Passengers’ Health Safety Protocol

D O — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 10:34:15 +0000

Passengers' Health & Safety Protocols

Bus Rental Health Safety Protocols

Safe travelling remains our top priority…

• We have equipped our buses and our employees with protection devices.

• We assure an even more thorough cleansing and sanitation with highly effective products against viruses and bacteria.

We are ready to change routines, to accept a new reality and to believe with you. This is our company’s attitude and commitment.

That is why our priority is always your safety in all the journeys you do aboard our bus

When the time comes to take the masks and gloves off, to be able to chat to whomever sits by your side again, we will still be here. United today as yesterday. Together we prepare the future.

Travel safe, travel with us!

Trust in our GPN members for your future trips. In this video you could see the measures that they are taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on board their vehicles. In this time of social distancing, coaches can transfer groups in a safe way, ensuring the recommended distance between passengers.

In view of the current world health pandemic and the restart of coach transportation in many areas of the world GPN members have developed a series of minimum standards for passenger and employee health based upon industry principles. We are aware that additional measures dependent upon local regulation in individual member countries will add to these minimum standards.

Cleaning and Sanitization of vehicles

Vehicles are cleaned and sanitized by professional and trained staff at the end of each day. During the day, high touch points may also be cleaned.

Sanitization products

Our members have hand sanitizers available on-board their vehicles for passengers to use. Also, on demand, for extra protection, members may provide plastic gloves and face masks for passengers.

Social distancing

The capacity of the vehicles may be reduced for the safety distance among passengers subject to discussion with our member in each country and regulations.

Training and protection

Our cleaning technicians have been trained on procedures and process. Personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves are supplied to provide a safe working environment.

Our Drivers

Many of our profession drivers will wear masks. Around the driver’s area, there will be area of separation and marked accordingly.

These are guidelines only. Customers should request additional information from each GPN operator. Countries around the world are continuing to change regulations on a daily basis and we encourage you contacting your GPN operator for further guidance.

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Sending a request through request form, I give my consent to process my personal data. Providing the data is voluntary, but necessary to process the inquiry and execute the order. I am requesting one or more of GPN’s Member companies to provide a quote. I acknowledge and understand that GPN is not the transportation provider, and that any services I may agree to purchase are being purchased from and provided by the selected Member company, and not GPN. I understand that GPN is not a travel agency or booking agent, and that GPN is not a party to any contract I may enter with the selected the Member company to provide the transportation service. I acknowledge that the selected Member company is solely responsible for the services, terms, conditions, and fares provided.The personal data administrator is the company GPN with its registered office in 110th Street, Suite 600, Overland Park, KS 66210, USA

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Things you need to know before you book a holiday tour

D O — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 13:41:04 +0000

Things you need to know before you book a Holiday Tour

Vacation Tour & Travel

Planning a holiday trip? We have asked our members to share with us some of the tips the tourists should know before starting the vacation. Also, we added the best tips for an amazing holidays, with hidden gems that you can’t find on other traveling websites.

France
Switzerland
Spain
Malta
Belgium
Denmark
Hungary
Turkey

Holiday Tour in Russia

Things to know

Russia is well known as a leisure-cultural destination and tourists from all over the world are considering Moscow and St.Petersburg mainly when planning their trip to Russia. But our country, in reality, is much more than that. What Russia has besides traditional excursion in our two capitals? Beaches – yes, we have nice beaches There are beaches on the Baltic shore (Kaliningrad with the possibility to find Amber stones!) and on the shore of the Black Sea (in the region of Sochi, the capital of Winter Olympic Games in 2014), as well as in the Russian Far East, which also provides excellent opportunities for beach leisure (along with great wishing and crab safari!). Gastronomy Tourism – the most diverse in the world Traditional Russian Cuisine is certainly represented everywhere in the country, but Russia is known for its ethnic diversity, and with that comes unique traditional cuisine from across the globe. This includes Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Chuvashia, Mordovia, Mari El, Chechnya, Dagestan, Buryatia, Ingushetia, Adygea and more! It’s impossible to visit Russia without trying the national cuisine.

We have great news that surely will make it much easier to plan a trip to Russia shortly:

Electronic visas – from 2021 available for all Russia!

The Russian government has announced a new visa program that will allow international tourists to apply for a visa for Russia online without having to visit an embassy or consulate.The new online visa will allow for more time in the country, likely up to 16 days within 30 days.

Active tours – Elbrus, Altai, Siberia, Kamchatka…

Russia provides excellent opportunities for those who are fond of skiing, those that rival European ones! These include Krasnaya Polyana near Sochi (along Olympic skiing trails), Abzakovo Ski Resort in Bashkiria, Ural mountains and Sheregesh Ski Resort and Priiskoviy Ski Resort with unforgettable powder snow in the South of Western Siberia, and many others.

Russia is real paradise for active tours, starting from climbing the highest mount of the Europe – Elbrus – in the Caucasus, ending with climbing the highest active volcano of Europe-Asia – Klyuchevskaya Sopka – in Kamchatka. With diverse kinds of activity like horse riding, rafting, trekking and hiking, paragliding and jeeping in different regions of Russia as Karelia, Caucasus, Altai, Baikal, Kamchatka and others

MICE – discover the largest venue in Europe!

Russia possesses all the required infrastructure for MICE travel and can handle high-level meetings and events.

For example, the G20 Forum, the Summits of SCO and BRICS0, the Eastern Economic Forum and the UNWTO General Assembly take place in St. Petersburg.

And, by the way, did you know that the worlds largest media space, holder of two Worlds Guinness Records, Music Media Dome (MMD) is situated in Moscow?) It is just ideal for any kind of concerts, festivals or corporate events.

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Holiday Tour in Romania

Things to know

Romania is a country full of surprises, exciting places, folklore and history. If you want to visit our country you will need: energy, happiness, passport/identity card and you should change the money in our national currency which is Leu (in English it means Lion). So be a lion yourself and go explore the cities, monasteries, wild forests, mountains and don’t forget about the Danube Delta, the best preserved Delta in Europe. Also, Romania is one of the best places in the world for 4G speed?

-Did you know that Romanian engineers have successfully contributed to the history of flight? Aurel Vlaicu, Traian Vuia and Henri Coanda played an important role as pioneers in aerodynamics and aviation.
-Romanian is the only Romance language in Eastern Europe closely related to Italian, French, Spanish, Catalan and Portuguese.
-We have 7 Unesco world heritage sites which include: The Danube Delta, the historic centre of Sighisoara, the Churches of Moldavia, the Wooden Churches of Maramures, The villages with fortified churches in Transylvania, The monastery of Horezu and the Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains.
-We have the largest, heaviest and the most expensive civil administration building of the planet, built by former Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu which is Bucharest’s Place of the Parliament known as the People’s house.
-Romania has the largest population of brown bears in Europe.
-In our country, you will find the largest rock sculpture in Europe, the Statue of Decebalus in Orsova.
-You will find the world’s most beautiful road in the middle of Romania – which is the Transfagarasan highway. The second coolest road in Romania is Transalpina road.

– In Romania you can find one very strange cemetery, the Merry Cemetery which stands our for its colourful high wooden crosses carved in oak and painted with scenes of the deceased’s life, with funny epitaph like:

“Under this heavy cross
Lies my poor mother-in-law
Three more days should she have lived
I would lie, and she would read (this cross).
You, who here are passing by
Not to wake her up please try
Cause’ if she comes back home
She’ll criticise me more.
But I will surely behave
So she’ll not return from the grave.
Stay here, my dear mother-in-law!”
-Others places that you need to visit are: Alba Iulia fortress, Geamana valley, Hiking on mountains, Bran Castle, Peles Castle.
We are here for you to help you explore and discover Romania’s beauty. We will offer transport services, accommodation, and guide any adventure you decide to embark on.

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Holiday Tour in Lithuania

Things to know

Lithuania is a relatively young country which regained independence in 1990. If you are planning a trip and would like to know a little more before you go please read below a list of 5 things that might be unexpected, surprising, or heartwarming when visiting Lithuania.

People Speaks More Than One Language
Most of the People in Lithuania speaks English young and old, however, the older generation will also be able to speak Russian. However, every Lithuanian, no matter their age, will appreciate your attempt to learn a few words of their language. A few Lithuanian words to learn are “Labas”, meaning hello, and “Ačiū” (pronounced ahchoo), meaning thank you.

