Large Bus Tours
many cities & sites anywhere & everywhere
Table of Contents
I. Intro
- Traveler's Anxiety:
- Loneliness:
- New Friendships:
- Guest Age:
- Wardrobe:
- Luggage:
- Solo traveler's opinion - Planning & Logistics:
- Lodging:
- One night vs Multi-nights
- Food & Restaurants:
- Perks:
- Amenities:
- Where Bus Tours Can Go?:
- Seasonal Dates:
- Actual Travel Days vs. Advertised:
- Big Bus Tour Lengths:
- "Shop Steering":
- Tier 1, 2, & 3 Sites & Activities:
- Local Culture:
- Sensible Itinerary:
- Free Time
- Tailored Specialty Tours:
- Tour Company Reputation:
- Price & Extras:
- Large Bus Tour Book Agreement:
- Eco Friendly
- Support Local:
Large Bus TOURS
I. Introduction:
Bus Tours, generally, are very large luxurious tour buses with up to 60 passengers traveling daily from city to city &/or between travel sites & experiences, constantly, safely cocooned in a large bus or hotel when not semi-culturally immersed at travel sites.
For many LBT tourists bus touring is an escape from the humdrum monotony or grinding pressure of their daily lives AND a reward for sacrifices they have made for their children & family over decades.
PIK k12 ???
The greatest value of LBTs to most folks, particularly, first-time travelers, is that such tours are worry-free, well-planned & organized including all daily itinerary logistics, lodging, most meals & professionally guided access to the important historical & cultural sites & cultural experiences that fulfill your travel dreams for the energy & budget you have.
Whether your first BB tour or one of many, IT should be one of your life’s highlights.
Show up on time with luggage, some pocket change & you are off.
Your Cruise Company does all the rest … if you wish.
While mass market, large bus tours are the most economical, there are also a broad range of more tailored exclusive, more expensive options. Small bus & van tours offer more intimacy, fewer passengers, greater itinerary flexibility and a tiered range of quality amenities a higher cost.
It's important that it be the most fulfilling experience possible for the money you budget. The following information should help you choose a LBT Package at your ideal quality vs. price
PIK
My Brief suggested way to use these LBT Factors:
1. Simple Tour Factor List: Start a simple written or computer list of my “Expanded TOUR Factors” for keeping track of what you consider important. (At 85 I don’t remember if I don’t write down.😀
2. Thoroughly read Tour Factors: Read each Tour Factor thoroughly noting what's important to you AND rejecting the rest. NOTE: Some LBT Factors may have one or more links & sub-sections [labeled (dig deeper)] taking you deeper into that Factor’s content making you even better informed.
If you initially skipped around to different Tour Factors that caught your attention, I strongly urge you to go back through the entire expanded list for the factors you missed. Those missed factors may well have key information you have not thought of that may be valuable to you.
Your ideal choice of Large Bus Tour package will be based upon the total/collective value YOU place on each of my TFs. Your summary opinion will guide you toward the best Large Bus Tour package for you.
3. Super simple Tour Factor List: Finally condense your rough list into a very simple checklist you can refer to when screening through Large Bus Tour package offerings.
NOW, you will be ready to search the Internet for tour companies offering your ideal tour package. Your knowledge of these tour factors coupled with your research & prudence will help you choose your ideal package tour.
Your ONLY guarantee of quality vs cost is the thoroughness of your understanding of the following tour factors I am providing you …. & perhaps the reputation of the Package Tour Company you choose
1. Traveler’s anxiety: IMO, all travelers (me) suffer some anxiety traveling to foreign countries, because the cultures are usually very different from our own: language, smells, currency, etc.
Anecdote: My arrival at Egypt's Revolution: I arrived at my Cairo, Egypt hotel on 1st day of Egypt’s “25 January Revolution” as tanks began rolling down the street below my window. I was initially very anxious walking in Cairo’s tank-barricaded streets with soldiers everywhere; bearded men & hijab-covered women, both in flowing robes. (anecdote balance follows below)
But LBT travelers can be inherently less anxious because your tour company intentionally avoids the most unnerving circumstances.
Traveler’s Anxiety
Life & travel are very much a balance between dangers we perceive, & the knowledge & experience that reduces those danger’s risks.
Foreign travel means leaving the comfortable, confident security of our home for something often very unfamiliar: different streets, language, rules, mannerisms, foods, clothing, etc.
I suggest that all travelers (me) suffer travel anxiety to some degree. Travelers, both domestic and foreign, by definition, leave the comfortable, confident security of their home environment for something often very unfamiliar: different streets, rules, mannerisms, foods, clothing, etc. PIK
A foreign country’s culture can differ radically from USA’s and even more so, between other foreign countries. An American in Europe will feel more comfortable than in Asia because the American culture is a somewhat familiar mishmash of the European.
Anecdote: Cairo, Egypt 2: I arrived at my Cairo, Egypt hotel on 1st day of Egypt’s “25 January Revolution” as tanks began rolling down the street below my window. I was initially very anxious walking in Cairo’s tank-barricaded streets with soldiers everywhere; bearded men & hijab-covered women, both in flowing robes. YT VID: EGY
Walking its streets, I respectfully smiled, nodded slightly & uttered “As-salaam alaykum” (hello) to those who met my eyes. Women, I was particularly respectful toward for fear of somehow offending. Men responded naturally; women with a subtle gentle nod.
One group of men seated on a stoop came unglued when, in passing, I politely said ‘As-salamu alaykum’ (hello), en masse inviting me over to chat for several minutes.
After a few days, I realized my presence attracted very little notice presumably because I was just one of millions of foreign tourists who had traveled through Cairo.
Anecdote: Egypt 2: Cairo’s dark narrow street: Walking along a main street. I looked down what was clearly a dark, & to me ominous looking street with high buildings that close the narrow Street & shadows I strongly debated walking down it, then I did, & it was a great experience seeing the underbelly of Cairo.
One group of men seated on a stoop came unglued when, in passing, I politely said ‘As-salamu alaykum’ (hello), en masse inviting me over to chat for several minutes.”
YT VID: EGY
In Asia, the differences in a culture’s language, history, customs, etc. can be even more dramatic: China versus India versus Bali.
Ironically, it is EXACTLY this anxious uncertainty that is an exciting travel benefit, not only testing you, but providing novel, rich experiences. OTOH, it is your knowledge, preparation, experience, character, and prudence that guides & protects you.
I hope my information & personal anecdotes from my experience will reduce your travel anxiety. 😀
My Anxiety-reduction’ Strategy
LBT is one of the most worry, risk-free, modes of travel once you have checked into your LBT because your tour company intentionally tries to protect you from unnerving circumstances.
Large Bus Tour operators exhaustively research each tour’s transportation needs & schedules, lodging, tour meals, sites & experiences and skilled guides often testing tour factors on hundreds of clients beforehand. 
I combat my inherent travel anxiety (call it what it is —fear) in several ways:
A. Pre-trip Research & Preparation:
Large Bus Tour operators exhaustively research each tour’s safe, efficient & comfortable transportation needs & schedules, lodging, tour meals, sites & experiences, and skilled guides often test their tours on hundreds of clients beforehand.
YOU, the guest, need only research & book your flights to & from a tour’s start & end, and lodging before & after your tour.
Your prime pre-trip responsibility is to:
1) learn & follow your tour company's suggestions for packing, passports, and money etc. Remember, you are not the 1st anxious guest they have cared for.
2) research & book your flights to & from a tour’s start,
3) book lodging before & after your tour, if necessary.
4) and equally important, thoroughly review my LBTour Factors to become knowledgeable and answer your questions. I guarantee if you absorb my Tour Factors your questions will be answered & your fears vastly diluted.
ALL worry-free arranged in advance.
Your LBT company intentionally tries to eliminate any unnerving circumstances.
B. Pre-trip history & culture immersion:
The more you can learn about a country’s history & culture and the sites & experiences your tour package offers…. the richer will be your travel experiences & lifetime memories …. AND .… the less ‘travel anxiety’ I can almost guarantee you will have.
The more you can learn about a country’s history & culture…. the richer your travel experiences & lifetime memories will be…. AND .… the less ‘travel anxiety’ I can almost guarantee you will have.
1. Study a Country's History & your Tour's Sites: After choosing your BB package based, in part on your desired sites & experiences:
a) briefly Google Search your tour country’s history &
b) your tour package's sites & experiences so you can more fully appreciate your guide's commentary at each site.
Anecdote: 5000 years of Chinese History” video: I watched & outlined Professor Ken Hammond’s, 
entire. “From Yao to Mao: 5000 years of Chinese History” 18 part video lecture series before my 3 month solo independent trip throughout China: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWVlOaO8gr0&list=PL-zm2mrr9onY5hrGya2DhgBn_-xUk51p3
YT VID: great wall. or terra-cotta army
2. Read a Country’s or Site’s Classic Novels: A country’s classic novels often reflect the country’s respect & love for its history & culture, kinda-like America’s “Gone with the Wind”. Such novels are a traveler’s fascinating deeper insight into a culture & history.
Anecdote(s):
Japan: Shimazaki Toson’s Before the Dawn including the Nakasendo Road. AND read 1 or 2 more classical novels
Australia: Tom Cole’s “Hell West & Crooked” about an early 1900’s ‘outback life & walkabouts’
Poland: Robert Michener’s “Poland”,
Florence, Italy’s Filippo Brunelleschi-built cathedral dome.
NOTE: Paul Robert Walker's "Feud That Sparked the Renaissance: How Brunelleschi and Ghiberti Changed the Art World" by Paul Robert Walker (2002, HarperCollins) is fascinating inspired my Italy 'Renaissance' trip.
My YouTube video shows my climb from the bottom of the inside of Brunelleschi's Duomo Dome up the narrow stairs to the top of the dome, including views, etc. Stop watching when you like to continue reading.
3) Backdoor: If truly wise, you will always have a ‘backdoor’: — an escape strategy — to extricate yourself from dicey situations.
Of course, Large Bus Tour protected tourists seldom have a reason to need a back door UNLESS they enjoy self-guided walking tours on their own during a LBT's free time segments [jlk] ???
Anecdote: China’s Longi Rice Terraces: After a long hike up from 700 yr old Dazhai village across Longi’s rice terraces with few humans in sight…. at the very top, my path encountered an old road. I turned left away from the old road onto what seemed like my ‘continuing’ trail. YT VID
I hiked for ¾ mi before I realized I was NOT steadily descending the mountain to my hike’s end at Ping’an village below.
Fortunately, after years of hiking Utah’s deep confusing slot-like canyons I was always aware of my ‘back door” escape route; sometimes placing rocks in an arrow configuration to point the way back and I could just retrace my trail back to the old road.
xxxxx
TIP: ALWAYS carry Ship’s Name, port location and Ship’s phone number AND cash hidden carefully on your person. [pplk: Safety: Soft Crime ]
Ancedote: Really 'lost' in Rome: On my student trip to Rome, I temporarily got separated from my guide & group in a main square.
I panicked until after a while I looked far down a road leading from the square & saw them going away. Later I reflected I didn’t know our hostel's name or how to find it.
I still have bi-monthly dreams of being lost in a foreign with no cash & no idea how to find my lodgings
2. Loneliness: is our mind’s feeling of being unattached or unwanted, but LBTs 
mix you with dozens of others. You have to TRY HARD to be alone.
Loneliness
Many single folks fear domestic or foreign travel because they may have no significant other or friend to share their travels with. They fear the loneliness of traveling alone. ‘Loneliness’ is the mind’s self-perceived emotional feeling of isolation, lack of companionship or being “unwanted”.
Not an idle concern. Human bonding has been fundamental to man’s evolution, survival and civilized advancement. We seek bonding in our personal, familial, and casual lives.
The fear of traveling alone is real. Avoidance of Loneliness is 3rd in Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs.Anecdote: At 28 I won the Dating Game TV show(s): with an all-expense paid stay
& personal tour guide at exclusive Villa d'Este Hotel on Lake Como, Italy which I then extended with 2 weeks of solo independent travel to other nearby countries. 
Yet, I came home early because I felt lonely without a romantic partner to share.
A LBT experience is the complete opposite of “alone’s loneliness”. Rather, it is a crowded, jam-packed melting pot packed in a large tour bus moving to & thru a tourist site like a gaggle of chickens humans* in close physical proximity of fellow travelers for several days or weeks.
3. New Friendships & memories All types of folks book big bus package tours; singles, couples, groups; all ages, genders, nationalities, and cultural backgrounds.
20 to 60 guests, mixed together between cities & sights in a large tour bus, randomly seated together for meals, and eagerly milling about your tour guide at travel sites for 4 - 7 days fosters/nurtures exciting new friendships & lifelong memories.
You must be an "Introvertus maximus” not to make new friends. 😃
New Friendships & Memories
Most tourists relish the new relationships & viewpoints this close mixing facilitates. Each guest seeks to be known by others as humans have for hundreds of thousands of years. A fundamental human instinct.
Making new LBT friends can be very rewarding ... like discovering gold nuggets in a Yukon Klondyke stream. Most travelers relish the 
camaraderie of their new friends and recounting of day’s excitement.
During ‘"free-time"’ you & your new friends may even share a self-guided walking tour of an Old Town district and dine in a local's recommended restaurant. Too cool!!!
