All About Europe by Cosmos Vacations

All About Europe

1-877-510-4653

COSMOS Vacations

Affordable Escorted Vacations!

All About Europe

Duration: 31 Days

Land Tour w/deluxe motorcoach

ENGLAND, FRANCE, SPAIN, ITALY, GREECE, BULGARIA, SERBIA, HUNGARY, SLOVAKIA, AUSTRIA, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND and HOLLAND

Specially-priced Air Rates Available: YES

What do you expect from your European tour? Historic treasures, amazing architecture, scenic beauty, and exciting cities? Whatever it is, this European vacation offers it to you! You’ve heard about a tiny but powerful state with a treasure cove of masterpieces, Vatican City? Now it’s your chance to visit St Peter’s Square. You’ve seen photos of the Leaning Tower in Pisa? Here’s your opportunity to take a photo of yourself pushing back at it. You’ve heard of the French Riviera? Drive along both the French and the Italian Riviera’s. You’ve watched the Olympics? Visit the birthplace of the Olympic Games in Greece. You’ve heard how gorgeous the Swiss Alps are? Now is the time to see them in person. You’ve heard how the countries in Eastern Europe have transformed into wonderful vacation destinations? See it for yourself and visit Budapest, Bratislava, Sofia, and Belgrade.

All of this and much more is included on this European tour that starts in London, ends in Amsterdam, and travels through France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Spend time in the French Riviera and France’s beautiful wine region. Experience lively Barcelona and visit some of the world’s oldest sights, including Athens’ Acropolis, dating back to the 5th century BC; the towers, cobblestones, and turrets in Carcassonne, perhaps Europe’s best-preserved medieval fortified town; Lucerne’s Chapel Bridge, built in 1333 as part of the city’s fortifications; Niš in Serbia, one of the oldest cities in the Balkans; and much more.

But that’s not all…you’ll also witness gorgeous scenery throughout this Europe tour—from the rolling hills in Tuscany to the majestic Swiss Alps, Greece’s Peloponnese coast and the Danube valley. It’s a dream vacation for value-minded travelers!

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

LONDON Visit
LONDON-PARIS by Eurostar train
PARIS Guided sightseeing
TOURS, BORDEAUX & CARCASSONNE Visit
BARCELONA Guided sightseeing
ARLES & NICE Visit
VENICE Canal boat ride, glassblowing workshop
FLORENCE Guided walking tour
PISA See the Leaning Tower
ROME Guided sightseeing
ANCONA-PATRAS Overnight Ferry
OLYMPIA Visit
CORINTH CANALATHENS Guided sightseeing, visit Acropolis
DELPHI Archaeological site guided visit
SOFIA Guided sightseeing
NIS & SZEGED Visit
BUDAPEST Guided sightseeing
GYÖR & BRATISLAVA Visit
VIENNA Guided sightseeing
SALZBURG, MUNICH, BREGENZ, LUCERNE & STRASBOURG Visit
AMSTERDAM Canal cruise, guided sightseeing

The following UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be seen or visited on this vacation:

Acropolis Athens
Archeological Site of Delphi
Arles (Roman and Romanesque Monuments)
"Budapest (including the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue)
Historic Centre of Rome - various properties Vatican City
Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg
Historic Centre of Vienna
Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne
Paris Banks of the Seine
Piazza del Duomo Pisa
Pyrenées
Strasbourg - Grand Ile
Venice and its Lagoon

Inside visits and special features:
Shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description including admission charges where applicable.

