UNITED
KINGDOM, NETHERLANDS, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, ITALY and FRANCE
Specially-priced
Air Rates
Available:YES
A
European tour should include the most popular and exciting cities, the
must-see sights, picturesque scenery, and a mix of culture, history,
and just plain fun. On this Best of Europe tour, you’ll experience all
of this and more.
You will start with visiting London, the British capital, where you
could join one of our optional excursions or just spend time at leisure
discovering the city on your own. From there, you’ll take the Eurostar
train to Brussels and then carry on your journey by coach to discover
many interesting continental destinations.
On guided sightseeing tours, you’ll visit the must-see sights—including
those that will delight history fans—such as Amsterdam’s canals; Rome’s
St Peter Square; Florence’s renaissance old city center with a replica
of the “David” by Michelangelo, Pompeii, where you’ll see what life was
like during the Roman Empire before Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD;
Paris’s most famous landmarks and much more.
On this comprehensive European tour, you’ll also enjoy spectacular
scenery. You’ll drive through the picturesque Rhineland with its scenic
countryside, historic castles, and charming villages, and you’ll enjoy
breathtaking views of the Italian and French Riviera’s. Sit back and
relax as you drive past the Burgundy vineyards in France and through
gorgeous alpine scenery from Switzerland to Italy. Marvel at the beauty
of Tuscany with its rural villages, rolling hills, vineyards, rows of
cypress trees, and olive groves. You’ll stand in awe as you witness the
blue sea and amazing views on the Sorrento coast and on the legendary
island of Capri, and you’ll love the green hills and valleys as you
travel through Umbria to visit Assisi.
All of this and more await you on this dream European vacation designed
for value-minded travelers!
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: LONDON Visit LONDON-BRUSSELS
by Eurostar train AMSTERDAM Canal
cruise, guided sightseeing HEIDELBERG Visit LUCERNE Visit VERONAVisit VENICE Canal boat ride,
glassblowing workshop ASSISI Visit
St. Francis Basilica ROME Guided
sightseeing POMPEII
Archaeological site guided visit CAPRI Excursion
by boat SORRENTO Visit FLORENCE Guided
walking tour PISA See the
Leaning Tower ÈZE
Visit a Perfume workshop BEAUNE Visit PARIS Guided
sightseeing
The following UNESCO World Heritage Sites
can be seen or visited on this vacation:
17th Century Canal Ring Area of Amsterdam
Archeological Site of Pompeii
Assisi (the Basilica of San Francesco)
City of Verona
Historic Centre of Florence
Historic Centre of Rome - various
properties Vatican City
Paris Banks of the Seine
Piazza del Duomo Pisa
Upper Middle Rhine Valley
Venice and its Lagoon
Inside visits and
special features: Shown in UPPERCASE in
the tour description including admission charges where applicable.
NOTES December 16
Departure – Christmas in Rome and New Year’s in Paris, including
festive dinner
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
AIRPORT
TRANSFERS Airport
transfers
may be included when you make your flight arrangements.
LONDON Novotel London West (F)
AMSTERDAM Holiday Inn
Express Arena (ST)
WIESBADEN Holiday Inn Express
Wiesbaden (ST)
LUCERNE Drei Könige (ST)
VENICE Poppi (ST)
ROME BV Oly Hotel (F) SORRENTO Central Park
(ST)
FLORENCE B&B Firenze City
Center (ST)
NICE Ibis Styles Nice Vieux
Port
(ST) GRENOBLE Mercure Alpotel (F)
PARIS Ibis Styles Meteor
Avenue D 'Italie (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; 3 dinners
TRANSPORTATION Touring by private, first-class,
air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi; Eurostar train
London-Brussels; canal boat in Venice; Capri boat ride; Pisa mini-train
ride
GUIDES
Host service in London; Local Guides for city sightseeing in Amsterdam,
Rome, Pompeii, Florence, Paris; professional Tour Director while touring
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 are available to help you make
the most of your stay.