Such travel experiences may stretch into the future as lifetime friends & memories. My gregarious solo independent traveling friend Sally invariably meets a fellow traveler she afterward travels with on future trips.
Ironically, a single person on a BT would have to consciously work hard NOT to meet other guests at meals, during activities or when just driving from site to site.
Bus Tour Company "Guest Profiles"
1. A broad international clientele & age range: Intrepid, Djoser & G-Adventures: —Intrepid is Australian, Djoser is Dutch (but conducts its tours in English), & G-Adventures is Canadian.
2. An over-50, all-American crowd: Globus, Cosmos, Overseas Adventure, Trafalgar, Grand Circle, Perillo Tours & Rick Steves Tours.
Note: If it matters to you, most companies will be upfront with this type of information.
[close]4. Guest Age: Guest age 
may not seem relevant, but it actually is. An elderly couple’s calm, relaxing cruise vision might sorely conflict with a cruise ship dominated by partying youth & young families. Not an indictment of either; merely a practical consideration.
Not an indictment of either; merely a practical consideration.
Some mix all ages; others, are restricted. (none over 90 or children etc) (if I live into 90s, happy to be excluded😇)
??? Grok: particularly seniors, retirees, or those over 50, est 50%
Age Tailored LBT:
While the Large Bus Tour group travel market may be dominated by retirees (41-50%) & 50s upwards, package tours accommodate almost all age groups including families with children with perhaps minimum age limits
Yet, some tours are designed JUST for specific age group preferences … occasionally to the exclusion of others e.g. adult-only tours. Tour companies carefully tailor or define the physical limits of tour activities so individuals can adapt.
Ironically, some tour companies appear to exclude anyone OVER 90. (Note: If I get to 90, please exclude me.😀)
Travelers in their 20s, 30s & 40s may naturally choose tailored, adventurous package tours including kid/family-friendly tour profiles. Some tour operators either welcome families with children over a certain age e.g., 6 years, or can design a family-with-children experience. [Jump LK]
Travel Statistics by Age Group:
travel statistics
Condor: TRAVEL TRENDS BY GENERATION:
https://www.condorferries.co.uk/travel-statistics-by-age-group#:~
Age-Related Specifics:
1. Adults-Only BT: Senior or Retirement Cruises: While usually not explicitly marketed as such, many LBTs are 
designed to appeal to older folks' desire for quiet ambiance, and worthwhile knowledge.
The following big bus tour companies intentionally design for Seniors & retirees over 50, up into their 80s. Most emphasize comfort, and educational activities matched with the appropriate physical or mobility capability. Some even book flights etc for patrons.
a. EF Go Ahead Tours:
b. Road Scholar: average age: 72.; educational focus.
c. Trafalgar: 50s to early 70s. Manages health protocols,
d. Intrepid Travel: solo travelers; local, cultural immersion.
e. Odysseys Unlimited: 50 - 80 years old, art, history focus.
2. Minimum Age Requirements: Most have no limit, but under 15 must be with an adult. Confirm to avoid issues.
3. Legal Activities Age: varies by tour company &/or local law.
4. Family-Oriented: accommodates all ages, but is often weighted for kids including flexible ticket values; Open-top buses are even more exciting for kids.
But, cautions:
1) bring kid entertainment (cell phone games. ),
2) plan stops at child-friendly attractions,
3) plan for strollers or extra luggage,
4) interactive activities rather than boring school lectures.
5. Vaccination & Health Rule: up-to-date required vaccinations.
[close]5. Wardrobe: LBT companies seldom encourage or require formal or semi-formal attire, rather, a woman's much more comfortable woman's casual ”capsule wardrobe.” & man’s 'smart casual.'
Your Big bus travel wardrobe should have 2 goals:
1) Respect for Host culture: its mores, religion etc.
2) Your Comfort: casual, comfortable sightseeing attire
ambassador of we American people.
Anecdote: Asian perception of foreigners: In addition to a history of invasion, occupation & disruption, Asians, if they notice us at all, presume we are wealthy simply because a plane ticket alone might equal a substantial part of their yearly income. My goal is respectful, but confident humility.
BEST STRATEGY: be a Fashion Clever Traveler: with a ”capsule wardrobe.”: a mixable minimalist, interchangeable wardrobe of essential, versatile clothing items that can be mixed & matched, …. creating a variety of outfits characterized by:
a) Versatility: Each piece mixed with multiple other items
b) Quality Over Quantity: that lasts longer and maintains their look.
c) Timelessness: not trendy, but simply indefinitely stylish.
d) Neutrals with Pops: neutral color base & variety of accent items.
Nordstrom: “WHAT IS A CAPSULE WARDROBE?”
https://www.nordstrom.com/browse/content/blog/capsule-wardrobe
Specifically:
A. Comfortable Walking Shoes: opt for sneakers or comfortable walking shoes. that, if necessary, you've broken-in well because you will be doing a lot of walking, Avoid unstable high heels or non-supportive sandals. PIK my hiking shoe ???
Anecdote: worn-out hiking shoes Camino de Santiago: I usually replaced my hiking shoes after every 3 month trip. When I finally completed the 600 mile Camino de Santiago trek, & Portugal, Morocco, and Spain travels I had quarter size holes worn in my souls.
C. How much stuff? While an overly-fashion-conscious ocean ship cruiser may sense a social need to make multiple clothing changes each day, every day, the LBT travel seeks the minimal necessary wardrobe focused on comfort & efficiency.
a) One of the great values of a "capsule wardrobe" is that you minimize the variety and volume or number of items you need to take because you can mix and match in near infinite variety of looks.
Anecdote: MY solo traveler's perspective: Again, resist the belief that others gauge your travel skills or character & status based on your luggage & wardrobe. I never dwelt on others. If they dwelt on mine, it was none of my business & I didn’t care. I doubt anyone, but pickpockets do care.
“Avoid superfluous wardrobe redundancy,
fashion is fatuous.” (me)
b) Rick Steve's warns, (paraphrase): 'You might have to carry or roll your luggage over uneven pavement for several blocks, and then, sometimes, up & down multiple flights of stairs to your room at each hotel. 
The more travel experienced you become,
the more you whittle down & refine
what you carry ..... to the bare essentials.
Quote “Take half the stuff and twice the money”, Susan Heller.
D. Specialized Clothing & Equipment
Water Activities (if not provided): PDF (life jackets), (snorkeling/diving
mask, snorkel, fins, ‘reef’ shoes; fast-dry clothing & swimwear)
Adventure and Sports: (climbing walls, zip lines, surfing simulators):
non-restrictive clothing, non-marking shoes. Check package
requirements.
Fitness and Exercise: (gym, yoga, spin classes):
Clothing: moisture-wicking, layered shirt/vest/jackets (rain), hiking
boots (broken-in for comfort), long sleeve shirt, lotion & hat.
Equipment: whatever enhances your workout.
Spa & Wellness: (saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs):
Bathing suits: but NOT OK in saunas/steam rooms. Use towel
Flip-flops/spa shoes: to protect feet from hot surfaces.
Shore Excursions: (e.g., hiking, biking, cultural visits):
Clothing: layered shirt/vest/jackets (rain), hiking boots (broken-in
comfort), long sleeve shirt, lotion & hat.
Equipment: daypack, water, insect stuff, sunscreen, & trekking
poles.
Themed Nights: (even if informal): costumes, etc.,
Level 3:
My 'solo travel' Wardrobe
(The following text is a succinct version of the following link:
[pplk: SIT Wadrobe & Equipment]
WADR, I have little regard for other people’s opinions of my dress style. Rather I have created a travel wardrobe that I believe is 1) culturally respectful, & 2) enhances my safety, comfort & ease of solo independent travel.
In all my travels, NO ONE ever seemed to notice or care. My ‘old-guy, foreigner’s’ persona was, perhaps, of far greater curiosity.
Remember, you are one of the millions traveling the world ostensibly to discover other cultures, etc. WADR, neither you nor I, are Queen Elizabeth on her World Cruise of the colonies.😀
My solo traveler's practical wardrobe considerations: OK, at 80, 
its not a pretty image, but it worked for 20+ years.
a. safety: modified to hide lots of money
b. comfort: allkinds of weather & climate
c. culturally respectful: NO ONE ever voiced
concern.
d. necessity: truly necessary & Might Become
Necessary:
e. washing ease & quick drying: overnight
f. all around utility: Cargo shorts/pant’s multiple
pockets, belt
w/ cash, hand sanitizer, compass, & a mini-
flashlight.
g. all weather conditions: layered shirts, vest
jacket (rain/snow)
Anecdote: Hiking the Camino de Santiago: over the Pyrenees
into Spain, I passed a powerful young man, perhaps 30 years younger than I dressed like a WWII soldier with a large rucksack …. 2 to 3 times as large as my day pack. Terribly overloaded.
I said, “Hello” as I passed, and he responded with a simple nod. The next day I passed him again, saying, “Hello”, and his response was an UNfriendly look, a curt nod & grunt. I never saw him again.
Anecdote: My 3 seasons wardrobe for 600+/- mile Camino de Santiago trek: My late summer early Fall CdeS trek from France across Spain had to anticipate August’s central Spain’s rainy/foggy rolling-hilled vineyards PIK: cloudy vineyards TO the Meseta Plateau’s chilly September early morning starts (6 am) & blistering hot treeless afternoons TO the west’s high plateau’s cold Fall mornings & lovely middays.
I carried everything for 35 days in a medium-day pack, switching out items in Burgos & Leon.
The following video is a few hours of hiking from Muxia on Pacific Coast & REAL end of the Camino trek. After an early chilly morning start, I am peeling off a couple of layers to tie down on top of my daypack.
ccccc
h. anticipated activities: hiking trekking poles.
[close]
6. Luggage: Most bus tour companies allow 1 Suitcase (62" total of W, L & H) stored under bus AND 1 carry-on per person.
Luggage
The ancient steamer trunk was today's suitcase, but larger & more cumbersome for your man-servants to handle. It carried the bulk of what you were taking to 'the Continent.'
Today's suitcase is usually smaller with efficiency-packing compartments and mobility features: rolling wheels, extendable handles and top/bottom 'grab handles.'
Most are prettier than mine (at right) which has been dragged down innumerable dirt roads, over rough cobble-stone streets, tossed on train & bus luggage racks all over the world for 20+ years, AND modified & repaired several times.
Today's day-pack is your suitcase's 'little brother or sister ' companion; a useful airline carry-on AND for carrying your daily essentials when sightseeing.
Anecdote: Camino de Santiago:
for my 600-mile trek across north-central Spain, I purposely carried only a medium-sized day pack of essentials relying on albergues (refugios, nunneries & monasteries), restaurants & cafes along the way. YTplaylist
Resist the belief that others gauge your travel skills or character & status on the newness, cost, or flashy look of your luggage. I never dwelt on 'others' luggage.
If they dwelt on mine, it was none of my business & I didn’t care. I doubt anyone, but thieves do care; fancy bags attract thieves.
Your travel belongings should be in these TWO
A. So, luggage has 4 parameters: 1) type, 2) size, 3) number, & 4) durability.
Some haul a couple of suitcases, a handbag/briefcase with other bags dangling off their arms. I have often seen those extra dangling bags left behind on a plane’s overhead, bus seat or hostel dorm floor.
Quote: “Take half the stuff and twice the money”, Susan Heller.
1. Type of luggage?: my basic ideal combination: a suitcase & a
daypack.
2. Size: suitcase & day pack?
a) Dimensions & Weight:
1) Suitcase: Maximum is about 62 in total of length, width, & height; weight: not to exceed 50 pounds (23 kg).
2) Carry-on: must fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment (briefcases, small backpacks, or totes)
PLEASE remember --
(a) You are Sharing the Overhead Rack: with ALL your fellow passengers. Please .... don't hog that space with innumerable handbags, camera cases, etc.
(b) Don't Block Your Feet: Anything you store under the seat ahead of you blocks available space for your feet which after several hours of walking at or riding to sites, you might want to stretch out.
b) Luggage Hauling: Rick Steve's warns, (paraphrase): 'You might have to carry or roll your luggage over uneven pavement for several blocks, and then, sometimes, up & down multiple flights of stairs to your room at each hotel.
The more travel experienced you become,
the more you whittle down & refine
what you carry ..... to the bare essentials.
Quote “Take half the stuff and twice the money”, Susan Heller.
Anecdote: Jim & Mary’s cruise luggage: 3 giant suitcases: on my only big cruise ship experience my friends had 3 giant suitcases that Joe could barely lift. 
I vividly recall his overweight face, bulging red with exertion as he pushed, shoved, & dragged each one separately up 2 flights of stairs. (Note: they should have only needed one in their room, other 2 left downstairs)
3. Number of pieces? Clever Traveler’s designed ”capsule wardrobe.”
Anecdote: Jim & Mary's cruse luggage: 3 giant suitcases: (immediately above)
BEST Strategy: be a Fashion Clever Traveler by designing a ”capsule wardrobe.”: See a complete explanation immediately above under the “Wardrobe” section. [jlk: Wardrobe]
Anecdote: MY solo independent traveler’s (SIT) perspective: Resist the belief that others gauge your travel skills, character or status based on your luggage & wardrobe.
