Bus tour through Spain/Portugal

T his is not a tour bus group and most here would argue that doing it on your own is best. There is the Small World tours. You should raise this question on Trip Advisor or Fodors.

Sharon, don't let anyone talk you out of a bus tour if that is what you are comfortable with. My first trip to Europe was back in 1992; myself and my best friend (two twenty something young women) took a Club ABC tour of Spain and Portugal (15 days). At that time, neither of us felt comfortable traveling on our own. We had a wonderful trip and enjoyed the lively comraderie of the other 40+ people on the tour bus (mostly seniors)! I'm not familiar with tour companies, perhaps you can find reviews on trip advisor? Spain is one of my favorite countries! Make sure the trip includes Granada; the Alhambra (Moorish Palace)and it's gardens are amazing. The Albaycin area is wonderful as well.

Sharon,, just for interest,, and to assist in recommendations, what about a RS tour has you elimanating them as a choice? Is it the price, the activity level, the comfort level?
My ex MIL has taken a Globus tour,, and found although cheaper then some tours,, there was lots of nickel and diming,, plus hotels were not very central so free time often meant taking public transport to get anywhere interesting for free time. She also found the schedule a bit grueling,, lots of moving from hotel to hotel.

Thanks for all the responses. Yes, the price is a little daunting for sure. And although we are in great physical shape, the webpage disclaimer which reads climbing stairs with our luggage does frighten us. But I love the idea of the small groups. I feel very unusure to take the plunge.

I'm not trying to talk you out of it, but it's true that you'll have to have your bags in the hall at 7AM very often. You're trading off having to spend uncounted hours planning and reserving at home, for having no input to what's happening on the tour. (And not having to worry about being nickel and dimed by the rental car company and your CDW insurance company.) We did find (driving) that the road signs in Portugal were not very good, but we found driving in Spain easy and scenic. I almost never change my plans after we set out-the difference from a bus tour is that we can stay as short or as long as we want at the attractions I've selected. And we never have to go on a "shopping" opportunity. Although I worship Rick's books, a stereotyped Rick-reader goes to as many places in one day as a bus tour rider! But we stay in one place for three nights and make day trips in the neighborhood. Sometimes, maybe before we pick up the car, we even take a local 8AM-8PM bus tour to hit three, four, or five attractions (with no shopping) in one day. Remember that one Rick point is "Assume you're coming back." Maybe you want an encyclopedic trip, but think about what would be more pleasant for the two of you, if incomplete. I'm 60, and I've been in Germany three times this year. (Sorry if that sounds like bragging, I'm just referring to the Rick Philosophy point above ....) Even if you spend $200 a night on hotels (and you don't have to), that still leaves $7200 for airfare, food, and admissions. I will say that sometimes organized tours save time waiting in line at top attractions, and getting out of a restaurant in "American" time rather than "European" time. But as Rick will tell you, finding a restaurant and watching the locals during the meal is part of the point of going at all.

Tim,, I don't think you have ever taken a RS tour,, since we did not have to ever put our luggage out at 7 am,, you may have to go to breakfast by 7 or 7:30,, then meet at the bus with your luggage by 8:30 or 9.. Plus the RS tours stay in same places for minimum of two nights usually, sometimes three. So I wondering about your post,, was this your experience, on which tour?
Sharon,, we had grandmas and grandpas on the one RS Family tour I took, as well as kids as young as 7,, and EVERYONE was capable of handling their own luggage,, since we were advised to pack light and we all did. The tour you take will likely have no children on it, don't worry, as I said I was on a tour specifically for families. Sharon ,, if you are reasonably fit the tour is easy enough,, perhaps you should contact RS ,, they will send you a FREE dvd that shows exactly what the tours are like, its older for sure, and frankly was harder looking then it actually is,, we found the hotels nicer then they suggest they may be, and the walks easier. Also, its a tour, your likely to be among many folks your age, so everyone is in same boat. Yes, his tours are a bit pricey, but we found they included alot of stuff. Breakfast everyday, many dinners, and all the main sites. They almost always were set up so that first day in a place you got toured around, then second day was free time to see what you wanted, or to rest ,, or do laundry or whatever. Hotels were nice and central too, so you could just wander out doors for a walk and see stuff . Anyways, I suggest you read the "Tour Feedback" on your specific tour,, its on this site under tours, the feedback is not edited, I know cause the stuff I submitted was just as I sent it in.

Pat, I wasn't trying to shank Rick's tours, they sound wonderful, despite low-end, authentic hotels - I assumed that the OP had already looked into them. I won't go on any Rick tour that INCLUDES earplugs .... Also, every time I've been interested in an especially Rick tour (like Turkey), they fill up too fast for my planning needs. I based my report on my parents' Tauck bus trip some years ago. Repeat: I wasn't describing a Rick tour. In fact, he publishes more itinerary details than the big guys do. Also, he doesn't use weasel words like "see" for "drive by without stopping" and "view" for "stop and look at but don't enter." Some of the big guys do.

To add to Pat's comments, the RS tours have quite a bit of free time. You do not spend all your time on a bus. Also, the guides are excellent and the groups are really fun. Friends are taking an Odysseys Unlimited tour next month of Spain and Portugal. Don't know if that might interest you.

Thank you all for the feedback. This is why we all love the Helpline! (Now all I have to do is decide to decide.)