Day 1
-
Make your own way to Amsterdam to join the tour on day
2.
Day 2
- Arrival in Amsterdam, Holland
You have landed in a country unlike any other in the world! The
tale which will unfold for you is of astonishing contrasts:
Calvinist rigor cohabiting with great tolerance and even
permissiveness; a kingdom with fiercely democratic traditions;
great wealth modestly understated. It's also a tale of astonishing
feats of an industrious, ingenious people. For centuries this tiny
nation of seafaring traders played a leading role in world history
it wrested two-fifths of its territory from a hostile sea, and in
Europe's most densely populated area it is capable of producing a
healthy agricultural surplus. Holland is quaint and scenic, yet it
is also worth visiting because it may have many of the answers an
increasingly overcrowded world needs for survival. At 6 p.m. meet
your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at
your hotel. (D)
Day 3
- Amsterdam-Giethoorn-Frisian Lake District-Epe
Begin the day with a visit to the fascinating AALSMEER FLOWER
AUCTION. Then start your exciting tour around famous IJsselmeer and
stop in Hoorn, birthplace of Jan Pieterszoon Coen, considered to be
founder of the Dutch commercial empire in the Dutch East Indies. In
Hoorn the first large fishing net was made in 1416, marking the
beginning of a flourishing industry. Drive through the fertile
polders (reclaimed land) of North Holland to the 19-mile Barrier
Dam, which since 1932 has shut out the North Sea and has
transformed the saltwater Zuiderzee into the freshwater IJsselmeer.
The dam over which you drive is part of an incredible system of
1,200 miles of dikes, dams, and dunes built over the last 900 years
to protect the part of Holland that lies below sea level. Welcome
to Friesland, home of Pieter Stuyvesant and Mata Hari! A scenic
drive through the Frisian Lake District past Makkum, renowned for
its luxury yacht building and pottery, and Workum brings you to
Giethoorn, the real "Venice of the North." This rural paradise of
traditional farmhouses can be explored during an included BOAT TRIP
through the canals, which were dug in the past to transport peat.
Detour through the rustic village of Staphorst, whose inhabitants
still live according to strict Calvinist principles, before
arriving at your hotel in the densely wooded, peaceful Veluwe area,
where the Dutch like to spend their holidays. (BB,D)
Day 4
- Epe-Arnhem Area
The highlight visit this morning is to the Royal Palace of HET
LOO and its superb formal gardens. Hear about the history of the
country's popular ruling family. In The Hoge Veluwe National Park
visit the KRÖLLER MÜLLER MUSEUM, which houses an
important collection of paintings, sculptures, and some of Van
Gogh's masterpieces. In the late afternoon visit the AIRBORNE
MUSEUM in Oosterbeek, where you relive the heroic and tragic events
of World War II celebrated in A Bridge Too Far. (BB,D)
Day 5
- Arnhem Area-Zeeland-Rotterdam
After a morning visit to the country's only surviving PEWTER
FACTORY in Tiel, journey westward through North Brabant to
Kinderdijk, where you can admire a whole row of windmills together
(worth a few pictures). Next, enter beautiful Zeeland, where
geometric fields, tidy orchards, and neat rows of poplars stretch
to the horizon. Take a pleasant walk in the picture-book port of
Veere, once an important wool-trading center. Continue to the Storm
Surge Barrier, where you hear about the world's greatest
undertaking in hydraulic engineering. Begun in 1953, when a savage
North Sea storm killed 1,800 people, and completed in 1986, the
Delta Project is a stunning demonstration of what a nation can
achieve if it focuses its energies on a vital task. From here you
will enter Rotterdam. Your orientation shows that this city, which
was leveled by German bombs during World War II, now has a modern,
high-tech look and boasts the world's busiest port. (BB,D)
Day 6
- Rotterdam-Amsterdam
After a visit to the historic center of Delft, call at the ROYAL
DELFT POTTERY FACTORY with its magnificent collection of hand
painted earthenware pieces. You also see skilled craftsmen at work.
Proceed through The Hague, seat of the Dutch government and the
International Court of Justice, to the North Sea resort of
Scheveningen. In the afternoon drive to the famous bulbfields of
South Holland. Listen to the incredible tale of 17th century
"Tulipomania" and visit the extraordinary flower park of KEUKENHOF
(on tours 0404-0502 only) before returning to Amsterdam. Tours
0513-0916 visit ANNE FRANK HOUSE instead. (BB)
Day 7
- Amsterdam
Morning sightseeing of the capital with a Local Guide. Enjoy a
CANAL CRUISE along gabled merchant houses and humpback drawbridges
reminiscent of the Golden Age, but also the strikingly modern
buildings of a young city with plans for the future. Next visit the
fabulous RIJKSMUSEUM with priceless paintings by Rembrandt and
other Dutch masters. Finally visit a major DIAMOND CENTER to
appreciate how a rough mineral is transformed into a sparkling
jewel. Afternoon at leisure to catch up on your postcards and
shopping. Why not join a late afternoon optional excursion with
dinner in the fishing village of Volendam? (BB)
Day 8
-
Leave the tour to make your way home.