Lithuania is Part of Schengen
You can use a single Schengen visa to visit all member states as listed in the ‘Schengen Treaty’. Twenty-six European states fall under the Schengen Area, and Lithuania is one of them. Within the Schengen area, there are no customs checks or border controls, so you can easily travel to neighbouring countries of Lithuania by road and without any worries. You can apply for a Schengen visa at any Lithuanian embassy or consulate. Remember that the Schengen visas are short-termed, and you can apply for a longer visa too, which is termed as ‘national’.

Low Prices
Lithuania is a relatively cheap place to visit. It is perfect for those on a budget as the prices of most of the commodities are low in comparison to any other Western European countries. Trains and buses are quite cheap with amazing connectivity across the country. Food and shopping will also be inexpensive as most of the things are available at reasonable prices. The typical cuisine that is found in colder areas like potatoes, berries, mushrooms, etc. are easily available here and costs very little.

Popular Things to Purchase in Lithuania
When visiting Lithuania there are several things that are worth attention and are frequently bought by tourists are black amber, amber neckless, paintings, and clayware. Also, there are several shopping malls, such as Akropolis, Panorama, Ozas, CUP and others, where you could find almost anything.

Spa Procedures
For a very long while, spa medicines in Lithuania have picked up notoriety over the globe. Individuals from varying backgrounds visit Lithuania in light of the mineral-rich springs and mud that are found here. There are a few spas situated on the banks of Niemen, Birstonas, and Druskininkai that offer helpful consideration. Voyagers visit the zone for encountering mud showers, mineral water showers, climatic medicines, and then some. Numerous structures have been changed over to suit the ever-developing requests of spa visitors. The various types of spa medications make Lithuania a much-wanted goal for a recreational break.

All in all, Lithuania is a great place to visit with a lot of sightseeing and full of new experiences.

When looking at what to visit a foreign country you can find plenty of suggestions on what to visit, but sometimes those suggestions do not include low-key locations that are worth as much attention. Here is the list of those places:

– Home of M. K. Čiurlionis in Vilnius
– The Shrine of Divine Mercy in Vilnius
– Oginskiai Chapel in Vilnius St. John’s Church
– Lukiškės Dominican Monastery Building Ensemble in Vilnius
– Liškiava Church and Monastery Ensemble
– Kaišiadorys Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Christ
– Kaunas City Wall
– Kaunas St. Archangel Michael (Crew) Church

– Bernardine Monastery Ensemble
– Kaunas Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
– Plungė manor estate
– Anykščiai Treetop Walking Path
– Ventė Cape
– The Nemunas delta
– The Kretinga museum

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Holiday Tours in Bulgaria

Our country is welcoming to foreign tourists. Our cities are mostly not too big, so exploring a big part of it can be done on foot in most cases. Just an example – a few months ago, a few gentlemen from Oostenrijk Group in The Netherlands came to Bulgaria for a leisure trip. We set up a few walking routes for them around the famous sights in the wide city centre for the few days were here.

Our country is small, yet very different from city to city. Its size allows you to visit and explore many different cities in a short time and see for yourself how much it changes from town to town, even if they are 50km apart.

Different areas have different points of interest. For example, in the central part of the country, there are massive fields of the Bulgaria oil-bearing rose.
Its pink colour is very distinct and a lot of tourists from the far east visit our country each year when it’s time for its harvest. The oil that the rose produces has wide usage in cosmetics and medicine.

Other parts of the country, the south-west part, for example, are famous for their mountain ranges, where our ski resorts are located. Apart from them, there are many monasteries – some dating back to the 1000’s (oldest one dates back to the year 344!) and many national parks.

Laws are lenient so you can get away with some things which someone from Western Europe, for example, might not think are legal. That’s a common thing that foreigners share after their visit.

Nightlife is also much more busy and different than in other parts of the world. It’s not uncommon for night clubs to close at 7-8 am and to be somewhat full until that time.

To sum up – Despite being relatively small, our country is a ‘full package’. With many things remaining from its rich history, wide mountains, big summer and winter resorts, busy nightlife it offers something for all tastes.

Not everything is perfect: As in all countries where there are spots with many tourists there is a chance of encountering pickpockets or pushy beggars, but it honestly isn’t too big of a problem. However, if you do get into a situation with them, unfortunately, the police won’t be of too much help, if at all.

Other than that, tourists should follow some general safety tips that they would in a normal situation – don’t walk alone in dark alleys, avoid sketchy neighbourhoods etc. Generally, we have been improving when it comes to small crime in the last 10 years, but it still happens occasionally.

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Holiday Tours in Vietnam

Vietnam is usually very hot in the summer with an average temperature of 30 degrees celsius (85 Fahrenheit) and high humidity especially Hanoi where the temperature could go as high as 42C (108F) with very high humidity (up to 96%). If you want the most pleasurable experience, you should visit between October and March when the weather is cool and more suitable for outside activity. If you choose to visit or have to come for a work trip during this time, always bring with you a bottle of water and a hat.

Regarding legal advice, participating in prostitution, using drugs, and bringing antiques out of the country is illegal as in most countries.

The drinking age here is 18 so enjoy yourself if you are from the US.

Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park is one of Vietnam’s best-kept secrets. About 500 km (300 miles) south of Hanoi, this UNESCO World Heritage Site consists of complex limestone caves and an ecosystem of limestone forest that is only partially explored and thought to be amongst the world’s largest. Phong Nha – Ke Bang is also home to Son-Doong, the biggest natural cave in the world. It stretches for over five kilometres (three miles) and reaches heights of 200 meters (650 feet). The main cavern is large enough to house an entire New York City block. This cave is for adventurous travellers who want to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience. To reach the cave, you will need trekking and light-climbing experience. For those who want a similar experience to Son Doong but want a less intensive, family-oriented, and more vacation-like experience, there are several other caves and day tours to the park for you to experience.

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Holiday Tours in Greece

Things to know

Greece is well known for its islands! Of course, tourists need to pass 2-3 ds from Athens the capital city…Not to miss the new Acropolis museum! Tip “ From Acropolis Museum you can have the best view of Acropolis ( so no need to visit Acropolis under the sun!) just stay under the a/c of the Museum and on the top floor of the museum you can imagine Acropolis as it was in the past due to virtual reality!

Do not miss to assist at the folklore show of DORA STRATOU ( at the hill of Filopapou ). Professionals dancers from all over Greece that demonstrate dances from the mainland and the islands…Their costumes have been awarded many times… and on the way back to your hotel you need to try greek yoghurt with cherry or quinces sauce ( homemade )..the right closure of a perfect night!

Not to miss a visit to Vrettos Bar (a bar located in Plaka area- brettosplaka.com )…In Vrettos you can see a live distillery of tsipouro ( greek traditional digestive ) and you can taste tendura or mastiha (local spirits)

Concerning the islands whichever you choose it is the right choice! we have big, small islands, islands well animated and lively and islands where you can be almost alone, islands with rocky beaches and islands with sandy beaches …

Tip: chose to visit the island you wish by ferry (not plane and not high speed).

Pay the economy seat, find a seat at the sun deck and enjoy the trip by watching the big blue, the seagulls and why not the dolphins that want to follow your ship and play with it.

Last but not least: do not miss a visit to the museum of traditional local instruments ( located in the Plaka area ). You can admire traditional greek instruments from “ lyra” of ancient Greece till “ mpouzouki “ an instrument of today, major protagonist greek music… and it is for free.

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Holiday Tours in Iceland

One unattested fact about Iceland and the adjective probably most often used to describe it, is that it is unique. The most unique thing about Iceland is its geology, its situation on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and its subsequent geothermal activity and awesome landscapes. But on an island so far removed and geologically isolated from the rest of the world, there are a lot of things unique to Iceland. One of the most cherished defining features of this island is the Icelandic horse.

