Feedback on the My Way Europe in 14 days tour.

The bus travel part of the tour does not take away from the experience, it adds to it. It was a relaxing way to see Europe, so scenic! The bus was very comfortable and I had to fight at times not to fall asleep! I didn't want to miss a thing.

And it's a great way to get to know your fellow tour-mates. Change seats regularly to meet everyone. Embrace the moment. By the way, this holds for all the tours, not just My Way.

Hi Pat! I took the 21 day BOE tour in 2015, which goes to many of the same places. I loved it so much, that I'm returning this September to take the 14 day My Way tour! As others have said, the bus time is great. What might look intimidating in written form goes by in a heartbeat in real life. Keep in mind that the bus makes "pit stops" every 2-3 hours. The stops can be anywhere from 20-30 minutes to allow folks to stretch, use the bathroom and pick up a snack, to a couple of hours to allow for a full meal and/or shopping and sightseeing. Most of the routes taken are wonderfully scenic. The bus rides are great. People are talking and joking, some are napping, some are reading up on the next destinations in their guide books. Others are watching movies on their computers, or reading magazines. Folks will often purchase fun and interesting snacks to pass up and down the aisles, beer and pop are usually available to buy from the bus driver. The guides will give you information of the destination to come and/or points of interest in between. They'll also hand out room information to make hotel check in as smooth as possible. Sometimes there are language lessons before crossing to a new country, or trivia. The bus is a fun and happening place! So don't be intimidated by the bus time. For many, it's the only time (other than bedtime) when they're still! It's a fantastic itinerary. I can't wait to go back. I hope you find the date that works for you!

Thanks for the input regarding the bus time on the RS tours. Agree that the bus time is enjoyable and a good time to socialize, read, do some research, or nap, and that it does give you a time to enjoy the views along the way. My concern is that the Europe in 14 Days My Way Tour it looks like you are on the bus 6+ hours every other day. We have been on a couple of RS guided tours and I have to agree with everyone's assessment of the bus time as adding to the enjoyment of the overall experience. We have not had been on a My Way tour, but like the idea of it. I am hoping that you will post a tour report rankster when you return from the My Way tour in September, and include your thoughts of the travel time on this particular tour. Thanks to all for your responses.

Why don't you choose a tour with target stops that are closer together? The only way you can see all of the cities on this tour is to travel there. : )

Pat, I did do a trip report for the 21BOE in 2015 if you want to read that. You can find it through the links here, or PM me and I'll send you the link. The 14 My Way has the same timeline in the various cities as the BOE. Most of the stops allow for a full day and a half day or evening in each destination. You spend a lot of time on the bus, yes. (And I do go into that in my scrapbook- which is quite detailed) But what are your other options? You drive or fly, and by the time you get to/from airports and through security you probably haven't saved much time over the bus. Your other option is more days in less places planning your own tour to maximize and customize the experience. It's quantity vs quality. But don't think time in the bus takes away quality, it doesn't. Trying to see 4 countries/7cities in 2 weeks obviously doesn't allow you a chance to have a "deep" quality experience. But it does give you a meaningful overview of places you haven't experienced, and allows you to dig a little deeper into those places you have experienced and want to experience again. To me the bus is a non issue. It's a pleasant part of the experience. The real question is, do you want a sampler plate or a large entree? Either is fantastic, it's just determining what you want. Let me know if you want the link! 😉 BTW in my case, my friends and I are flying to Europe a week early to spend quality time in Germany and experience Oktoberfest's opening day, Berlin and Salzburg before heading to Paris a day early. We're also adding an extra day to Rome so we can take a day trip to Pompeii.
Lisa

I took this tour about 3 years ago. It was my second tour in a row, so I kind of enjoyed all the bus time to relax. There were few stops except at highway rest areas. They are much nicer than the ones in the US, but they weren't local places to enjoy. Our leader said ETBD had found people wanted to get to the next destination without delays, so that's why there were no little side trips for lunch or anything. I also wanted to revisit places I had been before, but I wouldn't choose this My Way tour again.

My husband and I took this tour several years ago and the bus was a piece of cake. On the My Way you can be as busy or as laid back as you like. When Rick talks about his "cozy buses" ,they really are. They are very roomy and you sit up nice and high and it is fun to have down time to share what you did with others on the tour.... or not!!! Being on the bus and traveling was part of the fun of the trip. We took another tour where you were on the bus constantly,traveling almost everyday and it was grueling. We are seriously thinking of doing this tour AGAIN because of the variety of things we experienced in that short time.

Hi we did the BOE14 last year so similar time on the bus. Yes it was a lot of time on the bus. There really is no way to go from France to Italy without a lot of time on a bus.

There were not many stops except on the highway at their rest stops. Yes they are nice but honestly it did get old after two weeks. We had one lunch stop not at a rest area during our trip.

We loved the tour though.

Short bus rides on the Basque Country tour.

Villages of South England seemed to me to have shorter bus times. I didn't double check the itinerary but I don't recall specific bus rides of any great length except the final leg into Bath. This was last September. Could be I wasn't ready to be finished with the tour !? I agree with everyone else who has posted the benefits of the time on the bus and I have been on some tours with longer rides. I always had a good time on them-journaling, reading, listening to podcasts, enjoying the scenery, visiting with the other tour members.