NOTE
Security cruise regulations require first and last name, date of birth, gender, nationality, and passport number at time of booking.
December 22 Departure – Christmas in Paris and New Year’s in Venice including festive dinner
December 31 Departure – New Year’s in London

OPTIONALS:
Choice of optional excursions at reasonable prices to customize your own experience. Please find a detailed list in your travel documents

HEADSETS throughout the tour

LONDON NOVOTEL LONDON WEST (F)
PARIS KYRIAD PARIS BERCY VILLAGE (ST)
BORDEAUX KYRIAD PRESTIGE (ST)
BARCELONA PORTA FIRA (SF)
NICE IBIS STYLES NICE VIEUX PORT (ST)
VENICE POPPI (ST)
FLORENCE ITALIANA HOTEL AND RESORT (F)
ROME HOTEL OLY (F)
OLYMPIA OLYMPIA PALACE (F)
ATHENS ACROPOLIS SELECT (F) or ILLISOS (F)
THESSALONIKA GRAND HOTEL PALACE (SF)
SOFIA ROSSLYN CENTRAL PARK (F)
BELGRADE BEST WESTERN HOTEL M (F)
VIENNA STAR INN SCHOENBRUNN (ST)
MUNICH ACHAT PREMIUM MUENCHEN SUD (SF)
LUCERNE IBIS STYLES LUZERNE CITY (ST)
TRIER HOTEL VIENNA HOUSE EASY (F)
AMSTERDAM BEST WESTERN PLUS AMEDIA AMSTERDAM AIRPORT (F) or HAMPTON by HILTON SCHIPOL (ST)

HOTELS - (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class (MF) Moderate First Class (ST) Superior Tourist Class (T) Tourist Class

DINING HIGHLIGHTS

Buffet breakfasts daily; 10 dinners, including a dinner at a local restaurant in Budapest

TRANSPORTATION
Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi; Eurostar train London–Paris; overnight ferry Italy-Greece in cabins with private facilities; canal transfer boat in Venice; Pisa mini train ride; canal cruise Amsterdam

GUIDES
Host service in London

AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Airport transfers may be included when you make your flight arrangements.

Day 1 Arrive in London, England

Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, you may want to start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed hosts and the CosmosGO app are available to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 2 London

Enjoy free time for independent activities. Take a panoramic tour of London’s famous landmarks, visit the Tower of London, or choose an excursion to Windsor Castle. Tonight, we recommend our optional “Taste of London” excursion with dinner, followed by a guided illumination cruise on the Thames River.

Breakfast

Day 3 London–Paris, France

Transfer to the railway station and board the EUROSTAR TRAIN to scintillating Paris with your Tour Director. Transfer to your hotel.

Today’s Distance: 305 mi/ 492 km

Breakfast

Day 4 Paris

Enjoy a day of sightseeing in Paris starting with an included guided tour to see the best known sites and monuments.

Breakfast

Day 5 Paris–Tours–Chateaux Country–Bordeaux

Travel south to Blois and along the Loire Valley, stopping in Tours to see the well-preserved historic center. Continue to Poitiers, beautifully situated on a rocky plateau. South again to the Grande Champagne wine-growing area. Spend the night in Bordeaux on the banks of the Garonne.

Today’s Distance: 373 mi/ 600 km

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 6 Bordeaux–Carcassonne–Barcelona, Spain

From the vineyards of the Gironde and the Garonne, travel eastward to Carcassonne in the foothills of the Pyrenées. Spend some time to admire what is perhaps the best-preserved medieval fortified town in Europe. Later, cross the Spanish border and travel through Catalonia to Barcelona.

Today’s Distance: 404 mi/ 650 km

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 7 Barcelona

Your guided city tour includes a drive around Montjuïc to see the Olympic Stadium and a panoramic view of the port and city. It continues to the city center to Plaza Catalunya and Paseo de Gracia to admire the greatness and eccentricity of Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces (entrance fees not included).

Breakfast

Day 8 Barcelona–Arles, France–French Riviera

Back in France, head into the vineyard-covered region of the Hérault for a stop in Arles. This is where Vincent van Gogh lived from 1888-1889, and produced more than 300 paintings and drawings. Continue skirting the stunning shoreline of the Mediterranean to arrive in the heart of the world-famous French Riviera.

