Anyone know good companies in Austria, Paris, Lisbon and rest of Portugal, Mont St. Michel that do day trips that aren't complete rip offs? I know I can go it alone for the cost of the train ticket or bus ticket but I'm considering cutting some corners if possible but don't know which sites and day trips are a good value and which aren't
Posted by
Victoria, BC, Canada
7 posts
I hate to say this - and I am in no way an employee - but the Rick Steves guidebooks often give all that info. I have found that they pay for themselves in going to reputable operators. If you really don't want to buy the book - the library often carries them, or second hand bookstores. Happy trails! Jane
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Well i have done some daytrips,, and they have been fun, but always have been waaayyy more expensive then doing them myself,, you pay for the convenience of not having to plan anything but showing up.
There are two main well known and reputable big bus tour companies in Paris,, they also for added expense do small van tours. Cityrama and Parisvisions. I did a daytrip to Brugges and one to Loire Valley with these companies. Not cheap, but easy.. lol One suggestion i do have is to try Fat Tire Bike tours in Paris ( they also do London and Berlin).. I have done all their tours over a period of 5-6 years. My friend suggested we do the Paris by Night tour with them one year, I was somewhat resistant as I do not bike,I am middleaged, and I was intimidated by the thought of biking in a big city after not having ridden a bike in decades. She eventually bribed me by saying she would pay. So glad I did it, it was a hoot, after that we did the one to Versailles, then on subsequent visits solo I did the Paris Day tour( different route then night tour) , Monets Gardens , and one in London. They are suitable for any healthy person under 80. For Normandy I have heard very good things about Battlebus tours, I would google them and see what you find. Also, consider checking out tripadvisor.com forums, they have specific forums for all the areas you are asking about.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32209 posts
Betsy, I absolutely agree with the suggestions that Jane made. Check your local Library or book stores for copies of the applicable RS Guidebooks, as they usually list reliable and cost effective local tour companies. One point to clarify from Pat's reply. If you're planning to tour the D-Day sites in Normany, BattleBus is no longer operating under that name. If you want information on great tours there (with the same people who operated BattleBus) , post another note and I'll provide the details (you mentioned Mont St. Michel but not Normandy, so I wasn't quite sure exactly where you'd be traveling). It would help if you could provide more "specific" information on where you'll be going. It's difficult for those here to provide suggestions as Austria and "rest of Portugal" are large areas with lots of possibilities. Cheers!