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Travel Safe by ‘Looking Before You Book’

SALEM, Ohio With more people traveling in 2024 than in previous years, the holiday winter tourist season is likely to be booming. It’s also likely that travelers will look for more affordable trips. A motorcoach is a convenient, budget-friendly way to travel — just be sure to put travel safety at the top of your planning list.

For winter fun, there are many appealing options outside ski resorts. For example, national and state parks, including many that are overcrowded in warm weather, have gorgeous scenery for walking and drives, and may offer special winter programs. Many locales have winter sports like hikes, ice skating (indoors or out), ice fishing, snowshoeing, snowtubing, and even “fat biking” on snow (using oversized tires).

You can find alternatives to warm Southern beaches, like lakes and rivers with water fun, from swimming and boating to wake surfing and jet skiing. Chillier Northern shores provide winter pleasures like waterside walks and seaside towns, shops and restaurants with scenic charm and less waiting time.

Rather than visiting large amusement parks with peak holiday volume, consider smaller regional and local parks with seasonal programs. Many indoor theme parks and water parks are open year-round, as are novel experiences like indoor skydiving.

While most bus companies understand that passenger safety is paramount, there are always some operators who cut corners, putting travelers at risk. That’s why it’s important to research bus company safety.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) “Look Before You Book” webpage includes a bus safety search tool that helps verify that a bus company has a good safety record.

You can learn more about bus safety and use FMCSA’s bus safety search tool at this link.