Day 1 -
(Thu.) Make your own way to London to join the tour, either on
this day or day 2.
Day 2 - Arrival in London,
England
(Fri.) Uniformed Globus Hosts are available to help you make the
most of your stay.
Day 3 - London
(Sat.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous
landmarks: Knightsbridge with Harrods, the Houses of Parliament and
Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall's
mounted horseguards and Buckingham Palace. Highlights are a visit
to ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL and the ceremonial pageantry of the
Changing of the Guard, if held. Afternoon at leisure. (FB)
Day 4 - London-Brussels,
Belgium
(Sun.) Meet your Tour Director and travel companions and
transfer to the railway station to board the EUROSTAR TRAIN to
Brussels, proud capital of Belgium and the European Union. Your
orientation drive focuses on GRAND' PLACE with its baroque guild
houses and Gothic Town Hall, and famous Manneken Pis. Tonight enjoy
a welcome dinner at your hotel. (FB,D)
Day 5 - Brussels-Amsterdam,
Holland
(Mon.) Past Antwerp and into the Netherlands. In Amsterdam visit
a major DIAMOND CENTRE to appreciate how a rough mineral is
transformed into a sparkling jewel. Next enjoy a CANAL CRUISE, the
best way to see the 700-year-old capital. Afternoon free. An
optional excursion to the quaint fishing village of Volendam can be
arranged. (BB,D)
Day 6 - Amsterdam-Heidelberg,
Germany-Rhineland
(Tue.) A passing glance at the Dutch region best known as the
locale of A Bridge Too Far on the way to Germany. During
your break in Cologne, visit the awesome twin-spired GOTHIC
CATHEDRAL. Then the afternoon's highlight: a romantic RHINE CRUISE
past castle-crested cliffs, terraced vineyards, and trim,
half-timbered towns. Next stop is Heidelberg, famous for its
red-walled castle. (BB,D)
Day 7 - Rhineland-Lucerne,
Switzerland
(Wed.) A scenic day! Morning stop in the lush valleys and
pine-clad hills of the BLACK FOREST, renowned for its cuckoo
clocks. On the Swiss border take your pictures of the thundering
RHINE FALLS, then continue to picture-book Lucerne. (BB,D)
Day 8 - Lucerne
(Thu.) Admire Thorwaldsen's LION MONUMENT on your walking tour
of the Old Town and cross the famous covered CHAPEL BRIDGE to the
Jesuit Church. Afterwards shop for Swiss watches and choose from
our optional activities: climb a mountain by cable car or take a
cruise on the fjord-like lake. Why not sign up for a folklore party
with yodeling and alphorn blowing for a first-hand impression of
Alpine merrymaking? (BB)
Day 9 -
Lucerne-Liechtenstein-Innsbruck-Salzburg, Austria
(Fri.) Morning break in the pocket-sized principality of
Liechtenstein on your way to Innsbruck, Austria's Olympic resort in
the Tyrolean mountains. Enjoy a pleasant walk through its quaint
medieval lanes to Emperor Maximilian's GOLDEN ROOF. In the
afternoon take the scenic route to Salzburg. (BB,D)
Day 10 - Salzburg-Vienna
(Sat.) Morning stroll with a Local Guide through the historic
center to admire exquisite MIRABELL GARDENS, the Great Festival
Hall, ST. PETER'S CHURCHYARD, the monumental Domplatz, and take
pictures of Mozart's birthplace. Then travel past the Sound of
Music country to the Danube Valley and Vienna. (BB)
Day 11 - Vienna
(Sun.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide features vistas of Prater
Park with its Ferris wheel and the United Nations City on the
Danube. Pass the State Opera House, the Jewish quarter, and stop at
the Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Imperial family. Marvel
at the impressive courtyards and famous Heldenplatz, and visit
awesome ST. STEPHEN'S CATHEDRAL. An optional excursion to
Schönbrunn Palace is available. (BB)
Day 12 - Vienna-Venice,
Italy
(Mon.) Scenic Semmering Pass, stately Styrian crossroad towns,
Carinthian lakes and resorts provide the everchanging Alpine
backdrop to today's journey through the loveliest parts of Austria
to the northern tip of the Adriatic Sea. Tonight is your chance to
sample Venetian fare. (BB)
Day 13 - Venice
(Tue.) Enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT to meet your Local Guide.
Highlights of your walking tour are ST. MARK'S SQUARE and the
BYZANTINE BASILICA, lavish DOGES' PALACE, and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS.
Also watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects.
Later enjoy Venice at your own pace or join an optional gondola
ride. (BB,D)
Day 14 - Venice-Rome
(Wed.) A scenic drive through the fertile northern plains and
across the wooded Apennine Hills. A scenic drive through the
wine-and-olive-clad Tuscan hills, home of Chianti, brings you to
the Eternal City. (BB)
Day 15 - Rome
(Thu.) Sightseeing with your Local Guide starts with a visit to
the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for
Michelangelo's ceiling paintings and The Last Judgement.