Today’s Distance: 429 mi/ 690 km

Breakfast

Day 9 French Riviera

A full day at leisure allows you to take advantage of everything the splendid Côte d’Azur has to offer. You might like to explore the Old Town, climb up Castle Hill for panoramic views of Nice, or spend some time in the Marc Chagall National Museum. Tonight, consider joining our optional Monte Carlo by Night excursion to the nearby Principality of Monaco.

Breakfast

Day 10 French Riviera–Venice Area, Italy

Enjoy a scenic drive along the French and Italian Flower Rivieras. Then, cross the fertile Po River plains to the shores of the Adriatic to reach the Venice area.

Today’s Distance: 360 mi/ 580 km

Breakfast

Day 11 Venice Area

Your day begins with a BOAT RIDE to monumental St. Mark’s Square. Time at leisure here enables you to explore and absorb the unique atmosphere of this unforgettable city built on water. Watch a skilled GLASSBLOWER at work. How about a romantic optional gondola trip?

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 12 Venice Area–Florence

Today, cross the verdant Apennine hills into Italy’s most popular region—Tuscany! Arrive in Florence, the renowned “Cradle of the Renaissance.” An included walking tour with a Local Guide features all the most important sites, including Piazza della Signoria and the copy of the “David” by Michelangelo.

Today’s Distance: 186 mi/ 300 km

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 13 Florence–Pisa–Rome

Today, hop on a mini train in Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower in the Square of Miracles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Breakfast

Day 14 Rome

The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts with St. Peter’s Square and Basilica. Other highlights are the iconic Colosseum, the largest amphitheater ever built, and Circus Maximus.

Breakfast

Day 15 Rome–Ancona (Embarkation)–Overnight Ferry Crossing to Patras, Greece

A day of scenic beauty awaits as you travel through the rugged Apennines past quaint, old-world villages on your way to Ancona on the Adriatic Sea. This afternoon, embark an overnight FERRY for your Mediterranean Sea crossing.

Today’s Distance: 199 mi/ 320 km

Breakfast

Day 16 Patras (Disembarkation)–Olympia

Awaken surrounded by fresh sea air this morning as you cross the Mediterranean. This afternoon, disembark in Patras and make your way south for a visit to Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games, first held in 776 BC.

Today’s Distance: 93 mi/ 150 km (excluding overnight ferry)

Day 17 Olympia–Tripoli–Athens

This morning, discover the Olympia archaeological site with a Local Guide. Learn about the sacred precinct of Zeus, whose temple once housed a statue that was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Later, travel through the mountains of Arcadia into the heart of the Peloponnese peninsula. Cross the mighty Corinth Canal, then to Athens, capital of Greece and one of the world’s oldest cities. This evening, bask in the lively atmosphere of the old Plaka district with its welcoming tavernas and festive bouzouki music, or you could choose to join an optional Greek dinner.

Today’s Distance: 180 mi/ 290 km

Breakfast

Day 18 Athens

The cradle of Western civilization and birthplace of democracy, Athens offers so much to see and experience. Included city sightseeing this morning features the highlights and a visit to the ACROPOLIS and the Parthenon. Later, explore the shops and museums or spend the afternoon swimming off the coast.

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 19 Athens–Delphi–Thermopylae–Thessalonika

On the way to Delphi, your Tour Director will tell you all about the area’s fascinating history rooted in Greek mythology. Enjoy a guided tour of Delphi’s ancient sanctuary, dedicated to the god Apollo. Hear about the mystical Oracle and tour the EXCAVATION SITE, then visit the ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM. Next is Thermopylae, site of the famous battle between the Spartans and Xerxes’ overwhelming Persian forces in 480 BC. See the LEONIDAS MONUMENT, commemorating the Spartan king. Travel along the coast to Thessalonika for an overnight.

Today’s Distance: 342 mi/ 550 km

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 20 Thessalonika–Sofia, Bulgaria

Cross the Bulgarian border and head north through the Struma River Valley, Spartacus’ mountainous homeland. In Sofia, capital of Bulgaria, join your Local Guide for a city tour that includes the Parliament building, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the National Theater, and St. Sophia Church.