I never dwelt on others. If they dwelt on mine, it was none of my business & I didn’t care. I doubt anyone, but pickpockets do care.
4. Durability: most tech’s synthetics are essentially bombproof.
Deeper Luggage insights:
1. Type of luggage? I will not delve deeply into the entire World of Luggage. Instead, I’ll focus on my basic ideal combination: 1 suitcase & 1 daypack.
2. Size:
a. Suitcase: Yes, the bigger the suitcase, the more ’stuff’ you can pack in it. You should be able to carry it in a pinch, from the bus, down a street & up to youir room.
Anecdote: Jim & Mary’s 3 giant suitcases: on my only big cruise ship experience my friend-couple had 3 giant suitcases that Joe could barely lift. I vividly recall his overweight face, bulging red with exertion as he pushed, shoved, & dragged each 1 separately up 2 flights of stairs. (Note: they should have only needed one in their room, other 2 left downstairs)
b. Daypack: a small daypack for daily bus touring essentials: medications, travel docs, etc....:
1) Airline carry-on
2) 4-7 hour bus touring [pplk: Safety: Soft Crime],
Remember it should be small & comfortable to carry around for several hours, but you are not overnight camping. 😄
Anecdote: Camino de Santiago: for my 600-mile trek across north-central Spain, I purposely carried only a medium-sized day pack of essentials.
3. Number of Pieces?: Most bus tour companies allow:
a. Number of Bags:
1 Suitcase per person in storage compartment under bus.
1 Carry-On: small enough to fit under seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment (briefcases, small backpacks, or totes)
b. Size & Weight:
Suitcase: Maximum suitcase dimension: about 62 inches of length, width, & height total AND weight not to exceed 50 pounds (23 kg) (Often mimics airline limits)
CAUTION: Overly-fashion-conscious tourist’s may sense a social need to make multiple clothing changes each day, every day, translating into “more stuff.” & maybe more suitcases.
Anecdote: Jim & Mary: 3 giant suitcases: (immediately above)
BEST Strategy: be a Fashion Clever Traveler by designing a ”capsule wardrobe.”: See a complete explanation under “Wardrobe” section immediately above.[jlk: Wardrobe]
Anecdote: MY solo traveler’s perspective: Resist the belief that other’s gauge your travel skills or character & status based on your luggage & wardrobe.
I never dwelt on other's wardrobe or luggage. If they dwelt on mine, it was none of my business & I didn’t care. I doubt anyone, but pickpockets do care.
4. Durability: In the "Golden Age of Ocean Liners” the wealthy, as they do, packed many steamer trunks with everything their elite social status & antics demanded, carried by servants, of course.
The metal & wood banded trunks were close to bomb-proof which is why they are a popular American antique at the ends of beds to hold blankets. They lasted.
New technology’s synthetic fabrics & plastic structure or aluminum make most luggage essentially bombproof.
MY Solo independent traveler’s perspective:
Independent travelers opt for high mobility, low volume & weight luggage because we have to transport it in a variety of vehicles, up & down stairs, down long airport concourses, long city streets, & rural village's dirt paths, and thru soft wheel-grabbing sand, etc.
Anecdote: medium rolling soft luggage: I have traveled the world as a solo independent traveler [jlk: SIT - below] for 20 years with the same soft, but rugged, medium size rolling dragging it down endless rough cobbled lanes & 3rd world dirt streets; my daypack on my back.
Over time my rolling luggage looked worse & worse, occasionally needing repair, but presumably a less likely target of thieves. Ironically, it was so ratty that TSA frequently ‘randomly’ (LOL) inspected it AFTER I checked it. 😄. (TSA leaves a little note each time.)
Oh, & my wardrobe & ‘stuff’ always fit because I limited its contents.
Legendary novice tourist mistake: Too much stuff …. including me 25 years ago for several reasons:
1) Older we get the more ‘necessities’ we require e.g. my dozen prescript drugs & vitamins for 90+ days. [pplk: Health: ]
2) fashion-conscious tourists may sense a social mandate to ‘compete’ with other passengers’ large stylish wardrobes AND THUS, need large, multiple suitcases to carry it all.
In fact, the fashion-clever traveler creates a "capsule wardrobe.” significantly reducing volume of wardrobe needing to be packed.
Nordstrom: “WHAT IS A CAPSULE WARDROBE?”
https://www.nordstrom.com/browse/content/blog/capsule-wardrobe
3) try to anticipate every possible minor & major need that might ‘possibly ‘ arise. Look closely at my Inventory list and you will see my examples of this. [pplk” Resource: INV list]
Anecdote: Skopje, Macedonia’s hostel’s dull knives: kitchen knives were too dull for salads. So, I sharpened the knife on a brick wall outside the kitchen. Thereafter, I carried a tiny sharpening stone 3” x ¾”. Tiny, but useful. to make salads easily. also carried a very tiny emergency can opener cuz I once needed one. pik
Note: If a minor crisis arises, your guide can help. Not their 1st rodeo. 😃.
Anecdote: CdeS: walking 300+ (?) miles a woman carried a separate toiletries bag with multiple forms of soap: hand, hair, body lotion, etc. I carried a couple of small hotel soap bars.
My Independent Traveler's Inventory List (of stuff):
Over time, I developed an exhaustive (obsessive) Inventory List [pplk: Resources: INV] that detailed every single item, it's quantity & its specific location in various individual compartments & pockets of both my day pack & rolling luggage.
My Inventory List was useful for several reasons:
1. I knew exactly where each item was & could fast & easily find it.
2. I could easily add necessary items or subtract unnecessary
items based on each new trip’s climate, etc. (think So Mexico
vs Antarctica)
3. I could easily amend my last Inventory List for each future trips,
A cruiser can do the same.
7. Planning & Logistics: Very little is required once you have CAREFULLY chosen your ideal LBT package based on your knowledge of all these LBT Factors. Tours provide worry-free, ground transport, food; lodging, site tickets, and local guides — you are never lost.
Unless you will travel independently before and after your tour ...
YOU just book your flights, before & after hotels (if needed) & pack.
8. Lodging: Often, large, sterile, impersonal tour company-owned efficiency hotel or a large chain's hotel for a single night only, unless smaller, higher quality tour's lodging.
BEST: welcoming small family-owned hotels near or in Old Town 
or tourist areas for your "free-time"’ independent walking tours. (Rick Steves Tours).
Quality of Different Sized Tours
a. Large tours:
Large Bus Tour lodging tends to be an impersonal, standardized, big box, generic antiseptic large bus-tour hotel often owned by a large tour company or a hotel chain .... chosen because they can house 100’s efficiently at low per/person cost to Large Bus Tours operators allowing them to offer low-cost Large Bus Tour packages.
PROs:
1. Least expensive: basic, no frills,
2. Amenities: minimum with expensive extras (laundry, ironing)
3. Bus direct to hotel entry: easy bags unload with elevators.
4. Convenient bus parking:
5. Single Person Lodging: (Legal/inclusivity concerns in play)
Option 1: Single Supplement: premium price for ‘single occupant’ rooms that normally
sleep 2 persons.
Option 2: Shared Room:
(a) auto Same-Sex Pairing (normal)
(b) Guest’s rooming preference: guest's preference solicited: same-sex only or mixed ok;
… no smokers, etc.
CONs:
1. Impersonal, standardized, antiseptic: prioritize efficiency
2. Inconvenient location: often at outskirts far from tourist area
3. “Hotel Hostage”: trapped at town’s outskirts & overpriced, low-quality hotel food & beverages.
Must taxi to Old Town walkabout’s authentic cultural sites, & upscale restaurants.
OTOH, you may be too exhausted to care!
4. Extra Amenities: very overpriced (laundry, etc)
5. Minimal Comfort: mattress, linens,
6. Single Room Supplement: (see PROs #5 above) Caution: limited availability.
b. mid-size tour: small family owned B&B /hotels
PROs:
1. Class & Style Ambiance: boutique hotels, local guesthouses, or
even more unique hostels or Airbnb-style.
2. Owner’s pride & entrepreneurial enthusiasm:
3. Perhaps family-owned: welcoming & ‘homey’- like home
4. Vehicle accessibility: direct or close to lodging's front door.
5. Hotel owner & guest camaraderie: staff engages & assists.
6. Guest to guest camaraderie: more intimate surroundings.
7. Located conveniently: near authentic restaurants & environs.
8. Near-by access to ‘"free-time"’ walkabouts: self-guided tour of
locals Old Town’s sites, cafes, shops & their culture.
9. Free times’ direct access: to 1) Local Excursions, 2) self-guided
walking tour, 3) local’s cafe experience.
CONs:
1. More expensive element of tour price
2. Maybe ‘bag dragging’ access: if narrow streets.
c. small tours: May be either niche market for:
1) very exclusive high-end luxury, personalized service accommodations, gourmet meals, and premium transportation (air).
I'll skip the ‘super exclusive high-end luxury’ niche market because outside my wheelhouse & your "Personal Assistant" is more knowledgeable than I. 😀
Anecdote: Carol Walton’s Expedition tour flies guests on a custom-designed tour between African safari sights. Some of these specialty tours (not Carol’s) can cost $100,000.
2) esoteric adventure or deep-dive cultural experience tour.
Anecdote: I took several small Australian van tours across the Nallabor, up the west coast to Broome, a flight to Alice Springs & a van tour up to Darwin. We camped out most nights, and cooked group meals …. all at a very reasonable price for this penurious traveler (cheapskate.)
PROs:
1. Price: often a little more expensive, but varies.
2. Pragmatic: Only modestly priced, practical way for logistics, 
sites & activities over that long or remote distance.
3. Customized or very basic: luxury, cultural or hardcore.
4. Greater spontaneous itinerary flexibility: group input
possible. India B&B ➞➞➞➞
5. More personalized guide: low guide-to-guest ratio
6. Deeper guide insight & discourse: deeper discussion
7. Greater guest connect: low guest to guest ratio
8. Better quality services: lodging, meals, site flexibility.
9. Special Interests: client-tailored: historic/eco inns, rare sites.
10. Greater site accessibility: smaller, special vehicles: 4 WD
11. Greater time efficiency: avoid most research & planning
12. Secluded, remote sites/activities: Australia ranch "swag'.
CONs:
1. Limited Capacity: great demand, book early or trust luck.
2. Comfort & Amenities: Carol Walton’s Luxury African Safari vs ‘bare-bone roughing it’ small adventure tours.
3. Cost/Person: varies dramatically between luxury vs adventure.
4. Anonymity: if REALLY seeking privacy book a private guide, OR, go SIT (solo independent travel [pplk: SIT: home & SIT].
5. Group Compatibility: A mix of personalities & viewpoints always a risk, yet can always search for something positive.
6. Limited Luggage Space: smaller plane or bus, ask tour limits.
[close]
9. Multi-nite stays v overnight: Multi-night hotel stays are a travel blessing versus the wasted time & energy of ‘pajama' or racing 'Jumping Jack’ large bus tours. These multi-nite hotel stays are ripe with self-fulfilling ‘free-time' options instead of daily long & frenetic drives to multiple site visits ending in nightly exhaustion.
Multi-nite Stays Benefits
Big bus “jumping jacks’ tours must change hotels daily without a break to visit all sites promised. These huge buses are often unable to access the hotel directly without blocking traffic, so guests must haul luggage 
down those narrow streets and then upstairs to their room adding to their exhaustion.
OTOH, while multi-night stays in the same hotel may reduce the number of sites & experiences, multi-night stays will dramatically enhance worthiness & comfort of your entire journey.
PROs:
1. reduce daily packing & unpacking hassle,
2. minimize wasteful daily departure & arrival time & chaos,
3. reduce energy drain of Luggage Dragging a block or 2 from bus to hotel
4. reduce energy drain of Luggage Carry up/down flights of stairs.
5. reduce precious energy drain: of 1-night stands.
6. more on-site time: for exploration & reflection
7. More ‘free-time’ deeper cultural immersion in Old Town’ self-guided walking tours to minor tourist sites, cafes, shops & city parks.
ANECDOTE: My pre-cruise early morning London walkabout: On my only cruise to prove to friends I did not LIKE cruises, I awoke several hours before my friends and made a solo self-guided walking tour of the neighborhoods near our London hotel. A redeeming experience in the quiet London morning. ytlk Baltic Cruise
8. More relaxed & reflective: rather than constantly exhausted.
9. Quick refresh: for a self-guided walkabout Old Town areas.
” …. Bus drivers call tours with ridiculous itineraries "pajama tours."
You're in the bus from 8 a.m. until after dark, so why even get dressed?”,
Rick Steves’ Europe
CONs:
1. Perhaps fewer site visits & activities: but entire trip is more rewarding.
10. Food & Restaurants: BEST: small tour’s relaxed, locally culturally authentic or ‘"free-time"’s guide-suggested local town's dining on your own …. rather than big tour’s culturally ‘faux’, rapidly served, dubious quality food.
Large Bus Tours vs Small Tour
Dining Options
A. Large Bus Tour’s restaurants: 
PROs:
1. pre-arranged, probably uninteresting.
