ABD in Europe without buses?

[Runnergal]

Hi!
We are looking into taking our 8 and 10yo dc to Europe in the summer of 2016. ABD tours look like so much fun; the problem is I get very bus sick. I can't even handle the back seat of a car. Are there any itineraries where travel is primarily by train? We are also considering a disney Mediterranean cruise, or a Tauck Bridges river cruise.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Hi!
We are looking into taking our 8 and 10yo dc to Europe in the summer of 2016. ABD tours look like so much fun; the problem is I get very bus sick. I can't even handle the back seat of a car. Are there any itineraries where travel is primarily by train? We are also considering a disney Mediterranean cruise, or a Tauck Bridges river cruise.

Most Adventures will include bus travel.

When transporting 40 people, it's usually the most convenient way to travel.

Trains can get you to the city/destination, but rarely is that near where you'd be staying.

 

[sayhello]

Even the cruises can be a problem depending on what ports you are going to. Very rarely is the port where you actually want to be, and excursions will use buses to get you to where you want to go (Rome, Florence, the Amalfi Coast, etc.)

If you haven't already, I would really explore getting the patch from your doctor. Try them out before you go. I've found them VERY effective. It's not going to totally get rid of the car sickness if it's a really twisty-turny road, but it will make it much more bearable in those situations, and can eliminate it on more "normal" roads. Some people have side effects (blurred vision, dry mouth) but they go away if you remove the patch. (And it's usually one of those either you do or you don't things. I don't).

Also, be sure and let the Guides know so that you can sit at the front of the bus.

As long as you're doing any sort of "group" travel, whether it be a tour or an excursion, you're pretty much going to be stuck with buses. You can take the train on your own, but, as Kevin said, it won't get you all the way to where you want to go.

Even the city-centric trips like London & Paris use buses to get around town.

I hope you can work it out!

Sayhello

 

[katrina1122]

I get super car sick too. On the special request section I asked for seating up front on our Norway tour. Even though we were the last on the bus the first morning, the Adventure Guides saved me the second row (they took up the front) on the right side of the bus. The next day when someone else tried to sit there, they stopped them. It was our seats for the length of tour because of my request. Being able to look out of the front of the bus I was fine.

 

[Kez250]

Both my son and I can get car/ bus sick - I can't even read or navigate for long without feeling ill. I have found that the acupressure bands work very well. Not the stretchy ones but the plastic ones that you can manually adjust so that they stay at the correct tension for the entire trip. I have successfully negotiated my way around Patagonia and Argentina and various other winding, climbing routes with this with huge success. Not to the point that I could read, but certainly to the point where I could look up and enjoy the scenery, rather than just wanting to curl up in a small ball

 

[carpenta]

I get super car sick too. On the special request section I asked for seating up front on our Norway tour. Even though we were the last on the bus the first morning, the Adventure Guides saved me the second row (they took up the front) on the right side of the bus. The next day when someone else tried to sit there, they stopped them. It was our seats for the length of tour because of my request. Being able to look out of the front of the bus I was fine.

ABD does a great job taking care of those who have some discomfort from the bus rides. I agree with the others that it is very hard to travel to all the tourist spots in Europe without some kind of bus service. Having traveled a few times on the high speed rail system in Europe it is a treat but even in Venice it lets you off outside the city proper. Don't go to Corsica if you get car sick..........winding mountain roads not wide enough for two to pass.....

P.S. Katrina1122, Could I inquire of what you thought of your Norway trip? We are thinking for 2016 between ABD and other vendors. Thanks

 

[Woodview]

As the OP profile mentions New York ...I take it that the OP is from New York

And as I have very Little knowledge of New York area .....I was trying to

suggest for the OP to try out a bus trip in and around New York

I do hope that the OP does get to Europe & enjoys the different Countries

I do have travel experience with people who have been car sick but they

have got over it .over time.

I have been travelling , on vacation, in Europe for the last 50 + years

From Sweden to Legoland ( Billund ) in Denmark ( With a Canoe on Trailer Tent ) Germany, The Netherlands , Luxenburg , Belgium ,Andora , Slovinia ,Croatia,Spain & Italy I was at the Opening Day at Disneyland Paris .

