award tour bus

More often than not, when clients compare a Star Coaches proposal to our competitor's proposals, our proposal will "appear" to be more expensive.

Why? Because it is thorough...

It's NOT designed to be "pretty"...   it's designed to be accurate.   Actually, it is designed for you to end your tour BELOW the projected budget.

Don takes the time to prepare every single proposal for every single tour himself.

He suggests stop point cities on longer drives to keep a driver safe and legal.

While this level of thoroughness takes more time, it has been invaluable, especially for foreign clients that are not familiar with the geographical layout of the United States.

See for yourself what many consider to be the best, and most informative proposal in the industry, and then get ready to enjoy "coming in below budget" at the end of your tour.

REQUEST A PROPOSAL

EXCLUSIVE: 2023 TOUR COST ESTIMATOR

In LESS than 5 minutes, find out how much an entertainer coach will cost for your next tour!

We are pleased to offer you the new 2023 Star Coaches Online Tour Cost Estimator!

Only Star Coaches offers such an online experience!

Only Star Coaches offers complete transparency!

Only Star Coaches offers you this budgeting advantage!

During the development and creation of this website, we consulted over a dozen Tour Managers about this concept...

Their reactions were all the same:  "Wow!!"...  "Amazing!!"...  "Unbelievable!!"...  "Oh My Gosh!!"

They were blown away!

Only Star Coaches offers such an online experience:  The Tour Cost Estimator!

Now YOU can enter variables into a form and calculate approximately how much it will cost to lease various entertainer coaches for your next tour.

Here is what you'll need to get started:

a)  your tour itinerary with mileage...

b)  your pick up city...

c)  your drop city...

d)  approximately how many overdrives will take place

Now YOU can see how much bus your budget will allow...  Experiment with different logistical scenarios...

This online feature will give you a very good idea of the estimated cost you will incur on your next tour...

TOUR COST ESTIMATOR

EXTERIOR BUS WRAPS

TRAILER WEIGHT LIMITS…

Most of the time, this is not a problem, as most bands are staying within our 10,000 pound limit for GVWT (Gross Vehicle Weight, or a loaded trailer)...

By the way, for you Production Managers, our trailers weight about 4,500 pounds empty, leaving you about 5,500 pounds for the gear / merch...

Anyhow, a more frequent occurrence is that we find ourselves receiving a frantic call from our drivers at pick up stating that "this trailer is very heavy"...

So we instruct the driver to immediately weigh the full trailer, only to find that the GVWT is over 10,000 pounds... This becomes a new problem...

To battle this potential problem, we suggest making sure your packed load is less than 5,500 pounds, and if you must exceed that limit, act BEFORE the tour pick up...

Rent a box truck and a driver...

Star Coaches now has a small team of box truck drivers that can help solve the problem of a disaster at pick up...

If you can't get the gear to 5,500 pounds, let us know, and we will gladly assign one of our auxiliary drivers to your rented box truck from Hertz, Budget or UHaul...

Don't be THAT guy who is overweight at pick up...

RENTAL TRAILERS

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Sustainable Bus Award 2022, the finalists’ list

Battery-electric buses in the urban category, gas-powered vehicles (except one) in the intercity segment and clean diesel products for the coach category. The Sustainable Bus Award is back in order – after the cancellation of 2021 edition – to deliver, in Q3 2021, the fourth edition of the prize addressed to the most innovative and […]

Battery-electric buses in the urban category, gas-powered vehicles (except one) in the intercity segment and clean diesel products for the coach category.

The Sustainable Bus Award is back in order – after the cancellation of 2021 edition – to deliver, in Q3 2021 , the fourth edition of the prize addressed to the most innovative and sustainable buses and coaches launched on the European market. Mercedes, Iveco and VDL were crowned with the last edition of the prize .

The Sustainable Bus Award team is at work to organize a full digital handover ceremony that will gather the attention of industry and stakeholders around the topic of sustainability in public transportation.

Sustainable Bus Award 2022 finalists

Among city buses, the challenge this year will be between three battery-electric vehicles, as happened already in the last edition of the award: Irizar ie bus, MAN Lion’s City E, Solaris Urbino 15 LE Electric . A confirmation of the growing trend, in Europe, for zero emission vehicles in city public transport, driven by EU climate reduction targets and regulations as well as municipalities’ commitments in this regard.

In the ‘Intercity’ segment, the expression ‘energy mix’ gets high evidence: the finalists are indeed the new version of the Mercedes Intouro , which is set to be presented this year, the Scania Interlink LNG and the Isuzu Kendo CNG .

Among coaches, a segment where, needless to say, the pandemic hit hard the market (with consequences also on the number of new product launches), the challenge will be between Volvo 9700 DD, MAN Lion’s Coach, Indcar L9 DAF .

