I hate travelling by planes and trains, but I can put up with coaches. Is it possible to go on a coach trip abroad without having to be on a "tour" as such, as I prefer being left to my own devices? Gill Clark, Bristol

A Sunday Times travel expert responds: Busabout (020 7950 1661) offers a great solution to your dilemma. It gives you complete freedom and flexibility, without having the hassles of travelling by public transport in a foreign country.

It operates three loops across Europe, which visit most of the big city break destinations, like Prague, Bruges, Barcelona, Amsterdam and Venice. Busses pass each destination every two days, and you can stay for a night at each, or a week, or miss out some cities to make up your own itinerary. You can book the next coach the day before if you like, although it is advisable to do this a week or more before you intend travelling in the high summer.

You'll have total freedom of sightseeing as you like it, and staying in the hotels you want to. The three loops run from May to October, with prices from £275 per loop (or from £225 for up to six stops). Most of the users of these buses are students and young independent travellers, but all are welcome.

Alternatively, Eurolines (08705 808080) operates an extensive European network of coach routes, covering all major cities, and many tourist centres ­ over 500 destinations in all. These can be booked over the internet or by phone in the same way that you would book a no-frills flight, making it easy to put together you own European tour.

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