I’m in my mid-60s and my wife is in her mid-50s. We’re both capable of lots of walking and live in the US Northwest. I’ve done a lot more traveling than she has, but it was mostly work-related travel with weekends off, and the thought of driving around all day in a big city has lost its appeal so we’re thinking about a bus tour instead. I’ve gone on half-day tours in Hawaii and other places, but never a multi-day coach tour.
We’re thinking of visiting the east coast in early June, either the DC Area or New England (not New York since we’ve both been there and done that). I’m not too worried about the cost and would pay extra for a better experience. We’re thinking of a 7 day or 10-day trip and I have a few questions. With COVID I’m not even sure they are running right now.
Is there a particular coach company you prefer over others, and why? It looks like there are quite of few out there and they all look to same to me.
New England versus DC are two very different trips. I would rather see New England having been to DC and my wife would rather see DC since she’s never been to either. Is there a compromise? I know that Boston has a lot of interesting historical places we can visit, but it’s not like going to Washington DC (for better or worse).
Is a 7-day trip to either place really worth it or should we shoot for 10 days instead, I remember spending the better part of 2 days just at the Smithsonian Museum the last time I was there. I’m retired and my wife can take off as much work as she wants.
Any general advice on doing a coach tour versus renting a car and going it alone? Did you enjoy it versus driving yourself? What was the biggest downside you can think of.
For DC I would recommend staying in DC or Arlington and taking the subway to places like the Smithsonian and other sites, espcially since you want to spend extended time there. If you get wore out there are lots if cabs and Ubers.
They had bus tours to places in Virginia like Montecello which I enjoyed very much. Didn’t have to sign up ahead if time, but that was pre-Covid. Also they have DC tour buses and Duck tours that were entertaining, especially the trip across the Potomic.
New England may be better seen by coach. I’ve spent a lot of time in Boston on extended work trips, all I can say is Boston is not traffic friendly and a coach to Mt Washington, Vermont or Maine sounds relaxing.
New England is a pretty big place and there’s a big difference between visiting the Maine coast and going to the Berkshires or going to see the cottages in Newport. You might think about where you want to go and what you might want to see.
Never been on a coach tour, but I see ads in AARP and other senior focused publications for coach tours with only 12-15 folks on board. They sound good from that standpoint in that you’d not be part of a large crowd. You’d likely get a more personalized experience.
If anyone has been on one of these smaller coach tours, I’d like to hear more.
I have enjoyed coach tours throughout Europe and Atlantic Canada. The smaller the group, the more you become friends with each other - but even with a full load of 40 or so passengers, you get to know former strangers quickly.
The advantages over your own car is that (a) you have a driver that knows the roads, (b) you have an on-board guide (sometimes it’s the driver) giving commentary, and often local guides in the cities/attractions you are visiting, and (c) hotels, baggage movement, and usually most/all meals are taken care of. As with cruises - there are often optional, extra-cost excursions that you are perfectly free to decline.
Disadvantages would be that you have to stick with the tour schedule - although often you are given free time to spend as you wish.