I have driven from The Vatican to Le Havre via Monte Carlo,

I have the pleasure of driving from Seattle to Vancouver & Vancouver Island

& back over The North Cascades to Spokane & Newport & back to Seattle via Mt. Rainier

And that is why I try to be helpful & give Hints & Knowledge that I have gained from these years of travelling .

 

[sayhello]

ABD does a great job taking care of those who have some discomfort from the bus rides. I agree with the others that it is very hard to travel to all the tourist spots in Europe without some kind of bus service. Having traveled a few times on the high speed rail system in Europe it is a treat but even in Venice it lets you off outside the city proper. Don't go to Corsica if you get car sick..........winding mountain roads not wide enough for two to pass.....

P.S. Katrina1122, Could I inquire of what you thought of your Norway trip? We are thinking for 2016 between ABD and other vendors. Thanks

I agree!!! Corsica was definitely the worst I've experienced in Europe as far as car sickness from twisty-turny roads goes. There were several on the bus that had issues that day!

And Katrina1122, I'd LOVE to see more of your Trip Report on the Norway trip, too!

Sayhello

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I agree!!! Corsica was definitely the worst I've experienced in Europe as far as car sickness from twisty-turny roads goes. There were several on the bus that had issues that day!

And Katrina1122, I'd LOVE to see more of your Trip Report on the Norway trip, too!

Sayhello

Reading this brought back memories of Corsica . That is one bus trip the op should definitely avoid. My dd and another girl on the bus were sick. I felt absolutely awful but managed to, ahem, keep my breakfast down. Luckily there was someone on the trip that had a prescription for motion sickness that I took as soon as I could stomach water . The biggest disappointment is I really didn't feel there was anything worthwhile seeing (just my $0.02). That is one day to relax and unwind on the ship!!

As far as the rest of Europe I've never had a problem and can highly recommend ABD for taking great care of their travelers. Actually I've never had any issues with motion sickness before, even on small boats on rough, choppy waters (though I will take something before we board the catamaran for the Great Barrier Reef with ABD this summer, just to be safe lol).

 

[Runnergal]

Thanks so much for your replies. DH and I have seen a lot of Europe, and we have always either travelled by train or rented/hired a car. (I was mildly green even sitting in the front seat during our drive from Naples to Positano). But this would be the first trip for dc, and I think they would really enjoy the experience with ABD and being with other kids. I will look into the patch, and I guess it would be a good idea to avoid the hillier regions. I will definitely avoid Corsica!

 

[sayhello]

Reading this brought back memories of Corsica . That is one bus trip the op should definitely avoid. My dd and another girl on the bus were sick. I felt absolutely awful but managed to, ahem, keep my breakfast down. Luckily there was someone on the trip that had a prescription for motion sickness that I took as soon as I could stomach water . The biggest disappointment is I really didn't feel there was anything worthwhile seeing (just my $0.02). That is one day to relax and unwind on the ship!!

As far as the rest of Europe I've never had a problem and can highly recommend ABD for taking great care of their travelers. Actually I've never had any issues with motion sickness before, even on small boats on rough, choppy waters (though I will take something before we board the catamaran for the Great Barrier Reef with ABD this summer, just to be safe lol).

Actually, once we got to where we were going (the village at the top of the hill) I thought Corsica was wonderful! The restaurant we ate at had an expansive view over the rolling hills that went off into the distance! Gorgeous! And the little church at the top, where ABD surprised us with a concert -- fabulous! But yes, it was awful getting there. We had one older teen who actually got sick, and a few of us who were barely holding on. And I was wearing the patch and sitting at the front of the bus!!! I liked it a lot, but not sure I'd ever do it again...

I never used to have issues with cars, buses, small boats, big boats, anything. But at some point, that all changed. Getting old is a pain! I forgot to bring anything with me to Scotland (HOW did that happen?) Fortunately, Zoe had Bonine, which didn't help too much the first day, but did after that. And I bought some sea bands. I've just resigned myself to this new norm.

Sayhello