Don’t call it a pony
The Icelandic horse is definitely short and as a hardy breed, it gains weight easily. In winter it also sports a thick and fluffy coat that makes it seem even shorter and rounder so travellers might be forgiven for mistaking it for a pony. They’re actually not so easily forgiven. The Icelandic horse is a point of great national pride and one of very few faux pas you can make in Iceland is calling these horses ponies. These animals are both trusted servants and cherished friends and at their best, they are glorious and graceful steeds.
If you want to get off the beaten track and visit hidden gems, Reykjavik Excursions tailor-make tours for all kind of groups, large and small, for any occasion. Here are some hidden gems for you to explore:
With so many beautiful attractions in Iceland, it can be hard to pick what unique natural wonder to visit. A proper introduction to Iceland and a great place to start any journey is the Golden Circle, but to help you navigate onwards from there, here are 2 of must-see places in Iceland.

Fjaðrárgljúfur
In Southeast Iceland, not far from the village Kirkjubæjarklaustur, is Fjaðrárgljúfur (“the canyon of Fjaðurá”). The beautiful canyon was formed during the Ice Age when the glaciers started melting and dug their way down the palagonite mountain. Today the canyon is up to 100 metres deep.

The canyon has been growing in popularity in the last few years and Justin Bieber’s video to I’ll Show You made it even more popular. The canyon had to be closed for a couple of months this spring, so landowners and the Icelandic Environmental Agency could fix the walking paths and let the area heal because people kept walking outside the paths. As for the name, Fjaðrárgljúfur, we recommend steering clear of trying to pronounce this one. Even Icelanders get tripped up after losing their focus halfway through.

Lakagígar

Lakagígar (“craters of mt. Laki”) in Southeast Iceland are a series of volcanic fissures which erupted near the end of the 18th century. The eruption is one of the deadliest in recent history, pouring out around 42 billion tons of basalt lava and clouds of poisonous gas, including hydrofluoric acid and sulfur dioxide. This deadly combination killed about 50% of all livestock in Iceland and 25% of the Icelandic human population. The poisonous gas went into the atmosphere which caused a drop in temperature around the Northern Hemisphere.

Despite its catastrophic history, the area is now known for its breathtaking beauty and a visit is well worth the trip.

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Holiday Tours in the United Kingdom

The UK has a high density of population and everyone, including our children as low as 4 years old, owns a motor car or so it would seem! There are 55million of us on this island which is about the same population as France but in half the land space! Therefore it is busy. We are good logistical organisers so amazingly our transport network does work but always allow yourselves enough time for both the journey and for your visit to whatever attraction it might be. Do not make the mistake of trying to cram too much into a single day – you will fail and get frustrated.

Get out of the City and away from London and try exploring the rest of the country, you will not be disappointed. From Cornwall and Devon in the west right up to the North of Scotland we have a rich and diverse history for you to look at and enjoy plus some fantastic scenery to take in along the way. The English Lake District, Snowdonia in Wales, York with its Viking and Roman heritage plus the wild rugged coast in Northumberland are just a few of the gems to see during a visit to the UK. Everywhere is accessible and no distance too long and our forward-thinking in terms of accessibility means the UK is open to all!

One of the few benefits of global warming is that England now has a thriving domestic wine industry so why not take a wine tour to Kent or Sussex to see English wine, especially our prize-winning sparkling wine being made and enjoy a taster at the end of your trip. We also offer amazing walking and cycling tours off the beaten track and our garden tours, in particular, are hugely popular – we have some of the most amazing gardens in the world and horticulture is the passion of many a Brit!

Finally, if you think of the UK you often think of English Literature and there are many tours and day excursions which can be undertaken to explore either a particular book or an author. From Shakespeare to JK Rowling there is something for everybody and you can immerse yourself in the history and the life and times of many of the greatest writers to have lived.

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Holiday Tours in France

Certain foreign categories don’t have to have a visa to get in France. It doesn’t mean that these foreign don’t have to fit any conditions : A valid passport: shall have been issued within the previous 10 years and its validity shall extend at least three months after the intended date of departure A valid visa: if nationality requires it, the entry is justified by a valid visa deliver by a country from “Shengen”. Reason for travel: justify it and conditions of the stay (professional or private travel, accommodations receipt, repatriation with the way back ticket, etc.) Travel expenses: have adequate resources Health insurance: have insurance to cover medical and hospital expenses for any medical care necessary

Best reasons to visit France:

various and attractive landscapes: the longest beaches in Europe & the world largest ski areas. You have all kind of climate from north to south
a large historical heritage
gastronomy
the important volume of leisure facilities
ideally located in the heart of Western Europe: entry to Europe
capacity to attract customers from an emerging country
great value

For most of the tourists, France is resumed by Paris, Loire Valley, South of France and Provence, Normandy and the D-DAY Beaches.

But there are plenty other places of interest to visit in France:

West South (Dune du Pilat, Basque Coast,…)
National Natural Park (La Vanoise, Les Ecrins, L’Auvergne, L’Aubrac,…)
Colorado Provençal in Roussillon
Nantes and its Machines de l’Ile
Island of Re, Noirmoutier, Oléron for a week of biking
Etc etc etc….

Something that you might not know as a tourist in France is the french custom, as salute with kisses or by shaking hands. Also, tips are always included, it is not mandatory (in restaurants, bars, etc)

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Holiday Tours in Switzerland

Tourists should know the prices for hotels, restaurants and public transportation are very high.
In Switzerland, we have 4 official languages (german, french, Italian, rhaeto-romanic)
Switzerland is one of the cleanest countries in the world.

Switzerland offers a lot of small lakes in the mountains, far away from the very known hot spots (Exp. “Lauenensee” next to the famous and luxury place of Gstaad).
In Switzerland it’s a must to visit (and taste) one of the countless chocolate factories (Exp. Camille Bloch)

Holiday Tours in Spain

Spain is one of the world’s leading tourist destination, thanks to our country’s variety of attractions. Among the Spanish fortresses are its excellent natural and above all cultural resources: there are sun and sand, mountains and a range of museums. From sun-drenched archipelagos and bustling urban cities to snowcapped mountains and semi-arid deserts, Spain epitomizes geographical diversity. As the meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, this vast country offers some of Europe’s most dramatic landscapes, as well as some of its tastiest cuisine.

Spain’s not a small country – there’s no point just visiting Madrid or Barcelona and thinking you’ve seen the whole of Spain… the country is vast and diverse – both in culture and geography. This makes for a truly exciting country to visit, especially if you’re planning a road trip where you can experience so much.

Hidden gems in Spain:

Rural Spain/Mountains:

Away from the big cities or tourist areas, there is rural Spain with small towns where keeping a social distance is easy. The mountains of Aragon, the least populated corner of Spain for those who want to get away from it all.
Staying in an old palace, castle or monastery in the Paradores network is something different. It is absorbing history and culture. Some are modern buildings but in spectacular locations, such as the new Parador de Costa da Morte, next to a splendid beach in Muxía, in Galicia, the Parador de Jaén or the Congas de Onís.
The Principality of Asturias, a region in northwest Spain, is known for its rugged coastline, mountains, religious sites and medieval architecture
Cares Trail through the Cantabrian Mountains

Pueblos Blancos Route in the Sierra de Grazalema
The Picos de Europa is a mountain range extending for about 20 km (12 mi), forming part of the Cantabrian Mountains in northern Spain
The Camino de Santiago, known in English as the Way of St. James, is a network of pilgrims ways or pilgrimages leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition has it that the remains of the saint are buried. Many follow its routes as a form of spiritual path or retreat for their spiritual growth. It is also popular with hiking and cycling enthusiasts and organized tour groups.
Cuenca is a marvellous example of a medieval city, built on the steep sides of a mountain. The many “hanging houses” are built right up to the cliff edge, making Cuenca one of the most striking towns in Spain, a gem in the province of Castilla La Mancha.

Wine Tourism
Spain is one of the world’s great wine producers. Wine tourism in Spain goes way beyond wine tasting. It is an experience that will see you sleeping among vineyards, discovering centuries-old wineries, receiving classes from expert sommeliers. There is always another wine region, as La Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Jerez or Penedes, to discover, talk to passionate producers while strolling through a vineyard.

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Holiday Tours in Malta

Visitors coming to Malta might require a Visa to enter the country. Anyone planning to visit Malta, whether for work or pleasure should check the type of Documents required to enter, making sure that entry is hassle-free whilst avoiding delays- especially if travelling in a group.

Driving in Malta: In Malta, driving is on the left-hand side of the road as is in the UK. Priority on the road is given to any form of public transport which includes school buses.

