If you are looking for an exciting, worry free, informative, and affordable tour, I highly recommend Globus. My husband and I booked a European tour for our 10th anniversary, two years ago, with Globus at the recommendation of our Travel Agent. It was a wonderful experience from beginning to end.

Globus/Cosmos is a first rate operation based in Littleton, Colorado. If booking through a travel agency, you will need to make a reasonable deposit, and are not required to make the final payment until about two weeks before your scheduled trip. Globus is the slightly more expensive, but better value tour, while Cosmos is more economical, but has fewer amenities. Both tours include professional tour guides, travel in air conditioned motor coaches on land, pre- booked accommodations, and some meals with the package deals. Air fare is not included.

Our trip included an 11 day tour of Europe the Essential Europe package starting in Rome, and moving onward to Florence and Venice in Italy. From Italy, we went by motor coach to Lucerne, Switzerland and then to Paris. After visiting Paris, we traveled by motor coach and hovercraft, over the English Channel to London, as the final destination. In each of these cities, we had pre- set itineraries, but some leisure time included to see other sights that were not pre-set. The pre- set sight seeing tours usually included the most popular tourist attractions in the basic package, with some side tours available at extra cost. For example, in Rome, the package included a basic city tour with trips to the Coliseum, the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon and St. Peter's Basilica. However, the guided tour of the Vatican was about $40.00 extra per person and well worth it, I might add.

The Tour Guide provided by Globus, an Englishwoman who spoke 3 languages fluently, was extremely knowledgeable about the history and culture in each of the locations. We were blessed with a very personable and entertaining Tour Guide, which made the trip all the more enjoyable. She did not remain with us in London, however, and local guides took over. We received a lot less attention, but due to the lack of a language barrier, we had no difficulties. Our Tour Guide revealed to us that the Globus Tour Guides are required to have 10 years of experience before Globus will hire them.

The accommodations and pre- paid meals in all of the locations were of good quality. Some, of course, were better than others, but none were below average. Several of the meals included unlimited wine, which was nice.

The best thing about the Globus tour, was the fact that it was hassle free for the tourist. The Tour Guide and Bus Driver took care of all of the luggage, booked all of the itineraries and side trips, provided entertainment while on the motor coaches and even helped with retrieving luggage, that the airlines temporarily lost. Our Tour Guide made a trip to the airport in Rome in the early morning hours to pick up luggage for one couple on the tour. The Tour Guide also remembered special occasions and presented us with a card, signed by all of our tour mates, and a bottle of champagne at our anniversary dinner!

Because of Globus, we had a wonderful anniversary trip. Due to the length of the trip, we also were able to develop some lasting friendships with other tour member, and have kept in touch with some of them by e-mail since returning.

If you would like more information about Globus, their internet address is www.GlobusandCosmos.com. They also provide very informative, detailed brochures of all of their tours which are available in 70 countries and range from 9-18 days. Our tour was @$2,500 per person, which was a bargain. Globus is able to use group rates to book outstanding services during the tour at a reasonable cost.

So, if you have plans to travel and are considering a group tour, I highly recommend Globus. You will not be disappointed.

Recommended: Yes

Best Suited For: Couples
Tour format: Various
Tour type: Group
Tour length: Over a Week