Today’s Distance: 205 mi/ 330 km

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 21 Sofia–Niš, Serbia–Belgrade

On to Serbia. In Niš, visit the well-preserved 18th-century Ottoman FORTRESS. Continue to Belgrade, capital of Serbia.

Today’s Distance: 255 mi/ 410 km

Breakfast

Day 22 Belgrade–Szeged, Hungary–Budapest

Cross into Hungary. Stop at the border town of Szeged, with fabled ties to Attila the Hun and the ancient home of paprika. Later, arrive in Budapest, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Today’s Distance: 249 mi/ 400 km

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 23 Budapest

Included sightseeing with a Local Guide today features Buda Castle, which dominates the twin cities of Buda and Pest, separated by the broad ribbon of the Danube River. See Heroes’ Square with its iconic monument and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Also see the Royal Castle, the awe-inspiring Hungarian Parliament, Margaret Island, Fishermen’s Bastion, and Matthias Coronation Church.

Breakfast

Day 24 Budapest–Györ–Bratislava, Slovakia–Vienna, Austria

Head toward the Austrian border today and, along the way, stop in colorful Györ with its narrow lanes, characteristic corner balconies, and baroque town center. Continue to Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, where medieval towers, fortifications, St. Michael’s Gate, and gothic St. Martin’s Church await your discovery. Cross into Austria and arrive in its dazzling capital—Vienna.

Today’s Distance: 174 mi/ 280 km

Breakfast

Day 25 Vienna

Once the seat of the mighty Habsburg Empire and home to Strauss, Brahms, Beethoven, Hadyn, and Mozart, Vienna blends ornate baroque architecture with an irresistible musical heritage. On the included sightseeing tour with a Local Guide, admire the fabulous State Opera House and Parliament, and stroll through Heroes’ Square for views of splendid Hofburg Palace. In your free time, be sure to pop into one of the traditional coffee houses for a slice of heavenly Sachertorte, or you can join one of our exciting optional excursions!

Breakfast

Day 26 Vienna–Salzburg–Munich, Germany

Travel along the Danube to Mozart’s splendid hometown, Salzburg. There’s time here to discover the charming Getreidegasse, the town’s elegant main shopping street. On to Germany through green Bavarian landscapes to arrive in Munich.

Today’s Distance: 286 mi/ 460 km

Breakfast

Day 27 Munich–Bregenz, Austria–Lucerne, Switzerland

Your day begins with an orientation drive. See Munich’s beautiful main square, Marienplatz, and marvel at the world-famous Glockenspiel. Later, stop in Bregenz before skirting Lake Constance, then cross into Switzerland to head for Lucerne.

Today’s Distance: 255 mi/ 410 km

Breakfast

Day 28 Lucerne

This morning’s visit introduces you to one of Switzerland’s finest cities. See the impressive city walls; CHAPEL BRIDGE, Europe’s oldest covered bridge; and the LION MONUMENT, a masterful stone sculpture honoring Louis XVI’s heroic Swiss Guard. A selection of optional activities is available to perfectly complete your day.

Breakfast

Day 29 Lucerne–Strasbourg, France–Trier, Germany

Cross into France today and spend some time at leisure in magical Strasbourg, seat of the European Parliament. See the monumental gothic cathedral; taste the unique Franco-German cuisine; or explore the city’s historic heart in the magical La Petite France district. Return to Germany and head to ancient Trier for an overnight.

Today’s Distance: 286 mi/ 460 km

Breakfast

Day 30 Trier–Amsterdam Area, Holland

Through the industrial Ruhr region and then into the canal-crossed countryside of Holland to Amsterdam, vibrant capital of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. On an included CANAL CRUISE, experience Amsterdam from water level, then stop to watch skilled craftsmen cut and polish precious stones at a DIAMOND CENTER. Discover the main sites with a Local Guide and spend some time at leisure.