Sustainable Bus Award, the ID card

The jury represents eight European countries, each of one is embodied by a leading sectorrelated magazine. Namely: Mobilités Magazine (France), Busfahrt (Germany), AUTOBUS (Italy), Infotrucker (Romania), Carril Bus (Spain), Revija Tranzit (Slovenia), Bus and coach professional (UK). The shortlist is the result of a first selection. Each juror submitted its candidates, and the vehicles that achieved more nominations (three per category) were included in the finalists list. Now the jurors will proceed with the second step, carrying out a detailed evaluation of the shortlisted vehicles according to SBY criteria. The criteria are split in the following areas: Engine, Transmission, Safety, Comfort, Sustainabiliy.

Sustainable Bus Award is based on a cross-cutting idea of sustainability, intended as the ability to establish a positive image of the vehicle to the eyes of the general public. Several aspects can come into play, such as safety, comfort, noise, recyclability of components and the general environmental commitment of the manufacturer.

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Awards of Excellence Recognize Best of the Best

CIE Tours has presented its annual awards of excellence to the hoteliers and tourism experiences who achieved approval ratings of over 92% from the tens of thousands of guests who travelled with us in 2023. 

The Awards are based on detailed customer surveys and recognize our hospitality ambassadors, the people and businesses throughout the country who give the warmest of welcomes and highest-quality service to our guests.  

This year’s awards were hosted at the Dublin Royal Convention Center on February 6, 2024.

Stephen Cotter, interim managing director of CIE Tours said, “Our more than 90 years of experience gives us unrivalled expertise in coach tourism. Last year exceeded our expectations with 36,000 people traveling with us to Ireland, England, and Scotland, plus our new destinations of Iceland and Italy added in 2019.”

Launched in 1990, the Awards of Excellence recognize those hospitality ambassadors who contribute to creating exceptional experiences for CIE Tours travelers. The awards are based on post-stay feedback from nearly 25,000 guests who traveled with the company in 2023.  In total, 100 CIE Tours partners were recognized for a customer satisfaction rating of 92% or more and qualified for a Merit Award with the top score in each category receiving the Gold Award.

The Irish winners that topped their categories:   

• Best 5-star hotel : Dromoland Castle - Experience the epitome of luxury and history at Dromoland Castle on our Irish Heritage tour.
• Best 4-star hotel : Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa - Seamlessly blending elegance and modern comfort, Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa is a 4-star gem.
• Best 3-star hotel: The Wyatt Hote l - Nestled in the heart of Westport, The Wyatt Hotel provides a charming and comfortable stay for the Mystical Ireland and Irish Classic .
• Best Hotel Accommodation: Kilronan Castle Estate and Spa - Offering a perfect blend of grandeur and relaxation, Kilronan Castle Estate and Spa is a hotel on the Scots Irish Tour and Irish Legends . 
• Best Hotel Dinner : Cabra Castle - Enjoy a culinary delight in a majestic castle setting at Cabra Castle on the Irish Odyssey .
• Best Hotel Service & Hospitality : The Dunraven Adare - Setting the standard for warmth and excellence, The Dunraven Adare is a memorable home base on the Ireland South Daytripper .
• Best Event Dinner/Entertainment : The Crosskeys Inn - Hosting an unforgettable night of dining and music, The Crosskeys Inn is a stop on Evergreen Ireland North , Scottish & Irish Sampler , and Scots Irish Tour . 
• Special Dinner Feature : Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel & Spa - Offering a unique and delightful dining experience, Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel & Spa is a culinary destination on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland South Daytripper .
• Best Tour Feature: Marine Bar Waterford - Sit by the fire and listen to some lively music at Marine Bar Waterford on our Irish Pub Tour , Irish Gold , and Irish Classic tours. 
• Best Walking Tour : Historic Stroll Kinsale Walking Tours - Guiding visitors through the rich history of Kinsale, this walking tour is on Southern Gem s and Jewels of Ireland . 
• Best Visit: Slieve League Cliffs Centre - Marvel at the stunning beauty of Europe's highest sea cliffs with Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way and Jewels of Ireland .
• Best Lunch : Taylors Three Rock - Take in traditional entertainment over a tasty lunch at Taylors Three Rock on Ireland South Daytripper .
• Best Sheep Dog Trial : Atlantic Sheepdogs - Witness the incredible skills of man's best friends at Atlantic Sheepdogs in Sligo on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way .
• National Heritage Award: Dublin Bus DoDublin Hop On Hop Off Tour - Almost all of our tours that stop in Dublin offer the opportunity for independent exploration in Dublin on these convenient buses that visit Dublin's top highlights. 

