Travelling on group coach tours can be full of excitement. However, it can be quite a unique experience if you are more used to travelling solo, planning your own itineraries, or using other modes of transportation. If you have just booked your first Expat Explore adventure or you are considering booking with us, this blog will give you some insight into how we run our coach tours and what we’re all about.

Find out more about an adventure with Expat Explore: 

Behold Bucket List Experiences

On our tours, you will have the opportunity to tick many sights and attractions off your bucket list. In order to fit this adventure-filled itinerary within the timeframe of your selected tour, you’re in for some exhilarating, jam-packed days.

Our itineraries are designed to maximise your experience. That means you will find yourself rising earlier than your usual wake-up call. And when the day’s adventures wind down, you will probably be getting to bed later than your bedtime back home. It’s all part of the adventure!

When you’re on the move, mealtimes are unlikely to be on your regular schedule. Some evenings, you’ll enjoy dinner later and breakfast is served first thing in the morning before a day of adventure.

We recommend embracing all of these experiences, even if the clock ticks a little differently.

Related: Check more off your bucket list with these 37 things to do in Europe this year!

Walk & Wander

We’re all about hitting the pavement – it’s the best (and sometimes only) way to truly uncover the cities we visit. You might be surprised to discover that, while on tour, it’s effortless to not only meet but exceed your daily 10,000 step goal. So, remember to keep your smartwatch charged and ready to record every exhilarating step of your journey!

We love taking our passengers on walking tours in every city we explore. Now, it’s important to note that some of these walks can be quite the workout, lasting up to 3 hours, and taking you along old cobbled streets, inclined pathways, and occasionally up some stairs. So a fair level of fitness is a must to ensure that your energy levels stay up.

But here’s the exciting part – our tours are full of education, interaction, and adventure, giving you the chance to experience the essence of a country, even in limited time. So, lace up your walking shoes, get ready to explore, and let your steps lead you to incredible discoveries around the world!

Coach Culture

Embarking on a coach travel adventure is about more than just the destinations; it’s about the journey itself. A big part of coach travel is, of course, the coach, where you’ll spend a fair amount of your tour time. Our coaches are designed with your comfort in mind, offering air conditioning and a toilet onboard for emergencies.

During long drives, your driver plans regular comfort stops every 2.5-3 hours. This gives you a chance to stretch, breathe in some fresh air, and use the facilities. Onboard Wi-Fi might not always be available due to varying networks across countries, however, all tour hotels have free Wi-Fi for your connectivity needs.

As you journey alongside fellow travellers from diverse backgrounds, adhering to our coach etiquette ensures the comfort and enjoyment of everyone onboard:

1. Respect personal space when seated.
2. Use headphones if you plan to watch videos on your phone.
3. Adhere to bathroom rules and seat rotation, which will be explained at the tour’s start.

With this in mind, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride! 

Related: More reasons why coach holidays to Europe should be on your radar.

Forge New Friendships 

One of Expat Explore’s most cherished core values is “Family Style Hosting”. It’s all about making you feel like an honoured guest in our “home” when you’re travelling far from yours.

We invite you to share in this hospitality by introducing yourself to your fellow adventurers, and actively participating in group activities. When you sign up for a group tour, the magic lies in the connections you make along the way.

We trust that you will meet many like-minded individuals, forge new friendships and make memories that will last a lifetime!

Related: Not sure about coach travel? See the top 5 reasons why group travel is the way to go! 

Dining Discovery

Prepare your taste buds for a culinary adventure as you explore diverse cities on your Expat Explore tour. Whether it’s a scheduled meal or your choice on free days, local flavours await.

For included meals, your tour leader will gather orders in advance. To accommodate for a large group, the restaurant or hotel will offer a limited menu. If you have dietary requirements, ensure that you’ve noted them in your passenger information form. Vegetarian preferences are accommodated for on tour and all of our included meals offer vegetarian options. But keep in mind, when venturing out on your own, that not all international cuisines cater greatly to vegetarians.

Related: Want to know more about Vegetarian options? See these top 10 vegetarian dishes around the world! 

Lodging Locations and More

Our mission is simple: to offer travellers an exceptional experience at an affordable price. As such, it’s important to note that we don’t partner with luxury hotels. We do, however, aim to strike the perfect balance between comfort and cost-effectiveness.

Selected hotels are unlikely to be right in the heart of the bustling city centres we visit. Instead, we opt for accommodations that are strategically located close to public transport routes or airports.

On an Expat Explore tour, you can typically expect to stay in 2 to 4-star hotels. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that hotel standards on tour may vary from what you’re accustomed to back home. Many of these lodgings are housed in charming older buildings that, while full of character, may not be equipped to handle the sweltering summer heat, as air conditioning is not often installed in these structures. Another thing to note is that some hotels have a water thermostat system in the bathroom. To enjoy a hot shower, you might need to give it a little twist or adjustment.

Keep an open mind as hotels are part of the adventure, adding unique experiences to your travels. If you’re looking for affordable accommodation before or after the tour, have a look at booking.com.

Related: For more information, see our guide to navigating differences in Europe. 

Caring Crew

When embarking on an Expat tour, you’re joining a carefully curated experience led by a dedicated duo – your tour leader and driver. Our crew have the challenging task of ensuring that all travellers are safe and entertained. Their responsibilities include providing fascinating information about the various destinations, organising fun experiences and ensuring that passengers’ unique needs are catered for.

The tour leader is responsible for ensuring that the itinerary is followed and faces the difficult task of accommodating the needs of up to 48 travellers. The driver is committed to ensuring your safe arrival at each destination, regardless of the twists and turns along the way. It’s important to note that the driver is not a luggage porter; all travellers are expected to carry their own luggage to and from the coach throughout the tour.

Although our tour leaders and drivers wear many hats, they are, first and foremost, your companions on this adventure. Their mission is to guide, inform, and inspire, ensuring every traveller has an exceptional time on tour.

Related: Get to know our tour leaders!

Gift of Gratuity

We’d like to highlight the importance of tipping in the tourism industry. On tour, you will have the undivided attention and incredible dedication of our crew, which includes your tour leader and driver. They go above and beyond to ensure your journey is nothing short of extraordinary, so showing your appreciation with the gift of a gratuity at the end of the tour means the world to them and to us.

Providing a gratuity is a wonderful way to thank your tour leader and driver for all their hard work. On tour, you will also have some excursions with local guides. These guides work very hard to showcase their wonderful countries and they often rely on tips as part of their income. We recommend a range of £4-£6, €5-€7, or $6-$8 per person per day.

Excursion Expenses 

Every traveller should have the freedom to tailor their adventure to their liking, which is why we include free days on tour and offer an array of exciting optional excursions. These include city tours, food tours and visits to iconic landmarks and historic sites.

These are curated with the enhancement of your tour in mind but are entirely optional. If you have seen the attraction before or want to explore independently, you’ve got the flexibility to do just that. Optional excursions can be paid for in cash, directly to your tour leader while you’re on the tour, unless stated otherwise. 

So, whether you choose to add a few optional excursions to your journey or prefer to chart your own path, Expat Explore is all about giving you the freedom to make your adventure truly yours.

Related: Remember to keep your money safe when travelling. 

When travelling with Expat Explore, keep an open mind, an open heart, and a keen sense of adventure, and you are guaranteed to have an adventure of a lifetime, every time.

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If you haven’t already, book a tour with Expat Explore to discover more about our passion for “Family-Style Hosting” and adventure!