On Being a Tour Director

August 29, 2019Posted in Bus Tours, Day Trips, Motorcoach jobsWritten by Bette Barr3 Comments

When someone finds out I’m a Tour Director for Starr’s bus tours, one of their first comments is usually, “That must be fun. What do you need to know to be a Tour Director?” All my Starr Tour Director counterparts have heard the same question over and over. Below are some answers along with additional questions I have received and my answers to these questions.

After answering with the usual “you have to like working with people,” and “you have to enjoy traveling,” I tell them that they have to be able to count to 54, smile throughout the day -even when your day starts at 4:00am-, and project positivity as well as your voice to your tour guests.

On every trip, tour guest dynamics change, equipment changes, and drivers change. But that is all part of what I call: The Challenge of the Day! You see, even when I’ve done the same trip any number of times, I know that for my tour guests, it’s probably their first time. I have to keep my narrative sharp, exciting and funny. Yes, I believe having a sense of humor is another quality of a good Tour Director. At the start of every trip, I always ask my passengers if any of them have traveled with me before. When no one has, I breathe an audible sigh of relief and tell them, “Great! Then you don’t know any of my jokes!” And for those who have, most have forgotten them, by now anyway.

What about the excitement of motor coach travel? Some might say that it’s not quite as exciting as air travel, but then, any equipment problems are easier to handle at ground level. Speaking of which, we also have to manage technology on the bus like the outlets, WiFi, DVD player, etc. Times are changing and since I am a bit technologically challenged, I have had, on occasion, to get help from very young travelers. I am always thankful for help!

What are the most important qualities of a Tour Director? Well, you have to like getting up very early in the morning, sometimes known as the middle of the night! Not to mention you have to be chipper all the time! From greeting your tour guests to the attractions we visit, places we eat and hotels we check into. Our days are long so it’s important that Tour Directors pace themselves. We are certainly not allowed to fall asleep in our dinner plate nor are we allowed to catnap while traveling on the bus.

Tour Directors have to work in partnership with their driver – as equal partners. I have worked so closely with drivers in the past that I have been known to even sing a duet with them. Oh, and we have to be good at writing on a moving bus. The worse we write, the harder it is for those back in the office to read our reports. That’s not always a bad thing! But they do give us a hard time since it’s hard for them to decipher our handwriting. But we have to tell the story of each trip so the office can review and plan more effectively for the future. Yes, they really do read my reports and our Tour Guests’ surveys too!

Being a Tour Director is a bit like being a stand up comic: you want everyone to love you, laugh at your jokes and then want to see you again. So do you think Tour Directing is for you?

Bette Barr, Tour Director

Quebec City & Montreal – Two of My Favorite Cities

July 3, 2019Posted in Bus Tours, DestinationsWritten by Penny RudolphLeave a comment

A short drive across our northern border are two wonderful and undoubtedly French cities. My heart skips a beat just thinking about them. With their history, culture and architecture dating back to the 1600s you will surely feel as if you are in a French European city.

Montreal is a world class city, 2nd most populated in Canada, boasting two million people. Located on an island in the St. Laurence and Ottawa Rivers, it is known for its museum, arts, ﬁne dining, shopping and an underground that started in the ’60s. The quiet, clean and safe metro system is an engineering marvel taking you to over 65 stops throughout the area each one adorned with works of art. The city bustles with activities and festivals but holds on to its charm in the historical and quaint neighborhoods with their winding staircases.

Quebec City, a short distance to the northeast, is located on a bluff on the north coast of the St. Lawrence River. It is a World Heritage Site protected by UNESCO and is the only walled city in North America. Once you enter the old city through the massive stone gates and step onto the meandering cobblestone streets, you’ll fall in love. The beautiful historic city is lined with cafes, boutiques, ﬁne dining, uniquely relaxing squares and gorgeous vistas. A funicular takes you down the eastern wall to the oldest part of the city. This part of the lower city is not to be missed any time of the year. There is plenty of time for you to explore on your own in the French town.

Join Starr on a bus tour to one or both of these charmingly French towns. There are several options for you to choose from:

Montreal International Jazz Festival, the largest of it’s kind, at the end of June each year. There are hundreds of performances in 3 square blocks that are closed to traffic. You’ll have ample time to enjoy the festival and experience Montreal.

Quebec City & Montreal – The best of both in July, August, September and October. After visiting, you’ll want to return for more.