The Native Maltese language is a source of fascination to both visitors and linguists. The Maltese Language is a Semitic language, the only language written in Latin characters. But do not let this worry you! English, which is also our second language, is widely and fluently spoken and is the language of international business.

Zarb Coaches Ltd operates transport all over the Islands of Malta & Gozo. We can take you to any place your heart desires, be it in a Chauffeur Driven car, Minibus or Coach. We also offer Classic day or half-day tours on Malta & Gozo. If you want us to take you off the beaten track or somewhere with a difference, or would like us to customize your trip, we are here to accommodate you. If you wish to do something with a difference like taking a Jeep ride in Gozo, a Segway ride on the Island of Comino or even a nice relaxing boat trip around the 3 islands, we are more than happy to be of service.
Although the Islands of Malta & Gozo are small when compared to other countries around the world, we still have a couple of places to boast about. One of them is a visit to Malta’s sister island of Gozo, a must! A Gem in its own right, with some hidden extras. Very few, apart from the locals are aware of remote bays such as Dahlet Qorrot and Mgarr ix-Xini amongst others. One cannot forget to mention the crystal-clear waters of Comino’s less renowned bay of St. Mary’s.

Malta – the Main Island itself is a treasure trove.
Starting with the 100-ton gun, built by the British, was the world’s largest muzzle-loading cannon ever to be built, the Coral Lagoon in Mellieha, a dream for divers and swimmers alike. Other highlights are the Valletta subterranean passages that go way back to the days of Valletta’s foundation building, Ghar il-Kbir, a complex of 8 caves where troglodytes have dwelled from approximately 500 A.D. up to the 1830s. The Speranza Chapel, tied to a legend connected to a young girl who hid from the Turks in the underlying cave whilst being pursued, praying to the Virgin Mary to save her and promising her to build a chapel if spared from slavery. Mgiebah Bay in Selmun, offering stunning views of St. Paul’s Islands. Fomm ir-Rih is also great for a relaxing, panoramic walk along the cliffs. In the summer months, one can also experience a dip in the sea.

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Holiday Tours in Belgium

Travellers coming from some other countries need a “Schengen” visa to enter the Belgian border. This is better for the traveller to check this information in the country of origin. When the traveller wants to rent a car he also has to make sure that his driver license will be valid for rentals within Belgium.

Limburg – the hidden gem of Belgium
We have some amazing places in Belgium quite unknown in the travel industry in general and therefore not included in most holiday tours. For example the province of “Limburg”: 2500 km of amazing and very maintained biking and walking trails for young and old. In Limburg, we have the only national park of Belgium called “De Hoge Kempen”. Beautiful and historical cities, villages and sites are; Kinrooi, Maaseik, Tongeren, St.Truiden, Hasselt, Genk, Lommel, De Voerstreek area and 3 country point in Vaals (Belgium, Netherland and Germany). The Maas river gives the province also a special touch… a lot of watersports available! Kinrooi and Maaseik (B) and Maasbracht, Stevenweert (NL) located close to the Maas river which is also the border between Belgium and Netherland have Europe’s biggest “river” yacht harbours (3000 Yachts). Limburg a paradise for shopping as well, Maasmechelen Village, McArturGlen shopping villages etc…. Geographically Limburg is ideally located for travellers arriving by aeroplane in Brussels, Liege, Dusseldorf, Amsterdam, Aachen/Maastricht. The “Limburgers” is well known as the most friendly and helpful Belgians.

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Holiday Tours in Denmark

Almost everyone in Denmark speaks English. We learn it from an early age and hear it a lot growing up. Films and tv shows are only dubbed if meant for children. All other programmes are subtitled.

Things to know when visiting Denmark:

You can use credit cards almost anywhere and there is usually no required minimum spending. Danes use credit cards to buy gum.
Tips are not mandatory in Denmark. Coach drivers’ wages are set following their union so all drivers are paid the same and enough to live off. Tips are reserved for outstanding service. Same goes for restaurants.
Watch out for the bikes! In Copenhagen, most people use bicycles are their main form of transportation. The city’s infrastructure supports this as we have dedicated bike lanes between the roads and pavement throughout the capital. Make sure to look of for bikes when you crossroads or board a coach. As bikes are used for transportation rather than leisure, cyclists are usually on their way somewhere and some have very little patience.

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Holiday Tours in Hungary

There are no special regulations in Hungary, compared to the rest of EU. Once a traveller is in the EU, he is welcome in Hungary too. Budapest is friendly even overnight. More and more people speak English, so one can not be lost for long. Assistance is close to getting help or direction.
Hungary, like many other countries, is full of hidden gems, but most of the tourists, groups in particular, have hardly enough time to discover any destination. No time for it, too much to visit in a short stay. So they all concentrate on visiting the major sights.
There are more and more thematic tours organized in Budapest as the primary destination.
Religious tours, thermal baths, party quarter, stag parties, escape rooms, wine tasting, film studios, folklore programmes, street food and fine dining…..
And that is only in Budapest and surroundings. Unfortunately, not many of the visitors have time to spend days around the country, and they miss some amazing places and tradfitions.

Book Your Group Holiday Tour

Holiday Tours in Turkey

Under the Law act no. 1618, it is obligatory to book tourism transportation and tours at a Travel Agency with an operation Licence issued by the Ministry of Tourism. A Travel Agency in Turkey is obliged to become a member of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies. (TURSAB). Group (A) agencies offer and perform all kind of tourism services. In Turkey, customers need to provide their name and passport details to the Travel Agency before the arrival date.
All transfer drivers must be able to produce this information at road checks and traffic controls. This is for ANYONE who books a transfer or tour.

Turkey’s hidden gems
After testing new and unfamiliar destinations in Turkey, in 2020, we are taking our international guests to some of the best off the beaten path spots such as Assos, Urla, and Alacati. The great news is that many of the recently emerging destinations have the same level of accommodations that luxury travellers are accustomed to. All transfer drivers must be able to produce this information at road checks and traffic controls. This is for ANYONE who books a transfer or tour.

Assos is a tranquil Aegean-coast seaside resort situated among ancient ruins with a legacy dating back to the time of Aristotle. Once home to Aristotle, where he set up a philosophy academy thousands of years ago. Assos, now officially named Behramkale, comprises three distinct settlements offering visitors the diverse experience of wandering through a cliff-top village, frolicking through ruins crowned by the Temple of the goddess Athena, taking a dip near the sandy beaches of Kadırga and enjoying a picturesque evening at the old harbour.

Urla is among the closest holiday places to Izmir, is one of the most preferred destinations by local people for holidays. This lovely seaside town is one of the best places for those who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and experience culinary highlights of the Aegean cuisine.

Alacati is a sophisticated seaside town, a hidden gem in Turkey that is off-the-beaten-track. Alacati is surrounded by beaches and tons of hip beach clubs. Wandering through the cobblestone streets and checking out the traditional Greek stone houses, tasting best of Turkish Wines at Urla Winery is one of the best things to do in Alacati. Alacati is a member of the World Gourmet Cities Network, where you experience culinary tastings. International Fish Tournament, Windsurf Festival, Fancy Women Bike Ride Festival, Kite Festival, Artichoke Festival, Herb Festival are among the events, activities and attractions to take place annually.

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Coach Hire Stories

D O — Fri, 29 May 2020 11:49:24 +0000

Luxury Travel Experiences - Coach Hire Stories

From luxury travel to funny experiences - our members share some of their travel stories

Sometimes journeys turn into stories that make the headlines on the news. Or, the other way around, sometimes, things just don’t go the way you want. There’s always the unexpected, in the coach travel industry. Our members are proud to say that, one way or another, managed to get things done and keep our customers happy at all times. They shared with us some of their special moments. Learn about the wine tours, the “ghost” buses, the puppies that were found by football teams – and so many other amazing stories!

Old & New - Luxury travel in Germany

We all love first class, and what’s newq. But what about this for a change? Set out on a time shift in Germany – with our originally restored veteran coach Bussing 4000 TS. First registered on May 12th, 1955, 126 hp, max. speed 80 km/h. With a seating capacity for 24 persons the ideal and unique vehicle for weddings, birthdays, club excursions or anniversaries. Give your celebration a touch of nostalgia.

