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The Benefits of Charter Bus Travel

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For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move. – Robert Louis Stevenson

Sometimes the best part of traveling is not the destination, but the journey itself.  I have often traveled with my family and found myself missing out on things.  I cannot recall how many times I heard someone say “wow, look at that” or “that is absolutely beautiful” and there I am with my eyes glued to the road and missing all the beauty.  However, it does not have to be that way.  Traveling by charter bus is an excellent way to see America and all she has to offer.  No matter where you are headed, there is beauty to be found.  Let’s take a few minutes and look at some of the benefits of charter bus travel.

As I mentioned the most obvious reason to go by bus is so that you can enjoy the journey. Whether it is the mountains, the plains, the wildlife or the stunning architecture of the big cities, you won’t have to miss a thing.  Leaving the driving to someone else leaves you all the time to take in everything if you so choose.  Just relax, sit back and enjoy the views. Don’t be in a hurry to get somewhere, but take the time to appreciate the odyssey.

Naturally weather can be a factor as well.  Leaving the driving to someone else who happens to be a professional bus driver can give one incredible peace of mind.  You see that driving rainstorm coming up ahead?  No need to worry because your driver has everything under control.  He/she has been trained to handle all sorts of situations and you can leave your worries to him/her. Plus there is very little chance of getting lost as your driver has likely taken this same trip many times.

It’s economical as well.  Just add up what you would spend to rent a car and purchase fuel and you will see that going via charter bus will save you money.  Once you stop somewhere for the night your lodging is often already included with what you paid for the tour so no worries in that department either.  You’re not going to have to think about those no vacancy signs because your room is ready and waiting.  In addition it is substantially more economical than airline travel.

When you leave the driving to someone else you have more time for yourself.  Maybe you finally want to start reading that novel you’ve had to put off for so long.  Well, by taking the bus you have plenty of time.  Maybe you have a movie on your tablet you have been dying to see or a series you just want to binge watch.  You certainly can’t do that if you’re sitting in the driver’s seat.

These days there are a lot of people that travel alone, not because they particularly want to do so, but rather by necessity.   Once you’ve chosen your destination you can hop on that bus and suddenly you are not feeling like you are by yourself.  What a great time to meet new people and make new friends.  You’re obviously not going to be the only person on that bus and that is a good thing.  Everyone has a story and just about everyone loves showing off photos of their family. You will have the opportunity to meet people you never would have met otherwise.  I can say for myself that I have made lifelong friends from strangers sitting across the aisle.  Maybe you’ll even want to travel together again one day.

Since chartering a bus is less expensive than you probably realize, it is also a fantastic way to get your family together for a special occasion.  Whether you are looking to have a family reunion or to celebrate mom & dad’s 50th wedding anniversary, you can all pitch in together and make chartering a bus your own private party.  Pick a destination, pick a starting point and off you go.  From a personal standpoint, I have to say that doing this was one of the best ideas we ever had.  There is a very good possibility that your driver will become an honorary member of your family as well.

So don’t fear the charter bus.  Yes, like everything in this life, it has its pros and cons.  But just think of the memories you will bring home after a long journey on the road with someone else doing all the work.  I can’t think of a more relaxing way to travel.

Go Motorcoach this Spring in San Antonio, TX

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All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware – Martin Buber

Getting a group together and deciding on where to travel can be a daunting task.  In the spring the general consensus among many is to hit the beach, but this may not be the best for everyone.  While it may not be foremost in everyone’s mind, one place that is ideal for groups and has plenty to offer is San Antonio, TX.  San Antonio is a large city and there is a lot to see so taking your group via a charter bus is a very viable way to go.

Just about everyone has heard of The Alamo, but many are surprised to learn that is right in the heart of downtown and that it was founded in 1718 as the first mission in San Antonio.   Four other Spanish colonial missions were eventually built; Concepcion, San Jose, San Juan and Espada.  A journey along this mission trail is not only historical, but fascinating as well.  Begin with the visitor’s center located in Mission San Jose and travel the trail visiting all of the missions until ultimately ending up at The Alamo.  Your bus driver can easily make the stops at each destination allowing adequate time to enjoy them all.

Once you are back downtown you can take in the sights of the world famous River Walk.  The River Walk is filled with restaurants, shops, sidewalks and stone bridges.  One thing that makes it unique is its location below street level.  Riding the Rio San Antonio Cruiser is the best way to get acquainted with the area.  The boat ride is 35 minutes long and your tour guide will immerse you in the history of the River Walk and provide a plethora of information.

