver at the end of the tour.

At night, they take you to a restaurant for dinner and they usually include some sort of entertainment (sometimes a bit corny).

My most memorable bus tour was through Croatia, Bosnia, etc.

But I've done Italy, Austria, Poland, Slovakia, etc. too.  All great.

I'm like you, I don't like to be away too long.

A bus tour of about 10 to 14 days is enough (for me, anyway).

28 days is a fair bit, but it would still probably be quite enjoyable.

Interesting story about my bus trip to Sarajevo (from Zagreb).

When we got there, we were handed over to a local tour guide.

She took us on a walking tour which took about 45 minutes to an hour, checking out the markets, main street, etc.

It was interesting enough but, one major thing was missing: the Latin Bridge and the site of Franz Ferdinand's assassination.

When I asked the tour guide why we didn't go there, she pretty much said "Don't mention the war".

So, I found a local and paid them to take me there.

Glad I did too.

Sarajevo isn't the prettiest place in the world (the streets are full of kids begging and one-legged dogs), but there's a lot of history right there on the corner at the Latin Bridge.

Yes Gregory I heard how good the tour guides are and how luxurious the buses are in Europe!
I do recall when stopping over in USA I did pay extra to re schedule so I had a few days extra in California but now wish I had spent more time there to see the motor museum etc
But at least I did do Disneyland … all the others in the tour group went home as scheduled and missed out. We also met our long lost relatives and it was so memorable… totally loved it!
But … hubby gave me grief! He was super nervous we were on our own making our own way but I had everything planned well… I’m an itinerary queen!  this he realised after! 

Jasin wrote on Feb 21^st, 2024 at 6:15pm:


There’s a few planned OS trips we want to do before we get to that really old and feeble stage.
I love travelling and learning about different places and people.
I always say to hubby, while we still have stamina and independence and fairly reasonable health… we do more travels.
We have no grandkids (or pets anymore  ) so we are free to just go.

No good feeling regret later when we should’ve done it while the going was good.
There’s a trip that might come up soon to NZ we’ve been told to go revisit friends again, we saw them on weekend as they came over from NZ for their sister’s 50th.

Geez JaSin, armed escort to Ukraine! Sounds like some very special quest you had to go on.

Decades of research have paid off in my later life.
No longer have to work the vast assortment of labour jobs that I've done - even if they 'worked' me into good physique and attitude.
Now I work for hire by Private Companies, Australian Government and even helped the Police with their Ironside in Sydney.
The horrible thing about Ukraine is that 'everyone is desperate', like rats crawling over each other upon a small log, trying not to drown - and that's not even in regards to the battle front.
The thing I did like about the Ukraine was its rich dark soil.
The smell of it is amazingly strong, no soil in Australia can compare with it. A Canadian working with me for a week there said its because its the soil fertilised by hundreds of battles through history. 

Yes. You and your hubby have the right attitude to get all that Travelling and worldly experience done before you both can't. My back (from heavy workload jobs) is my grief, as I can't deal with Coach seats for long. Plane and Train are hard enough, if I can't get up and walk around. There is no way I can do coach tours sadly.

They have windows rising up into the ceiling I think, which affords the views of the mountain tops as well. Good idea.

Jovial Monk wrote on Feb 25^th, 2024 at 8:09am:


That reminds me of a funny story a couple weeks ago… my daughters friend was showing me her Europe trip photos on her phone.
And when she showed me Holland, I said “Did you put your finger in the dyke?”
Well…. I gathered by her astounded expression she had no idea what I was referring to! 
I then went to explain about the water levels being held back from claiming the land etc

You know what astounds me… I’m thinking… do people go to other countries and learn anything?

Sophia wrote on Feb 25^th, 2024 at 9:29am:



  The last (and only) European bus trip I did was when I was in my 20s, and I wouldn't do it again. Since then we have much preferred train travel.  But I'm assuming this one you are looking at would be a more upmarket experience than mine was   

Even so, I think train travel is the way to go. You can plan an itinerary and
organise local tours and guides at your convenience and most train companies give a seniors discount. 

This thread has given me thought.

I reckon next winter I will spend 3 months in the UK, some sight seeing—Brandenburg Gate, St Vitus Cathedral Prague, Venice before the sea captures it then home early August start prepping the trees.

That looks like a neat old road-trip movie to watch.
Thanks Frank.

Belgarion wrote on Feb 25^th, 2024 at 10:02am:


Here’s an example of what we are looking at…

https://www.holidaymax.com/holiday-packages/Grand-Europe-Tour-mp453.html?fbclid=...

Most rational people travel from Europe instead of around it.

We are still looking at tours that are not rushed, plane trips not long and stop over in between (in 2001 we did a long flight of 24 hours, briefly stopping in Thailand I think it was, just to wait 2 hours for next plane to continue… honestly, by the time we got to Rome, then a train journey of 3 hours to destination where rellies were, I was well and truly jet lagged and had to rest for 2 days, had the runs, so since then, I’m adamant about shorter travel lengths!

So we may be combining 2 x tours so as not rushed, staying in England a bit more to see the sights.
I so want to see Switzerland. Just whizzing through places isn’t what I want. I like to stay a while, get a real feel of the place. Learn about the culture. This for me is how I remember geography best.

The beauty of cruises are we don’t have to lug luggage around, or check in or out of hotels, we go early in morning and spend whole day as we please, even with a booked excursion, without feeling travel lagged. My son, his wife and 2 friends are on a cruise ship now… from Sydney to Hobart. Oh the cakes photos on board were to die for! For International woman’s day … OMG piggy! 

