bus tour for British Isles?
 

Since we love cruising (and aren't especially fond of buses), I'd thought of visiting the Isles (next July or Aug) by ship. I'm thinking now that perhaps the area is better seen on some sort of bus tour. I'm interested to hear which tour companies knowledgeable folks think might be better than others. We're late 70's, but not especially interested in tours specifically targeted for seniors. We're healthy and active and prefer to be with people of all ages (though wouldn't discount a senior sort of tour, if it's especially great).
Thanks for suggestions.

Package tours aren't my thing. But, my father and step mother like to do them and they have found that Elder Hostel tours are often more active than non-senior tour packages (most tour package operations skew towards retired folks simply because they have the time and money to travel). They did a three week "capitals of the British Isles" tour (Dublin, Edinburgh, and London, with excursions) that they enjoyed. Check them out.

Look online at Globus.com. They offer a good variety of tours and have a diversity of ages and nationalities.

Thank you both-- I will research those two. Btw, I know several folks who do Elder Hostel and love it. We're not so much interested in this being a "learning" vacation (other than in the usual ways one always learns during travel), but I imagine EH does excellent tours.

"<i>We're not so much interested in this being a "learning" vacation</i>"

Still check out Elderhostel (which is now called Exploritas - DUMB name IMO :) ) They do stress educational aspects but have good itineraries. Though I do find a lot of their tours are very expensive.

Here is a terrific company that specializes in small group tours in the UK http://www.backroadstouring.co.uk/

Elderhostel, which is now called Exploritas has a NEW name Road Scholar http://www.roadscholar.org

Sandy