group travel

Ghosts, Goblins & More!

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ghostHalloween is the perfect time to experience a haunted tour.  Across the country, motorcoach tour companies are offering up this once in a lifetime (or past lifetime…) experience for you and your friends.  Below are a few of our favorite tours to consider.

  • LaZoom, Haunted Comedy Bus Tour (Asheville, NC): ‘Get on the Bus’ after dark and explore Asheville’s strange and sordid past with LaZoom.   Laugh and scream along as your adventurous tour guide uncovers mysteries, tells tales of murder, deceit, scandals, and ghosts, spilling Asheville’s blood right before your very eyes.
  • Ursula Bielski’s Chicago Hauntings Tours (Chicago, IL) Chicago Hauntings offers fully narrated, historically based ghost and paranormal tours to haunted spots throughout Chicago – some of our most common stops include murder sites, disaster sites, a serial killer’s body dump, gang sites, haunted houses, and abandoned graveyards. Passengers get off the bus to look for ghosts several times per tour – and sometimes they find them!
  • Banjo Billy’s Bus Tours (Boulder, CO): Banjo Billy’s gives history tours of Boulder and Denver, as well as brewery tours in Denver, from an old school bus tricked out to look like a traveling hillbilly shack.  Hear ghost tales, crime stories, and history while sitting on a couch, recliner or saddle as the bus rolls through the core of the cities.  You won’t forget this bus tour!
  • Gray Line Tours (New Orleans, LA): New Orleans has been referred to as “The most haunted city in America.” After this tour, we’ll let you be the judge! You’ll visit several haunted sites and hear about the stories featured on The History Channel and The Discovery Channel. Hear ghostly stories about our haunted hotels and the courthouse where our state supreme court is based. We even visit a former slave exchange. Each guide has researched these “other spirits” of the Vieux Carre, so no two tours are exactly alike.

Common Questions

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Unless you are a meeting planner or tour coordinator, chances are you aren’t ordering charter buses on a regular basis.  There are some questions that you should remember to ask, before you book your motorcoach with a company.

1. Years in business.  This is important simply because companies who have been in business for a long time, know the ropes.  You can better trust that they won’t take your money and run, or unexpectedly close their doors.

2. What is their safety record?  Companies who have good safety records tend to brag about them, and they should.  Knowing the company’s safety record is like viewing a snapshot on how they conduct business.  Do they have driver’s hours violations?  If so, that could indicate they don’t take the hours of service laws seriously.  Driver fatigue is a real issue and has the potential of causing a terrible accident.  Better to be safe than sorry.

3.  Maintenance and cleaning.   Imagine this: You schedule a motorcoach for a large business function.  The bus shows up dirty, and half-way through the trip it breaks down.  Ask your sales person about how they maintain the buses, from cleaning to oil changes, it all makes a huge difference.

4.  Cancellation and deposit policy.  What if you change your mind?  What if you don’t have as many people RSVP to your event that you thought?  Most companies understand that things happen and have cancellations policies in place to help you out.  Some operators may require a deposit to hold the buses.  This most likely would be refunded if you cancel within the time frame.

5.  Rates.  Each company figures their services on different factors.  Some may add a fuel tax, some a clean-up charge.  Rates can range from a hourly minimum to a daily charge.  Ask you sales person to break down the costs per bus and per passenger.  It can make it easier to understand the cost savings of traveling together when you see it broken down in that way.

Just asking  a few key questions can make or break your trip.  Your sales person will be there every step of the way, helping create a positive experience for your group.

SAFETY – WHY IT MATTERS

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safe1Most people will assume that the company they travel with is safe.  Let’s face it, someone in an office with an education has hired this person to be in this position of driver, right?  We mindlessly jump into a taxi, bus, airplane without thinking about the credentials of the person who is ultimately responsible for our lives during the time of our ride.

The internet is a great tool when it comes to checking into the safety record of a transportation company.  One search on Google can provide you with a wealth of information – both good and bad.

Start with the source.  The company’s website should provide you with a ton of information regarding their services, vehicles, maintenance and safety training.  Reputable companies love to brag about their safety records.  They should also have a link to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website (FMCSA) which rates each company and shows any accidents or violations.

