Hi
I have done a couple of tours with Cosmos which is 3 star compared to its sister company Globus which is 5 star. Cosmos was excellent. If Globus is as well run as its sister I would recommend them. TIPS:
1. Time spent on the bus: Check your itinerary against a map. Work out distances. The last thing you want to do is spend hours on a bus. I think your tour covers WAY too much. The first tour I did was from Rome to London. Very whirlwind and from that experience I decided to take future tours in one country only. I strongly suggest selecting one, my pick is Spain. There is so much to see and experience. It truly is incredible.
2. Make sure you tell your travel agent that you want to book for a "Guaranteed Departure" (GD) date. This is very important. If it is not a GD then the tour company reserves the right to cancel the tour. This is very disruptive particularly if you have booked your airfare. If it is a GD then they are obliged to do the tour.
3. Check location of hotels: Ideally you want to be within short walking or metro/bus ride to attractions, restaurants etc.
4. It is customary to tip your tour director and driver after the tour. Your tour company will recommend an amount based on the lenghth of your tour. I have never followed this formula. Lots has been written about how much to give. I work on around E100 for the director and E50 for the driver (this is for 2 guests).
I have travelled independently and on tours. Each is a unique experience with advantages and disadvantages to each. You will get "independents" on this forum bagging tours. Don't be dissuaded. I highly recommend them as a mode of travel. Yes they are organised for you but you also have plenty of time to do your own thing and make your own discoveries.
Italy reigns supreme as America’s favorite destination, according to Globus, who reports that tours to and through Italy are on an upswing, with sales up 20 percent in the last 12 months.
“Traveling and vacationing should not be mutually exclusive,” said Scott Nisbet, president and chief executive officer for the Globus family of brands. “The world’s most inspiring destinations are meant to be enjoyed."
Continuing to invest in Italy’s draw, in 2012, Globus is adding a new, 9-day Italian Tapestry vacation (priced from $2,599) to its already impressive Italy tour roster. Highlights for this getaway include inside, VIP visits to all of the must-see sites, including Doges’ Palace, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Duomo as well as unique experiences like enjoying a Balsamic vinegar tasting in Modena, a guided walking tour of Pompeii excavations and glassblowers’ demonstration in Venice. Travelers will also enjoy the authentic transportation options provided on this tour, including a funicular ride in Capri and jetfoil transfer to Sorrento.
According to Nisbet, offering diverse modes of transportation on tour is not a new concept for Globus. “We give our travelers the chance to simply sit back and enjoy the ride,” said Nisbet. “On our modern tours, we incorporate the best – and most interesting – transportation, including everything from high-speed trains to cruise ships, ferries to gondolas and jetfoils to top-of-the-line motorcoaches.”
For those experienced travelers who have already toured Rome, Florence and Venice, Nisbet recommends the 10-day Northern Italy’s Highlights & Cinque Terre with guided sightseeing in Milan, Soragna, Parma, Modena, Maranello, Lucca, Asti, Turin and Vercelli or the company’s 8-day Umbria’s Treasures which visits such off-the-beaten-path destinations as Orvieto, Assisi, Gubbio, Perugia, Todi and Spoleto.
“Travelers have big dreams about what they want their vacation to be, and with Globus, those ideas and plans are executed perfectly,” said Nisbet. “Routes and schedules are created by experts, travelers bypass waiting in lines at attractions, every hotel experience is pre-tested and not a moment of a priceless vacation is wasted.”
In addition to unveiling an early look at 2012 Italy vacations, Globus is providing travelers the chance to view and book Spain getaways, including a new 9-day The Best of Spain tour, priced from $1,739. On this vacation, travelers will enjoy guided touring and great storytelling, thanks to expert Tour Directors, in Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Valencia and Barcelona.
Those booking early can get $800 off per couple the air-inclusive price of the 2012 Italy or Spain vacation.
Sample Globus 2012 Italy & Spain Getaways:
· Family Vacation Ciao, Italia! (7 days), priced from $2,549
· Northern Italy’s Highlights & Cinque Terre (10 days), priced from $2,289
· Umbria’s Treasures (8 days), priced from $1,789
· A Taste of Italy (7 days), priced from $1,849
· Italy’s Great Cities (8 days), priced from $1,889
· The Best of Italy (11 days), priced from $3,019
· Highlights of Sicily & Southern Italy (13 days), priced from $3,039
· Spectacular Spain (9 days), priced from $1,679
· Iberian Vacation (13 days), priced from $2,399
· Spanish Fiesta (14 days), priced from $2,449
· Spain, Portugal & Morocco (16 days), priced from $3,029
The details: Book a 2012 Globus Italy or Spain air-inclusive vacation to receive $400 off the air price per person. Booking must be made and under deposit between September 14 and November 29, 2011 for travel between January 1 and October 31, 2012. Offer not valid with any other offer except Journeys Club Repeat Traveler benefit.
Applies to new 2012 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Offer reliant on space availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Certain government-imposed taxes and fees of up to $375, including a September 11th Security fee of up to $10, are additional and must be paid by each traveler. Additional restrictions may apply.
Visit www.globusjourneys.com or www.globusfamilypartner.com
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