Big Bus and Picnics

The bus we used was probably typical of most European tour experiences, they are very big, trimmed out very nicely inside, air conditioned, have two doors for easy boarding, and tons of storage for luggage.   However, our bus was much better than typical because we had Matieu, and we had more seats than people.  Translation:  The bus was never 100% crammed with bodies; there was room to move around.

Picnic at the Gard

Matieu:  driver extraordinary

This is our second opportunity to enjoy the Heidebloem Coach Company services - the "preferred" (only) provider of bus transportation to Rick Steves' Tours.  They come all the way from Belgium.  The Heidebloem drivers are amazing and unlike anything we have experienced elsewhere.  First of all, they are very good at what they do, they are professionals, they are unflappable regardless of circumstance, go out of their way to make the trip pleasant, and are very nice people.  Thay have a my-casa-your-casa attitude.  Matieu was no exception.

Terms of Engagement

The anticipation of a "bus experience" was one of the things that kept us away from tours for many years - big mistake! Our time on the Rick Steves' Heidebloem bus provided the glue that bonded the group together.  It made the trip work for us.  

When on the road, Matieu and Patrick scheduled stops every hour or so for a little exercise, food, quick purchase of some critically needed item (like dark chocolate, a cappuccino), and a restroom break.  Our time on the bus was good for getting to know others, take a nap, ask questions of Patrick, take a nap, read a book, take a nap, enjoy the scenery, take a nap, and listen to the music Patrick would provide to prepare us for the next stop.  When Mathieu was driving, parking, planning, and dealing with traffic, we were relaxing.  

Patrick organized a buddy system as a safety net to ensure nobody was left behind.  At the beginning of the trip, we each picked a buddy; someone other than our travel companion.  Each time we boarded the bus or assembled for an event Patrick would call for a "buddy check".  If you could not account for your buddy, Patrick would know someone was missing.  Efforts were made to never be late for the bus - if we were, it might affect the schedule for the day and impact 26 other people.   

Each evening Patrick would brief us on the schedule for the next day:  time for breakfast, when to load the bus, and what to expect in terms of weather, how much walking we would do.  All of this information would also be posted in our hotel.  This was handy since in case we forget some of what he said ...... we never wanted to be late for the bus!

The refrigerator on the bus was stocked with cold drinks (1 Euro each) and available for our use.  Also provided was "deep storage" in one of the luggage compartments for items we had with us on the trip but didn't need to access again until our last day.  This was very handy for purchased items (maybe a few bottles of wine) or the cool-weather clothing we may have needed for Arromanches but did not need for Nice.  In many cities the bus could not park very close to the hotel requiring a pretty good hike to our rooms so it was great to lighten the load as much as possible. 

For some insight on the lifestyle of the bus check out the video link below.

Picnic on the road

Picnics

Matieu's versitility extended to food preparation; he frequently worked as Patrick's deputy-assistant food processor for the picnics we enjoyed.  He and Patrick had a storehouse of drinks and picnic supplies in the forward storage compartment of the bus.  Within minutes after pulling into a roadside park, they would enlist some help from us and could prepare for and execute a wonderful lunch.  Then, a quick cleanup and off we would go to the next stop; all performed in a very smooth, no hassle fashion.  We took all the garbage our with us never leaving anything behind.
Plan Execution

Plan du Patrick

Patrick's planning for our daily activities was key to the success of this trip.  He would time our arrival to avoid delays and crowds in venues that were famous for delays and crowds.  

For example, we arrived at St. Michels at the end of the day when the hoards of tourists were leaving.  This made it possible for us to easily get into our rooms and settle down for a relaxing dinner since the narrow streets and shops were virtually empty.  In the morning we checked out of our room, put our bags in the bus, and met our local guide for our walkabout before the crowds returned.  At the Chateau Chenonceau we arrived on site a few minutes before it opened and were on the grounds well before the crowds ... huge crowds!          

That's Patrick in the green shirt (above) standing in the shadow of Rufus (red shirt).  Patrick was just a little shorter than Rufus (inside joke)!
video bus culture

Bus culture.

 
[Broadband download time about 20 seconds.]

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