Next, check out the company’s social media pages.  See if they have any complaints and how they handled them.  Did they ignore it or respond?  Do you feel satisfied with the response?  Are they we represented and do they seem to match your group?  For instance, if you are looking for corporate transportation for an upcoming convention, and the company you are looking to hire only shows party buses on their social media sites, you may want to think twice about hiring them.

Lastly, ask around.  Nothing is better than word of mouth.  Do you know anyone who has used the company before?  How was the experience?  How did the drivers act?  Were they kind, knowledgeable and professional?

Before you hop on a bus, plane or taxi – do a little research – it could save you some headaches in the end – and maybe your life!

Must-Have Trip Essentials

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Getting ready for a trip is almost as fun as going.  Everyone has those essentials, things they can’t live without, even for a few days.  We have taken the liberty to put together a short list of items that every road trip must not be without!

1.  SNACKsnackS

Snacks are a must for any good road trip, and there are many ways that groups go about planning their snacks.  Some groups plan a snack pot-luck.  Group members each bring a different treat to share so that everyone can enjoy.  Other groups like to create a snack theme to go along with their trip destination.  Even more groups have an “every man (woman or kid) for themselves” where you eat what you bring and trading with your seat mate is an option only if you both agree it’s a good trade.  No matter how your group decides to handle the snacks we know they are a must-have.

 

2.  ENTERTAINMENT

Every good bus trip needs good movies and music.  Ever get excited to watch a movie on a long plane ride only to be disappointed that you can’t see the tiny video monitor five rows ahead?  This won’t happen on a motorcoach.  New coaches offer large, flat screen monitors, making viewing easy.  Pass the popcorn – it’s time for the show to start!  Do you need any ideas on what movies to show?  Check out our list of great group movies HERE  for ideas.setra

Music is also a necessity for any great bus ride.  It’s easy to lose yourself in thought while looking out the windows and listening to your favorite music.  We have created a great playlist for your next motorcoacch trip.  Click HERE to check it out!

 

3.  CAMERA

cameraThey say a picture is worth a thousand words.  Snapping a few photos and telling your story are a great way to keep the trip going long after you return home.  With a camera on every cell phone, it’s easy to edit and share pictures all along the way.  Make sure you let people know where you were, why this was a great photo opp. and any other important details you can think of.  Don’t forget to take a few good selfies as well!

Although it’s important to take lots of great photos, don’t forget to look up once in a while and just see things with your eyes.  Create photos in your mind.  This is an important part of the travel experience!

Incorporating these few must have items to your trip will not only help make it a success, but also a memory to last a lifetime.  Happy Travels!!

Fantastic Fall Foliage!

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fall-intro

Spring isn’t the only time for new beginnings!  Autumn boasts many changes, including the beginning of a new school year, football season, and of course the beautifully colored leaves.

We are blessed in the United States with an abundance of beautiful places to see the view the fall foliage.  From sea to shining sea, here are a few of our favorite locations for your groups to view the changing leaves!

North:
Wisconsin: Door County boasts over 300 miles of shoreline has it all when it comes to fall beauty.  Lake Michigan, miles of hiking, biking and great views of the leaves.

East:
Vermont:  Vermont’s Route 100 is a major north-south route, winding its way from Stamford to Newport.  The farther north you travel, the less crowded you will find it, leaving you and the leaves with peace and beauty.

West:
Columbia River Gorge, Oregon:  With breathtaking scenery year-round, adding in fall colors is the icing on the cake.  You will have beautiful views by following either I-84 or the old Historic Columbia River Highway.

South:
Ellijay, Georgia:  Located 80 miles north of Atlanta on the edge of the Chattahoochee National Forest.  Celebrate fall in the Apple Capitol of Georgia with 10 apple orchards.

An easy, affordable and enjoyable way to see all of these sites is by motorcoach.  Motorcoaches offer panoramic views of the landscape, without worrying about directions.  Many companies offer tours during the fall season that highlight their specific geographic areas.  Call your locate motorcoach operators for details and tour information.