Other Information -
Every
Journey Tells a Story
A Globus Journey. When you travel with Globus, you get more
than the sights. You get the stories behind them that bring a
destination to life, creating unforgettable journeys.
Let Globus take you to places that expand your horizons and
encourage personal discovery. Experience a destination in a deeper,
more memorable way-the Globus way.
The
Globus Difference
Globus vacations are designed to offer you flexibility and choice,
plus a pace that best fits the way you want to travel. Globus
offers MORE included features, MORE quality hotels, and MORE
experience with more than 75 years of taking travellers on
unforgettable journeys. In addition, Globus offers MORE value with
an average price less per day than our nearest competitor. The
safety of our travellers and the richness of our vacations is a
priority, and it is what has made Globus the worldwide leader in
travel and a name you can trust.
With Globus, you visit the key sights, but, more importantly, you
learn the stories behind the sights-from the Sistine Chapel, the
Colosseum and the Forum in Rome, to the Prado Museum in Madrid and
Michelangelo's David in the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, your
journey is filled with insider's information unique to your Globus
vacation. You'll also enjoy many inclusions such as cruises,
high-speed trains, and Local Guides. We offer over twice the number
of included features as our nearest competitor, without any
additional cost to you.
Globus not only brings you the experiences that others simply don't
offer, we also ensure that you end up with more free time to enjoy
your destination on your own. Most competitors require you to take
extra optional excursions to see these important sights, costing
you additional time and money. And, if you don't join their
excursion, you'll spend most of your time waiting in line. But with
Globus, these sights are already included, freeing up the remainder
of your time to enjoy independent activities.
Leave all the details to us. We provide a Tour Director,
comfortable transportation, many meals, a rich sightseeing
programme and much more!
Accurate,
detailed tour descriptions -
Read our tour descriptions and you'll understand the true value
of our tours. The agenda for each day is spelled out so that you
know exactly what is included in the price. Inside visits are
spelled out in UPPERCASE. With Globus you don't have to guess.
Compare what we give you in a tour with what other companies
offer-and then compare prices. You'll see why knowledgeable
travelers consider Globus vacations the best value on the market
with even more savings in the off season.
Saving Options -
Various reductions are possible: group reduction, child reduction,
triple room reduction, multiple tour reduction
Discount
for young tour members
Share the pleasure
of a Globus tour with your children and grandchildren and take
advantage of a 10 percent discount on the land-only price. For
eligibility, children must be under 18 years old on the departure
date, and must be accompanied by an adult.
On escorted tours we do not accept children under eight years old
because we've found that they are too young to enjoy these
vacations.
On Monograms-Independent Vacations there is no age
restriction.
New! For
Monograms-Independent Vacations the following land only discounts
apply:
- Free of charge: infants under 2 years of age sharing adult's
accommodation
- 50% discount: under 12 years of age when sharing accommodation
with two adults
- 10% discount: under 18 years of age
Note: We recommend that children under 12 years of age share
accommodation with an adult.
Triple room
reduction
On most Globus tours you receive a reduction when three people
travel together and share the same accommodation. Triple room
reductions are listed on the tour pages. A word of caution: Triple
rooms usually are not larger than twin rooms, and the third bed, if
there is one, is often a rollaway put in a twin-bedded room for the
night.
Avoid the
single room supplement
Single rooms are expensive and often are quite small. We do not
take reservations on a "share" basis because we have found that
strangers rarely enjoy sharing a room for the duration of a
vacation. Sidestep the single room supplement by travelling with a
friend. It's less expensive and much more fun!
Pay less for
your second tour
We charge you list price for your first vacation in 2007, but
for every additional Globus vacation that you take in the same
year, you pay US$35 under list. It's fun to combine vacations to
make the perfect trip, or ask your travel agent for suggestions.
This discount does not apply if one of the vacations is a single
city stay Monograms vacation.
Consecutive vacations can be booked with or without transatlantic
flights. Any intra-European flights between vacations cannot be
reserved as part of the Globus package. Please ask your travel
agent to reserve and ticket such flights for you.
Save by
forming your own group
If you form your own group, you'll receive the following rebates
on the land arrangement of your tour. On vacations to Mexico and
vacations including a cruise of three or more nights, one person
travels free in a group of 32; while one person travels at half
price in a group of 16. On River Cruise Vacations, one person
travels free in a group of 16.
On all other tours, one person travels free in a group of 16; one
person travels at half price in a group of eight.
These rebates are applicable to land-only prices (not air-inclusive
prices). Free and half-price land arrangements are credited at the
twin rate; single room supplements have to be paid in full.
Tour conditions for group bookings may differ from those for
individual bookings.
Joining late
and leaving early
Many Globus 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 Consultant
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.
It's in your
interest to book early
Plan your vacation in advance, and book your tour as soon as
possible to guard against the disappointment of not finding space.
