USVI-On-Line

DH & I have been asked by some good friends to take a 8 night trip to Ireland next Sept (2012). Love these friends and would love to see Ireland but here's our dilemma, its a bus tour Not a way I like to travel. We are independent travel types. We have never been on a bus tour except off a cruise ship and the thought of spending 8 nights with 40 folks eating and touring together scares me. Our friends really want us to go but we're afraid that we'll be miserable- any insight?

Um, I'd say go with your gut. If that doesn't jump out at you as a good time it likely won't be.
I hate taking the bus to NYC but I do it for an hour. Much more than that I can hardly imagine!

could you sell them on a more intimate trip? with you guys driving a van (or even hiring a driver?) that way you could see the sites and not have to be harnessed to the group itinerary......(ok, you probably already thought about this....)

Not my personal experience, but my parents. They did a bus tour of Europe when they were in their late 40s (about 10-12 years ago). They went to Germany, Austria, northern Italy (barely) and Switzerland. My Dad liked seeing so many places over the trip. My Mom thought it was rushed. They both disliked the food, as they had no choice--it was prepared in advance for the bus group, and most days the food was "chicken legs, peas, and carrots." They also disliked being forced to interact with everyone on the bus despite people's personal interests or ages. Overall, they said they would never do another bus tour because of these reasons.

I get why the bus thing is attractive: the driver takes you directly to multiple sites of interest, and you don't have to worry about getting yourself around. But, this is a small space and people you don't know, other than your friends. You could make lifelong friends from the remaining 36 travelers...or not. I personally would not even consider a bus tour of anywhere. But then I won't ever book a cruise either so evaluate my opinion with that in mind. I like my personal space.

Thanks! I guess I was just looking to re-enforce my original opinion of NO! We hate cruises so why would we like a bus tour? These are good friends so they get our decision and at least our friendship won't be in jeopardy and when they come back we will live vicariously through them.