Coach Holiday Expert – Here to Help
How Does Being a Coach Holiday Expert Help You?
- I’ve put together resources and guides to help you find your perfect coach holiday, whether you are a newbie or old hand
- For some destinations, I’ve done the legwork for you and compared the top coach holiday itineraries side by side, and added in some of my insider insights to help you find your perfect trip
- I’ve shared hacks and guides to help you travel like a coach holiday expert too!
Why Am I The Coach Holiday Expert?
Over 36 years of experience taking groups on coach holidays all over the world. Worked for several different coach holiday companies as a Tour Manager. Trained other Tour Managers on behalf of coach holiday companies. Taken special interest groups, private groups and trips to events and concerts. Did coach holidays before there were cheap flights!
Coach Holiday Expert
What Type of Coach Traveller Are You?
Take this very quick quiz which will help you get an idea of the type of holiday that might suit you best. ?
Coach Holiday Expert
Coach Holiday Reviews
Knowing the right questions to ask and understanding what you are buying is key to finding the right coach holiday for you.
To make it easier I have done some side-by-side comparisons of coach holidays, so you can compare itineraries, included extras, costs and also get insider insights to help you understand the itinerary.
Itinerary insights also help you to understand areas where you might want to ask more questions before you travel.
Coach Holiday Expert
YouTube Videos
Coach Holiday Expert
My Coach Holiday Experience
I have spent 36 years taking coach holidays all over the world.
I started taking coach holidays before the internet, before modern computers and before cheap flights came along. We weren’t quite steam driven in those days but I do wonder how we managed and how everything worked!
I have lots of experience including;
- River cruise holidays.
- Stay and explore holidays.
- Special interest holidays.
- Active holidays.
Being a Tour Manager has been so much more than a job for me, it has been a lifestyle and a career and one that I have loved.
Not only have I met and travelled with thousands of lovely people, I have also seen and visited many wonderful places and have had the chance to learn about them before and from local guides when there in person.
Years of experience are great but they don’t necessarily mean you are a coach holiday expert.
I have also invested a great deal of effort into honing my skills and knowledge when it comes to coach holidays including;
- Taking first departure tours which involved on the spot problem fixing due to itinerary and supplier issues.
- Taking private group tours including alumni groups.
- Training other tour managers.
- Updating tour manuals and information for other tour managers.
- Providing tour briefings to other tour managers.
- Taking over coach holidays at the last minute in the event of illness or accident of tour manager or coach driver.
Coach Holiday Expert
My Travel Experience
Over my 36 year career I have taken holidays to;
- Most of Europe including France (+30 trips), Portugal, Spain, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy (+50 trips), Azores (+8 trips), Norway, Estonia, Poland (+10 trips), Germany (+30 trips), Austria
- Morocco
- Russia
- Australia (+8 trips) and New Zealand
- China (+8 trips)
- Singapore and Bangkok (+8 trips)
- Plus plenty of trips around the UK (lost count!) including 15 trips to Shetland in last 2 years, tours of the UK, railway tours, Scottish Highland tours, special events, sporting events, theatre tours and much more
The Professional Traveller -Testimonials
Shetland 2022
“It was a pleasure to meet you. Your unfailing cheerfulness, attention to detail and knowledge of Shetland was much appreciated” – Bonnie
Shetland 2022
“Thank you so much for the wonderful trip to the Shetland Islands. You are so knowledgeable and organised that it really made the trip special.” Judy
England, Scotland, and Wales 2019
“We have thoroughly enjoyed touring the UK with you. The orientation walks were good to help us get our bearings so we could explore on our own. Your great sense of humour made the bus rides seem shorter and you always seemed to know when we had questions or problems.” – Barbara & Marion
England, Scotland, and Wales 2019
“We had the most wonderful trip! Thank you so much for your leadership and guidance. Your card detailing places for afternoon tea was so thoughtful and helpful. England, Scotland, and Wales are such beautiful countries – we enjoyed every minute and much of that enjoyment was because of your hard work and commitment” Mary & George
England, Scotland, and Wales 2019
“Thank you for taking such excellent care of our group! From your initial email and follow up I knew you would be good but I had no idea what a superstar you would be. Your handout schedule was the best ever (and I am not an OAT/GCT beginner) and helped me plan. The bus talks were perfectly timed and enjoyable. You are the one who made this a grand Grand Circle trip.” Glen
England, Scotland, and Wales 2019
“You are a fabulous person and an accomplished program director. We felt that we were well cared for by you at all times. Your organisation and communication skills are vast and because of you our journey of delight and learning was perfect” Sue & Bill
Azores 2017
“This has been our first SAGA holiday and we have had a great time. Many thanks for being a wonderful and kind guide and sorting everything out to make it go smoothly” Mel & Elizabeth
Azores 2015
“Thank you so much for your excellent leading. You contributed a lot to the success of a very enjoyable trip – I love the Azores!” Mary
Azores 2015
“Many thanks Melanie for your professionalism and for your enthusiasm, knowledge and caring! We have had a wonderful holiday” Alice & Jenny
Found this helpful?