CONs:
1. minimum or dubious quality:
Anecdote: St. Pete fish lunch; ‘faux typical/ local’ dish;
2. Culturally Americanized:
3. Rushed serve & eat efficiency: to stay on tight schedule
4. Ambiance or authentic embellishment: little, if any
Note: Small local & quality restaurants refuse large bus tours
because they shut out local customer's experience.
B. Small tour meals: more likely to be a more relaxed sit-down atmosphere with friendlier staff, more culturally authentic, & maybe locally grown foods. 
PROs:
1. Local cultural ambiance:
2. Authentic or traditional dishes:
3. Memorable settings & experience
4. Relaxed & welcoming:
5. Accommodates special needs
CONs:
1. makes tour more expensive, but infinitely more rewarding
2. takes more time, but worth while.
C. ’"free-time"’ options: In both cases, Large Bus Tour or small bus tour’s ‘free-time’ afternoon or evenings MAY offer you your ONLY truly authentic dining experience at a 'locals' restaurant suggested by your guide or hotel staff. 
Ironically, the local folks who work in the tourist shops, etc probably speak English and can direct you to THEIR favorite non-tourist, off-the-beaten-path restaurants. Walkabout or grab a taxi and go!!
Truly helpful tour guides may conveniently drop you off in Old Town at ‘Restaurant Row’ with their personal recommendations. You return to lodging at your leisure.
11. Perks: tour companies may offer Loyalty programs, booking incentives and upgraded or luxury packages:
Perks in more detail.
A. Loyalty Programs: may include:
1. Luxury Accommodations: pre-planned luxury charter
bus tours focused on comfort & convenience. CoElite Coach,
2. Specialty Dining Experiences,
3. Corporate luxury experiences and personalized itineraries.
B. Booking Incentives: discounts for early bookings, special
promotions via social media, or online-only deals)
C. Miscellaneous fees/amenities: May include:
a) airport to/from transfer fees,
b) meal choice & quality,
c) pre-tour lodging, no bag limit, free wif (huh?), bottled
water, no luggage fees, and priority boarding, etc.
Always ask or check the fine print & customer reviews for hidden costs.
12. Amenities: VP Boarding, Seating, access, Food and Beverage Packages, Special Events or Shows, Merchandise or Souvenirs, Extended Hours or Night Cruises, Photo/Video Services, & large or excess luggage handling.
Amenities by Tour Size
Whatever you imagine that can be bought.
operations, each offering different amenities based on the scale, duration, and theme or focus of the tour. 1. Luxury Seating: Often with more space per passenger, Chauffeured
sometimes includes reclining seats. plush
3. Audio Systems: guests' personal headsets for guide's talk. Sprinter
5. Bottled Water: Provided for hydration. extended
6. Snacks: Sometimes included, especially for longer trips. legroom
1. All amenities from small tours, plus:
2. On-Board Restroom: Particularly useful for longer trips
4. Larger Entertainment Systems: Screens for movies or dos.
5. Storage for Luggage: More organized space for personal stuff.
6. Coffee Machines or Kitchenette: onboard self-service
1. Multiple Restrooms: To accommodate more passengers.
2. Enhanced Seating: Perhaps luxury swivel seats or tables.
3. Catering Services: Perhaps on-board meals prepared.
4. Tour Guide's Commentary: live, plus assistance.
5. Advanced Entertainment: Perhaps, interactive or better sound.
Anecdote: Laos to Danang, Vietnam sleeper bus: roughly built with triple bunk beds & narrow aisles, a few rest stops; saved 1-night's hotel cost.
2. Destination: Remote area tour's priorities: better suspension for rough roads, while urban tours focus on connectivity & entertainment.
3. Tour Theme: Adventure tours: less luxury, but more utilitarian amenities like gear storage, whereas luxury tours emphasize comfort & service.
4. High-end amenities vary with mission: seasick motion, limited
luggage & privacy.
13 Where Tourist Vehicles can go?:
Touring vehicles can go almost anywhere on land, of course, subject to: 1) tour's theme or goals, 2) tour’s duration, and 3) local large bus parking regulations.
Most cities and smaller towns have anticipated & provided reasonable parking, off-loading & loading spaces to facilitate access to their tourist sites. Tourism is usually in a town's economic interest, even if it annoys some.
Bus Size Restrictions:
A. Large Buses: pose a substantial issue even in large cities.
1. Large cities:
a) some narrow or dead-end streets are too difficult for large buses.
b) regulations specifically prohibit even brief blocking of streets.
c) sensitive areas may require special parking & access permits
2. Small Buses & Vans: Small towns usually recognize their access issues and may prohibit tour vehicles in some areas, BUT, OTOH, most wisely provide special bus parking lots & convenient temporary off-loading & loading spaces near their tourist sites.
Anecdote: Jackson, Wyoming, USA: is a gateway town to Teton National Park & Yellowstone National Park with summer tourist travel in the millions. Buses may briefly drop & load passengers at the Town Square and then quickly move to a BUSES ONLY parking lot a few blocks away.
3. National Parks etc: may provide minimal access to small 
roadside sites & trailheads, yet provide large bus & tourist parking at major sites (think Old Faithful Geyer in Yellowstone NP)
B. Small buses or tourist vans: usually have much easier, flexible access & parking even at the most popular Tier 1 sites and certainly to Tier 2 & 3 sites large bus tours avoid.
NOTE: Access & parking are often easier at early arrival times. BIg tour buses get late start tending to arrive around 10 am & depart by 3:00 pm. More nimble van tours get to busy sites on opening.
14. Seasonal Dates: Select a season & tour schedule to match your desired climate, weather, and tourist goals, but remember the great travel opportunity:
-- winter in the Northern Hemisphere ....
-- is summer in the southern hemisphere including Antarctica. Dig Deeper.
c. Season and Weather: Shorter tours might be preferable during peak heat or rainy seasons to avoid discomfort.
Seasonal Anecdotes
Northern Hemisphere's winter may be a superb time to LBT tour New Zealand's summer, or closer to home in southern Mexico & Central America's Palenque, Chitzen Itza & Tulum ... Mayan sites.
Ironically, I visited Rome in December, which was chilly and rainy, but very few people in the Roman forum. Pretty much all to myself.
Anecdote: My 3-month winter in New Zealand's summer: February 1999 start of my mostly self-guided van camping tour of New Zealand. Subsequent Trip STARTS: Argentina/Chile: Feb 2007, 3 months; Mexico City, Panama, Peru, mar, 2008: 3 months; China: Sep 2011: 3 months.
Anecdote: My Southern Mexico van travel’s high 90°s: My RV van had A/C, but I decided that if I once started using it, I would be addicted & afraid to leave the van. I opted to just accept it. I have owned 6 Roadtrek RV vans and never used the A/C.
Anecdote: Yangon, Myanmar wet temps: Got off the plane from US via China, at midnight's high 70°s & 65% humidity. It hit me like a warm wet blanket. Next day, was even hotter. I complained to myself & then said, “You knew it would be hot, so quit bitching and ignore it like the locals do." That was my attitude throughout South America and Asia.
15. Actual’ travel days vs advertised: Tour operators often define a 'travel day' differently The average tourist may believe an ACTUAL tour day includes substantial touring to tourist site(s), ... rather than merely a 1st day's check-in and a last day's early morning departure.
Actual Travel Days vs Advertised Travel Days
If 1st day's afternoon tour & hotel check-in AND is an "advertised tour day', that seems duplicitous, IMO. If the last day is mainly an early departure day AND included as an advertised tour day THAT seems duplicitous.
OTOH, if a tour's 1st day is a morning check-in followed by an afternoon of tour sites or necessary travel to tomorrow's tour sites, then it seems like a legitimate travel day. If the last day is mostly site visit(s) &/or travel back to the tour's start point for a late afternoon departure then it may be a legitimate travel day.
Grok (XAI's AI agent suggests that everything you do from home departure to return is in some specious way "a travel experience." I find the transparently self-serving & disingenuous.
I would inherently TRUST the LBT that makes 1st & last day activity descriptions VERY clear. Sometimes, phony advertised travel day vs legitimate advertised travel day is just too close to call.
MAYASITES TRAVEL SERVICES: 7 Night 8 Day Tour of MAYA OF THE CARIBBEAN COAST, YUCATAN PENINSULA AND HIGHLAND RAINFOREST: "ITINERARY: A legit 1st Day Travel Day & a non-travel 8th 'departure day.
Day 1: At 8 am your driver & guide will pick you up at your hotel (any hotel between Cancun & Tulum) and take you to spectacular Tulum.
Day 8: Private transfer to the Villahermosa airport for departure.
Based on the above, you must check the itinerary closely to see if the 1st & last days are legitimate travel days or just advertised as 'travel days' to make the tour look longer & thus a better deal.
16. Length of Bus Tours: The length of the LBT package you choose wil be dictated by your motivation, # of sites & activities you want to visit, travel comfort & pace desired, and your physical capability.
Some want to just 'get away', relax and 'see' the countries, cities & a few Tier 1 sites they have dreamed of throughout their lives. Others want much, much more: many sites, deep-dive exploration.
Typical Tour Length FACTORS
LBT length depends on several factors:
A. your travel motivation.
B. # of sites & activities desired
C. desired comfort level & pace
D. physical activity level
E. your available time & money budget
A. Motivation: Most LBT travelers want to --
1) escape from life's predictability
2) to reward themselves while they still can for multi-decade-long commitment to family & career.
3) see the countries & Tier 1 & 2 sites they have heard about during their lives (Eiffel Tower, Coliseum, Beijing's Forbidden City or Taj Mahal)
4) create memories that will relish the rest of their life:
Anecdote: My Travel Videos: Youtube: <@scottsolotravels> I shot my domestic & foreign travel videos for 30 years including my voice-over commentary of my observations & reflections … so that I could revisit & refresh the ever-fading memories of my travel life's unique moments and thoughts when too infirm to travel. (now—cancer).
Only recently did I realize that YouTube provided the free technology allowing me to publish my 1400+ edited videos for others .[atscottsolotravels.com]
B. Sites & activities you desire? Some LB tourists can only spare a short Tour's few days to visit famous sites at least once in their lives while others with more time want much, much more.
Typical Tour Lengths
a. Short Tours (1-3 Days): Ideal, if limited time or splurging on high-end amenities focused on 1 or 2 significant sites (e.g. Mexico's Teotihuacan from Mexico City or Chichen Itza from Cancun.
b. Medium Tours (4-7 Days): More culturally immersive time flexibility focused on several key sites (e.g Yucatan Peninsula's Chichen Itza, Tulum, and Coba.
NOTE: Site & Experience Classification: The travel industry often classifies travel sites & experiences as:
Tier 1: …. usually globally recognized & revered sites:
Paris’ Eiffel Tower,
Peru’s Machu Picchu &
Beijing China’s Forbidden City….
Tier 2: …. lack the global prestige, but are nevertheless significant sites in their regions or country:
Italy’s Herculaneum buried at same time as Pompei
Esoteric Rekjavik, Iceland’s Penis Museum (really?
Really!!! 😀)
Tier 3: IMO, are either uninteresting, very minor or very niche
& not worth average cruisers time & money.
How many sites & activities for you?
Your choice of LBT package will, in part, be dependent on the number of countries, cities, sites, and activities you want to visit for the time & money available.
Some want to just 'get away', relax and 'see' the countries, cities & a few Tier 1 sites they have dreamed of throughout their lives. Others want much, much more: many sites, deep dive exploration, & all.
a) Most LB tourist's minimal goal.
Most travelers seek the thrill of a site’s Charisma of Place … hoping .. day after day -- to be awed & thrilled by its historical & cultural significance.
Dedicated travelers seek a deeper connection to Tier 1 or 2 sites that they have always dreamed of (Rome’s coliseum, etc) or sites that their current research exposes exciting their curiosity (Rome’s catacombs.)
True independent self-guided travelers seek the quality of experience, NOT the braggadocio of a mere visit.
Anecdote: 1st to arrive at Michelangelo’s “David” statue: in Florence’s Accademia Museum, I stood alone for many long minutes contemplating the work itself, but even more so, his effort.
I tried to imagine myself 5 centuries earlier, sitting quietly watching Michelangelo’s intense concentration as he ‘chipped here & there, sanding roughness into smoothness, trying to imagine what his thoughts were then. Charisma of statute & artist.
“Charisma of Place”: is an old National Geographic Magazine’s geography term that describes the eerie emotional admiration inherent in a thing, person or place. Your tourist site visit should give you that feeling.
Anecdote: When a Cadet at the US Air Force Academy: President Eisenhower, former 
5 star General, —-the man who shepherded the WWII Allies to the Nazi defeat’ ....
.... 'passed in review ‘ right before me. Humbling awe.
Charisma of person.
Anecdote: Rummaging amongst the German cannon bunkers: (aka pill boxes) at Normandy's Pointe du Hoc’s cliff-edge I tried to visualize heroic WWII U.S. 2nd Ranger Battalion climbing & dying to take those steep cliffs. I was emotionally reverent & humbled at the memory of those courageous moments.
Charisma of Place & Persons!
Charisma of Place makes a travel site special, not just to the tourist, but to the culture it sprung from. Your Shore Excursion choice should add to your knowledge and intellectual appreciation enhancing your Quality of Life a smidgeon and building lifelong memories.
