Why a Bus Trip May Be Your Best Trip

YOUR GETAWAY GURU
By Kathy Yarian

Group bus trips. The idea sparks lots of questions and considerable apprehension.

Where can I go?  Am I stuck with a bunch of strangers the whole time? What will I see? How does it all work?

Better Than You Think
I’ll answer all those questions as I normally do for clients. Group bus trips are offered throughout the United States and the world, from as short as a weekend trip to Nashville to a three-week European tour. Some buses are for small groups of up to 20 people; others accommodate nearly 50. A travel agent can personalize a trip for you and your friends. The size is up to you.

My husband and I just returned from our third group bus tour. This time, we visited several Western national parks offered through Globus, starting in Rapid City, South Dakota and ending in Salt Lake City, Utah.

We visited Mt. Rushmore, the Black Hills, Deadwood, the Little Bighorn Battlefield, Cody, Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole. We enjoyed 10 days of beautiful scenery, relaxation and stress-free travel since we weren’t the ones driving.

The bus, with 40 passengers, a driver and a wonderfully informed guide, was new and comfortable. Its large reclining seats had footrests, drink holders and charging stations. The most important item onboard? A bathroom.

We set our bags outside our hotel door in the morning; in the afternoon, the bags were at our door at our next hotel.

Bus trips are ideal for travelers aged 55+. No worries about traffic, parking or getting lost. My husband, who does the driving when we travel, was able to sit back and enjoy the scenery between stops.

Some tours are geared to the active traveler, while others offer a leisurely pace. There are tours for everyone: young travelers, multi-generational travelers, and older adults. Hikers, bikers, birders or wine enthusiasts, if you’ve got an interest, there’s a bus trip to get you there.

Group bus tours folks tend to be friendly and easy-going. We’re still in contact with people we’ve met on trips years ago. While we come from different backgrounds, we share a common interest: adventure.

The biggest concern that my clients have is whether they’ll have enough time away from the group. Not to worry. Tours are usually in the morning, leaving afternoons and evenings for solo ventures. 

One of the best features of a bus trip is the guide. They have great knowledge about almost everything, from making restaurant suggestions to offering tips for side trips and navigating other issues that arise. 

Our guide on our National Parks trip lived at Old Faithful Inn Lodge and worked there for nine years as a guide. He answered all of our questions and was excellent at spotting wildlife. He was professional, kind and patient, similar to the other guides I’ve had.

Older clients often tell me they want to travel eventually, just not right now. I ask them, “What are you waiting for?” You will never feel as good as you do today. You never know what health issues or family situations may change. If you have the money and the will to travel, do it now. 

Tomorrow is not guaranteed. It’s a big world; go live in it.