Today’s Distance: 267 mi/ 430 km

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 31 Amsterdam Area

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

Breakfast

All About Europe

31 Day Tour

From $4299USD
(Less applicable COSMOS PROMO(S) and Gardner Travel Discounts)

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You may reserve your tour online OR email us and we will provide our private rate back to you by email response or phone call as you prefer it.

PLEASE NOTE:
We have access to the U.S./Canada reservations only for this tour. If you reside outside of the U.S./Canada please contact the closest Globus Family of Brands travel agent in your country of origin.

Exceptional Vacations

Celebrating over 85 Years of Touring!

Prices are per person based on double occupancy and are land only. We also offer competitive group-based airfares from your home city airport that fit with this particular touring program.

Toll Free Call
1-877-510-4653
USA and Canada

We provide an additional agency point-of-sale discount for all Globus, Cosmos and Avalon Waterways tour programs. Offer subject to availability and change without notice.

TALK TO AN EXPERIENCED

As a full-service travel provider, we can help you in finding your perfect tour at the best price available, today. We've been representing the GLOBUS Family of Brands for over 35 years as a Premier Agency Partner - a designation only awarded to the top tier agencies that are authorized to represent the full Globus Family of Brands. We can take you all the way from your own hometown to some of the most beautiful touring experiences in Europe and then back again - all with the expertise of a seasoned COSMOS professional representative. When it is important to get it right, you can trust the services of our own professional COSMOS Certified travel specialists.

Requesting Availability
We will check your requested tour program and accommodations for the date range that you may specify in the boxes below and reply back to you as soon as possible. Of course the more information that you can provide us, the closer we will be in matching your needs and preferences. We will not knowingly sell or pass along your information that you provide to any third party for any reason (see Liabilities and Privacy Policy). And we use SSL Technology to safeguard your information on our tour request forms that we have posted throughout our website.

We are available to answer your inquiries in person Monday - Friday (except holidays) from 8:30am until 5:30pm CST (1-877-510-4653 | 817-788-5210). We are available from time to time on the weekends via email to answer your questions. Our typical response time for your email request ranges from 3 hours to as many as 72 depending upon the availability of onsite resources and those of the tour companies and resorts/lodging establishments, as well as any variations you may request from our listed programs. We will respond to your requests as quickly as possible and as soon as we have all components of your package confirmable. All tour program rates are based upon double occupancy unless otherwise specified.

Thank you for your interest in this quality Cosmos Tour by The GLOBUS Family of Brands!

Randy C. Gardner
President
Gardner Travel Service, Inc.

More than three decades ago Cosmos pioneered the idea of quality value travel to Europe. Since then we've developed and refined the concept of vacation packages. Over a million people have come back to us for a second or third vacation...or more!

Our clients' repeat business is the best testimony to the incredible value and experience we offer.

If you've never taken a package vacation, consider this: Traveling with Cosmos is less expensive, more comfortable, and far easier than going it alone. Our volume contracting for hotels and services provides you with travel at wholesale prices. A Cosmos package is carefully planned to make the best possible use of your time.

Our team of experts has refined our itineraries to combine the must-see sights with significant time on your own, offering more choice and flexibility. You can travel relaxed and hassle-free, knowing that we've taken care of all the details.

Arthur Fromer Europe on a Budget

Once you've discovered the special advantages of traveling with Cosmos, you'll never want to travel any other way again. Cosmos is "A Smart Way To Go."

Guidance

At the heart of every great Cosmos tour are the friendly, knowledgeable folks who show you around and help you maximize your free time. We go to incredible lengths to find the most professional Tour Directors and Local Guides. They deliver commentary in English, but are multilingual so they can navigate Europe with ease and give you the richest experience possible.

Headsets
For all guided visits and included sightseeing in Europe, Cosmos will provide personal audio headsets. See tour itinerary for details.