And the Merit Winners:  HOTEL MERIT WINNERS:

Leinster Hotel Merit Winners:

Ashling Hotel | Davenport Hotel | Herbert Park Hotel | Hilton Garden Inn Dublin City Centre | Hyatt Centric, The Liberties | Radisson Blu Royal Hotel | Maldron Hotel Pearse St | FItzpatrick Castle Hotel | Clayton Hotel Burlington Road | Academy Plaza Hotel | The Spencer | Aloft Dublin City

Munster Hotel Merit Winners:

The Brehon Killarney | Great Southern Killarney | Killarney Avenue Hotel | Killarney Plaza Hotel  | The Savoy Hotel | The River Lee Hotel | Limerick Strand Hotel 

Ulster Hotel Merit Winners:

Grand Central Hotel Belfast | Hilton Belfast | Europa Hotel  

VISITOR ATTRACTION MERIT WINNERS:

Leinster Visit Merit Winners :

Johnstown Castle | Irish Whiskey Museum | Sullivan's Taproom | Glendalough Visitors Centre | Experience Glasnevin | Kilmainham Gaol | Teeling Whiskey Distillery | Guinness Storehouse | Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre | Croke Park GAA Museum and Skyline Tour | Dunbrody Emigrant Ship | Dublin Castle

Munster Visit Merit Winners: Blarney Castle | Cliffs of Moher | John B. Keane's Pub | King John's Castle | Foynes Flying Boat Museum | Blasket Centre | Killarney Horse & Carriage Tours | Tangney Tours Jaunting Car | Tom Crean's South Pole Inn

Ulster Visit Merit Winners:

Giant's Causeway | Glenveagh Castle & National Park | Hillsborough Castle | Down Cathedral | Donegal Castle | St Patrick's Centre | Long Meadow Cider  

Connaught Visit Merit Winner:

Dan O’Hara Homestead | Dún Aonghasa | Kylemore Abbey | Ballintubber Abbey | Corrib Princess Cruise | Killary Harbour Cruise

In addition, the Merit Winners from Iceland and Italy were announced:   

Iceland Hotels Merit Award Winners

• Fosshotel Vatnajokull
• Fosshotel Reykholt
• Hotel Selfoss
• Fosshotel Husavik
• Fosshotel Nupar
• Fosshotel Eastfjords 
• Fosshotel Reykjavik
• Sel Hotel Myvatn  

Iceland Visits Merit Award Winners 

• Bjarteyarsandur Farm
• Blue Lagoon 
• Lava Centre
• Secret Lagoon
• Glaumbaer Farm & Museum
• Skogar Folk Museum
• Modrudalur Farm
• Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon
• Eldhestar Horse Farm
• Perlan Observation Deck
• Fridheimar Tomato Farm

Italy Hotels Merit Award Winners

• NH Collection Roma Vittorio Veneto
• Avani Rio Novo Venice Hotel

Italy Visits Merit Award Winners 

• Accademia Gallery
• Ferro & Lazzarini Glass Factory Tour and Demonstration
• The Vatican
• San Marco Restaurant
• Finisterrae
• Orvieto Cantina Foresi Wine Tasting

Italy Partner Merit Award Winners  

• Sireontours

Congratulations to all the winners - and thanks to all the guests that made the awards possible!   

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Ireland Tours

Irish Heritage

Starting from $2,395

See all the highlights on this classic tour - and on our 8-day option, luxuriate in a stay at the elegant, five-star Dromoland Castle Hotel.

​Guided Tours, Guided Small Groups, Independent Adventures

2025 Tours: Book Early, Save $200pp - Use Code EBD25200

Southern Gems

Starting from $2,045

Visit many beloved highlights of Ireland: Dublin Castle, Blarney Castle, the Cliffs of Moher. Experience a medieval castle banquet.  Stay in two of Ireland's most charming towns: Kinsale and…

Mystical Ireland

Starting from $2,595

Explore the lesser-known northern half of Ireland, starting in Dublin and ending in Shannon. This itinerary hugs the coastline and visits St. Patrick country, Titanic Belfast, the walled city of…

2025 Tours: Book Early, Save $300pp - Use Code EBD25300

Irish Legends

Starting from $2,745

Delve into Ireland and its past on this tour, which mixes in plenty of hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path sights among the tried-and-true favorites. 

2025 Tours: Book Early, Save $400pp - Use Code EBD25400

Irish Odyssey

Starting from $3,395

Explore Ireland's gorgeous scenery and rich history on this comprehensive Irish tour that hits every corner of the island.

2025 Tours: Book Early, Save $500pp - Use Code EBD25500

Irish Classic

Starting from $3,745

Skirt along the entire rugged coastline to see the highlights on this Ireland tour. 

Jewels of Ireland

Starting from $3,995

Enjoy the splendor of every corner on this leisurely Ireland tour of the essential—and the unexpected.