Many Globus tours sell out months before the departure date.
And remember, the moment we receive your deposit your land price is
guaranteed.
This is valuable protection against currency fluctuations and other
cost increases. So please don't wait. Contact your travel agent now
for a vacation you'll never forget!
Help Along The Way -
Professional Tour Director while touring, Cruise Director on
river cruises, Local Host services on independent vacations, and
hosts to assist you at airports and hotels.
Hotels -
Twin-bedded rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes,
service charges, and tips for baggage handling.
Globus
Hotels Set the Standard for First-class Touring
At the end of a busy day of sightseeing, you want to relax in
comfortable, clean, attractive accommodations. At our first-class,
conveniently located hotels, you'll always feel welcome and well
looked after.
We know that excellent accommodations are of paramount
importance to your enjoyment on tour. Our hotels--many of them
through long association with us--have mastered the art of handling
group check-ins and baggage speedily, preparing tasty and wholesome
meals, and balancing the need for efficiency with the desire of
each traveller to receive individual attention.
You won't be surprised with any hidden charges when you check
out of your Globus hotel. All hotel taxes and tips for restaurant
service and baggage handling are included in the price of your
tour.
Hotel
locations maximize your sightseeing time
We take extra care to select downtown locations for our
independent tours and for longer stays on escorted tours, when your
itinerary features days at leisure to explore on your own.
When your itinerary allows time only for a good night's sleep
between two busy sightseeing days, our expert contractors sometimes
sensibly opt for quiet residential areas.
And you'll be delighted with our choice of hotels in scenic
countryside locations. Wake up to the sound of cow bells, take a
morning walk in crisp mountain air, enjoy glorious panoramic views
of the majestic Alps or the Norwegian fjord country.
Superior
accommodation
Globus uses chains such as Crowne Plaza, Forte, Hilton, Holiday
Inn, Hyatt, Inter-Continental, Jolly, Queens Moat Houses, Marriott,
Mövenpick, Radisson SAS, Renaissance, Scandic, Sheraton,
Sofitel, Thistle and Westin.
The specific hotels we have selected for you are listed
separately for each tour. The vast majority of our hotels are rated
deluxe (D), superior first-class (SF), or first-class (F). In
overnight places where there is no hotel in these categories or
where our demand exceeds the supply, we choose the best available
superior tourist-class (ST) hotels.
Most hotels have amenities such as satellite TV, mini-bar, a
cocktail lounge, a restaurant, room service and concierge services.
Many also have a swimming pool, health club, shops, and dry
cleaning and laundry services.
Globus 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 Globus travel
documents you'll receive a list of hotel addresses, telephone
numbers, and fax numbers for your tour.
Transportation -
Including private deluxe motor coach with air-conditioning and
extra leg room.
We
offer many modes of transportation, from trains and motor coaches
to cruise ships and ferries. Each is selected and designed with
comfort in mind.
Coaches
-
Each Globus motor coach has upholstered, reclining seats with
headrests and individual air-conditioning vents. A high-fidelity
sound system broadcasts your Tour Director's commentary to every
seat. Our custom of daily seat rotation gives everyone a variety of
vantage points to see the passing countryside and city scenes.
Limited group size for extra comfort
The length and width of modern motor coaches is standard,
prescribed by law. The difference among tour operators is in the
number of seats installed and actually sold. While it is customary
to install and sell 53 seats, Globus installs fewer seats for extra
leg room, and limits group size to a maximum of 46 tour members.
The extra space contributes enormously to your comfort. For airport
and port transfers in Britain we generally use motor coaches with
53 seats.
Smoke-free coaches
For non-smokers and
moderate smokers an otherwise perfect vacation can be spoiled if
they are forced to inhale other people's smoke on a motor coach. We
therefore do not allow smoking on the coach. There are plenty of
opportunities to smoke during the frequent stops.
Globus drivers are experienced professionals
Globus drivers take pride in driving and in their vehicles, keeping
them in great shape and spotlessly clean. Your driver will help you
on and off the motor coach with a smile and load your bags with
care. Our travellers consistently lavish the highest praise on the
person behind the wheel!
Trains,
Ferries, Cruises and Gondola Rides -
Many of our itineraries include cruises, river jet boat and
mountain gondola rides, whale-watching expeditions, and journeys by
train. Experience the ultra-modern Eurostar train from Rome to
Florence and the exciting high-speed AVE train from Madrid to
Seville. In the Canadian Rockies, you might take one of the sleek,
ultra-modern BC Ferries or, if travelling by railcar in Canada or
Alaska, enjoy travel operated by VIA Rail ®. Other fascinating
Globus vacations feature cruises on the Rhine or Venetian Canals to
enhance your travel experience.
Ships
and River Cruises -
Globus provides the most spacious and newest ships from Avalon
Waterways. Features include unmatched luxury, fine dining, larger
accommodations and impeccable service. Whether you're travelling
Europe, Russia or China-on a Globus river cruise, you'll always
feel well looked after.
