I am dying to do the Village Italy tour, but tend toward car sickness/motion sickness on windy roads. Is this a tour I should avoid? Is there a lot of time on the bus? A lot of twisting, winding roads? What is the experience of others? I'm sure I can get by with a bit of Dramamine for a couple of days, but want to go into this knowing what to expect. Otherwise, this sounds like an amazing, amazing trip and an opportunity I don't want to miss.
Thanks!
This tour is indeed "an amazing, amazing trip" and given the opportunity to go, one you shouldn't miss! I took this tour two years ago and don't remember any twisty roads, overly long bus rides or any of the tour members mentioning feeling nauseated from the bus rides. My sister was with us and she is one of the first to feel the effects of twisting and windy roads. I would mention this to your guide at your initial meet and greet. He or she will certainly help you out and one thing I have found to be true is that riding more towards the middle of the bus will be your smoothest ride. My sister swears it's true, as do others I have talked to. I would try to sit right across from the "second" door, right in the middle of the bus. Given that possibly the itinerary has changed since I took the tour, you might give the tour office a call as ask one of the charming men or women who work there. They are all beyond helpful, understanding and probably have heard this question before.
Thank you for taking the time to respond and offering that great tip about sitting toward the middle of the bus – I'd never heard that before and it makes perfect sense. Your sister sounds like a kindred soul. Thanks again.
Kathy
If you go to the Village Italy tour site and click on Itinerary you will see the daily schedules including bus times.
I was part of the Village Italy tour about 12 years ago.
I am also partial to motion sickness. For me, what works is to sit anywhere in the 1st 5 rows or so.
Also, I can't really read while the bus is moving, at least not books. I haven't tried reading on an Ipad on a bus yet.
This tour really is as terrific as everyone says. I hope you take a chance on it!
On the RS Heart of Italy tour 7 years ago I re-discovered car-sickness coming out of Tuscany. That was the only stretch of that tour that gave me any trouble. But, I now carry children's Dramamine on bus tours. I refuse to let it keep me from seeing places I want to see. I've also learned, through trial and error, that the middle of the bus is better for me than the front.
You will love this tour, I'm sure.
Did this tour 2 yeas ago. I seem to recall one uninterrupted highway stretch that was maybe 90-120 minutes, but on our equivalent of a freeway - very smooth so that some people actually dozed a bit. Do check the published itinerary for actual times. Two short stretches on roads a bit winding but certainly no worse than Washington's Highway 2 over Stevens Pass. One was up into the mountains to see the Carrara marble quarry. The other down the hill to Levanto. We typically sat in the middle of the bus. My spouse has trouble with motion on winding roads if she is looking down, e.g. reading. But with the big windows and the chance to focus on far away scenery, she never had an issue. We think it was an incredible tour and can't imagine a better one. You will have a great time.
Occasionally I feel a little sick while in a train, bus or car. It helps me to look ahead and not to the side. The side view moves faster. I've been on a number of RS tours in Italy and never felt car-sick in the bus.
Hi Kathy,
I went on the 17 Days Best of Italy tour and we traveled on many hilly, windy roads in between hill towns and cities. I took a dramamine tablet each bus day and that helped me. My tour guide had me sit in the front seat of the bus also. There were hairpin turns that almost did me in but overall I was okay. It is a wonderful tour and I know the Village Italy tour is amazing from all the positive comments on the forum. Go, you will love it.
Judy B