One of the best times to visit in the spring is during the annual Fiesta San Antonio, which takes place over 11 days each April.  The festival consists of over 100 events and with that many to choose from there will most certainly be something the entire group can agree upon.   Parades, live music and a 10k run are just some of the many activities taking place.

But what if you want to take your group away from downtown and explore other parts of the area?  Have no fear because a multitude of places await your arrival and all of them are well-suited for groups arriving by bus.  Just northeast of downtown is the San Antonio Zoo which features over 3500 animals and the Zoo Eagle Train which has been a favorite of children and adults since 1956.  A little bit further north is the McNay Art Museum; the first modern art museum in the state of Texas and featuring works from such masters as Picasso and Rivera.  The Spanish Colonial style home that is the heart of the museum is a sight unto itself.

If exploring caverns sound like a fun way to spend a few hours with your group then the Natural Bridge Caverns are for you.  The caverns are a 30 minute drive north of downtown and contain fascinating geological formations and are a constant 70 degrees inside.  They have several tours to choose from, but whichever you choose be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

No trip would be complete without sampling the culinary delights of the region and San Antonio is no exception.  When you’re in Texas three items come to mind; barbecue, steaks and my personal favorite, Tex-Mex.

There are several great dining choices on the River Walk where dining outside is the preference.  The County Line BBQ is an exceptional choice on the river for real Texas BBQ.  Smoked sausage, brisket, ribs and chicken are the specialties of the house and with the large portions you will never leave hungry.  Add in the peach cobbler for dessert and you have one spectacular meal.

If a steak is what you are after then head to The Barn Door which has been a San Antonio classic for over 60 years.  Using only the finest, aged beef this place is a favorite of both locals and visitors.  The chicken fried ribeye is a one of a kind experience and the homemade hot rolls are to die for.

But no visit would be complete without a taste of Tex-Mex and there is no shortage of excellent choices.  However two stand out above the rest; La Hacienda de Los Barrios and Los Barrios Continental Mexican Cuisine.  Both are owned by the Barrios family, but each has a distinct menu.  At La Hacienda be sure to go for the fajitas or try the puffy tacos.  At Los Barrios the Classic Enchilada Assortment, featuring five different enchiladas, is simply fantastic.

No matter what sights your group chooses to see or where they choose to dine your San Antonio vacation will be one to remember.

Holiday Travel…Wings or Wheels?

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Go Motorcoach The holiday season is around us, with all its glory! We find ourselves running frantically here and there to get the perfect gifts. We force our family to take the once-a-year holiday photo for our cards that are sent out to those we love. We bake goodies, we wrap presents, and then we hit the road… Traveling and the holidays go hand in hand. Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go – is reality for many of us. This year, more people traveled during the Thanksgiving holiday since 2007!

Many people will be flying the friendly skies…or are they so friendly? Long lines, delayed flights, cancellations and on top of that, there are so many changing rules about what you can and cannot have with you in your carry-on .

Now imagine this: A calm you, relaxed and not worried about long lines or delays. You have a large suitcase, a carry-on and your laptop. Your vehicle arrives and as you board you notice the plush reclining seats, the panoramic views out the large windows and the outlets…..OUTLETS? Yes, you read that correctly, outlets. Many of today’s modern motorcoaches have 110 outlets available for you to power up your computers, iPods and cell phones. Many more coach companies also have Wi-Fi available on their buses – and you can use it the entire ride, not just above 10,000ft!

Along the way, you are able to enjoy the view out of large panoramic windows and when you do arrive at your destination, you don’t have to worry about finding the luggage carousel, or if you bags made it – they have been with you the entire trip.

That’s the motorcoach difference. Most people think that flying is the only way to go, and they are wrong. When you travel by motorcoach, you travel together, you travel safely, you travel smart. GoMotorcoach!

WiFi Onboard!

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Many of the new model motorcoaches have wi-fi on board which can make your travel time more productive and comfortable! Make the Smart Move and climb aboard!

Family Reunions… Re-imagined!

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One of the biggest challenges with any large family reunion is often transportation. How do you move that many people around town? How do you get from the restaurant to the hotels? How do you all get to spend time together without spending your days stuck in traffic all sitting in separate rental cars? Motorcoach companies understand family reunions and we know that transportation can be the difference between an extraordinary event and just another few vacation days wasted. You see, reunions are better on a motorcoach because we provide movies for the kids, quiet space for the adults to connect, even Wifi, power outlets, restrooms and plenty of room to separate those brothers who just have never really gotten along. Call us today and let us help you put your family reunion in the fast lane to fun!