Money Saving Resources
Here are all the money-saving travel resources I use;
Essentials
- Priority Pass – airport membership scheme. Standard Plus membership is great.
- Lounge Pass – buy lounge access on a pay-as-you-go basis
- Coverwise – great value annual travel insurance
- Medical Cover – ideal for travellers with more complex medical conditions
Getting There
- Omnio – search all transport options in one place here – flights, buses and trains
- The Trainline – you can book train and bus travel in 45 countries on this site
- WayAway – cashback on flights, WayAway Plus – cashback on everything
Hotels, Holidays & Accommodation
- Expedia Hotels & Expedia deals and trip ideas
- Booking.com – huge choice and great upgrades for Genius loyalty members
- Cruise Critic – amazing deals plus helpful cruise forums
- Loveholidays – great value package deals with good flight options
- Holidaycottages – huge selection with lots of pet-friendly choices
- Vrbo – self contained holiday homes
- Sykes Cottages – also includes National Trust properties
Things to Do
- Get Your Guide – private tours, group tours & loads of activities to choose from
- Viator – even more tours and activities in destinations all over the world
- National Trust for Scotland – enjoy lots of amazing places with membership
Saving When Travelling
- Discover Car Hire – deals all over the world
- Car Hire Excess – way cheaper than paying car hire companies to reduce excess
- ESim – cheap mobile calls wherever you are going
My Coach Holiday Articles
- Saga vs. Travelsphere: Touring Holidays to Italy Compared
Trying to decide about touring holidays to Italy? Italy is a very popular destination with 6.4 million visitors travelling there in 2022. That means there is plenty of choice when it comes to Italian coach holidays. In this article, I’ve compiled a side-by-side comparison of all the coach holidays to Italy available from two of… Read More »Saga vs. Travelsphere: Touring Holidays to Italy Compared - 16 Essential Coach Holiday Hand Luggage Items – Expert Guide
Planning on taking a coach holiday? The size available for hand luggage on coach holidays is much smaller than on airplanes. Here on some helpful tips based on my 36 years as a coach holiday tour manager to help you plan and pack your coach holiday hand luggage. Links You Might Find Helpful:Huge Selection of… Read More »16 Essential Coach Holiday Hand Luggage Items – Expert Guide - Coach Holiday Meals – What to Ask Before You Book a Trip
Are you planning on taking a coach holiday? Coach holiday meals vary. Sometimes it’s just breakfast that is included, sometimes it’s all evening meals as well. Meals can often be a source of frustration for guests. This is often because they assume what is included rather than checking. With around 5 million people taking coach… Read More »Coach Holiday Meals – What to Ask Before You Book a Trip - Discover the Best Seats on a Coach Holiday With These Tips
Thinking of taking a coach holiday? Wondering what the best seats on the coach are? Here’s my guide to where the best place to sit on a coach is. For now, let’s just say that the best seat is not necessarily the front seat! With 49 seats to choose from on a standard coach, there… Read More »Discover the Best Seats on a Coach Holiday With These Tips - Optional and Included Coach Excursions – What Are They?
