Hop-on, hop-off type bus tours are a great option for those who don’t want to be constrained by tour itineraries, but enjoy the convenience of not having to worry about transportation. Travelers buy a pass that allows them to hop on and off busses at specified locations, giving them the freedom to go where they want, when they want. Busabout (www.busabout.com) has a network of bus routes that stretches across most of Western Europe.  The program is designed specifically for backpackers, so most of the people on board will be young and adventurous, although there aren’t any age restrictions.  Another option is the FezBus (www.feztravel.com), which offers a hop-on, hop-off network in Turkey and Greece.

If you have your mind set on the beautiful beaches of Australia, Oz Experience (www.ozexperience.com) has several hop-on, hop-off tours that take you up the eastern coast, from Sydney to Byron Bay.  The trip includes surf lessons to get you riding waves in no time.  For those headed to New Zealand, Kiwi Experience (www.kiwiexperience.com) has some of the most flexible plans on the market, and bus routes that cover the entire island of New Zealand.

Some tours focus on a certain theme, such as the Indigenous Arts Tour from Wayward Bus (www.waywardbus.com.au).  This tour takes you through the lands of different indigenous populations to experience the burgeoning Australian art.  The tour gives you the chance to meet local artists and purchase some original indigenous art while camping and taking in some of the most pristine and remote lands in Central Australia.

—Josh Macdonald