ADVICE: Don’t try to pack in too many sites etc. ------- go deeper into fewer.
Anecdote: Caesar's Cremation site: One rainy morning in Rome’s Forum I stood alone under the canopy that protected the spot where Caesar’s body had been cremated. [yt vid : Cesar]
I fantasized that my spirit was somehow connecting with his across time’s invisible barrier. Moments later I walked the nearby Appian Way imagining that I was walking on the very stones that once felt the weight of Julius Caesar. [ytlk: Eng & France - time stamp]
Anecdote: The Balkans: In grade school, I remembered creating a map of the Balkans which
I apparently took pride in.
Six decades later I remembered ‘that’ map, researched the Balkans & spent 2½ months solo traveling thru the Southern Balkans & ..... 2 years later, another 2 ½ months thru Northern Balkan countries discovering sites & experiences I’d never imagined before.
Wise travelers seek the history, the humanity, the emotional & sensory Charisma of Places the world has long revered or that they learned about somewhere.
True travelers seek a deeper connection to Tier 1 or 2 sites they have always dreamed of (Rome’s coliseum etc) or sites their current research exposes that excite their curiosity (Rome’s catacombs.)
We only live once! Don’t squander your only opportunity.
b. Maximum 'bang-for-the-buck' travelers.
Some LB tourists seek the max ‘bang-for-the-buck’ of visiting as many sites as possible and as quickly as possible. The allure is apparently the dubious ‘bragging rights’ of having visited as many countries, cities, sites & experiences as possible with selfies to prove it. 🥹
But IMO that is a silly ego-driven, misplaced fantasy because they will only wear themselves out and on their return home, simply bore their uninterested, mildly sheepish friends with their endless selfies.
Anecdote: My friend's reactions to all my 1½ to 3-month trips on my return: each time I returned from a 2-3-month foreign trip my BEST friend would, without my prompt, ask, “How was your trip?” I would respond simply, “Great trip", and that was IT. No further discussion; no curiosity.
I suppose I expected to be welcomed back as the great adventurer. At first, I was annoyed & mystified until I accepted the reality that others have no duty to be enthused with my travels.
True travelers seek the quality of experience.
NOT the braggadocio of quantity
* Globus: "Gems of the Balkans: 7 days/3 countries
c. My travel obsession.
Years after my Dating Game TV show's free trip to Europe at 28, I often lamented my lack of photographs or journal. Even then, I realized that my travel memories were simply thin mental photographs with little context or nuance.
At 1st I transcribed my travel reflections on a handheld dictation device knowing in the future I might relish those audio recollections. Fortunately, before my extensive foreign travel, small video cameras like Sony's Handycam became available. Today, in my recliner, my audio journals come alive again. [pplk; photos vs video]
I video-taped most of my US, Canada & Alaska hikes & kayak road trips which now, 35 years later, I can relive my earlier adventurers' colorful scenes and reflections even though I can barely walk at 85 after prostate cancer.
Anecdote (kinda): my travel obsession: I have been curiosity-obsessed with visiting my life's collected travel buds & all else my research uncovers, BUT ALSO with the myriad nuances of those Travel Buds.
[yt vid:m Casa Professa]
I want my video camera's telephoto to probe high above a Peruvian cathedral's altar for the dome's intricate artwork seldom noticed or seen by others. I want to poke around Chnia's 'off-limits" unrestored Great Wall portions, learning & imagining what I can.[yt Great Wall)
C. Comfort and Pace:
LB tours can be a very physically demanding 'jumping jack' bus race from one site after another, then a constant walking & standing jaunt through one site after another site so guide can keep your group on schedule each day AND so you can your money's worth as promised in your package.
OTOH, smaller tours are usually slower paced with fewer daily site visits, but deeper immersion; and more question-and-answer conversations with your guide. Perhaps in a more comfortable luxury van with relaxed luncheons & multi-nights at the same hotel avoiding the usual toxic night & morning luggage haul in & out of your hotel. Overall, much less physically demanding.
Both size tour packages may offer free-time segments for self-guided exploration opportunities if you are not too worn out. [jlk free time]
D. Activity Level: Most tours are designed for the reasonably mobile. Older or less mobile tourists might opt for shorter, more leisurely paced trips, while young, active travelers might prefer longer, more adventurous tours.
Unlike the great energy drain of a high-speed ‘jumping jack’ large bus tours with their luggage-humping in & out of hotels each night, smaller bus tours may often be more relaxed, moving slower, and exploring deeper.
Important Caution: You still might have to lug bags down narrow streets & up equally narrow stairways. Be prepared. Maybe options for the infirm. Check with your tour company.
E. your available time & money budget.
Most travelers determine 'tour length' based on work's vacation time or how long they feel comfortable being away from family, work etc. In my case, for a variety of reasons, 3 months was my desired and max.
Wise travelers calculate their entire travel budget including:
a) the base package cost
b) an estimate for the tour company's extra-cost Optional or guest-booked local tours and any other add-on costs: perks, amenities, specialty activities, etc.
c) a wise traveler always carries a little bit more. cash 😇
Quote: “Take half the stuff and twice the money”, Susan Heller.
Recent Trending Shorter LB Tour Companies
XAI's Grok indicates a trend towards shorter European large bus tours. Here's a summary based on current web information:
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Large Bus Tours and similar operators focus on hop-on hop-off sightseeing tours, which inherently cater to shorter, more flexible travel schedules. These are popular in major European cities like London, Paris, Budapest, Vienna, and Istanbul, allowing tourists to explore at their own pace within a limited time frame.
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Rick Steves' Europe mentions the utility of one-day bus tours from big cities into the countryside, which can be particularly appealing for those on shorter trips looking to make the most of their time with guided sightseeing.
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Busabout specifically markets itself with options for shorter trips, emphasizing flexibility with their hop-on hop-off network across 38 destinations, suggesting a market for travelers who want to experience multiple places in a shorter period.
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Trafalgar offers shorter tour packages among its broader selection, providing an entry point for those with less time but still seeking a comprehensive tour experience.
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Also.
Free Independent Traveler" or
"Fully Independent Traveler,"
Also increasing demand for FIT standing for "Free Independent Traveler" or "Fully Independent Traveler," A style of travel where you—or a small group—plan & manage your own trip without relying on a pre-packaged tour or a group schedule.
You get to call the shots: where you go, where you stay, how you get around, and what you do. It’s all about flexibility and crafting a journey that fits your vibe, whether that’s solo, with a partner, or with a handful of friends or family.
This website's primary purpose is to serve this kind of traveler & travel with the maximum amount of knowledge available. Pleas visit my Home page.
deciding on a whim to hike a trail or try some local street food the next. It’s popular with people who want authentic experiences—like chatting with locals or exploring hidden spots—rather than sticking to the tourist treadmill. Does that sound like your kind of adventure?
Recently shorter Cruises have been trending; premium luxury surge for 3 to 4-night affordable escapes.
Affordability: budget-friendly, especially with promo deals.
Convenience: fits limited vacation time.
Accessibility: more manageable & less daunting: 1st-timers or families.
17. “Shop Steering" are undisclosed or dubious time-wasting, impromptu tour stops usually at retail shops, gee-gaw factory sites that makes & sells goods tourists might be interested in: souvenirs, diamonds; leather/silk clothing, & even occasionally illegal or immoral.
Tour companies or guide may get kickbacks on your purchases, but often just waste your time or worse.
Such tour operators/guides & shops are not your friends.
ANECDOTE: Estonia cruise stop at Tallinn takes tourists directly to the main square packed with tourist stalls & restaurants and then a small tour to other specific shops. Bangkok tailor shop (respectful).
Fraudulent Shop-steering” visits.
Shop-steering” visits are undisclosed or dubious time-wasting, impromptu Cruise stops usually at retail shops or factory sites that make & sell goods tourists goods: souvenirs, diamonds; leather/silk clothing, diamonds, & even occasionally illegal or immoral options.
NOTE: The following YouTube clip from my Thailand, Cambodia & S Vietnam trip is NOT the usual FRAUDULENT shop steering because it balances a useful, authentic & informative tourist experience with the justifiable income needs of this small hill tribe.
Dishonest companies or guides get kickbacks on your purchases, but often visits just waste your time or worse.
Anecdote: Estonia cruise ships: immediately transported we guests directly to main square packed with tourist stalls & restaurants, then a pseudo mini-tour to even more shops.
Anecdote: Bangkok tailor shop: I agreed to visit out of curiosity. Friendly, no pressure.
Anecdote: Pristina, Kosovo: One gracious young man whose invite to his restaurant I accepted. Another guy, so literally in my face, I finally yelled at him & physically shoved him aside. Foolish tout & owner.
Anecdote: Bangkok tuk tuk driver suggested silk suit shop: I knew he was ‘shop steering’ me, but I wanted the experience. I was curious. It was not high-pressure and I in a silk suit would be the proverbial ‘overdressed pig.’
NOTE: If you REALLY want to buy a silk suit, blouse etc, Google search where they are commonly sold & visit several shops bargaining for your best price. [pplk: Safe: Soft - Bargaining]
Cruise Company’s careful examination of Shore Excursions will have undoubtedly eliminated this possibility. If not complain & report.
Beware of Shop Steering [jlk: shop steering] [plpk: sub-pil” xyz Kinds of (B) Guides)
18. Tier 1, 2, & 3 Tourist Sites & activities: select a tour package with your most desired Tier 1 sites & a few 2nd tier sites, but few, if any, Tier 3, etc unless Tier 3 site is for convenience to break up a long drive.
BEST: A mix of Tier 1 & 2 sites & perhaps, the occasional unique off-the-beaten-path site or activity when feasible at guide’s discretion. If ‘"free-time"’ afternoons and evenings, then either Tour company's Optional Tours OR self-guide walking tour & a local dining.
Site & Experience Classification
A. INTRO/General: Large Bus Tour packages allow a tourist of limited time, minimal travel confidence, and varied budget levels to EASILY book a life-fulfilling travel experience allowing you to visit the sights & experiences that interest you most without the intense pre-trip research & planning: bus schedules, restaurants & lodging I must do as a solo independent traveler..
Intense Tour package competition creates a near-infinite mix of Tier 1 & Tier 2 sites & experiences appealing to the broadest range of tourist goals, available time & budget.
Your challenge is to find ‘the’ tour that fulfills all or most of your expectations within your budget.
Serious Note: The more you understand my 27 Tour Factors the better your tour package choice & ultimate enjoyment.
B. Caliber of tourist sites: 1st Tier, 2nd Tier & 3rd tier: FYI: Site & Experience Classification: The travel industry often classifies travel sites & experiences as:
Tier 1: usually globally recognized & revered sites:
Paris’ Eiffel Tower
Beijing, China’s Forbidden City….
Bali's beaches & culture
Peru’s Machu Picchu
ANECDOTE: Mach Picchu, Peru (aka "Lost City of the Incas”): After a 1½ hr long train ride from Ollantaytambo to to tiny Aguas Calientes village far beneath Machu Picchu & an evening walkabout, early next morning I rode up through the morning fog a 20 min bus up the steep switch-back road to the site.
Then, from the ticket office a moderate walk up. There, on a high plateau above with the Caretaker’s Hut to your right, I gazed over Machu Picchu spread out before me backdropped by iconic Huayna Picchu mountain.
I made several self-guided walking tours videoing the entire complex AND hikes to the original entrance, the Inca Bridge, and up Huayna Picchu mountain
Tier 2: Tier 2 sights & activities lack global prestige, but are significant sites in their regions
or country and tend to be either:
a. less popular or well-known:
1) Belize’s Lamanai Archaeological Reserve
2) Italy's, Herculaneum, buried with Pompei ➡︎➡︎➡︎➡︎➡︎➡︎➡︎➡︎➡︎➡︎➡︎➡︎➡︎
b. difficult access & parking for a large bus:
1) China’s Lijiashan stone-carved village
2) Indonesia, Komodo Island: no bus parking.😀
c. too far off-the-beaten-track:
1) Mara, Peru’s Inca salt pans: historical
2) Lithuania's Kėdainiai preserved Old Town: [yt clip & PL]
d. too esoteric an interest:
1) Edinburgh’s Penis Museum (Really? Really!!! 😀)
2) Checz Republic's, Prague's "John Lennon's Wall of graffiti tribute
e. Physically demanding:
1) China’s Huà Shān Sacred Mountain:
2) China's Leaping Tiger Gorge hike:
Tier 3: ... is my ‘city dump’ category which includes all other sights & activities NOT in Tier 1 or Tier 2. They are by my definition uninteresting & unimportant to most travelers whose travel time & money is not to be wasted. Some tour operators may use Tier 3 sites as 1) ‘filler sites’, 2) ‘fill-in’ awkward schedule gaps or, 3) to break up a long city-to-city bus ride.
Additional PROs/CONs:
PROs: May allow guide’s discretion to go-off-itinerary to unique sights, particularly if ‘running ahead of schedule’ or unforeseen Tier 1 or 2 access issues. (A good & often novel thing!)