Heard the term coach excursion? Not sure what it means? A coach excursion is a tour that takes place during a coach holiday. There is usually a mix of included excursions in a holiday. These are included in the overall price of the holiday. Optional excursions are extra tours that you pay an additional fee… Read More »Optional and Included Coach Excursions – What Are They? - What Crossing the Channel is Like on a Coach Holiday
Does your coach holiday involve crossing the channel? With over 21 million people just using the Channel Tunnel in 2019 there’s a lot of traffic across this busy route. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the differences in crossing the channel on a coach. It’s a very different experience than going… Read More »What Crossing the Channel is Like on a Coach Holiday - What is a Cruise Escort and What Do They Do?
Ever wondered what the role of a cruise escort is? Well here’s my guide based on doing the role several times over the course of my coach holiday career. It may be a bit different from what you think! What is a Cruise Escort? Cruise Ship Escort The Role A cruise escort is there to… Read More »What is a Cruise Escort and What Do They Do? - Coach Holiday Seating: Know the Policy Before You Book
Coach holiday seating is an important part of any holiday. There is nothing worse than spending a week or more in a seat on the coach with a column running through it so there is little view (yes coaches do have these!). Coach holiday companies all have different seating policies so it’s important to understand… Read More »Coach Holiday Seating: Know the Policy Before You Book - Tour Guide Vs Tour Manager – What’s the Difference?
There is a huge difference between a tour guide vs Tour Manager. The Institute of Tour Guiding gives the following definition; Tourist Guide Person who guides visitors in the language of their choice and interprets the cultural and natural heritage of an area, which person normally possesses an area-specific qualification usually issued and/or recognised by… Read More »Tour Guide Vs Tour Manager – What’s the Difference? - 11 Coach Holiday Hacks to Help You Have a Great Trip
Planning on taking a coach holiday? Over 5 million take coach holidays from the UK each year so it’s a great holiday choice. I’ve taken over 9,500 people on coach holidays all over the world. That makes me a bit of a Coach Holiday Expert. I’m sharing my list of 10 Coach Holiday Hacks to… Read More »11 Coach Holiday Hacks to Help You Have a Great Trip - Understand The Crucial Role of a Coach Holiday Driver
Have you ever wondered what a coach holiday driver does? Over the years I have worked with more than 100 coach drivers, all over the world. Read on to learn much more about the role of a coach holiday driver in particular, including duties, responsibilities, and driving regulations. There’s a bit more to it than… Read More »Understand The Crucial Role of a Coach Holiday Driver - 4 Coach Holiday Myths – Busted (By A Coach Holiday Expert)
Have you ever considered a coach holiday? Perhaps you have heard that coach holidays are only for older people or people who don’t walk very well? There are lots of myths about this type of holiday. Having spent 25 years taking coach holidays all over the world as a Tour Manager I’m here to help… Read More »4 Coach Holiday Myths – Busted (By A Coach Holiday Expert) - What Seat on a Coach is Best to Avoid Travel Sickness?