The Right Balance
No one enjoys a vacation where every second is spent on a schedule. We build free time into every Cosmos vacation, so you can eat, shop, and explore the way you want. Your Tour Director and Local Guides can offer suggestions for things to see and do-or you can join one of our many intriguing optional excursions.

Sightseeing
Our packages include guided sightseeing and scenic highlights that reveal the best of Europe, North America, and South America. Enjoy inside visits of the must-see sites with knowledgeable Local Guides who will bring each destination to life. Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description. See individual itinerary pages to learn what is included in your vacation.

Personalize Your Vacation with MyCosmos
Cosmos lets you enhance your tour with optional excursions that are meaningful to you. Whether you enjoy art, music, food, wine, history, or whatever, we give you the freedom to truly personalize your trip. Best of all, you can make your selections-and even pre-pay-in advance online at Cosmos.com/MyCosmos.

Cosmos Takes Care of Your Hotels

Where you stay makes all the difference.
After a day's traveling you want to relax at a comfortable, clean, and attractive hotel. We have chosen hotels with the best rooms, service, and food for the money. Of course, they vary as different countries have different standards. However, we ensure that everywhere you get the best available in cleanliness and comfort.

Cosmos hotels are always located in good neighborhoods, some more centrally and others in residential areas. Especially in large cities we sometimes prefer good hotels in residential areas on the outskirts to less desirable or overpriced downtown hotels.

Rooms at all our hotels include private facilities: private bath or shower and a toilet.

Triple rooms are usually no larger than twin rooms and the third bed is often a roll-away bed put into a twin-bedded room just for the night.

Cosmos specifies your hotels
Our hotels are mainly superior tourist-class (ST) and tourist-class (T) establishments, but we also feature some first-class (F) hotels. Cosmos hotel ratings follow standards set by the independent Official Hotel Guide (OHG) or by national tourist boards. The specific rating for each contract hotel is determined by our quality controllers.

We reserve the right to substitute hotels listed on the tour pages with hotels of equivalent standard. With your Cosmos travel documents you'll receive a list of hotel addresses, telephone numbers, and fax numbers for your tour.

Stretch Your Vacation Dollars

Value-packed vacations at bargain prices.
With Cosmos, a company that specializes in package travel arrangements, you'll visit the world without spending a fortune. Because all our buying power is devoted to package travel, our clout with suppliers is powerfully concentrated -- and we pass the savings on to you with affordable vacation packages for every budget.

Singles save with "guaranteed share" rates
More than one-third of all people traveling with Cosmos are traveling independently. We therefore accept reservations on a "guaranteed share" basis. We charge singles the basic price and match up singles of the same gender in twin-bedded rooms. For mutual comfort we adopt a no-smoking rule in shared rooms. "Guaranteed shares" are not available for extra nights before or after your tour, on tours with overnight trains, or on train or cruise extensions.
If we cannot find a roommate for a traveler who has booked on a "guaranteed share" basis, we'll absorb the single room supplement, and that traveler will be accommodated in a single room at no extra charge.
Of course we do offer single rooms when available to those who prefer to travel solo and pay the single supplement.

Triple room reduction
Cosmos grants a reduction to three people who travel together and share the same accommodation. Triple room reductions, when available, are listed in the Dates and Prices box on the tour page.

A word of caution: Triple rooms usually are no larger than twin rooms, and the third bed, if there is one, is often a rollaway bed put in a twin-bedded room for the night.

Discount for young tour members
Cosmos grants a 10 percent discount on the land tour price to travelers who are under 18 years old on the tour departure date, provided they are accompanied by an adult. We do not accept children under eight on our tours because we have found that they are too young to enjoy these vacations.

Cosmos Vacations Offer Flexibility

Joining late and leaving early*
Many Cosmos land arrangements start and end in London. If you have already spent time in the British capital, you may want to skip one or more of the included London nights or even join at the first overnight hotel on the Continent. Call your Travel Agent for any reductions that apply to your vacation for joining late or leaving early. Vacations with these reductions are sold on a land-only basis.