CONs: Dishonest & duplicitous tour companies may:
a) offer just a few Tier 1 & 2 sites, then, ‘pad, fill or puff’ your itinerary with too many Tier 3 sites, activities, & ‘shop steering’ visits [jlk].
b) may schedule too much 'free-time’ hoping you will opt-in to their overpriced Optional Tier 1 or 2 Excursions which you can easily book less expensively yourself.
c) use hidden tactics you won’t notice when you research & book their package: sub-standard lodgings & dubious meals [sub-pil lk. ] ??? [close]
19. Local Culture: Large tour buses are a ‘tight people-bubble’ racing through a culture experiencing little deep engagement with local people or their culture except for their tourist-acclimated hotel staff etc. 
If at all, Large Bus Tour operators tend to create contrived, faux, sanitized, Americanized, faux ‘authentic’ restaurants, home & village visits which may be the ‘only ‘ taste Large Bus Tour tourists will actually get unless they opt for ‘free times’ self-guided walking tours thru local communities, restaurants & non-tourist stores. [jlj” "free-time"]
OTOH, small tours with greater accessibility & relaxed schedules may offer truly authentic visits to a family home or farm too small for large groups.
ANECDOTE: Nawalgarh, India’s small farm visit: After a full day of visiting the painted havelies (residences) of ancient Silk Road merchants in small Indian towns riding behind my motorcycle guide, we visited a small family farm for an hour or so. A truly authentic local culture.
20. Sensible Itinerary: BEST: “Goldilocks” Rule: not too many nor too few; but just the right # of countries, cities, sites etc.”
Beware of:
a) wanting too many countries/sights, too fast
b) the bragging rights temptation.
c) Balance of sights and activities.
d) 'Free-Time'
What is a "Sensible Itinerary?"
a) Too much, too fast: If you try to ‘pack’ too many sights & activities into too short a tour you are demanding a low-quality experience. More, is often dramatically less.
Example: 5 countries in 6 days is:
1) too much bus time traveling
2) site visits & activities are too brief & rushed
3) hours spent busing means less time at fewer sites,
4) you WILL probably be worn out …. remembering &
enjoying very little; hating foreign travel experience &
destroying one of your life’s great passions.
ANECDOTE: my friend Marylyn’s trip: Marylyn joined a Spain trip planned & executed by an in-law covering too much, too fast by plane & rented car. Inefficient schedules of Tier 1 thru Tier 3 sites with much wasted time, group conflict, and a disaster crushing Marylyn's desire for any future travel.
b) Foolish bragging rights: Some travelers foolishly travel so they can return home and brag about the number of countries, cities or sites visited …. to friends who not only don’t care, but may be put-off by your self-importance & bored by your endless photos.
If this is your primary reason to travel, save your money, and stay home and watch YouTube travel videos (https://www.youtube.com/@scottsolotravels.
Anecdote: My friend's reaction to my trip on my return: Each time I returned from a foreign trip my BEST friends would, without my prompt, ask, “How was your trip?” I would respond simply, “Great trip", and that was the extent of their curiosity.
I suppose I expected to be welcomed back as the great adventurer. At first, I was annoyed & mystified until I accepted the reality that others have no duty to be enthused with my travels.
c) Balance of sights and activities. A good tour will take you to both historic sights and places of contemporary interest, to both natural places (or at least outdoor areas), museums AND provide some "free-time".
d) ‘’Free-Time”: is the “hidden gold mine” that maximizes your package tour’s goals & memories. [jlk: free time]
Synopsis of Ruff Itinerary:
21: "free-time": afternoons, evenings and pairs of both
A. What is a package tour’s "free-time"?
DEFINITION: ’free-time’ is when your tour itinerary purposely has nothing officially planned during a morning, afternoon or evening segment. That is your “free-time” to do as you wish.
These afternoons & evenings of ”free-time" are, IMO, a traveler’s greatest, un-discovered “gold mine” hidden in plain sight.
“Free-time’ offers you a taste of the “independent travelers’ most freedom-driven, flexible & fulfilling form of travel because you can be fully in control of your travel experience.
This ‘"free-time"’ offers guests 4 main opportunities: jlk. ???
1 personal rest & relaxation,
2 BBTour Optional Excursions,
3. guest self-booked ‘"free-time"’ local tours.
4. OR, guest-designed self-guided walking tours.
So, "free-time" is an “free independent travel” option hidden inside your tour package giving you the best of both worlds.
B. Is ‘"free-time"’ a rip off or gift?
Some guests argue that when touring companies schedule ‘"free-time"’, guests are not getting the full measure of professionally curated & guided sights & activities that they paid for & are entitled to. IOW they are being short-changed and their valuable travel time is being wasted.
—- that opinion might be a little short-sighted
It is true that ‘open’ or 'free-time' afternoons & evenings DO reduce the tour company’s food, guide or transportation costs AND may or may not increase their profits because:
1) it keeps their advertised tour package cost lower,
2) helps compensate for inflationary cost increases,
3) attracts ‘price’ shopping customers,
4) probably reduces guides' workload.
Your most fundamental Large Bus Tour benefits
First, A fully professionally researched & designed, planned & scheduled tour of sites, activities & logistics (ground transportation, food, lodging, sights & activities.) INCLUDING ‘free-time’ for your personal flexible use. They have already done the heavy lifting. You just show up on time.
Second, “free-time’s” occasional mornings, afternoons, evenings & pairs of both 'officially unscheduled' let you create your own self-tailored min-travel experiences within your main tour. How cool is that?
Anecdote: My 1st day in Prague: After settling into my hostel, I began my self-guided walking exploration of Prague’s Old Town area, strolled the riverside to early dinner at a local restaurant, then spent the evening loitering around Prague’s River’s famous Charles Bridge and the off- the beaten path at John Lennon graffiti ‘homage’ Wall. K12 [yt vid]
IMO, the wise traveler should view ‘"free-time"’ as a double-edged sword recognizing that it benefits the tour company, but MORE IMPORTANTLY, it equally benefits the traveler because:
1. jam-packed ‘jumping jack’ trips constantly drain your energy,
2. ‘"free-time"’ for relaxation or optional opportunities for personal exploration of local off-tour sites or activities (La Scala opera performance or a cooking class),
3. freedom to craft your own “special’ self-guided walking tour experience,
CAUTION: unethical tour operators sometimes ‘pad’ or fill afternoons & evenings with sub-par Tier 3 ‘filler’ sites not worthwhile to most.
So , if you think of 'free-time' as a rip off or as ‘dead time’,
consider changing your attitude & perspective and exciting new opportunities blossom.
Let me show you how to 'prize' & open this Easter Egg.
Note: Please remember I don’t get benefits from tour companies. I only write for you.)
C. How to determine your Tour’s Available ‘"free-time"’ segments:
a) Check Bus Tour's itinerary for ‘free-time’ segments: mornings (rare), afternoons & evenings AND particularly,
pairs of both..
b) Know BEFORE you book. Ask tour company for a written itinerary with published ‘free-time’ segments.
How to determine a tour’s available ‘free-time?
Let’s explore available 'free-time' in one of Rick Steve’s older tour packages: RS Italy (Venice, Florence & Rome) 10 day (2023)”: https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/italy/venice-florence-rome
Side Note: After my ~20 yrs of Rick Steve’s Travel Guide’s experience, I have great respect for his organization’s integrity and Mission.
Anecdote: Traveling around France one summer: my taxi cab driver advised that he had driven Rick somewhere a few weeks earlier. Later at a hostel, I was told the same thing by the owner.
This was SOLID PROOF. that Rick at that time, personally, lived up to his boast that, “Rick Steve's guidebooks are updated yearly.” Ironically, on that same trip, I walked to a Lonely Planet hostel only to discover it had been closed for 3 or 4 years.
I chose this Rick Steves' tour example because his tours tend to be:
1) small to medium size,
2) guest-focused,
3) generally higher quality,
4) trends older (late 40s+), and
5) considerate of fitness parameters for older guests.
I presumed Rick Steves' had taken into account a tour’s required walking distance, relaxation times, and guest’s desire to explore on their own.
The goal of this quick & dirty, horseback analysis is to teach you how to calculate your available mornings, afternoons & evening 'free-time' segments so you can fully exploit them. For example, on your arrival day I have only counted the night segment as part of the actual tour, which may often include orientation, dinner and a walkabout tour. AND the last day not counted at all because it may primarily your departure day.
While many days may begin with a most justifiable ‘old or historic town walkabout to quickly give you a sense of the old town or historical context, I also wanted a sense of specific site & activity’s allotted times.
1. Ruff analysis of Rick Steves Tours: “Best of Venice, Florence & Rome in 10 Days Tour (2023)”:
https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/italy/venice-florence-rome
Ruff analysis of official tour time segments vs 'free-time': by morning (m), afternoon (a), and evening (e) time segments which I will call Tour Units*
2. Synopsis of Ruff Itinerary:
Rick Steves Tours: Best of Venice, Florence & Rome in 10 Days Tour:
https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/italy/venice-florence-rome
D. How tour companies design ‘free-time’ packages?
Why should you care?
Your most fundamental benefit of a package tour is that the terribly time-consuming design, research, planning & logistics to create a safe & time/cost efficient tour package at a reasonable cost has already been done for you by travel professionals. You just book your trip and show up at the appointed time & place.
Anecdote: Itinerary creation: I know, because I have done it many times. As a solo, independent traveler, I have spent months researching & planning 2-3 month long trip itineraries for 1-4 countries at a time, many cities, and hundreds of sites & activities and all logistics. [pplk: DOC] [pplk: Resources: DOCs > itineraries]
I easily invested 6 hrs of planning for every day of travel, IOWs, 540 hours (90 days @ 6hr/day).1 mo Research & Planning for every month traveled.
Each tour package reflects the tour designer’s balance between logistics & site touring costs and profit. By design that cost/profit balance includes some ‘free-time’ afternoons & evenings.
So, ….again, …Why would you care? You might care because understanding a Tour Designer’s competing objectives will allow you to design your own simplified & effective 'free-time' itinerary.
How Tour Company’s Design Tour Packages
1. Design the tour’s parameters: So, once a trip designer has defined a tour’s characteristics: 
size, sight locations, guest age & mobility, they then must consider the following factors:
a. Package Itinerary:
(a) jam-packed with site visits & activities or
(b) prudent mix of sites & activities & 'free-time' segments.
b. Package sites & activities vs 'free-time':
1) a ’busy major sites only, or
2) a major Tier 1 site plus a relaxed Tier 2 site versus, or
3) a mix of sites & activities, or
4) just specific activities (cooking, fishing, genealogy).
c. Pace: comfortable speed with relaxed guide conversations vs rushed with constant canned guide’s commentary, little question /answer. [YTclip. Albania fort tour clip]
d. Dining & hotel quality: high vs medium vs large box; welcoming vs chilly.
e. Optional Excursions: highly curated for safety, skilled guide & variety of sites & activities
f. Transport: interesting & scenic routes vs fast & direct between cities/sites
2. Research & Test the Tour Package’s Design. Once the ideal package tour is roughly designed it must be thoroughly researched & tested on the road, so to speak. Transport routes, schedules & accessible site parking, restaurants tested for quality of ambiance & food, hotels reconnoitered for bus & luggage accessibility & amenities, and guide’s professionalism…. so your tour’s execution is smooth and professional.
Anecdote: St. Petersburg ‘cruise’ restaurant: On Shore Excursion’s restaurant served a horrible fish dish. Vast majority of 60 guests left it untouched. Cruise company should have vetted Shore Excursion restaurant better. I would never trust either again.
Also, each newly designed tour must compete with the company’s other tours AND more importantly, with the hundreds of other companies' tour offerings. An extremely complex task.
[close] E. How MIght YOU research & plan YOUR "free-time" segments?
There are 4 main “free-time" opportunities:
1. Personal rest & relaxation,
2. BBTour Optional tours,
3. Guest booked Local Excursions
4. OR, self-guided walking tour.
Planning your 4 ‘free-time’s Opportunities:
1. Personal Rest & Relaxation’s Time: Hour after hour of on/off bus & site walkabouts can be exhausting to some guests who may seek the solitude & relaxation of a ‘quiet corner’ or a stroll a nearby town’s parks.
How to find & choose your most desired Tier 1 &2 sites & experiences [jlk: to ??? ]
2. Large Bus Tour Optional Excursions: It is near impossible for a Large Bus Tour package company to economically satisfy all 30 to 60 clients with a truly intimate & complete cultural experience.
So, Large Bus Tour packages often offer a variety of extra cost curated Optional Tours during '"free-time"' afternoons & evenings to enrich their overall tour experience
- Argentina’s Buenos Aires flamenco dancing,
- London’s Thames waterfront evening cruise & dinner.
This strategy ensures a tour company’s;
a) minimum required profit & perhaps a bit more,
b) overall Tour package cost reduction and
c) REDUCES your tour price. They are a for-profit business, after all. 😀
Often, however, these Optional Tours are overpriced presumably because the tour designer believes guests will opt for tour's easy booking option, BUT you may just as easily book by yourself over the Internet. Please read further below jlk ???
How to choose a Tour company’s Tour.
a. There are online companies allied with local Tour companies that may offer a greater variety of Local Excursions & lower prices not offered by your tour operator. Ironically, they may be the same at a lower price’.
b. Pre-trip Online search makes Local Excursion research & booking almost as easy as booking with your Tour Operator & perhaps for less money.
c. Locals provide all necessary transport, meals when necessary, & maybe site entry fees. Enquire & confirm before booking.
