Bus Around

Danielle Google Bus About. Everything you need to know is on their web site. I know people who have travelled this way and really enjoyed the experience. One of them was a lady in her late 30's

Hi Danielle, As I said previously, I haven't used this company but here's their website. http://www.busabout.com/ :)
Enjoy.

There are pros & cons w/ any Hop-On/Hop-Off backpacker bus network. Pro is ability to hop off anytime during the trip & stay longer in places that appeal to you. Pro if you don't want to arrange for your own transportation between cities (car rentals, train reservations, etc) or book your own lodging - the HOHO buses handle those things for you. Pro you aren't stuck travelling w/ same group your entire trip - w/ people coming & going each stop you'll meet different people from all over. Pro the buses make stops along the way at various sights & small villages/towns you may not normally get to or even be aware of if you were travelling on your own via train or a rental car. Con would be some lodging is outside of the city. You don't mention what countries you are visiting, but in places like Venice & Rome, you are camping well outside the city limits instead of staying in a city hostel or pensione. Email BusAbout to ask them to send you a list of lodging for your particular HOHO pass, then look up each place on a website like Hostelworld.com, BugEurope or Tripadvisor to see what other people say who have stayed. Con is you are often limited to 1 bus coming through per day & buses leave early AM. Trains between most European cities run more frequently with several per day, so you have flexibility w/ your schedule & can spend an extra half a day somewhere if you had a very late night the night before departure. I used a similar HOHO backpacker bus network in part of Australia & New Zealand and had a great time. But again, get as many reviews of both Busabout and their accommodations from other travelers (like over on Thorntree at Lonely Planet) and make a decision that suits you.

You could also look at www.eurolines.com.

Though I've never traveled with this particular company I have traveled with similar type companies. After looking at thier videos on Youtube I think it would be a great way to travel if one is traveling to Europe for the first time especially if alone or even with someone, even for those that have been before it affords one the opportunity to meet like minded people, an affordable way to go to different cities, accomodations are part of the plan so no having to plan that out, to name a few things.