But to see inland Europe, it’s bus and rail.
So we are all checking out travel brochures and distances etc

If we are making an effort to go overseas, I don’t want to be rushed!
It looks as though that first tour I put up was a continual flight… I said to my friend whose only done half the time in flights, that’s why it was a cheaper tour… killer long flights… unless going business class in more comfort and space, forget it!

In 2019 we did go business class to Singapore… was a good special deal $800 each one way…
Had to do it… tick! Drinks included! And I do love Baileys on ice 

Thanks Frank!
I’ve forwarded it on to my friend.

The suggestion she made was we could stopover in Dubai between flights for a couple days but.. my concern I need to find out is…
Since some of us travelling are on medications… need to find out which are banned from which country etc

Jasin wrote on Feb 27^th, 2024 at 6:50pm:


They left to create JSin's crappy lineage.

Frank wrote on Mar 11^th, 2024 at 7:47pm:


That train journey looks good.
My friend was saying she liked porterage so I guess that means with trains we lug suitcases around ourselves?

Today I was tidying up today throwing accumulated stuff out and came upon one of many pamphlets with ANZ credit card insurance. It included travel insurance. Why pay for separate travel insurance when I use my card a lot! So I may go enquire in bank in a couple days to ask about it etc

I just remembered something. Planning and packing for a “holiday” is exhausting 
Funny thing is, I always enjoy looking back at photos and say I’m glad we did this etc

Laugh till you cry wrote on Mar 12^th, 2024 at 12:33am:


Oh so true!
How many times in situations I wondered if I would ever get back home alive!
River rafting with no life jackets in Fiji came to mind!

Sophia wrote on Mar 19^th, 2024 at 9:30pm:

Good point. Totally forgot about that consideration. Would be the pits if you got stuck inside for that. Can't see the sense of them being the same price with the balcony rooms?
Japan can be very hot in the summer. Those I know who have done the Jap summer have regretted it. It's the line-ups in the heat I guess, just standing there waiting.

Sophia wrote on Mar 25^th, 2024 at 6:22pm:

These cruises are designed for Americans, Australians, Canadians who have NO IDEA about anything.

More money than sense. A BIG MARKET.

Sophia wrote on Mar 26^th, 2024 at 9:25pm:


Very well done

Jasin wrote on Mar 27^th, 2024 at 7:31am:



I like that… a hobbit going on adventures through time and space.
I’ve come to realise my nervousness was because I’ve really done very little travel since 2019 and lockdowns. Except for interstate travel.

Now I’m getting all organised for packing …

My question is…. Europe I hear have no kettles for boiling water for a cuppa!
I have a little folding camp kettle I’m packing! Coffee and tea bags, small long life milk stuff, and a tube of Vegemite! And travel mugs for coffee or tea while travelling on bus.

I recall in USA it was similar in motels, no kettle to boil water, just weird coffee machines needing working out how to use! And each motel had different ones to work out!

Take nothing.

You are not going to the other side of the world just to live exactly as you would if you had stayed home.

I always think it a luxury if I can take a suitcase worth of nice clothes and personal items.

Don't go like an over-loaded Tourist of 5 suitcases
Don't go like an under-loaded Traveller either with just 1 bag.

Bowl middle-stump as Glenn McGrath would say.
Don't be afraid to go without some stuff,
don't be afraid to take some stuff.
Go for being 'happy' that you're not taking too much, not taking too little.
If you make that valid effort for yourself - you will attain that satisfaction that you're ready.

I used to say to first time caravaners - always take more than less on your first trip/travel, etc. In time, you'll work out what you don't 'need', but until you learn that - its best to take more than less... just in case.

Travelling very light is like looking cool. But there are times you find yourself buying stuff that you could have brought with you in the first place.
Plus, having a BIG SUITCASE says you're a Tourist and people put 'tourists' before 'travellers' in the Tourism Industry.
Having a travel light small back-pack or day-bag says "I don't need help." and thus you're on your own.

I'm a traveller. But I enjoy playing the part of a Tourist. I even have a 'hawaiin shirt and white fluffy hat'. Being a Tourist is far more 'sociable' and things 'happen' out of nowhere. It's 'fun'. That's all I have to say.
But when I have to revert back to 'traveller' through time and space, its like back to work along the back-roads and with people and all things that don't associate with a 'holiday'.

Sounds ok for $65 I guess. If you're inclined to have fresh clothes every day?
Why not just spray the deodorants and perfumes to alleviate the worries of 3 day old clothes?

Shoe sprays work well on refreshing clothes from bacterial odours - mostly in warmer weather.

Yeah 30kg was good. Plenty of 'other' people to carry my luggage - so what the heck!
I remember when I could bring back some nice knives and swords in my 'cargo' luggage. As long as I 'declared' them it was good old aussie 'she'll be right mate'

No Pong. Hope it works. Let us know how that new style of washing bag goes?

Sophia wrote on Apr 1^st, 2024 at 6:11pm:


How exciting.
eye blindfolds to sleep behind, extra smalls onboard to change into after 16 hours of travel.

Don't forget to cough and sneeze on any Chinese you meet.
Apparently it brings good luck! 

Gee. They are small. 

Rasberry Cordial!!!
You'll be bouncing around in flight like kids hyper on rasberry cordial in the back seat on long car trips. "Are we there yet!?" you and hubby will be annoying the Stewards with every 15 mins.