Quebec Winter Carnival held every February. This French ‘Mardi Gras’ is winter splendor at its ﬁnest with plenty of activities to keep you busy. You’ll tour the Hotel de Glace or Ice Hotel, the only one in North America. Words cannot describe the special beauty this place has, all 40+ rooms and suites.

Hope to see you on a bus tour to my favorite cities. You’ll understand why I say,
“Oh la la… C’est Magnifique!”

Penny Rudolph
Starr Tour Director

How Not to “Pack It On” When Getting Away For a Week or a Day

June 21, 2019Posted in General Tips, Travel TipsWritten by Christine DurlingLeave a comment

You’ve been doing your 10,000 steps each day, eating healthy, and just moved your belt buckle in two notches. You are feeling good and looking even better! Then your calendar reminds you that you are booked on one of Starr Tours fabulous day or overnight bus trips. No need to panic!

You can still maintain your weight and exercise regimen with a tiny bit of planning:

Weigh yourself before the tour date. This will be the guide to help you stay on track, especially when you get back home and see that you are the same weight or even less.

Carry some snacks with you. Those, of course, that will give you energy and fill you up between meals – protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Dried unsweetened fruits, nuts, packaged cheese/crackers don’t take up a lot of packing space. Be sure to make smart choices when choosing snacks at rest areas, too. Many rest areas will have packaged fresh fruits and vegetables for those mid-day munchies.

Drink plenty of water. While it will definitely hydrate you, it will also put the brakes on hunger. Remember, you may be moving a lot more while on tour which means your body will need more of boost.

Eat foods that you know aren’t too caloric. It’s probably not a good idea to experiment with large volumes of high fat foods. These foods may also slow you down on tour. Eat light and feel better!

Pace yourself. Most hotels offer a buffet breakfast. A trick is to walk around the buffet table first. See what looks appealing and then go back in line to make your choices. You are bound to eat less. If you’ve had a substantial breakfast, you may want to eat a salad and/or soup for lunch. When dinner is plated with large portions, it is a good idea to divide the food in half and ask for a “to go” box or share with your dining partner. Even though you are on the road, some hotels have microwaves and/or mini fridges that can safely hold your food perhaps for the next day’s lunch.

Move it – of course at your own pace! The team at Starr do an excellent job of planning multi-level attractions. Some have opportunities for a lot of walking while others have a minimum amount of walking. When stairs are available and you feel comfortable, take them. Most hotels have small gyms with treadmills, bicycles, and weights. Some hotels offer indoor/outdoor pools and hot tubs. Even if you are not a swimmer just walking in the pool will work wonders for your joints and muscles while burning calories.

As the 2019 bus touring season revs up, I’m lining up my healthy snacks. . . see you on the road!

Christine Durling
Starr Tour Director

When the Seat is Reversed… Traveling Solo

April 12, 2019Posted in Bus Tours, Solo TravelWritten by Christine Durling10 Comments

As a long-time Tour Director with Starr, I am a real advocate for traveling solo, especially on our wonderfully-planned bus tours. So much so, that I wrote an article about it – “I Want To Be Alone…Really” – to encourage more solo traveling. As I mentioned in my previous blog post, too often people are held back from traveling because they don’t have a traveling companion due to lack of interest, time, and/or money. Apprehensions include safety, being alone at meal times, having no one to converse with, or feeling like a “third wheel.” I know these are traveling myths since facilitating multiple tours and observing our guests from the Tour Director’s seat. However, I decided to change my seat to test “solo-ness” by booking a Starr bus tour and traveling by myself.

I made my reservation for one on the Vermont Valentine at the Brandon Inn this past February. What better way to test traveling solo, than to book what most people would construe as a “couples only tour!”

With reading material and crossword puzzles in hand, I boarded the motorcoach with excitement and anticipation. First, to test my traveling solo theory and, secondly to visit our Green Mountain State in the throes of winter. I quickly nestled in my seat at the back of the bus, arranged all of my traveling needs, and watched eagerly as one couple after another couple took their seats. I was right. This was the perfect tour to test traveling solo.

As we made our way, I was happy to pull out my reading material for a time, check my emails, and close my eyes—after all, this was a mini get-away for me too! It felt good to be “alone.” CHECK!

It was at our lunch stop that I noticed a group of traveling companions walking towards me. Could it be? There were three? As it turned out, I was not the only solo onboard. Another woman, who had recently lost her husband took the plunge at the insistence of her son and booked this “couples” tour. A husband and wife embraced this party of one not only for that meal but for others as well. CHECK!