A professional team takes care of you in London
For any help or information you might require during your London stay, please contact the Cosmos hospitality desk at your hotel. Our knowledgeable staff will serve you with a smile; give you guidance on what to do and where to go; and arrange excursions, evening entertainment, and theater outings for you.

Extra nights*
If you'd like more hotel nights than we've provided at the start or end of your tour, we can make reservations for you at the rates quoted below, provided you request them at the time you book your vacation. Rates are per person, per night, and include room with private bath, breakfast, service charges, and taxes.

Extra nights are only available immediately prior to or after your tour. Extra pre-tour nights in London are not available if you join your tour later than Day 2.

Every effort is made to reserve extra nights at the hotel where your tour stays. If space at the tour hotel is not available, alternative accommodation will be reserved at a hotel of equivalent standard. When this is the case, the transfer to and from the tour hotel is at our expense.

As hotel space is limited, we cannot reserve more than two extra nights before and/or after a tour, unless they are needed to bridge the gap between two Cosmos vacations. During particularly busy periods, hotel space in certain cities can become so tight that we may be unable to sell extra nights.

Trust & Travel Insurance

For generations, Globus has worked hard to provide the best on-trip experiences, world-class customer service, and the best consumer protection plans available in the travel industry.

DETAILS OF THIS INSURANCE PROGRAM WILL BE INCLUDED IN ALL OF OUR QUOTES.

and The Globus Family of Brands

More than 75 years ago, Antonio Mantegazza bought a rowboat to transport commercial goods across Lake Lugano in Switzerland. Who could know that rowboat would launch the world's leading escorted travel company? Today Globus is a global, family-owned company reaching every corner of the world. Globus is now the first choice among individuals looking for vacations with both domestic and international travel in a variety of styles to six continents and hundreds of itineraries to choose from (see Globus History video right).

Antonio's frequent trips across the scenic lake led him to consider opportunities in a different market - tourism. His entrepreneurial instinct pushed him to gradually acquire some motorcoaches to transport tourists around the Lake Lugano area. In 1928, Antonio opened a company specializing in motorcoach touring called Globus Viaggi. The company began with a fleet of 12 coaches which operated local excursions for European tourists in Switzerland.

By 1950, Globus Viaggi had grown to a fleet of 33 coaches and featured overnight excursions to Rome, Venice, the Dolomites and the French Riviera. Gradually, these became regularly scheduled tours and grew longer to cover more ground. Later that decade, under the leadership of Werner Albek, Antonio's business partner, Globus pioneered the concept of Grand European Touring by offering first-class European tours to North Americans. By 1961, the company launched its Cosmos arm, which featured affordable, value-priced European touring for the cost-conscious British traveler.

The coach tours were so successful that Cosmos soon introduced another form of travel for the British market: air holiday packages to the sunny destinations of southern Europe. By 1968, Cosmos air holidays became so popular the company formed its own airline, Monarch Airlines. Monarch Airlines started out modestly with two used Britannia aircraft and eventually blossomed into one of the most successful European charter companies with a large fleet of modern jets and its own engineering division.

Under the flagship of Sergio Mantegazza, current president and son of Antonio, Globus began expanding its markets beyond Great Britain and North America. Since 1974, travel packages have been sold in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and most recently in Southeast Asia. Starting in the 70s, the company also aggressively expanded its offerings, introducing travelers to more countries than any other tour operator with packages to Africa, South and North America, Europe, the South Pacific and Asia.

Today, the Globus family of brands is marketed and operated by a network of more than 32 independent tourism and aviation businesses, serviced by a group of more than 5,000 professionals worldwide. Combined, Globus, Cosmos, and Monograms carry over 500,000 passengers a year, making the organization the leading operator of guided vacations worldwide. Globus attributes its success to the ideals of founder Antonio Mantegazza. For three generations, his vision, hard work, love for travel, and commitment have guided the company. These values are the cornerstone on which Globus was built and will continue to grow.