When travelling in our veteran coach you remember the beginnings of bus tours in the 1950s: 1 week of summer holidays in Bavaria or Tyrol for only 30 – 40 D-Mark. There are rooms without running water, some of the luggage was loaded onto roof racks. When it rained: softened cardboard cases but happy and satisfied guests.

As of June 2020, this is the most luxurious vehicle of our German member: Experience the ultimate in travel – travelling first class with our 5*-star Premium Liner. Maximum of comfort for a maximum of 30 guests onboard. They enjoy extra-wide exclusive leather seats, arranged in the formation 2 + 1, 90 cm spacing between the seats, adjustable back and footrest, armrests on every seat, individual foldout-tables and mini-kitchen. There’s nothing left to be desired.

Most special coach for hire in Bulgaria

The bus of the Bulgarian National Football Team

The most special vehicle in Bulgaria probably has to be one of our 2018 Scania Touring coaches. We use this one for the Bulgarian National football team and it has all sorts of branding of the football team and the Bulgarian Football Union. We are allowed to use it for other purposes as well, so we do all sorts of things with it. People onboard sometimes get confused as to why people on the outside are taking pictures of the bus or waving their hands, so it’s always a funny reaction when you tell them the reason.

Our latest addition, a 2020 Scania Touring is our most luxurious vehicle, along with a 2017 Mercedes Tourismo. Both of them are specified with the most legroom and most luxurious seats available.

Spain: Why do drivers pray for the team to win?

The most special vehicle of our Spanish member is a 14-meter coach specially prepared for Rayo Vallecano Football Club, a historic club from the most humble neighbourhood in Madrid, which traditionally fights to survive in the first division or to lift up from second to first. Originally with 63 seats, we changed the distribution to provide the most comfortable space for the players and staff, and it has become a 40 seater with 4 tables. It has been completely livered with the team colours.
Our drivers are proud to drive the team to their games, but they are praying for the team to win because the current manager, Mr Paco Jemez, is well known for being a little grumpy and the trip back to the airport or hotel is not so pleasant if the result did not go as he wished!
What is the most luxurious vehicle you have for hire? In case is different from the most special one, then why is special and does it have any story? Even one re. one funny or interesting trip?
No surprise, this motorcoach is also the most luxurious one we have for hire in Spain.

Malta Special/Luxury VIP Vehicle - Ford Tourneo Custom

The VIP Ford Tourneo is our Star that shines especially bright among all vehicles during the Isle of MTV Malta, of which we are the proud transport providers and have been for the last 12 years. This Vehicle has been custom made for our company and it’s just like a Faberge egg but in reverse. Modest on the outside but a beauty on the inside. Since the VVIP (as we call it) has been with us it has seen many Famous Pop Stars including their antics, such as David Guetta, Lady Gaga, Rita Ora, Jason Derulo, Steve Aoki and many more. This vehicle is also hired for the transportation of several dignitaries and Bridal parties.

Motor Coaches in Ireland

Meet our Gravedigger tour bus for a special bus. The Irish team put a lot of work into this to make the experience an interactive 4D experience for the passengers. It is a ghost bus tour that we run in Dublin. We refurbished the whole interior and exterior and there are actors on the bus. We have smoke, compressed air under the seats, strobe lights, even rancid smells to make the experience more palatable😜

Religious Pilgrimage in Ireland

An amazing bus, but is it fit for any ocasion? “The absolute funniest story about this bus was a couple of years ago when we had an American religious group over and they had arrived in Dublin and the following day we were to take them down the country to a religious site called Knock which would be as big in Ireland as Fatima or Lourdes. We picked them up the night before from the airport and dropped them to the hotel. The following morning, which was a Saturday in the middle of the summer, due to human error every one of our coaches were fully booked and this group had somehow been missed by our transport team until I got a call from the group leader wondering where the bus was. I called the transport team and just realised that there were no buses available to take them as they were all out. The only bus we had left was the Gravedigger bus. I did not want to let the group down so got one of the transport team to get into the bus and drive to the hotel to pick up the group. In the meantime, I had to grit my teeth together knowing full well that this group would be absolutely mortified been picked up by a bus with pictures of the devil, the grim reaper and skeletons all over the inside of the bus particularly when they were to be dropped right into the most religious site in Ireland! But desperate times called upon desperate measures. When the bus arrived immediately the group leader called me, I could feel her veins popping while she was screaming and I think nearly crying down the phone. I eventually got her relaxed and they did travel on the bus but did request to be dropped around the corner from the church they were visiting. I look back now and still can’t help myself laughing.”

It'll be Grand

My second coach is Medb, a famous Irish Queen from the West of Ireland who had a wicked temper on her! It was only purchased in January of this year from VanHool and holds 94 people with lots of space, It’s a double-decker so the views of the West of Ireland where the coach is going to used is the best any operator in Ireland can offer and below deck, there are tables. Extremely comfortable for any distance and at the moment my favourite coach! On the back of the coach, you will see I put the slogan “It’ll be Grand!” a famous Irish saying that means a lot of things depending on who you are saying to but essentially means, relax everything will be fine! This was put on the coach on March 9th of this year by our graphics team. On March 13th, we closed all operations in the company. I just look at this slogan now and laugh! I just keep saying to myself now, It’ll be grand!!

Our most special vehicle is the one that we use to provide the less fortunate people with transportation to go home for the Tet holiday (Lunar New Year). Many people, usually workers who live far away do not have enough money to buy a ticket home and due to having to work until the last day of the year, they could not find a bus home.

Our most luxurious vehicle is the Hyundai Solati with custom made interior. We strip the original interior and redo it from scratch since none of the interior company in Vietnam can fulfil our request for a high-end vehicle. We use premium material such as leather used on luxurious cars like Bentley, Rolls Royce, Porsche etc. This vehicle is a result of our desire to continue to innovate and improve our service to better serve our customer.

British comfort - The most luxurious coaches on the road

Mark Anderson, the owner of our UK Anderson Travel thinks so: “We have 4 team coaches at Anderson Travel and operate for several different professional and semi-professional clubs as well as doing corporate private hire. All feature 35 passenger seats, tables, kitchens, refrigerators, ovens and microwaves, wifi, DVD/sat TV, telephone changing points and even a physio table. Have a look at the video on our home page of the web site to see in full glory. They are the most luxurious coaches on the road and at my age almost better than sex!”

The dog who joined The Orient football Team - Stories from English Motor Coaches

One of those teams we look after is League 2 side Leyton Orient who we have had a relationship with for 15 years. In London and SE England, everyone’s second favourite team is The Orient as they are usually useless but everyone has a soft spot for them.
On a recent away trip on the motorway, a stray dog was running around the carriageway and could have got itself killed. The coach pulled onto the hard shoulder and the Orient kit man got out and caught the dog and put it on the coach with the rest of the team. Pictures attached.

The coach then travelled on to the Orient training ground putting out social media if anyone had lost a dog. By the time the coach arrived back at the training ground a grateful owner and the dog were reunited.
This made national press and SKY Sports news showing the caring side of the sport and good publicity for us and Orient.

Argentina - Vehicles for VIPs

In Argentina, our most special vehicle for hire is the Mercedes Benz VITO. This vehicle is very special because it is one of the most requested vehicles in our country for VIP Guests or small groups.
This vehicle is modern, comfortable and its capacity is perfect for both long and short trips.
We always recommend this vehicle and its acceptance and hiring is at the top of our sales.

One of the most luxurious vehicles we have for hire is a Mercedes Benz.
A long time ago, when hiring luxury cars was something only VIPs – especially movie stars or worldwide known singers could afford, we had a funny story with a one of our guests. While we have to protect his privacy, you most probably know him.
It was a very hot summer day. The driver was a very tall man, not so sympathetic but reliable. Once the VIP guest was on the car, he asked the driver to have some fresh air (it was very hot). As the driver did not like the air conditioner too much he opened all the windows of the car. Just imagine all the wind and hot air flowing in the car. When the guests arrived at the hotel, his hair was very tousled and standing up. Impossible to hold it in place. He never complained – and had a similar haircut on one of his appearances :)) but unfortunately, the driver could not continue working for our company.

Turkey - The luxury way to see Istanbul

We hire one of the oldest Mercedes Benz buses in Istanbul. It is a 1957 model candy-pink and blue 0321 H Mercedes Benz which has been used in urban and intercity public transportation as well as tourism transportation. The bus is a source of joy for the old Istanbul enthusiasts. It is the only example of its kind that professionally lives in traffic.