The historic Brandon Inn provided every opportunity for guests to mingle from group meals in the dining room to entertainment and fireside chats in the spacious living room while watching nature at its finest—snowing. There was much chatter and laughing and sharing! CHECK!

The highlight for all of us was the ride through the woods on a horse-drawn sleigh! It was a Hallmark moment! Seating was not a problem as there were seats for two and three which worked out perfectly for myself, my fellow solo traveler and our Vermont guide. We huddled under the thick blanket as we sang, “Over the river and through the woods. . .” CHECK!

Riding back home on the motor coach was, for me, a lot different than going. I chose to put my reading material and crossword puzzles aside, and spent the entire time talking and laughing with my new found-friends and seatmates. Yes, they were a couple, but we shared our grandchildren’s pictures, our shopping deals, and future Starr tour plans. We exchanged contact information and looked forward to staying in touch. CHECK!

As far as feeling safe and secure—we were all cared for professionally by Lucille George, our Tour Director, and Bud Cartwright, our driver, on Starr’s state-of-the-art motor coaches. CHECK!

As I get back to my Tour Director’s seat, I look forward to seeing you all during our 2019 travel season! CHECK! CHECK!

Christine Durling
Tour Director

It’s Who You Meet Along the Way

March 29, 2019Posted in History, Trips Down Memory LaneWritten by Bette Barr1 Comment

It’s said that it’s not the journey but who you meet along the way that is important in life. Well, as Tour Directors, we are fortunate to be able to do both: travel and meet interesting people along the way!

Sometimes we meet people at our various stops and attractions, but most often it’s right on our tour bus. After I introduce myself, and before I get into the details of the trip, I will ask if there are any veterans aboard the bus. Sometimes I’ll get a few gentlemen to raise their hands and I thank them for their service… often the rest of the tour guests will applaud. On occasion, a woman will raise her hand and she will not only get applause, but many times tour guests will take time during the trip to ask her about her service. On a 4-day bus trip to Vermont last year, I had two women who were traveling together and still in active duty in the Air Force. The gentleman sitting across the aisle from them suddenly perked up and said he just retired after 20 years in the Air Force… and the three of them then became a fun trio during the bus trip!

On a bus trip I recently escorted to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, I had a family group from Philadelphia aboard, taking their Canadian cousins to the Big Apple. Talking to Lisa, one of the Canadians, I found out that they were from St John’s, Newfoundland. I had seen a program on the Food Network from Newfoundland and asked about it. She told me about the filming of that show and how everyone in town was involved in it. Then she said that they were going to see a Broadway show the next week: taking the train into NY. It would be her first ride on a train! And the show they would see was “Come From Away,” the hit show about all the flights that had to land in Newfoundland on 9/11. Yes, she was involved in that too, although she didn’t take anyone into her home, they were cooking for and helping all the unplanned visitors to their town.

On the 9/11 Museum trips, I talk about the early history of New York and about the many first settlers who came in 1624 who were Walloons: French speaking Belgians who were fleeing persecution and went to Holland. They petitioned the government and were allowed to come on the first ship that sailed to the New Netherlands’ colony of New Amsterdam. As they were getting off the bus in New York City, one tour guest said to me: “I was surprised and very moved, to hear you talk about the Walloons because I’m a Walloon… well, my ancestors were and I never really understood their place in American history!” She was quite happy the rest of the trip.

And last, but not least, on another trip into New York City, I talked about the early explorers and the dangers of exploration back then. Henry Hudson was put adrift by his crew in the Hudson Bay in the winter, and Giovani Verrazzano met a horrible end on a Caribbean Island. I mentioned that today’s explorers also experience danger, such as in the space program. On that trip I had an astronaut/payload specialist from the Space Shuttle Columbia, onboard. (A rather poignant example of the dangers of space travel – the Space Shuttle Columbia completed 27 missions from 1981-2003 before disintegrating upon re-entry on the completion of its 28^th mission. All seven members of the crew were killed.) He concurred that space exploration was just as dangerous as exploring was in the 15^th and 16^th centuries, but the dangers are different as there are no cannibals in space, as far as we know anyway.

I can’t wait to meet more interesting people on my bus trips this year!

Hope to see YOU soon!

Bette Barr
Starr Tour Director

P.S. Travel with me to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in May, August, October, and November, the Hudson Valley in June, Boston in July or September, an overnight in New York City in August, the Tall Ship Festival in Erie, PA in August, the Poconos in October, and more!

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