Are you thinking of taking a coach holiday? Wondering what seat on a coach is best to avoid travel sickness? Here are my tips on the best seats to help you avoid travel sickness. These tips are based on a regular coach with 49 seats. Links You Might Find Helpful:Lots of Touring and Escorted Holidays… Read More »What Seat on a Coach is Best to Avoid Travel Sickness? - Coach Holiday Tour Manager – All You Need to Know
Have you ever wondered what a coach holiday tour manager does? Read on to discover more about this role, which could be key to your holiday experience. Find out more so you can get the best from your Tour Manager on your next coach holiday. This article is an in-depth look at the role based… Read More »Coach Holiday Tour Manager – All You Need to Know - 10 Things You Need to Know Before Booking a Touring Holiday
Are you thinking of taking a touring holiday? Want to know a bit more before you decide what to book? I’ve taken over 9500 guests on coach tours all over the world. This list is based on that experience and it’s here to help you know what to think about and ask before you book.… Read More »10 Things You Need to Know Before Booking a Touring Holiday - Coach Holiday to Lake Garda Review – Tips & Insights
Are you looking for a coach holiday to Lake Garda? This is a detailed itinerary review of the Southern Shores of Lake Garda tour which is offered by Saga Holidays. This tour stays in Sirmione, at the Southern end of Lake Garda. It has a good mix of free time and excursions to help you… Read More »Coach Holiday to Lake Garda Review – Tips & Insights - Scottish Highlands Railway Holiday Review – Essential Tips
Are you thinking of taking this Scottish Highlands Railway holiday with Newmarket Holidays? Check out my in depth review based on my 36 years of experience working as a coach holiday tour manager and see if this is the tour for you. Links You Might Find Helpful:Scottish Highland Holiday Options from TourRadarPrivate Half-Day Car Tour… Read More »Scottish Highlands Railway Holiday Review – Essential Tips - Coach Holidays for Single Travellers – 3 Key Things to Know
Are you a single traveller? Solo travel is on the increase and predicted to grow further, up from 19% in 2019 to 23%. There are several coach holidays for single travellers. Here are the main 3 types of coach holidays available; If you are not sure which option suits you best check out this guide… Read More »Coach Holidays for Single Travellers – 3 Key Things to Know - Douro River Cruise In Depth Review: By a Tour Manager
Looking for Saga holiday reviews? Thinking of taking a Saga Douro river cruise? Check out this in-depth review of this Saga holiday based on my experience of this trip and decide if it’s the right cruise for you. Links You Might Find Helpful:Lots of Coach Holidays from TourRadarFind Out All About Coach HolidaysTop Tips for… Read More »Douro River Cruise In Depth Review: By a Tour Manager - Coach Holiday Companies – Is Bigger Better?
Ever considered coach holiday companies and their differences when thinking of booking? There are big differences between smaller and larger coach holiday companies and these can have an impact on all aspects of the coach holiday experience. In this article, I look at 4 main coach holiday company differences you consider when choosing a coach… Read More »Coach Holiday Companies – Is Bigger Better? - Don’t Avoid a Coach Holiday – You Are Missing a Great Trip
Have you heard lots of bad things about coach holidays? As a result, have you tended to avoid a coach holiday as an option for your travels? In this article, I want to discuss some of the most common issues I have experienced over my 25 year career as a coach holiday tour manager. Instead… Read More »Don’t Avoid a Coach Holiday – You Are Missing a Great Trip - What Is An Orientation Tour? Coach Holiday Terminology
Have you seen the phrase ‘orientation tour’ and wondered what it means? Do you know what the difference is between an orientation tour and a guided tour? There are some key differences you need to know about. Read on to learn all you need to know about this coach trip terminology and what it might… Read More »What Is An Orientation Tour? Coach Holiday Terminology - Azores Island Hopping Review
Do you want inside tips and information about the itinerary from someone who has been? Great! You are in the exactly the right place. I have taken 5 or 6 British groups on holidays to the Azores Island Hopping and it is somewhere I really enjoy visiting. If you haven’t already read it I would… Read More »Azores Island Hopping Review - Are Coach Holidays Worth It? Here’s 9 Reasons Why They Are
If you have ever wondered ‘Are coach holidays worth it?’ then you might be interested in these 9 reasons why they are. They are based on feedback I’ve received from guests on coach holidays. I’ve taken over 9,500 people on coach holidays all over the world. Read on to see what they say. Links You… Read More »Are Coach Holidays Worth It? Here’s 9 Reasons Why They Are
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Travel Essentials – reviews of tried and tested travel gear
Travel More and Spend Less – articles, guides, and hacks to help you squeeze the most from your travel budget
Annual Travel Insurance – all you need to know about this travel essential
Airport Lounges – Everything you need to know including lots about Priority Pass
The Scottish Highlands – holiday cottages, hotels, things to do, and much more to help you get the most from your holiday
Invergordon Cruise Port – all you need to know to help your plan your visit
Loch Ness Tour – details of a 1/2 day private tour that goes to Loch Ness!
Coach Holiday Expert – holiday reviews, articles, and advice to help you have the best coach holiday
About Melanie – background and travel experience
About the Professional Traveller – what this website is all about and why it was set up
Work with Me – details of the travel review services I provide to destinations, hotels, and holiday companies