The most luxurious vehicle we have for hire is a Mercedes Sprinter with a custom-designed interior….adjustable Range Rover seats, soundproof windows, touch panel, blinds, DVD, Plazma TV, WiFi, minibar, safe, a kitchenette and a WC.

Belgium's Office on Wheels

Staf Cars’ first “Office on Wheels” was launched and operates on behalf of the company EY (Diegem) every day from and to Liege! This “Office on Wheels” coach is the perfect solution for companies, business travellers, work commuters, roadshows, product introductions, recruitment, meetings and mobile training or study sessions!
A nice word from EY… Do you change your people or change the way your people work?’ The better question is coming from EY who received today their EY branded “Office on Wheels” bus. The wifi connection on the bus makes sure that people don’t waste any time in traffic but can work more efficiently. People are taking the bus to go from Boutersem to Liège and back, every day except on Fridays as people work in their EY Diegem office that day. EY is building a better working world by allowing these people to save time and to have less traffic-stress.

21 first-class seats (total)
All seats in driving direction
Full leather interior
Individual work tables
Strong WiFi (VPN connection)
Individual USB & 220v power
Flat screens
DVD
Kitchen
Refrigerators
Hot beverages & bar
Toilet
Airconditioning
Stand-alone facilities
LED mood lighting

Luxury travel in Belgium

That is the comfort of our VIP: Optimus 1 (40 places)
40 seats (total)
10 seats in the meeting area
Full leather interior
Additional tables
WiFi
On-Board entertainment
Flat screens
DVD
Kitchen
Microwave
Refrigerators
Hot beverages & bar
Toilet
Airconditioning
Extra luggage space
LED mood lighting

Meet our new VIP Optimus range… Ambitious managers choose the best because they know what’s important. After all, they have an eye and a sense of endless comfort. As they are themselves, so are their relationships, stylish and sophisticated. Therefore VIP’s now chosen only for VIP comfort. Modern managers have the dynamic to spoil their business relations with guaranteed success. Travelling in a harmonious highly functional VIP interior while enjoying a cocktail and snack, the pleasure of the onboard entertaining and WiFi facilities, attend a presentation or doing a business phone call in a relaxed atmosphere…. and not to forget the meeting room or social area, it makes our VIP Optimus 1 so exceptionally suitable. This complete range of luxury and attentive service is an excellent formula for top quality.

From Sweden: Manchester United's choice - €25k motorcoach branding for one special match

In Sweden, our number one coach is the VDL Futura conference coach. We use that coach the national soccer team – both women and male. The coach is specially branded outside and inside as well. The coach is very popular for other local teams and various clients.

During Europa League Final 2017, we provided the transportation for the Manchester United team. Before using the bus, they have paid 25k to a company who wrapped our motorcoach with their colours and logo. That was just for one football game.

Romania's purple coach - the foundation of today's business

In Romania, our special vehicle is a purple coach. It is the first bus we started doing tourism with, it was bought by Liviu Jisa. In 2000 the founder of Alis Group-Liviu Jisa started transporting people with his purple coach and even in our days, this coach is still in traffic. As you know coaches need repair so our purple coach went through renovations and repairs about 5 times since it was bought, only because it is important for Liviu to see it functional. It is the treasure that put the foundation of today’s business.

Our most luxurious vehicle in Romania is a Mercedes Travego, this coach was bought in 2015, in the moment of acquisition it was in a deplorable condition after performing regular tours, but with ambition and effort, it was 100% renovated. After this restauration, it became the luxurious coach of our parking with TV in each headrest. Our interesting trip with this coach was 5 years ago when some students studying geography – tourism rent it out for a tour of Europe without accommodation for the nights. In this case, the coach was 2 in 1, a carrier during the day and sleeping place during nights. This experience was a success and since then we do 2 similar trips with our geography students every year.

Caring in Norway

In Norway, we have 2 x Scania Touring coaches 57-seats, equipped for transporting disabled guests: fitted with wheelchair lift and space for up to 6 wheelchairs.

4x4 buses in Iceland - crossing unbridged glacier rivers

In Iceland, the most special vehicles we have for hire would be our Highland buses.
Those are 4×4 buses suitable for crossing unbridged glacier rivers, hence reaching almost any destination in the highlands.
Icelandic roads, especially in the interior and highlands, require a special set of skills and expertise best entrusted to those familiar with such conditions. Driving on gravel roads is more dangerous than one might think, and traversing rough tracks or fording rivers in the outback demands a proficiency that only experience can provide. Our professional drivers have earned their expertise through years of practice and will get you to and from your destination while you sit back, relax and enjoy.
During summer Reykjavik Excursions runs scheduled highland buses daily to and from the most popular hiking trails in Iceland, which are surrounded by glaciers, geothermal areas and rivers.

French buses for rockstars

One of the most special vehicles we have to rent is a vehicle for artist tours. This vehicle is special because it has a specific interior layout with a living area (kitchen, dining room, living room, TV screens) and a night space with beds and a bedroom for the main artist. During the tours, our French artists spend more than 50% of their life in our coach. Our drivers have the privilege of attending private concerts with the rockstars who rehearse non-stop during the coach ride.

Alexandre DELVALLEZ, the general manager of Saybus remembers how a very well known French artist who unfortunately passed away that he asked our french member to fit seats on top of the bus so that himself and his team could be at the top during the tours.
Our drivers spend so much time with these artists that they form an affinity with each other. One of our drivers is regularly invited on holidays by a rockstar and has also attended the rockstar’s wedding.

The bus with a wine cellar and beer bar!

One of the most luxurious vehicles we have is a vehicle that we use for team building or works councils. We also use this vehicle to transport VIP people.
It is special because it has inside the vehicle a special layout such as a meeting room with TV screens and all the necessary equipment to hold a meeting, a kitchen also with a wine cellar and a beer bar. Everything is luxurious in the vehicle so that the customer’s experience is unforgettable.

We have amazing wine tours. We offered a corporate tour for the board of directors of a French company going to discover the wine routes. The trip was so exceptional that every year our clients book this vehicle to discover the French wine routes.

The Olympic Russian Motor Coaches

All our motor coaches in Russia are special and provide the luxury travel experience. During the Olympic Games in Sochi (Russia) in 2014, we have sent 4 of our coaches to provide the transportation Olympic teams in different locations for different events. All coaches were covered with beautiful livery with symbolics of Olympic teams.

Of course, most coaches were renewed since then, but we decided to still keep one. It is Mercedes 2014. We use this coach for emergencies only, and it always attracts a lot of attention from our customers.

Luxembourg: The 5 star bus with a lounge and kitchen

Our most special and luxurious vehicle is our 5 Star Prestige Class bus. It has 22 luxury seats with a multimedia display on every seat. It also has a lounge with 8 seats and a table in the back of the bus.

This lounge can be used as a conference table, as you also have screens in the lounge, or as a place to enjoy the view out of the roof. This is the most comfortable way to travel on a bus.

Last but not least we also have a small kitchen in the bus to be able to serve drinks and snacks to our guests.

This was a record in Croatia: Too much luggage to fit in one bus!

Since we are covering all the transportation from and to Rijeka airport, sometimes the wind blows so strong that planes cannot land at all.

In such situations we have to transfer all the passengers to the first airport suitable for landing, or the hotels, depending on the situation. Once we were transferring 130 passengers from airport Rijeka to a hotel in Crikvenica, and three coaches – 50 seaters were assigned for that job.
It would have been a normal day at the work for out three drivers if the passengers didn’t have a lot of luggage. There was no way that they could fit all the luggage in the coach luggage compartment. Three times the drivers were taking all the luggage out and try to fit in again – trying to sort the luggage better, but with no success.
Therefore, we had to engage our van with the trailer to take the rest of the luggage to the hotel. In the end, everyone was happy with our service and resolving the issues with luggage. Ivana from our croatian member at Olivary said that “it was my only time to see passengers with so many luggage!”. But don’t worry, everything was sorted!

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The Coach Industry during and beyond COVID-19

D O — Tue, 05 May 2020 15:46:16 +0000

Around 500 top-level managers in coach operating companies gathered on one of the largest online meetings in the industry to share their experiences and actions during these unprecedented and challenging times. Because of the current situation, most of the coach companies, who are depending on tourism, have to survive without any income for the next 5-6 months.
One of the top subjects was generating income during the COVID-19 period and various actions taken by members of GPN.