Day2LondonA full day to savor a variety of
optional activities: take a panoramic tour of London’s 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–Brussels–Amsterdam
Area, HollandTransfer to the railway station and
board the Eurostar train to Brussels with your Tour Director. Take a
seat on your luxury motorcoach for the drive to the Amsterdam area.
Today’s Distance: 127 mi/ 203 kmBreakfast
Day4Amsterdam–Wiesbaden, GermanyToday, enjoy an included canal cruise to
see the city from water level with a Local Guide, then stop at a
diamond center to watch the cutting and polishing of precious stones.
This afternoon, continue your journey to Wiesbaden.
Today’s Distance: 258 mi/ 415 kmBreakfast
Day 5 Wiesbaden–Heidelberg–Lucerne Area,
SwitzerlandDrive through the picturesque Rhineland
and enjoy splendid scenery as you skirt the Rhine river. Visit
Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university town, located at the confluence
of the Neckar and Rhine Rivers, then continue to Switzerland.
Today’s Distance: 270 mi/ 435 kmBreakfast
Day6LucerneLucerne is nestled amid snowcapped Alps,
surrounded by a lake, and graced by the clear mountain waters of the
Reuss River. Your orientation includes the wooden Chapel bridge and the
Lion monument, erected in memory of the 800 Swiss Guards who defended
Louis XVI and his wife. A grand selection of optional activities
completes the day: a ride on the “cabrio” cable-car to the summit of
Mount Stanserhorn; a cruise on the fjord-like lake; and, of course,
time to shop for an authentic Swiss watch.
Breakfast
Day 7 Lucerne–Verona,
Italy–Venice AreaMore wonderful alpine scenery as you
drive into the mountain ranges that surround the massive St. Gotthard
Pass. Continue to the warmer and sunnier ambiance of Canton Ticino,
then cross into Italy and drive across the Po Valley to Verona,
medieval setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Stroll around the
picturesque market square (Piazza delle Erbe) and the cobblestone
streets.
Today’s Distance: 327 mi/ 510 kmBreakfast
Day8Venice AreaVenice is more like a marvelous film set
than a real-life city, with its crisscrossing canals, gondolas and
water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and busy little piazzas
(squares). Your included orientation starts with a boat ride to St.
Mark’s Square and is followed by free time to soak up the city’s unique
atmosphere and a chance to visit a glassblowing workshop. Don’t miss
out on the optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals
with a local troubadour to serenade you.
Breakfast Dinner
Day 9 Venice
Area–Assisi–RomeAn interesting drive southward, crossing
the rolling Apennines. Stop in medieval Assisi, where St. Francis was
born in 1182, and visit the world-famous St. Francis Basilicas with the
beautiful frescoes by Giotto. Then, head for Rome.
Today’s Distance: 317 mi/ 510 kmBreakfast
Day10RomeThe “Eternal City” is steeped in
history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Start the
included introduction to Rome’s landmarks from St. Peter’s Square with
a Local Guide. Enjoy a drive along the iconic landmarks of the city:
the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls, and the
Caracalla Baths. Complete the experience with a walk back in time from
the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and the fascinating
Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire.
Breakfast
Day 11 Rome–Pompeii–Sorrento AreaThis morning you have an opportunity to
visit the treasures of the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel on our
optional excursion. Later, travel south all the way, with the Vesuvius
volcano in the distance. Visit Pompeii, where time stopped in 79 AD
when the Vesuvius eruption buried the city. On your guided visit to the
archaeological site, see the remains of luxurious villas, temples,
theater, and forum. From here, it’s just a few more miles to reach the
lively Sorrento area.
Today’s Distance: 168 mi/ 270 kmBreakfast
Day12Sorrento Coast.