Continue to monumental ST. PETER'S SQUARE and BASILICA. Cross the
Tiber and visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman
legions marched in triumph. Then time for independent activities
and exciting optional excursion possibilities. (BB)
Day 16
-Rome-Florence-Tuscany**.
(Fri.) Drive to Florence, cradle of the Renaissance, and follow
your Local Guide to Michelangelo's celebrated David in the
ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS, the magnificent CATHEDRAL, Giotto's Bell
Tower, the Baptistry's heavy bronze "Gate of Paradise," and
sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Also check out the shops with
Florentine leather goods and gold jewellery. (BB,D)
** Departures 0114-0408 and 1118-0406 overnight in Florence
instead of Tuscany
Day 17 - Tuscany-Pisa-Nice,
France
(Sat.) Focus on Pisa this morning for pictures of its amazing
Leaning Tower. Then a scenic drive past a string of Italian and
French Riviera resorts towards the principality of Monaco. Follow
the panoramic Moyenne Corniche and stop at one of the famous
PERFUME FACTORIES before arriving in Nice. (BB)
Day 18 - Nice. Excursion to
Cannes and St. Paul de Vence
(Sun.) Follow the glittering shores of the Côte d'Azur to
Cannes of film festival fame. On the inland route back to Nice
visit the picturesque hill town of St. Paul de Vence. Then a lazy
afternoon to dabble in the blue Mediterranean or stroll along the
elegant Promenade des Anglais. Tonight, an optional excursion is
available to Monte Carlo. (BB)
Day 19 - Nice-Arles-Barcelona,
Spain
(Mon.) This morning follow in Van Gogh's footsteps on your way
to Arles, where he painted more than 300 canvases. Your orientation
shows you the famous Roman Amphitheater. Time to stroll around and
browse through the shops. Then continue through the endless
vineyards of the Languedoc-Roussillon, stretching most of the way
to the Spanish border. Overnight in Barcelona, the proud capital of
Catalonia. (BB,D)
Day 20 - Barcelona
(Tue.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Columbus
Monument, elegant tree-lined Ramblas and Plaza de Cataluna,
historic buildings along Paseo de Gracia, the Church of the Holy
Family, a panoramic view of the city and harbor from Monjuich Hill,
and a visit to the Cathedral of SANTA EULALIA. Afternoon at
leisure. (BB)
Day 21 -
Barcelona-Saragossa-Madrid
(Wed.) Rustic Catalonian and Aragonian landscapes on your
journey to Saragossa in the fertile Ebro Valley. Stop for lunch in
its magnificent Plaza del Pilar. In the afternoon wind your way
through three sierras to Madrid on the plateau of Castile. (BB)
Day 22 - Madrid
(Thu.) The capital of Spain since 1561, Madrid today is a
strikingly modern city, the showcase of a country resolutely turned
towards the future. Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the
Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España with its monument to
Cervantes, the Parliament, Cibeles Fountain, elegant Calle Alcala,
and Paseo de Castellana. Then the highlight: a visit to the
palatial PRADO MUSEUM with its priceless art treasures. The
afternoon is free for an optional excursion to Toledo. Tonight your
Tour Director will suggest a typical Spanish dinner. (BB)
Day 23 -
Madrid-Segovia-Vitoria
(Fri.) A Local Guide will take you through EL ESCORIAL, the
stupendous monastery built by King Philip II, and the VALLEY OF THE
FALLEN with its gigantic cross commemorating the victims of the
Civil War. Later admire the famous Alcazar and a still functioning
Roman aqueduct in Segovia. Overnight in beautiful Vitoria.
(BB,D)
Day 24 - Vitoria-Biarritz,
France-Bordeaux
(Sat.) To the Bay of Biscay and back into France. Visit
Biarritz, an ancient fishing village turned trendy seaside resort.
Skirt the sandy dunes and swamps of the Landes region in Gascony on
the way to Bordeaux. An orientation tour on arrival acquaints you
with this historic port and center of the wine trade. (BB,D)
Day 25 - Bordeaux-Paris
(Sun.) This morning the high-speed "TGV" TRAIN whisks you to
Paris. This afternoon sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the
most famous sights: the Opéra, Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral,
Arc de Triomphe, and Champs-Elysées. For a bird's-eye view
take the elevator to the second floor of the EIFFEL TOWER. Tonight
a cabaret show might just be the ticket! (BB)
Day 26 - At Leisure in
Paris
(Mon.) Another day to enjoy what this extraordinary metropolis
has to offer. Explore the world capital of chic and style at your
own pace. Exciting optional excursions are available. (BB)
Day 27 - Paris-London,
England
(Tue.) Board the EUROSTAR TRAIN to London arriving in the late
afternoon. Optional evening outings are available. Overnight at the
hotel Novotel London West (F). (BB)
Day 28 -
(Wed.) Leave the tour to make your way home, either on this day
or day 27. (FB)
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.