Helping tourists get back home

Several pivoting actions were mentioned. For example, one way the transport operators managed to generate income was by co-operating with cruise lines for passenger repatriation.
On the European continent, GPN members also helped in repatriating the expats and tourists that were caught during the lockdown in other countries.
More details were provided by Luis A. Pedrero – CEO @ Car Tour, Spain: “Our friends from Italy, Linea Azzura made a project to repatriate tourists from the cruising boats. They have prepared 40 coaches and briefed the drivers about the situation, especially about the fact that at least 80 of the boat passengers had COVID 19. Before starting the operation, all drivers were equipped with protective equipment. In total, Linea Azzura helped repatriated the passengers from 4 cruise ships that were blocked in Italy. The passengers were repatriated to Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia, Czech Republic and also to Germany and Denmark before the former two countries closed the borders. It was a proactive action and it wasn’t easy. Both organizing this and the logistics were very difficult, because of the restrictions. To achieve that, with the restrictions and border closed, the colleague from Italy had to transport the passengers to the border, and from there the passengers were taken off the bus and taken by another bus on the next country. It was a success because we are a network, and everybody participated”.

Supporting the health care system

Also, some of the operators, like the ones in Germany, France, Bulgaria, Romania and others offered their support for faster transfer of patients between hospitals, especially since the healthcare workers and the ambulances struggled to cover all the emergencies.
The busses and motor coaches were also transformed in sleeper coaches being offered as extra space for hospitals in France and Spain.

Medical sleeper coach in France

“Our colleagues in France offered medical sleeper coaches. They have contacted the authorities to let them know they have these facilities. The medical authorities in Reines contacted them back. After making all the necessary disinfection and installing the equipment, they managed to offer some relief to the overwhelmed hospitals in the area”, explained Luis A. Pedrero.
Other operators, members of GPN helped hospitals with the transport of cargo for hospitals by coaches, offering coach services on regular lines to ensure social distancing.
Motorcoaches that usually this time of the year are used by tourists visiting the most exciting places in Europe are still using this crisis to transport the military units or even prisoners. Also, some members offered their support for individuals getting home, transportation of goods between provinces and more.

The cost reduction solution

The cost reduction is an important factor that enables companies to deal with the current situation. This is a time ideal to look into aspects of the business that may be overlooked or difficult to implement during normal operation periods, including training, maintenance, monitoring and reducing communication costs, processing drivers’ schedules, evaluating parts (if really needed), reducing insurance costs, revision of existing loans, etc.
“Coach operators focus on sales, getting the work in and doing it correctly. When the business is booming, we tent to look at profit rather than the costs involved. Now is the time to look at every aspect of our operation to understand what our costs are and what savings were made. Work will be slow in the short to medium term after the world economies start again, especially for tourism. There will be an excess in demand that will make the prices drop. It’s time for all of us to look into our own companies and see what savings we can make” said Mark Anderson, CEO of Anderson Travel.

How will the public transportation look after?

On the second webinar, the focus was on the future of public transportation and what should passengers except when the lockdown is over.
Jan Deman, director of BusWorld Academy mentioned that in April, the demand for public transportation was down by 78% comparative to the same period in previous years: “We lost a market share of 80%, still down in Latin and South America, but the demand is growing fast again in countries that are recovering”.

Tracking passengers in China

One of the countries where things are slowly getting back to normal in China. More details were provided by Li Feng, deputy director of Jinan Public Transport Group: “First of all, there’s an ongoing process of purification for each service, taking the deep disinfection every day”. We measure the temperature of each employee before entering the duty, and until now we have done 284k temperature tests. We also had a supply of 433k masks – the passengers are required to wear masks in the bus, and we also measure their temperatures. Then they show an ID which is scanned and we have a record of all the passengers that used the bus. To keep the social distancing, the maximum capacity now is 50% of the capacity of the bus”.
He also mentioned that the public transportation in Jinan is at 80% of the normal capacity, but since each bus is half empty, they had to increase the frequency of the buses.
All these measures increase the public transportation costs, especially since not only now there’s a need for more buses because of the social distancing, but also more staff is needed since apart from the drivers there’s at least one more person to measure passengers’ temperature.

Public Transportation issues during peak hours in Brussels

In Belgium, the lockdown is still in place, but gradually the country is opening.
“The situation in Belgium is in the middle of lockdown, schools, shops are closed”, said Elke Van der Brandt – Minister for mobility in Brussels. “There was an impact on our public buses since there’s a low of the demand for public transport. There are usually 6-8 people that are on each bus, and the frequency is 15% of what it was. People working from home don’t need buses. We provided masks for drivers, but it was waiting time until the masks arrived since the priority was the health care workers, and only after that the drivers. We are glad to see there is gratitude from the population to the public transport workers”. Belgium has started on the 4th of May the exit strategy from lockdown. Life is restarting, shops and schools are opening.

Social distancing in buses

The social distancing is still required, and the passengers of the buses have to keep the 1.5 meters distance between. Masks are mandatory to wear on buses. “But is still difficult to keep distancing, so we must monitor that people respect distancing. It won’t be strict as now, just not overcrowded. And we will do extra cleaning our vehicles” said Elke Van der Brandt, who also mentioned that people are encouraged to walk or take the bicycles instead of the buses: “In Belgium, there is a tradition of the 9 to 6. And because of that, there are the peak hours/ We are asking everyone to change these hours, to start at 10 or 10:30, to stretch out the peak hours. This is not only to fight against Not only COVID but also to fix the peak hours on our public transport. If you love our public transport, go by bike or foot and leave the bus for those who can’t travel without the bus. 2/3 of the commute in Brussel is less than 5 km. If you only go for 5km or less a bike or even on foot is a better way. Solidarity is what we ask people to do”. She also mentioned that the authorities in Brussel are investing in 40 extra kilometres of zones for bicycles and also creating 100 km of slow zones for pedestrians. “If you use the car will be more traffic jams, public transport will be blocked as well. CHANGE TO BIKE!”

Ticket proses will not rise

When asked if the bus ticket process will go up because of the extra measures, she assured everyone this is not going to happen: “We don’t have more buses; we could use more. For now, all the drivers available are on the street. In other places in Belgium companies have margins in capacity, but not here. We won’t change the ticket prices; this won’t be the right answer for the moment. The buses are clean, but we are focusing on social distancing. The public transport is safe, but if you don’t need to take the bus, don’t take it”.

Long term microbial shield treatment for buses in New York

Craig Cipriano from the New York Metropolitan Public Transport (NYMPT – the largest public transportation system in the US) said that there is a disinfection circle in place on all the buses, every 72 hours, together with a long term microbial shield treatment. All employees have masks, gloves and sanitisers. The boarding on buses is made only through the rear door, and to make sure the driver is protected, there are barrier chains in all the buses. The NY Public transport also started an informational campaign, asking people to use the buses for essential transportation only and to wear masks in the vehicles.
There is a plan of reopening New York in the coming weeks, but for now, NYMPT maintains 70% of the buses for the peak times and 40% of the capacity for the normal rides.
Since the buses are mostly empty, the cost for the disinfection is high enough, the drivers and all the other employees still have to get their wages, Craig Cipriano mentioned that the service has cash flow issues, the finances are a concern, “but is more important to keep our employees safe”.

Private coach operators can help public transportation

Since in most of the countries the buses will only accept passengers up to 50% of their capacity, it means more buses will be needed in the future to cover the demand. And as it looks right now, the demand could be covered by the coach operators, the companies who were the most affected on the industry. Still, it’s not going to be that easy. Both Craig Cipriano and Elke Van der Brandt said some unions won’t accept the private coaches into the public system that easily. “Here in NY we have been approached by coach operators and we are keeping them in mind. We will have to discuss with the unions, but these are unprecedented times”, said Craig Cipriano. “In Brussels – at this moment we’re not using this option. Is an inspiring model, but we are full public owned, it’s an unionised situation, lots of regulation and we need serious regulation adaptation before we can do it. But I wrote it down as a solution in future”, added Elke Van der Brandt.

