What is the disadvantage of a bus tour?

Okay, so you wanna know the downside of hopping on a bus tour, huh? Well, let me tell you, I’ve been there, done that, got the slightly-too-big t-shirt!

Honestly, the biggest bummer about bus tours? It’s the inflexibility. You’re basically at the mercy of the tour guide’s whims and the pre-planned schedule. Think of it: you’re strapped in, rolling along, and suddenly you’re pulling up to some “must-see” spot… but you’re not feeling it. Maybe you’d rather just chill at that cute cafe you spotted down the street. But noooo, you gotta follow the herd!

And let’s not even talk about the pacing. Remember that time I went on a bus tour of Italy? Beautiful, right? Except, we’d spend like, an hour at the Colosseum (amazing, yes, but overwhelming with the crowds!), and then only 20 minutes at this tiny, adorable little gelateria I was dying to try more flavors at! It was heartbreaking! You’re constantly rushing, or waiting… waiting for someone to buy that extra souvenir, or for someone to finally emerge from the loo!

Seriously, that lack of control? It can totally kill the joy of travel. Like, shouldn’t you be the one deciding what to see, when to see it, and how long to soak it all in? I mean, isn’t that the whole point of exploring a new place? It just feels… restrictive. So yeah, inflexibility. That’s the big drawback in my book. You lose the freedom to truly explore at your own pace, and for me, that’s kinda what travel is all about!