This is a presentation I gave at the Boone County Library for Croswell. It is about the pros and cons of traveling by motorcoach.
Picking a Bus Tour
There are lots of things to consider when choosing which trip to take. This is what I consider the main points.
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On the Road
Chances are you will be spending plenty of time on board the motorcoach. There may be days where you are travelling all day - a full eight hours on the road. That can be exhausting even if you are just along for the ride. Be sure to take advantage of all the comfort stops, if for no other reason than to work the legs and rest the tushie.
Be sure to bring along plenty of things to keep you occupied. Napping is always a nice option, but while you are awake, you may want to have a book, puzzles, movies, and/or music. While on the road, tour escorts frequently offer copies of puzzles for passengers. They also show movies and play games like BINGO. Not only does it help pass the time for the passengers, but for them as well. ☺ Can I recommend a little blanket and travel pillow? Sometimes the bus can get a little chilly - even during the summer...those AC units on busses can really chill you out. A little throw blanket and pillow will make it much more comfy while on the road (especially if you plan on napping). |
While Away
Be sure to take lots of pictures! You never know when you will be standing in all those spots again.
Bus tours often have a pretty rigid schedule so punctuality is very important. Remember, you are traveling with a group of folks that are all on the same schedule. Being late to one meeting time can result in having other activities cut short or even missed completely - such as arriving late to a boat cruise would be a very bad thing. Be sure to take care of yourself. Pace yourself each day so that you can make it through the entire trip. It is easy to over-exert yourself one day and pay for it big time the next. You wouldn't want to miss something you really wanted to see because you wiped yourself out doing something else. I've had passengers in Washington DC decide to stay on the bus and skip seeing the Jefferson Memorial because they wanted to save their energy for the Lincoln Memorial and the war memorials. Stay organized with your stuff. Many trips involve staying at more than one hotel; the longer trips could involve ten or more hotels! The best suggestion I have is to create a hotel routine.
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Things to Consider, Generally
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Background Image: Drury Inn/Key Center, Cleveland, OH