3. Guest’s Self-Booked Local Excursions.. [jlk: "free-time"]. Guest-designed ‘"free-time"’ opportunities can be the most rewarding, fulfilling & exciting Large Bus Tour experiences because YOU decide what Local Excursions appeal to you.
ANECDOTE: Tallinn, Estonia’s capital… has several impressive historical sites & museums: Tallinn City Wall; Freedom Square, Estonia Maritime Museum, & on the far outskirts, Sagadi Manor, & Estonian Open Air Museum. All easily done on a tour or more flexibly on your own. I spent many days wandering these sights and the entire city, avoiding the cruise ship crowds during middle day.
Each city or town’s that Large Bus Tours overnight in probably have a range of additional Local Excursions available to nearby Tier 1 & 2 site tours & unique local activities. Often these local excursions are the same tours as your Large Bus Tour company offers, but at significantly lower prices because they have to compete with your tour company's tours.
The irony is that with simple research & planning AND sufficient, you can book your own local Optional Tours for your “free-time” segments. Kinda your own “tour within a tour.” Pretty cool, eh?
Your primary challenge is to research what Excursions you want and book them to fit your Large Bus Tour’s '"free-time"' schedule opportunities.
A. FACTORs for Guest Booked Local Excursions
1. Greater Variety of Sites/Experiences: Often a larger, broader, less costly variety of all Local Tour options including same ones your Tour company offers.
a. All Tier 1,2 & 3 tourist sites & experiences
b. Specialized Experiences: (French cooking class, hiking trails)
c. Esoteric interests: more narrow interest options than most guests desire: Edinburgh Penis Museum) ignored by biggies.
2. Pre-trip Online Research: …. almost as easy & convenient as booking with same tour with Tour Operator uses.
3. Lower Local price: may be less because they know they have to compete with your Tour company; the tour itself may even be the same tour as your company offers.
So, … consider changing your attitude towards ‘"free-time"’
& exciting opportunities may appear!
Note: OTOH, to be fair & honest, a local could be ‘similar’, but food, guides & itinerary might be sub-standard.
4. Local Guides: You may hire local guides for large & complex sites or to visit multiple sites quicky because local folks-turned-guides & local tour companies can be highly motivated & respected experts on their local turf because they have ‘lived’ everything local — sites, history, culture, local stories.
Local guidescan offer specific & unique Itineraries or will craft one for you. Local guides are a great source of local ‘"free-time"’ options: authentic restaurants and solving minor issues: “I need to replace my lost hat?” May also be the same guide as LBT’s Tours use.
a. Private Site guides: If official, a popular site may have a formal queue like airport taxis queues. All take the next guide in line.
b. Informal Local Site Guides: or, you may have to choose from a gaggle of pushy local guides clustered desperately around the site’s entry.
c. Private Guides: search guides who advertise their experience & expertise on the Internet giving them the credibility of past client reviews. Online scheduling & booking is usually simple.
d. Informal Local Guides:
Anecdotee: Albania’s _____ original residential fortress area’s occupant/guide)
CAUTION: Confirm NO Shop Steering. May just waste your time & money.
5. Booking Tips: book through reputable(?) local companies or use independent booking platforms which may offer both quality, safety & savings:
World Wide Booking Platforms
(Note: My Review research after only 15 min of online research
AND from personal experience.)
a. Get Your Guide: mostly positive …
b. Tours by Locals: mostly positive but for full group prepay requirement; “… think Viator, but a lot better run…”, with both clients & guide support, & dispute resolution service that works. Guides curated before being listed.
c. Trip Advisor & Viviator (TripAdvisor related): AVOID, apparently unreliable & overpriced.
TIP: read a page or 2 of reviews on these organizations, BUT NOT reviews on their site.
CAUTION: Confirm NO Shop Steering; just waste your time usually
6. Local Cultural experience: Local guides can often slip in authentic experience into your tour if time allows.
Anecdote: Inle Lake, Myanmar boat hire: I hired a guide & his roostertail boat to show me Inle Lake's small communities & lcal culture. Spontaneously he took me too his families 'floationg home' for coffee & to me the family.
Anecdote: Mandawa, India's 'painted' havelis (homes)
7. Safety & Security: omes) Safer, more secure access to dicey sights/activities.
Anecdote: (gypsy assault outside St Petersburg’s Pink Palace)
8. Group Size: Tier 1 & 2 site’s are very often overrun by large tours between 10am & 3pm. Avoid some hassle by purposely booking a small tour or private guide with:
a. VIP or private access tickets,
b. ability to maneuver nimbly,
c. a silent/private Tour Guide Audio System.
d. …. or once at your hotel for night, immediately grab a Uber & get to top Tier 1 on your own before others.
9. VIP Site Access: Local Tours have arranged VIP access:
Anecdote: India’s Mandawa painted havelis
10. Safety & Security: Safer than solo access to dicey sights/activities.
Anecdote: (gypsy assault outside St Petersburg’s Pink Palace)x. Quality, safety & reliability:
Anecdote: Varanasi: boat ride hustler & fee for wat gazing
11. Dining: included if necessary (e.g.: lunch on 6 hr excursion)
12. Peer-to-peer local private host & guide: Peer-to-peer is a relatively new option rapidly growing as travel demand has shifted from ‘destination’ to ‘experiential’ based vacations.
Reuters Events: destination to experience-led vacations,
Peer-to-peer Deep Dive
Tens of thousands of private hosts in 30 cities across Asia and Europe & expanding to more cities, local hosts and local sites & experiences; often language tailored i.e. English for Brits, Americans, Aussies & Kiwis, etc.
Private hosts’ unique, personalized itineraries, sites & activities offered directly to passion-driven traveler’s at an affordable cost, but focused on off-the-beaten-path experiences: actual local events, family dinners, etc..
Typical peer to peer 3rd party operators:
a. Withlocals.com and heal2go.com.
b. Reuter Events - Travel: https://www.reutersevents.com/travel/social-media-and-marketing/bye-bye-mass-tourism-hello-healing-touch
c. Crunchbase: 1,200 fully customizable, 100% private Cruises & activities led by 900 local hosts in dozens of international cities.
d. Tours by Locals: Slowlife Family Farm: Cooking Experience: https://www.toursbylocals.com/tours/italy/siracusa/tour-details/slowlife-family-farm-cooking-experience-664d242717832fdc0dbb5afd
B. How to choose your ideal “free time” Local Tours: Your locally booked “free time” tours should include your most desired sites and experiences available in each town you stay in overnight. I chose many of my travel sites from a lifetime of education, public media, reading, videos, & even the news. Each tiny bit of interesting travel site or activity info was what I now call ‘Travel Buds’.
Like tiny rose buds, these near-infinite numbered ‘Travel Buds’ were potential travel ideas lying asleep in my mind ‘under the snow’ waiting for me to turn them into Spring’s travel targets. Same is true for you!
You only have to resurrect your Travel Buds to make your self-booked local Tours travels a “rich experience’ rather than a mere day-dream fantasy”? This ‘resurrection’ can be an exciting personal research adventure in itself.
My simple 6-step process should be useful:
(1) Create a List Form, with 2 columns (town & sites/activities)
(2) list all towns where your tour overnights that has ‘free-time segments
(3) List all your Tour’s officially scheduled site/activities to avoid duplication
(4) discover & list all your Travel Buds,
(5) Prioritize all sites/activities by town &/or ‘free-time’ segment,
(6) Tailor prioritized sites/activities to ‘free-time’ segments. Dig Deeper
My simple 6-step process
This process may seem simplistic, but it works.
1. List Form: Create a simple Site/Experience List form, written or computer, with 2 columns for towns/cities your tour visits.
2. List all towns where your tour lodges that have ‘"free-time"’ morning, afternoon or evening segments, particularly afternoon & evening pairs.
CAUTION: confirm 'free-time' with tour company …. before booking.
3. List all Tour’s official scheduled sites & activities to avoid duplication.
4. Discover & list your Travel Buds for each overnight town or city for which you have a 'free time' segment.
a. Search your mind for your Travel Buds: Throughout our lives, each of us has been exposed to Travel Buds: — those places & experiences that we have always dreamed of seeing. Once you begin to look for them, you’ll discover Travel Buds fill your mind. [pplk; Resources: “Future Travel” document ] [pplk: Future Travel list].
Anecdote: some of my Travel Buds:
Audrey Hepburn’s “Two for the Road’ romantic European travel fantasy movie,
Russel Crowe’s “Gladiator’s Coliseum; my Rome visits.
Brad Pitt’s “Seven Years in Tibet.”; triggered 3 months in China .
Art History class: exposed Athen’s Pantheon’s intentional optical illusion of slightly bowed steps & bulging columns.
Historical Anecdote: In 1897, the original dirt-poor Alaska Klondike miners: .... dragged heavily loaded 'Sacks of Gold' worth millions today off the Excelsior steamboat onto San Francisco’s pier. What valued travel nuggets will you return home with? PIK miners
StockCake* https://stockcake.com/i/gold-panning-miners_468231_735279.
*StockCake may not own or have created the content provided.
b. Online search your ‘free-time’ towns, for all tourist sights & experiences that you didn’t know about ….that may excite you enough to add to your list.
c. Watch TV or Netflix travel shows for more Travel Buds
- Rick Steves' Europe: several steaming sources
- Public Television: streaming episodes on Rick Steves' website, through PBS's platforms, & Amazon Prime Video.
- YouTube: official YouTube channel: clips, full episodes, travel tips, & behind-scenes stuff
- “50 of the Best Travel-ish Shows to Watch ….”: https://www.going.com/guides/best-travel-shows
d) Explore Travel blogs in search of Travel Buds. (Don’t search “Travel websites” yet because most are Cruise company adverts)
“FeedSpot”: ”100 Best Travel Blogs To Read”:
https://travel.feedspot.com/travel_blogs/
As you build your list of Travel Buds, some country, region or city sites & activities will truly speak to your interest. It will happen. Trust me.
5. Prioritize & curate ALL your Travel Buds; of most desired sights & activities. TIP: I use a different color circled numbers to left of items.
Examples:
Tier 1: (1) Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, (2) Vatican, St Peter’s Basilica, Trevi Fountain & Spanish Steps.
Tier 2: Baths of Caracalla, Trastevere neighborhood, Galleria Borghese museum, (3) Michelangelo’s Piazza del Campidoglio,
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, and so on.
6. Tailor prioritized Travel Buds within each “free-time” segment you have. Map out a hypothetical route from one site to the next estimating both travel time & on-site time (just like your tour company does)
Example:
- Afternoon Segment (1pm > 5pm): site-linked self-guided walking tour.
CAUTION: Double-check the Tour Schedule so you are not late for next ‘Scheduled’ Tour activity. UNLESS you choose to skip. Your trip remember! 😀…
- Evening Segment: (5pm > ?): maybe dinner & a river cruise (London)
- Afternoon & Evening Pair: return to hotel when you like. NO worries except tomorrow's early & busy day. 😀
All this planning you can do BEFORE you leave home magnifying your anticipation & excitment
[close]22. Tailored Specialty Cruises: Themed, Luxury & Boutique Cruises, Adventure & Expedition, Age or Lifestyle, and Educational & Cultural Cruises:
Tailored Specialty Cruises
Specialty tours are small almost by definition although nature & educational tours might be larger. Many companies offer or can arrange …. specialty group activities or focus tours.
A. Relationship tours:
1. Family, Siblings, Friends-Only:.re-new old flames, heal old hurts & share
new stories.
2. Adults only: avoids family/kid mayhem TO enjoy “adults-only” activities.
3. All-women / All-men: Girlie things vs guy stuff.
NOTE: NOT intended for European style “I’m free!” raucous bachelorettes or bachelor bacchanals which many hostels outlaw.
4. Wedding: I am a bachelor, so, haven’t a clue.?😀
B. Sports & Adventure Tours: Any athletic activity you can imagine or design! 
Medium fitness to high intensity athletic ‘extreme sports’: road cycling & rugged mt bike trails, highly skilled white water river kayaking, camping & rugged, long-distance trekking, & mountaineering.
C. Activity Specialty: Hobbies & Interests: art & architecture, cooking, music, history, science, birding.
Artisans of Leisure:
https://www.artisansofleisure.com/tour/Arts_tours_luxury_travel.html),
D. Earth’s Nature & sustainability/environmentalism: Such tours include Wildlife Conservation Adventures, Eco-Friendly Wilderness Exploration, Cultural and Community Engagement, Climate Action and Carbon-Neutral Travel, Regenerative Nature Retreats, & Educational Eco-Tourism 
National Geographic tours & Rick Steves’:
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/trip-planning/eco-friendly-travel-europe
E. Volunteering: Some tour operators promote volunteer experiences & pro-active sustainability travel (eco lodgings, etc) all over the world.
Some Volunteer opportunities are for a few days or weeks to months. Curiously, some often charge a weekly fee; $180 > 3000/week or you work for basics: food, tools, experiences. Huh??? Go figure.
International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ): https://www.volunteerhq.org/destinations/
F. Specialty or Narrow Focus: Japan’s “Cherry Blossoms” tours: , 
Religious, Shopping, Gstronomic (food), Genealogy, Christmas Markets Getting-Back-To-Your-Roots.
