France My Way

Based on other RS tours, there are stops every 1.5-2 hours and the guide will use part of the drive to pass on information about the next location.

I've found the bus portion of the tours quite comfortable, and I enjoy the scenery.

On all the RS tours we've done, I don't think we were ever on a bus longer than 2 hours. And, if we were, the amount of information and/or history and scenery certainly made the time go by fast.

We've been on 3 Rick Steves guided tours. You will always stop for a restroom break or two. You may stop for lunch or a quick site. Your tour guide will not narrate for 5 hours but will certainly point out significant sites, give you some historical information; or perhaps give a little background info to set you up for what to expect on your next stop. Nobody is going to "talk at you" for 5 hours straight. It's always pleasant and an opportunity to just take in the scenery or rest.

It is an EU safety requirement for the driver to have a break every 2-2.5 hours.

I took one bus tour, my last. They may be a good way to travel but I prefer to choose my own itinerary (sights, lodging and meals).

That said, read the brochure. They are VERY specific, and literal, on what your days will entail. I learned, during my one trip, that "seeing" a sight literally means they drive past, and you "see" it. Stopping at a sight, means you will "stop" there; maybe only for a chance to take a photo from outside. Visiting or touring a sight are the only times you should expect to stop someplace and actually go through it.

Peruse the brochure and learn exactly what the trip entails. If it works for you, great.

@TravelBoss - Was your tour a Rick Steves one? He is not big on listing sights you view from the outside although there are other travel companies that use See/View/Stop to mean different things.

I have not done a MyWay but agree with the others that you will stop for comfort stops and perhaps a sightseeing opportunity. It looks like your long day is Amboise to Lyon. I looked quickly at the reviews for this tour and did not see a mention of where they might have stopped between the two cities.

They stop at what in Italy are called "Auto-grills" along the highways. I don't know what they're called in France, although I took that My Way tour. It's like a large, upscale convenience store with ample restrooms. Some even had food buffets.

Edited: Buffet is probably not the best word. Cafeteria-style would be better. You go along a line with your tray and they serve you hot food. I'm pretty sure we stopped twice on the longest bus day.

I took the France my way tour in June. My first time to Europe, first trip anywhere outside the US. I actually appreciated the bus time because it was built in down time. We did a lot of site seeing and WALKING, but independent from the tour. The bus stopped every 1.5-2 hours to give the driver a break and a chance to stretch, get a snack, or have a bio break. We added a day before and after (an extra day in Paris and Nice). I can't wait to go back. One thing I appreciated about the trip, having never been before, was getting a chance to see very different parts of the country. And thinking about where I would go again to spend more time. Most places you get about a day and a half, so it felt like just a taste of the area.

Although site seeing and meals are independent, the bus ride felt like a chance to get to know some of the other people on the tour. Our tour manager was really great. He gave us some history, some good information about town significance, recommended places to eat or things to try. He looked at my itinerary that I developed for each city and made recommendations.

As I said, this was my first trip. My daughter and I knew we wanted to go to Paris and Nice. This trip allowed me to not worry about where we were going to stay or how we were going to get from one place to the next. It was daunting to me to figure all that out.

I would consider another my way trip when I pick where I want to go next.