European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 22, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Travel bus tour primer by James Bottoms those unfamiliar with the european bus Lour routine May appreciate a few tips and. Pointers about How to survive these it sometimes rigorous trips. A j t j attitude to bring along a sense of humor As Welt As a sense of adventure. Despite everyone s Best efforts delays and problems do occur and it s usually Best to endure those with a smile and a shrug. Also things change from week to week and even the Best prepared tour guide May encounter an unannounced closure a or Detour. Be patient and forgiving 1arrangements and facilities a remember that you got what you pay for. It s easy to Gripe about the limited leg room on the bus but harder to remember you selected the $69 tour Over the $79 one. The bus Lour Market is extremely competitive and oven a slight Price difference can be reflected in the Type of bus hotel or other facility. Bus facilities a just As with an airline you Are paying for Only one sent. Be grateful if an extra sent is empty but r remember the bus  to sell every available seat to make ends meet. Generally the buses Are equipped with reclining seats Arm rests and a toilet. However there Are limited places for servicing the toilets which mean customers Are usually asked to use the toilet for Quot emergencies Only Quot and use rest slops wherever possible. Depending upon the climate the bus May be too warm or too Cool for you it s advisable to dress in layers bus etiquette a the Golden Rule a applies and your conduct should be the same As on an air plane. Generally Only. Tadios and tape players with headphones and coolers that will fit under your seat Are allowed   larger items usually need to go in the Luggage compartment below. Travel time to make the time go quickly bring some Reading material puzzles or games also for overnight. Travel a Small Blanket and or Pillow Are quite  a keep in mind that european hotel rooms Are generally smaller than american hotels and motels and they a rarely have swimming pools. Instead the tour companies try to use Quot centrally located Quot hotels in or near the Middle of cities a which offer the greatest convenience for those who want to get out on their own. Also Don t expect can an or other English language broadcasts v on the to or radio. After All you Are ill a foreign country keep in mind  Are an american  custom and pack accordingly. Lastly Don t expect american style v breakfasts. Europeans exist on a a. A Continental breakfast breads Jam butter Margarine Tea or Coffee. While this. Will vary somewhat at different locations remember you Are getting the local a Standard not what s available Quot at  bus transfers a tour buses Are. Extremely expensive and the tour companies must use the least number possible  overhead this Means the tour buses first pick up customers a along various routes then meet for the customers to Transfer to their respective Lour buses. This can often add extra hours to your journey but especially should be considered when computing your r expected return time. Also remember buses meeting for the Quot return Transfer Are coming from All Over Europe. Delays sometimes occur because of accidents customs delays Highway repairs breakdowns Etc. If you must wait because 7 of a delayed bus remember that each bus. Is essential to the Complete Transfer for it has an assigned route to drop off a a customers As Well As customers for other Transfer buses. Don t be alarmed or angry a it s just part of keeping your travel costs Down. Stops Are a planned feature of ail Tours. Restaurant facilities a re so Meti Mes closed or the tour could be late for a Transfer. For these situations it s always a Good idea to a carry along some snacks just in Case. Drinks sodas water and Beer Are a a generally sold on the bus so carry along some Small Bills or change for these. Purchases. If you prefer diet sodas better bring your own a a they appear on some buses but not All a smoking versus nonsmoking a some tour companies offer Quot strictly nonsmoking Quot Tours which Are very helpful. However this generally applies Only to the actual tour and not the a transfers. Smoking sections will vary depending on the bus ventilation system so Check  settled. Children some children do Well on bus Tours particularly if they have been prepared in Advance either with information on sights to be seen or with games and things to keep Busy on the bus. Keep in mind that express Tours 24 plus a Houis on the bus Are Tough  adults. They Are not for kids. Food and snacks a although Comfort handicapped travellers a although the a a amps illustration Wes Booher tour companies i ii accept handicapped individuals not All european facilities May be so accommodating.  to obtain specific information from a company representative. Keep in mind that the tour staff Drivers or tour guide must work to meet the needs of the entire tour group and cannot devote extensive time and x attention to one individual so those with handicaps should travel with someone lastly one should carefully review the tour itinerary a and objectively consider How a Handicap for example walking difficulties could affect one s ability to keep up with a r the tour or slow Down the rest of the group ,.elderly customers a keep in mind. That tour buses rarely provide door to door service particularly in european cities where the streets Are often narrow and . Ai Tours require Waiking Shiine / More than others. As a general Rule o express Tours should be avoided because. Of the extensive time on the bus absence of hotel accommodations and the physical stamina required. A one or two overnight tour would be much More appropriate. ,. A James Bottoms is a full time tour guide and part time free Lance writer. \ i --.&Quot. 28 stars and stripes travel Europe May 22, 1991