The Travelling Fairy DancerThe Backpacking Chronicles - Edition 4
May 11th 2008 08:12
The Bus Tour.
Ever tried 'flap drying' dishes? How about eating beef stew from a napkin, as quick as you can, to avoid 'flap drying' dishes? You too, can have this experience on a group bus tour that has a camping component.
There's nothing quite like arriving by bus in Italy, looking across the expanse of water to Venice sparkling like a precious jewel at dusk; and having to pull out your army tent and stake a spot with lightening speed so you're close enough to the toilet to go at night, but far enough away to avoid the smell.
Then, you can line up at the food tent with your plastic plate, after which you can line up to wash the plate in dirty, chunky water, before finding an open space and 'flapping' your plate and cup around so they dry in the air (penalties apply for still-wet dinner ware).
Rather than zip across to Venice to traverse the mysterious alleys and recline in gondolas along the Grand Canal, you can play 'drinking olympics' in the old hall; with a slightly more expensive tour group who are staying in cabins on site that you can later drool over.
The race is on the next morning to pack up the tents, go through the feeding process and get in line to be herded onto a vaporetto to Venice. There, you are given strict instructions to be back in six hours, in order to load onto the bus towards the next destination.
On the bus, you get to listen to the 'tour song' every time you board. We were lucky enough to have Lou Bega's 'Mambo No. 5'. You can also drink cans of warm beer and play games conjured up from highschool memories. If you don't want to play, not to worry, there's usually at least ten noisy, drunk revellers happy to do so for you on the long, eight hour trips.
Detect any sarcasm? Yes, I'm afraid it is so. After only three days, I Ionged for the open road, one or two travelling buddies only, the freedom to make all of your own decisions and even a mattress in a twenty bed dorm. With no refunds allowed unless you contracted a deadly disease or broke both legs, I was regrettably locked in to four weeks.
Granted, I saw a remarkable number of countries for a very reasonable price. But, it would be better called, 'A Glimpse of Europe With Inclusions', the inclusions being food, bus transport, tents and a fair amount of hard work with the occasional guided tour of a city.
However, if you want to drink twenty-four hours a day, adore long bus trips and excel at putting up tents, this type of trip could be your answer to a 'glance' at Europe - on a budget.
Some reputable options are:
Contiki (for 18-35's) - www.contiki.com.au
Topdeck - www.topdecktours.co.uk. Phone - 1800 077 251
Ever tried 'flap drying' dishes? How about eating beef stew from a napkin, as quick as you can, to avoid 'flap drying' dishes? You too, can have this experience on a group bus tour that has a camping component.
There's nothing quite like arriving by bus in Italy, looking across the expanse of water to Venice sparkling like a precious jewel at dusk; and having to pull out your army tent and stake a spot with lightening speed so you're close enough to the toilet to go at night, but far enough away to avoid the smell.
Then, you can line up at the food tent with your plastic plate, after which you can line up to wash the plate in dirty, chunky water, before finding an open space and 'flapping' your plate and cup around so they dry in the air (penalties apply for still-wet dinner ware).
Rather than zip across to Venice to traverse the mysterious alleys and recline in gondolas along the Grand Canal, you can play 'drinking olympics' in the old hall; with a slightly more expensive tour group who are staying in cabins on site that you can later drool over.
The race is on the next morning to pack up the tents, go through the feeding process and get in line to be herded onto a vaporetto to Venice. There, you are given strict instructions to be back in six hours, in order to load onto the bus towards the next destination.
On the bus, you get to listen to the 'tour song' every time you board. We were lucky enough to have Lou Bega's 'Mambo No. 5'. You can also drink cans of warm beer and play games conjured up from highschool memories. If you don't want to play, not to worry, there's usually at least ten noisy, drunk revellers happy to do so for you on the long, eight hour trips.
Detect any sarcasm? Yes, I'm afraid it is so. After only three days, I Ionged for the open road, one or two travelling buddies only, the freedom to make all of your own decisions and even a mattress in a twenty bed dorm. With no refunds allowed unless you contracted a deadly disease or broke both legs, I was regrettably locked in to four weeks.
Granted, I saw a remarkable number of countries for a very reasonable price. But, it would be better called, 'A Glimpse of Europe With Inclusions', the inclusions being food, bus transport, tents and a fair amount of hard work with the occasional guided tour of a city.
However, if you want to drink twenty-four hours a day, adore long bus trips and excel at putting up tents, this type of trip could be your answer to a 'glance' at Europe - on a budget.
Some reputable options are:
Contiki (for 18-35's) - www.contiki.com.au
Topdeck - www.topdecktours.co.uk. Phone - 1800 077 251
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