Five underrated bus routes to explore Europe

Bus travel in Europe is experiencing a revival, moving beyond its outdated image to become a popular and comfortable way to explore the continent. The International Road Transport Union (IRU) is promoting the trend, highlighting its environmental and economic benefits. The IRU emphasizes that buses offer flexibility to reach smaller cities and rural areas, are comparable to rail in emissions per passenger, and are often more economical. Five recommended routes include luxury tours like Insight Vacations' "Road to Rome" and Trafalgar's "Best of Italy," as well as regional options. Other suggestions cover the Balkans with Penguin Travel, Eastern Europe with Globus, and a self-guided FlixBus route from Berlin to Budapest. These tours offer various durations, accommodation levels, and focuses, from multi-country sightseeing to in-depth cultural exploration of a single nation.