Coach operators during COVID-19 in India

In India, the lockdown is affecting 1.7 million buses and over 20 thousand operators. The President of Confederation of Private Operators in India, Prasanna Patwardhan said that “operators are barely surviving. As of now, operators mostly survive because of the overloading of passengers during peak time by almost 200% capacity of seats. For example for a bus of 32 +18 – a capacity of 50, we have on peak time, 100 people”. But that is only for some of the services, especially for intercity. For other operators to survive, there is a need for support from the government. Prasanna Patwardhan was the first to mention the increase in pricing: “If your capacity is less, the cost will increase. It will be interesting to see if people are willing to pay more”.

Partnership between GPN and Busworld

GPN together with Busworld managed to gather together the majority of coach operators, trying to find the best solutions for short and long term.
In regards to this partnership with Busworld Academy, Agnes Pastuszak, Chairman of GPN, said: “For all of us in the coach industry, initiatives are undertaken, like the webinar organized by Busworld Academy, helps bring us all closer. Through these initiatives, we have the opportunity to exchange views and ideas that may help us face this crisis. GPN is a family of coach operators from around the world and we take pride in sharing our experiences, views and ideas amongst our family members. Given this, it was an honour for us to be a part of such an important initiative and partnering with Busworld Academy with such great success. We look forward to the next webinars which will also include interesting topics.”
Jan Deman, Director of Busworld Academy, added “The Busworld Academy webinars and seminars focus on the industry itself. Key speakers in our initiatives are operators, bus manufacturers, suppliers, etc. That is why we appreciate this cooperation with GPN so much. Our joint thinking starts from the strength of the sector itself, and from the services we can provide to society. We work closely with authorities at all levels and are glad to represent the voice of the private bus & coach industry in this.”

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GPN Sales Annual Meeting 2020

G-P-N — Mon, 04 May 2020 15:21:44 +0000

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Zarb Coaches – New Solar cell distributor on Malta

G-P-N — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 17:41:00 +0000

Green Energy A/S is proud to announce that another significant mobile solar cell agreement has been signed, this time for solar cell distribution throughout Malta.

This is an important and valuable agreement for distribution and installation of the entire MIPV-program, including the well-known solarbus.pro sets.

Zarb Coaches Ltd., being the leading premium coach operator at Malta, a well-run and healthy family business that started back in 1947. The company operates a large fleet of coaches, buses, minibuses and limousines with a high focus on best service, newest fleet and punctuality as the core business model.

Apart from the transport segment the company runs a large garage facility with associated workshops specially designed for heavy vehicles. The company has a high focus on reducing the CO2 footprint investing in a number of high-end solutions to keep Malta green and attractive for tourists and locals.

All in all, this makes Zarb Coaches Ltd. the ideal partner for Green Energy A/S for the distribution and assembly of the associated brands within MIPV

The agreement was signed last week in Prague between the CEO of Zarb Coaches Ltd., Mr. Manuel Zarb, and the CEO of Green Energy A/S, Mr. Karl Andreassen, whilst attending the half-annual Global Passenger Network (GPN) meeting of Premium world-wide coach operators.

Sales, assembly and service under the same roof the best solution also for the environment.

A Norwegian Solar Company

Green Energy A/S is a Norwegian company with branches and distributors in different parts of the world and central warehouses in Denmark.

The company specializes in all parts of MIPV (mobile integrated Photo Voltaic), i.e. solar cells on vehicles and ships.

Green Energy A/S has through its own developed products and extensive technological development created a complete product range within MIPV.

Please feel free to find more information at:
www.mipv.pro
www.zarbcoaches.com
www.ge-scan.com
www.gpn.travel

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Global Passenger Network Bi-Annual General Meeting took place in Prague from 9th to 12th March

G-P-N — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 09:43:33 +0000

Global Passenger Network (GPN), established in July of 2006, is the first international passenger transportation organization of premium national motor coach networks or private companies which enjoy national recognition. GPN members meet twice a year in different cities around the world to discuss the direction and goals of the organization, initiate and monitor programs that benefit all members, coordinate and improve cooperation between members, plan marketing and technology interventions that ensure GPN’s success, and confront regional issues and regulations which influence the motor coach industry.

The 28^th Global Passenger Network Bi-Annual General Meeting was hosted by Umbrella Holidays in Prague from 9^th to 12^th March. Our Member in Czech, Umbrella Holidays, successfully organized the Meeting and welcomed the GPN Members and Partners in Prague, a very picturesque city in the center of Europe.

During the meeting, Luis Pedrero announced that he will be stepping down from Chairman of the Board and that Agnes Pastuszak has been appointed by the Board of Directors to succeed him as Chairman of GPN. Luis Pedrero was thanked for serving as Chairman for the past 8 years and will continue to serve as Past Chairman. The new Chairman, Agnes Pastuszak has both extensive experience and know-how in the motor coach industry that are assets for GPN and its activities. In addition, there were changes in the members of the Board of Directors that will bring new ideas for the development of GPN. The new members Tomas Jelinek, Alexandre Delvallez and Bjorn Ragnarsson were welcomed by the members of GPN and Partners.

During this meeting, GPN welcomed 2 new members increasing its network of members to a total of 41 and expanding GPN’s presence in the continents of Asia and Africa. The new members are:

GM2 Tours from Morocco established in 2005, with a total fleet of 376 vehicles and 3 offices (Casablanca, Marrakech and Fes)
Hai Van Group from Vietnam established in 1994, number of employees reaching almost 1,000 people and serving 2 million passengers per year

Amidst the new challenge we are all facing worldwide due to the Coronavirus, round table discussions were held, during which members and Partners had the opportunity to exchange views and ideas regarding this situation and its impact on their business. Consequently, various aspects were discussed such as communication with clients, cancellation policies to be implemented, minimizing operational costs, requesting government & partner assistance and adopting new cleaning policies.

The members also had the opportunity to learn more about the benefits of the services offered by Eurowag, a new Alliance Partner of GPN, which include fuel cards, tolls and fleet management & mobile applications.

Agnes Pastuszak, Chairman, said: “GPN’s bi-annual meetings are a great opportunity for members to share their knowledge and practices with other professionals in the industry, especially in challenging times like the ones we are currently facing. For this reason, we feel that discussing the situation and how to deal with its impacts on our business was beneficial for us all. In addition, we are focusing on our strategies that will enable us to attract and accommodate the future increase in demand from travelers during the months that will follow. Together, as a team, we will overcome obstacles and come back even stronger. We are GPN!”

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General Members meeting in Leuven, near to Brussels.

G-P-N — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 09:39:49 +0000

Global Passenger Network again met with members & partners from more than 25 countries for the second General Members meeting this year in Leuven, near to Brussels.

The first meeting day was by invitation from VanHool and included factory visit to see the coach production line. This was followed by 4 new member presentations and approval to join GPN by the current members. We are very proud now to have four Latin American members – i.e. Chile, Mexico, Uruguay and Argentina.

The second day was an intensive half-day meeting with valuable round-table discussions about trends, optimising customer service, business opportunities and staff care. After lunch the GPN group went to Busworld for special invitations of Busworld Academy, Scania and VDL. These meetings were very informative and gave members great opportunities to secure relationships and network in the industry.

At Busworld Global Passenger Network had a booth for all 3 days to present the organisation.

We were happy to brand the fabulous network and the opportunities to especially new partners in the coach segments.

Busworld again was as big success and we expect our network to grow after many successful meetings with great manufactures as well as by invitations to join as guest speakers in coming Busworld exhibitions already starting January 2020 in Nebraska.

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NEW GPN MEMBERSHIP 2019

G-P-N — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 15:55:18 +0000

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COME TO VISIT GPN BOOTH TP 620 AT WTM 2019!!

G-P-N — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 12:59:23 +0000

1 week to go and World Travel Market edition will start!!.. World Travel Market London is the leading global event for the travel industry to meet industry professionals and conduct business deals. Global Passenger Network is exhibiting at WTM for more than 10 years and this year, we invite everybody to visit our stand TP620 located in Global Village from Monday 4^th November to Wednesday 6^th November. More than 16 GPN countries members will be present at your booth to promote their coach hire services. WTM creates personal and business opportunities, providing to our GPN members, quality contacts. We have more than 40 meetings already confirmed and an endless business opportunities that will come over the course of the three days. #weareGPN @WTM_London

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