Ireland South Daytripper

Starting from $2,295

Turn your Irish vacation into a staycation. Set up your home base in the lovely village of Adare, then set out on day trips to see some of Ireland's top attractions. 

2024 Tours: Save $400pp - Use Code TARTAN400 2025 Tours: Save $400pp - Use Code EBD25400

The Scots Irish Tour

Starting from $3,595

This fast-paced Scotland and Ireland tour focuses on their rich history, with plenty of castle tours and museums to help bring the past to life. It's the perfect trip for those interested in…

​Guided Tours, Guided Small Groups

Taste of Iceland

Starting from $2,895

Dive into one of the world's wildest and most wonderful places on this Iceland tour, which covers the volcanoes, glaciers, hot springs and waterfalls that wow every traveler.

Taste of Italy

Starting from $2,345

Get your first taste of the delights of Venice, Florence, Rome, and more on this enchanting Italian tour. You'll  get to enjoy the ancient ruins, architectural and artistic masterpieces, and…

Taste of Italy with Sorrento

Enjoy a little more time—and a lot more beauty—on this extended tour of Italy. Visit the most spectacular sights of Venice, Rome, and Florence with our Taste of Italy tour, then move on to the…

Icelandic Explorer

Starting from $4,095

Explore Iceland's incomparable waterfalls, geysers, glaciers and landscapes, but take in so much more as you focus on its fascinating culture and heritage. Discover life in early Viking…

Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way

Starting from $2,695

Discover the untamed nature and rich cultural heritage of Ireland’s western coast, with its spectacular ocean vistas, enchanting towns, and craftsmanship deeply rooted in tradition.

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Ryan! Nicole! Dev! Tour Bus Passenger Opens Up to PEOPLE About His Epic Trip to the Oscars — See the Photos!

"We couldn't believe that we were really at the Oscars," Patrick Tio tells PEOPLE

Turns out, Jimmy Kimmel really did surprise a bus full of passengers at the Oscars .

Patrick Tio, one of the surprised Starline Tour bus passengers, and his new wife Yulree Tio thought they were in for a special tour of the gowns stars would be wearing at the show Sunday night. There was only one twist — that stars would be in them!

“It was amazing. They played it up really well that we were just on this regular tour with a special thing at the end where we could see the progression of statuettes,” Tio tells PEOPLE.

But once they got to the “exhibit,” they were taken in through a side door away from the red carpet and any clues of what was in store for them.

“We walked up to these doors just labeled Oscars exhibit and as soon as those doors opened we all just froze,” he admits. “We couldn’t believe that we were really at the Oscars . Then we started recognizing people and we were like, ‘Holy crap!’ ”

Selfie with Sting and Janelle Monae in the audience

Hugging nicole kidman.

The first people Tio recognized were Nicole Kidman , Keith Urban and Dev Patel , snapping a picture of his wife hugging the Australian actress. It also may have been the moment Kidman’s dress accidentally ripped. Moments after the hug, the actress was spotted with one of the back straps hanging down .

Tio’s wife was especially excited about meeting the Lion actor. “She was the most excited to hug Dev Patel,” Tio reveals. “He’s a personal hero of hers and she thanked him for representing Asians in media so well.”

Meeting Patel

The couple, who used to live in L.A., decided to treat themselves to a “staycation” since they didn’t have time to go on a honeymoon after their location wedding two weeks ago in the Philippines. When they were approached by what seemed to be Starline employees, they decided to give the tour a chance even though they don’t usually do “touristy things.”

Tio and Yulree with the rest of the bus crew

Susan Wilson from Starline tells PEOPLE that Kimmel’s producers dressed up as employees of the company to recruit people for the bit. They were held in the Starline offices for about 30 minutes before they were taken out to the Dolby Theater to participate in the viral moment with Kimmel where Tio and Yulree also got to talk to the host. After asking Yulree her name, Kimmel remarked how it sounded just like jewelry and then made a joke about Tio’s more ordinary name.

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Tuesday morning, it was announced that country music star Toby Keith had died at the age of 62 .

Keith, who was battling stomach cancer, passed peacefully on Monday surrounded by his family, according to a statement posted on the country singer's website. “He fought his fight with grace and courage,” the statement said. He was diagnosed in 2022 .

Best known for hits like "Beer for my Horses," "Should've Been a Cowboy," "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue," and "Red Solo Cup," Keith compiled 20 No. 1 Billboard hits and was the winner of seven Grammy awards.

In 2001, Keith came to Cincinnati's Riverbend Music Center. But, before taking the stage, he sat down with WLWT to discuss being a larger-than-life personality in music, his album of the year and best male vocalist award wins and his love of the Big Red Machine.

Head to the video player at the top of this story to see the sitdown.