Excursion to CapriCross the blue sea for a full-day
excursion to the legendary island of Capri. Surrounded by rose-tinted
rocks, Capri has incredibly beautiful coves of translucent blues and
greens. The town, with its pretty piazzetta, maze of streets,
fashionable boutiques, and cozy restaurants, is a mecca for the jet
set. An optional tour takes you around the island with its steep roads
and panoramic views.
Breakfast Dinner
Day 13 Sorrento Coast–FlorenceAn early journey north to Florence.
Vistas of rolling hills, austere rows of cypress trees, terraced
vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of your
journey through beautiful Tuscany. Arrive in Florence in the afternoon
in time to enjoy its magnificent architectural and artistic treasures;
the included walking tour with a Local Guide shows the highlights.
Today’s Distance: 320 mi/ 515 km Breakfast
Day14Florence–Pisa–Èze, France–French
RivieraStop in Pisa, where you hop on a mini
train to reach the Square of Miracles to see the famous Leaning Tower.
Bypassing the great port of Genoa, drive northwest for glimpses of the
Italian and French Rivieras. Visit a typical perfume workshop in
Èze and later reach the shores of the charming Côte d’Azur.
Today’s Distance: 273 mi/ 440 kmBreakfast
Day 15 French
Riviera–Saint-Andre-Les-Alpes–Route
Napoleon–GrenobleTaking the Route Napoleon, follow in the
footsteps of the French leader as he escaped from exile in Elba. Stop
for some crispy fresh air in Saint André Les Alpes before
reaching Grenoble—an alpine sports mecca and site of the 1968 Winter
Olympic Games.
Today’s Distance: 199 mi/ 320 km Breakfast Dinner
Day16Grenoble–Beaune–ParisEnjoy the very heart of the Burgundy
wine-growing region, making a stop in lovely Beaune, surrounded by some
of the world’s finest vineyards. Continue northward to the exciting
city of Paris, capital of France.
Today’s Distance: 358 mi/ 577 kmBreakfast
Day 17 ParisParis is a world-class romantic city
with many familiar landmarks. This morning, see the main sights during
the included city tour with a Local Guide. In the afternoon, a chance
to feel like a French aristocrat as you join the optional tour through
the immense Palace of Versailles. This evening, why not join an
optional dinner?
Breakfast
Day18ParisYour vacation ends with breakfast this
morning.
Breakfast
The
Best of Europe
18 Day Tour
From $3389USD
(Less
applicable COSMOS
PROMO(S) and Gardner Travel
Discounts)
CLICK HERE to Request ourLOW
UNPUBLISHED RATEand
availability for this tour below:
You
may REQUEST information
for this tour via our email response here and we will return a complete
and detailed quote
OR
CALL
US
at
1-877-510-4653
and we will be happy to personally assist you at every turn.
Exceptional
Vacations
Celebrating
over 90 Years of Touring!
YOUR
TOUR DIRECTOR
PATRICIA SUTRELL
Escorting
tours for more than 20 years
Always thirsty for new challenges, my path led me to the role of Tour
Director. I love people, enjoy sharing the history and anecdotes of the
different places visited on tour. Everyday is different, and this
provides me with the motivation to hopefully meet everyone's dream. I
do believe that travelling is like a book, if you do not travel you
will always remain on the first page. All we need is to open our eyes
to the world, and enjoy every moment we have, as life is a journey.
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 USAandCanada
We
provide an additional agency
point-of-sale discountfor most 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 40 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 questionnaire above 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. 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
HotelsWhere
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 90
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.
ENJOY THE GAME OF
GOLF?
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out our SOUTHERN BREEZE
GOLF TOURS - golf packages for some fantastic destinations
throughout the U.S! Click
here to
visit our golf site.
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Agency Partner We
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TOLL FREE 1-877-510-4653 or 817/788-5210
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A
European tour should include the most popular and exciting cities, the
must-see sights, picturesque scenery, and a mix of culture, history,
and just plain fun. On this Best of Europe tour, you’ll experience all
of this and more.
