In Depth Coach Tour of Europe & Britain
Dec 27th, 2012, 06:14 AM
#1
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In Depth Coach Tour of Europe & Britain
I am considering taking an escorted coach tour of Britain and Europe in the spring. I am especially interested in historical themes, NOT in fancy hotels or shopping "opportunities". Recommendations as to tour providers would be most welcome. I have done some initial research but they all look suspiciously alike. If I didn't have some minor health concerns, I would almost certainly be travelling independently, although I will be travelling solo. Thank you in advance.
Dec 27th, 2012, 06:24 AM
#2
Hi yankee,
as I suspect you are already aware, most of us using this site are keen independent travellers, though some do occasionally "confess" to having taken the odd tour. Therefore i'm not sure how much help we're going to be able to give you.
that's not to dismiss touring, and as you say, for people with health concerns and for other reasons, a tour may be just what they want or indeed need.
as a start, why not post the results of your initial researches, along with some other information such as budget, the length of the trip, what parts of the UK you'd like to see, bits you have already seen, etc. [BTW, did you ever get to Scotland as you were considering in your other thread last year?]
as I suspect you are already aware, most of us using this site are keen independent travellers, though some do occasionally "confess" to having taken the odd tour. Therefore i'm not sure how much help we're going to be able to give you.
that's not to dismiss touring, and as you say, for people with health concerns and for other reasons, a tour may be just what they want or indeed need.
as a start, why not post the results of your initial researches, along with some other information such as budget, the length of the trip, what parts of the UK you'd like to see, bits you have already seen, etc. [BTW, did you ever get to Scotland as you were considering in your other thread last year?]
Dec 27th, 2012, 06:32 AM
#3
hi again,
i found this through a bit of googling:
http://www.toursthroughtime.co.uk/
and this:
http://www.backroadstouring.co.uk/england
and this:
http://www.trafalgar.com/tours/desti...europe/england
i found this through a bit of googling:
http://www.toursthroughtime.co.uk/
and this:
http://www.backroadstouring.co.uk/england
and this:
http://www.trafalgar.com/tours/desti...europe/england
Dec 27th, 2012, 07:52 AM
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As you suspect most bus tours are designed for the average traveler - not the history buff - and focus on a few major sights and lots of shopping opportunities with ver long days on a bus inbetween.
If you are serious about historical sights you might be better off organizing your own travel and then taking specialized daytrips that visit the sights you really want to see.
I must admit that we have found most tour-based sightseeing - whether the dreaded half-day city tour or even basic day tours - to be way too simplistic - and wasteful of time that could be better spent. We no longer do them at all - although every once in a while we tag onto a good one we encouter while touring a sight ourselves. I think you have to search for ones that are for groups intersted in more in-depth learning - and often led by a local profesor familiar with the subject/venue.
Unfortunately these tours tend to attract (and allow) fewer participants and so are typically more expensive. If you are serious that's the type of day tour I would look for.
If you are serious about historical sights you might be better off organizing your own travel and then taking specialized daytrips that visit the sights you really want to see.
I must admit that we have found most tour-based sightseeing - whether the dreaded half-day city tour or even basic day tours - to be way too simplistic - and wasteful of time that could be better spent. We no longer do them at all - although every once in a while we tag onto a good one we encouter while touring a sight ourselves. I think you have to search for ones that are for groups intersted in more in-depth learning - and often led by a local profesor familiar with the subject/venue.
Unfortunately these tours tend to attract (and allow) fewer participants and so are typically more expensive. If you are serious that's the type of day tour I would look for.
Dec 27th, 2012, 11:52 AM
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Tauck, Collette, Road Scholar are reliable tour companies. You should look at several companies and possibly combine tours rather than taking 1 overall tour which normally does not give an in-depth travel opportunity.
Are you mobile or do you have other health concerns and would like to be part of a group? If mobility is not an issue you can visit various cities/towns and book local guided tours of short duration, focusing on specific travel interests. This can be done through your hotels.
You can also hire private guides for individual interests.
An in-depth tour of GB and the continent would take several months so one overall general tour would not be for you and would not give you the depth of history you're looking for.
Are you mobile or do you have other health concerns and would like to be part of a group? If mobility is not an issue you can visit various cities/towns and book local guided tours of short duration, focusing on specific travel interests. This can be done through your hotels.
You can also hire private guides for individual interests.
An in-depth tour of GB and the continent would take several months so one overall general tour would not be for you and would not give you the depth of history you're looking for.