Road-Trip Ultimate Playlist – 20 Songs to add to your trip!

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Every good journey deserves a great playlist to go along with it.  Each time you hear one of these songs, you will be reminded of the good times you had on your trip with your friends.  Below you will find a collection of music that will bring your group closer, keep your memories fresh and have everyone dancing and singing along!nTXk7aMTB

1. On the Road Again – Willie Nelson

2.  I’ve Been Everywhere – Johnny Cash

3.  Holiday – Madonna

4.  Are You Gonna Go My Way – Lenny Kravitz

5.  Life Is A Highway – Rascal Flatts

6.  Come Away With Me – Norah Jones

7.  Kokomo – The Beach Boys

8.  Born To Run – Bruce Springsteen

9.  (I’m Gonna Be) 500 Miles – The Proclaimers

10.  Runnin’ Down A Dream – Tom Petty

11.  Drive My Car – The Beatles

12.  No Sleep ’til Brooklyn – The Beastie Boys

13.  Country Road – James Taylor

14.  Closer to Fine – Indigo Girls

15.  Crazy – Gnarls Barkley

16.  Everyday Is A Winding Road – Sheryl Crow

17.  End Of The Line – Traveling Wilburys

18.  Shake It Out – Florence & the Machine

19.  We Gotta Get Out of This Place – The Animals

20.  Traveling Band – Creedence Clearwater Revival

Two Must-Haves for Itineraries

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A good itinerary has two things.  First and foremost, addresses for the driver.  If your group is traveling to a large city, there may be multiple hotels with the same name.  Having addresses for the driver saves time, questions and headaches for everyone on the trip.

The second is activities that appeal to everyone.  Sound impossible?  It isn’t.  With a little research and pre-planning, even the pickiest group can have a great travel experience!

One way you can help make everyone – no matter what their age or interests – excited about the itinerary is to have multiple choices.  You could have two to three different activities planned at the same time.  Participants would be able to choose what activities they wanted attend, making it easy for everyone to have a good time.

Here are some great ideas of multiple choice activities:

  • ShoppingGroups-and-Parties-Red-Kart
  • Brewery Tour
  • Historical Site visit
  • Museum tour
  • Zoo trip
  • Winery Tour
  • Concert
  • Go Kart Racing
  • Ropes Course
  • Cooking class
  • Craft class

The list can go on and on.  You dream it, you can add it to an itinerary if it’s available in the area you plan on traveling!  Ask members of your group for ideas of what they may want.

On a trip to Atlanta, GA, our group planner had an array of stops planned – both to and from our destination.  We had groups who went whitewater rafting, one group stopped at a race track, and we all enjoyed visiting the Coca-Cola museum.  It was a fun trip, with lots of activities to choose from and that made it special.

Planning a large group trip may seem like an impossible task.  Don’t fret!  Ask your motorcoach sales associate for help!  He or she is an expert at group travel and chances are, your group isn’t the first to travel to that destination.  Your sales representative may have lots of ideas and area knowledge and can help plan your itinerary.

Chartering a Motorcoach 101

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family4For most people, chartering a motorcoach isn’t an everyday task.  Where do you begin looking and how do you know you are getting a good and reputable company?

There are many questions, and we will attempt to give you a little guidance and help you find a perfect fit for your group.

First, how do you begin? Many details may still be up in the air when you first start planning, but think about what you do know and start with that.  For example:   Let’s say your family is planning a large get-together in Chicago next spring.   Your group has between 30-40 people who plan to travel together and stay at the same hotel.  Your group will need shuttling to and from group activities for the three days during the event.  You know the dates, the hotel and the number of passengers.  That’s a pretty great start.

Next you will want to begin looking for a motorcoach company in the general area you are coming from.  There are many great charter bus directories like BusRates.com who can help narrow down the search, and give you a bit of information on the companies in that area.  Keep in mind the amenities your group may want.  Is having a restroom on board important?  Will you need Wi-Fi?  What about outlets?  Websites like BusRates.com have that information available, making it quick and easy to narrow down the results.