Trafalgra Tours: Japan’s “Cherry Blossoms” tours,
Vivator: Top Europe Ghost Tours:https://www.viator.com/Europe-tours/Ghost-&-Vampire-Tours/d6-g4-c118
Peer-to-peer local private host & guide.
A relatively new peer-to-peer local private host & guide option is growing as travel demand has shifted from ‘destination’ to ‘experience’ based vacations.
Reuters Events: destination to experience-led vacations,
Tens of thousands of hosts in 30 cities across Asia and Europe & expanding to more cities; local hosts and local sites & experiences; often language tailored i.e. 
English for Brits, Americans, Aussies & Kiwis, etc.
Private host’s unique, personalized itineraries, sites & activities tours offered directly to passion-driven travelers at an affordable cost, but focused on off-the-beaten-path experiences: actual local events, family dinners, etc. sites & activities.
a. Withlocals.com and heal2go.com
b. Reuter Events - Travel: https://www.reutersevents.com/travel/social-media-and-marketing/bye-bye-mass-tourism-hello-healing-touch
c. Crunchbase: 1,200 fully customizable, 100% private tours & activities led by 900 local hosts in dozens of international cities.
NOTE: Lodging may or may not be included, but Airbnb Experiences, Vrbo etc. lodging sites can easily sync to coincide with peer-to-peer tours.
G. Curious, esoteric, contrived, silly Trips:
1. Single, Yet Ready-To-Mingle Trip: Huh?
2. Do-Nothing-At-All Trip: go to Motel 6 & watch TV; save money & hassle
Travel Triangle: “15 Types Of Trips For Those Who Believe
Change Is Only Constant In Life!”
https://traveltriangle.com/blog/types-of-trips/
[plpk: sub-pil” xyz Kinds of (B): Tailored Specialty Tours]
[pplk: SIT Expanderr Tour Factors]
23. Tour Company Reputation: BEST: Online reviews that are NOT curated by a tour company or a site that benefits from tour company advertising: e.g. TripAdvisor etc.
How do you know a Company's Reputation?
Possible Good Sources:
Social Media Presence: Company's profile’s user posts on ‘X’ & AI, Instagram, et al;
Independent Forums:
Travel Blogs: Beware of travel blogs whose income is dependent on advertising & sponsorship.
If you directly contact tour company, consider their personality,
inquiries or complaint responsiveness, & general sentiment of posts. (Trustpilot & Sitejabber: Often provide feedback.)
Remember, IMO, most, if not all, companies will try to manage their reputations: some by direct manipulation (Disney), some by extortion (Disney). Be cautiously wise. Look for evidence of at least a few Good & Bad reviews each to suggest impartiality. Seldom is any company perceived as perfect.
Anecdote: Disney’s attempt to ‘bend’ (extort) X * former Twitter) to it’s will. An attempt openly & boldly thwarted by Elon’s public, “F… You, Bill" referring directly to Disney CEO, William Eisner sitting in the audience.
Direct Communication: Contact tour company directly with all questions. Evaluate their natural spontaneity & willingness to provide detailed information, the credibility & of their response. If suspect it is a 'customer service call-center' be suspicious.
Digging too much deeper now may be a Rabbit Hole of diminishing returns. Probably too deep in the weeds. —
[close]24. Price & extras: BEST: The Tour price you are willing to pay should reflect 1) the availability of your desired sites & activities, quality & comfort level, & amenities you are willing to pay for, 2) your willingness to pay upfront or as sites, etc arise while touring, & 3) of course, your wise evaluation of my various 27 Tour Factors that you have just read thru.
Three (3) kinds tpur price classifications: 1)
Key Question: “What is included in the price?” ; tour package price classifications: 1. Inclusive (all inclusive), 2. Partial Inclusive, and 3. All Exclusive.
Only you can value a tour's quality level; only you know how much you are willing to pay.
Deep Dive Discussion of '3 Price Levels'
Again, your ONLY guarantee of tour quality vs cost is the thoroughness of your understanding & evaluation of the 27 Tour Factors I have offered you.
Only you can value a tour's quality level; only you know how much you are willing to pay.
Your human brain superbly amasses this kind of info and reduces it down to a simple decision.
So trust in yourself.
Usually, as in most purchases, the higher the cost, the greater the quality, but CAUTION, sometimes lower price merely disguises lower quality. Beware!
Again, your ONLY guarantee of tour quality vs cost is the thoroughness of your understanding & evaluation of the Tour Factors I have offered you.
A. Quick Look: (Please read closely because terms are subtly confusing)
1. Inclusive (all inclusive): Covers most or all expenses; offers simplicity & convenience, but little ‘free time’ flexibility.
2. Partial Inclusive: Some expenses, but not all covered so guest must control their budget AND do their own ‘free time’ planning
3. All Exclusive (All-Inclusive): Everything is included for a completely worry-free trip, but with higher costs and less flexibility & choice.
B. A Deeper Look:
1. “Inclusive (All-inclusive)” (both mean the same)
Definition: These tours cover almost all expenses at a single price for a worry-free trip
CAUTION: Usually, as in most purchases, the higher the cost, the greater the quality, but,
sometimes lower price merely disguises lower quality.
BEST deal: if you eat, drink, & participate a lot.
PROs:
1. Price: Single upfront price. ‘Good deal’, if take full use. No ‘final surprise bill'!
2. Price/Quality Options: Many deeply curated levels of quality & price.
a. Carol Walton’s Expedition flies high-rollers between African safari sites.
b. Some specialty tours (not Carol’s) can cost $100, 000.
3. Research, planning & logistics: done for you.
4. Transportation: included, maybe transfers to/from airports
5. Lodging: Included
6. Meals: often all meals, maybe snacks beverages & alcohol)
8. Activities: included a wide range of activities, excursions, or fun.
9. All planning: …. site, activity & logistics done for you.
10. Extras: maybe includes; tips, hotel & local taxes, service charges,
to/from airport, transfers, food, snacks, alcohol (premium brands, 24/7);
wifi & cell on bus, hotel taxes,
11. Non-tour expenses: maybe Local Entry & Departure Tax
(Costa Rica, cash only), on-arrival visas, Currency exchange & ATM Fees.
12. Worry-free: because rigid, but comprehensive.
13. Predictable cost budgeting: all costs known upfront & included.
14. Less cash to carry: supposedly because initial price covers all, but …..
TIP: Be wise. Always carry cash or cc/dc; you just never know.
CONs:
1. Near-zero flexibility: rigid site/activities/meal schedules, & little ‘free time’.
2. Less value for $: if you don't use all the included services.
2. Partially Inclusive:
Definition: Includes some, but not all, expenses in a single package price.
It Is the middle ground between ‘inclusive (all inclusive)’ & ‘exclusive’ tours including some, but not all expenses in the package price. but, most importantly, probably some 'free-time' opportunities.
So guest must control their budget AND do their own ‘"free-time"’ planning.
PROs:
1. Price: low initial cost, but often budget-busting add-ons; must-budget extras.
2. Better Value for Money: particularly if you highly value “Free Time” options.
3. Flexible: some “free time” options: local walkabout, meals, local Excursions.
4. Transportation: maybe to/from airport transfers.
6. Lodging: for specified tour nights
7. Meals: Varies: some or none. You must ask in advance.
8. Activities: a few Tier 1 & 2 sites, but maybe not free optional activities.
9. Guides: guided tours for the entire tour.
10. Entry fees: included for some attractions/activities, but not all.
11. ’Free time’ options: some afternoons & evenings.
Rick Steves Tours seems to go out of their way to ensure you have all the pre-booking info you need. https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/trip-planning/comparing-tours
CONs:
1. ‘Free time’ opportunities: require fun pre-trip planning, & booking.
2. Extra ‘free-time’ budgeting: excursions, restaurants, Uber etc.
3. Flights: often not included, unless specified: “air-inclusive"
4. Meals: most not covered, but varies. Please ask.
5. Personal Expenses: Not covered: souvenirs, alcohol, tips, bottled water.
6. Optional Excursions: NOT covered, often overpriced; may book locally.
7. Contract & Promo’s Fine Print: Read to avoid surprises & dissatisfaction.
8. Travel Insurance: I always bought.
3. Exclusive: usually ONLY includes basic published tour features most basic, least expensive initial cost with largest % of 'free-time'
(Not to be confused with ‘all-inclusive')
CAUTION: Term "exclusive" often duplicitously used to suggest ‘exclusivity’ i.e high quality, but not necessarily so.
PROS:
1. BEST: plentiful "free-time" for self-guided walkabout options: local's
restaurants, intimate neighborhood walkabouts
2. Cost: least costly, …. if you avoid costly add-on services, etc.
3. Tour Published Basics ONLY: lodging, meals, sites/activities
4. Transportation: unlikely to/from airport transfers
5. Food & Lodging: minimal basics
8. Attraction Entry Fees: yes, for most package-specific attractions
9. Perks: limited, if any: snacks, beverages.
10. Internet ‘"free-time"’ research & planning: “Believe it or not …”,
can be exciting [pplk’ 3 trips in one’ idea].
11. Budget ‘"free-time"’ additional costs, if any: local excursions, dinners. etc.
NOTE: Your self-guided walking tours are free & worthwhile. [jlk "free-time']
CONs:
1. Cost: may exceed budget, if too many add-on services. Restraint. 🥴
2. "free-time"’s options: may add cost, unless budgeted beforehand.
3. Attraction Entry Fees: for some package attractions. Ask?
4. Hidden extra expenses: know what is not included. Ask !!!
5. Optional’ excursions: not covered, often overpriced
6. Food & Drink: usually NOT covered: alcohol,
7. Lodging services: not included; usually expensive: laundry, pressing.
8. Single supplement fee: single person's extra lodging fee
9. Fine Print: ALWAYS check fine print, or ask about hidden costs.
10. Guest perks: some included, but, others are extra: tips, spa
treatments, high-end optional activities &luxury services, souvenirs.
12. Personal Expenses: extra $: snacks, alcoholic & other drinks;
alcoholic beverages: limited, if at all.
13. Flexibility: Little ‘basic package’ flexibility: rigidly designed, YET,
often more ’"free-time"’ options for solo walkabouts.
14. "free-time" is usually significant
(Rick Steve's’ Tour: 36% of morning, afternoon, night segments.
15. "free-time"’ expenses: No! Uber, food, souvenirs, excursions, tips
FYI, “Best & worst package holiday providers”: https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/travel-agents/article/travel-agents/best-&-worst-package-holiday-providers-agVuo5r7eV33
Rick Steves: ”Tips for Comparing European Bus Tours”: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/trip-planning/comparing-tours [close]
Back to Table of Contents
25. LBT Book Agreement: most publish own versions of such agreements, tailored to them, but generally the same broad themes. [plpk: sub-pil” xyz Kinds of]
LBT Booking Agreement
3. Payments & Deposits: full payment in advance or …; price changes
4. Cancellation & Refund Policy: either party(?); deadlines, fees, refunds.
5. Pricing: Cost/person/group rate
16. Privacy Policy: data use, storage, and protection
17. Special Conditions: duty to disclose: age, physical, dress codes.
19. Customer Expectations: policies: booking changes, refunds, hidden costs.
20. Service Guarantees: inherent service quality.
21. Legal Jurisdiction: in case of legal disputes.
26. Eco-friendly: The image of LBT buses is 'diesel fumes belching road hogs' which the industry argues is UNFAIR because the industry is pursuing eco-friendly initiatives as evidenced by their proudly displayed Green Globe Certification. BEWARE: Greenwashing! Dig Deeper
Bus Touring Company Eco Agendas
Large Bus Touring companies may pursue 1 or more of the following:
1. ....are significantly more fuel-efficient per passenger than individual cars or even trains by reducing overall fuel consumption & emissions e.g. a bus can be almost 7 times more efficient than a car in passenger miles/gallon terms.
2. .... produce considerably less carbon dioxide/passenger mile vs. planes or cars. e.g. studies show buses can reduce carbon footprint by almost 77.5% compared to planes for a greener long-distance travel option.
3. .... contribute lower noise pollution vs. multiple cars, motorcycles, or Asia's cities' skooter hordes PIK for a more peaceful environment. Further, by reducing the number of vehicles on road, buses decrease overall road wear & tear, which indirectly reduces pollution from road maintenance activities.
4. .... many bus tour company's buses use cleaner CNG & bio-fuels & even hybrid & electric models.
5. Influx of tourist & bus company monies facilitates upgraded infrastructure: roads, waste processing, water quality, etc.
OTOH, some communities restrict LBT, to certain roads, roots, and parking areas to insulate local communities.
BEWARE: Greenwashing describes all businesses including travel businesses that fraudulently ‘pretend’ to practice ESG, but really don’t. [close]
27. “support local’: Does tour company proactively patronize local businesses (lodging, taxi service & restaurants, retail, etc) to direct your tourist dollars into local economy rather than to big or foreign businesses or worse, corrupt government (Myanmar’s Military).
ANECDOTE: SOL: Myanmar: I purposely used local hostels, restaurants small grocery stores. Unfortunately, Mayanmar's corrupt dictatorial military directly or indirectly controls all 3 in-country airlines
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