How confident do you feel when it comes to booking something online in a language in which you’re not particularly fluent? This can be a daunting proposition at first, and of course, since money’s at stake, not something to be entered into lightly. But if you want to snap up the best travel bargains, sometimes you just have to go for it.

While the German rail’s Web site offers an English version, you will find no such thing on www.buswelt.de, the country’s largest portal for the booking of bus trips online. This site doesn’t give the connections on regular bus services between large cities; for that, you should explore Eurolines. Rather, these are tourism-oriented trips, lasting from one day to a week or more. Prices include not only the bus transportation and overnights in hotels, but often snacks and refreshments on board, as well as guided tours upon arrival at the destination. There are often “add-ons,” special programs or excursions available at additional cost. You can book directly with Buswelt, but be aware that they are not the actual providers -- the name of the bus company organizing the trip is always listed in the information box below the trip description.

The pitfalls of such trips? The guidance and announcements will be entirely in German. It may be difficult to understand exactly where to board the bus. The bus might make numerous stops en route to pick up and drop off passengers. Buses, unlike trains, are subject to conditions of the autobahn, including traffic jams. When it’s departure time, if there are too many stragglers, the bus could get held up waiting for them. Don’t let yourself be among those latecomers!

The advantages of seeking adventure by bus? Two days in Amsterdam, double occupancy in a three-star hotel, with departure from Kaiserslautern, for 99 euros? Or three days in Berlin, double occupancy in a four stay hotel, departure from Mainz, for 138 euros? Need I say more?