Choose a couple of companies to contact and CALL them.  Although it’s easier to fill out their online quote request, you will get a better feel for a company in general by calling and speaking to a sales representative.  You are under no obligation to book at that time, but a good sales rep can give you pointers and tips you may not have thought of.  He or she does this everyday and can help guide you through the process.

At the end of the day, it’s really quite simple.  You do a little research to find a coach company.  They help you the rest of the way, leaving you to have a fun, relaxing travel experience.

Ahhhh, Summer!

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There is no better way to celebrate summer and our nations birthday than a road trip to some unusual All American places, with friend/family, on a motorcoach.

This great nation of ours is home to thousands of great travel destinations that would make a memorable vacation for any group.  Below you will find our Top 5 Places You May Not Have Thought Of As A Summer Destination list.  Enjoy! #GoMotorcoach

5.  Carhenge in Alliance, Nebraska.  Many have heard of England’s Stonehenge, but have you heard of Carhenge?  Thirty-eight, gray spray painted cars placed as a life size replica of the ancient formation.  Created by artist Jim Reinders in 1987, Carhenge now boasts 80,000 visitors per year.  It’s free to the public and open year round.

carhenge

4. The World’s Largest Twine Ball in Darwin, Minnesota.  In 1950, Francis Johnson began winding twine for 4 hours per day until the he passed away in 1989.  What resulted was a 17,400 pound ball of twine that was nearly 40 feet in diameter.  Darwin, MN celebrates each August with its Twine Ball Festival in which visitors can create their very own twine balls.  The attraction is open year round and free to the public.

3.  The Desert of Maine in Freeport, Maine.  Enjoy camping, hiking and a tram tour of Maine’s very own Sahara-like desert.  Scientist believe that a glacier left this 300-acre stretch of sand, that was buried for centuries, until poor farming techniques exposed it in the 1800’s.  The park is open May through October with admission cost of less than $10 per guest.

coral-castle-22.  Coral Castle in Homestead, Florida.  For over thirty years, Ed Leedskalnin carved his castle out of solid coral, using only basic hand tools.  Leedskalnin who was only 5 feet tall and weighed 100 lbs. worked mostly  during the night, to prevent prying eyes from seeing his creations.  The castle consists of over 1000 tons of coral and has a 9 ton revolving gate.

1.  Marfa Lights in Marfa, Texas.  On clear nights, onlookers can oooh and ahhh over the mysterious lights that appear over the Mitchell Flats.  Scientists have yet to explain why the light phenomenon happens.  Some say the lights are car lights and others say they are alien spaceships or ghosts.  Whatever they are, each Labor Day, Marfa celebrates the lights with the three-day Marfa Lights Festival.  Enjoy music, food, craft and art vendors and a night parade during the festival.

Don’t Overlook One Important Detail!

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Anyone who has ever planned a wedding knows that it’s a HUGE undertaking.  Once a simple and fast tradition has turned into a multi-day, big, expensive extravaganza.  In 2014, we have more media and ideas coming at us than ever.  Wedding websites show us all of the new and latest must-haves at our ceremonies and sites like Pinterest make the weddings of our dreams seem like a DIY reality.

With so many things to check off the to-do lists, don’t forget about one very important, usually overlooked part of the day: shuttling your guests between the ceremony, the reception and the hotel.  It may seem like a small detail, but it could make all the difference.  Your guests won’t have to worry about directions, travel time, getting a DUI ticket or worse.

According to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) website:

                “In 2012, 10,322 people were killed and approximately 345,000 were injured. Each crash, each death, each injury impacts not only the person in the crash, but family, friends, classmates, coworkers and more.  Even those who have not been directly touched help pay the $132 billion yearly price tag of drunk driving.”

It’s easy to eliminate the risk of drunk driving all together when you hire a motorcoach company to take care of you and your guests on your wedding day.  Let’s face it, that day is stressful enough.  Take the guess work out of finding a sober, confident driver and enjoy your day.

Motorcoaches come in so many sizes, it’s easy to customize to your specific needs.  Coach companies today have a wide variety of vehicles in their fleets from old fashioned trolleys to large, executive style motorcoaches.  Each company is different and fleet details vary, so make sure you ask questions when talking to your sales associate.