Over 8 million happy customers since 1984
About Globus
In 1928, Antonio Mantegazza purchased a rowboat to take passengers across Lake Lugano in Switzerland, sharing stories along the way. His small but growing business received a nudge upward when he later won the rights to a local route for the Swiss national transportation service and bought his first motorcoach. This fleet of one grew over the following years as his company, Globus Viaggi, guided tourists from elsewhere in Europe who came to see the wonders of Switzerland.
The company soon added Italy and continued its expansion to France, England and other European destinations. In the early 1950s, Globus developed the concept of "circular tours," a more complete vacation package that served as the platform from which it launched the Globus touring brand in the U.S. a few years later.
Over the next few decades, the company created a new tour company -- Cosmos, which is described at the bottom of this page -- and added tour options around the world, including North and South America, Asia and the South Pacific.
Today, the Globus family includes Cosmos and other vacation brands and operates more than 32 offices around the world, carrying more than 500,000 passengers each year!
Escorted Tours
An escorted tour with Globus offers incredible value. Special negotiated rates on everything from hotels and meals to transportation and guided sightseeing are bundled together in one low price that's up to 40% less than it would cost to set up the same trip on your own. In addition, every Globus itinerary is created by expert vacation planners who masterfully combine the right number of must-see inclusions with an appropriate amount of unscheduled time allowing you to customize your experience as you choose.
Here are a few of the vacation-enhancing features that are included in the price of your Globus tour.
Tour Director
Relax and enjoy every moment of your vacation as your Tour Director oversees the logistics of getting from one place to the next. He or she will divulge intriguing facts about the places you'll visit and introduce you to local guides who give you a closer look at the cultures and customs in their native town or country. Globus Tour Directors are trained professionals at the top of their field, on a mission to deliver a hassle-free and enriching vacation.
Local Favorites
Unique, behind-the-scenes experiences that would be difficult or impossible to schedule on your own reveal the unique character of the regions explored. Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Alps in Austria, for example, or spend time with a local family in an Andean village in Peru. Take part in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony or check out a working coffee and macadamia nut farm in Hawaii.
Centrally Located Hotels
Staying close to the action makes it easy to see and do as much as you'd like on a Globus vacation. High-quality hotels are carefully selected based on their proximity to each destination's attractions. Each hotel used in the company's tours is also prescreened to ensure that the property has an attractive ambiance and can deliver service up to Globus' standards.
VIP Access
You'll receive privileged access to the most sought-after attractions in each destination. Avoiding the long lines will save time and allow you to more easily enjoy the most popular spots that lure travelers from around the globe.
Included Meals
Breakfast is included every day, and a few distinctive lunch and dinner experiences with the tour group are sprinkled into the itinerary. At all the included meals in Europe, Globus guests enjoy a complimentary glass of wine or beer or soft drink, coffee or tea. There are also plenty of opportunities to sample the local fare on your own, and your Tour Director will be happy to offer restaurant suggestions.
Motorcoach and Driver
The journey between stops often presents amazing opportunities to see new and beautiful sights and landscapes. A skilled driver navigates the route so you can sit back and enjoy an unobstructed view via the motorcoach's oversize windows. Knowing the transportation is handled for you lets you travel worry-free.
To get a feel for the Globus experience, check out the video below.
Globus Family of Brands
Over the years, Globus has expanded its offerings, welcoming three sister brands into the family -- Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways. Click any brand name to view itineraries, dates and prices.
Cosmos: lower-priced escorted tours with fewer built-in meals and activities and more unscheduled time; stay in quality hotels and enjoy the services of a professional tour director
Monograms: independent vacation packages that include hotel stays and transportation and offer maximum flexibility in how you spend each day; a local host will offer sightseeing suggestions and help you plan activities, but there will not be a tour director traveling with you each day
Avalon Waterways: upscale river cruises packed with inclusions such as guided sightseeing ashore and meals, beer and wine aboard the ship; Avalon ships are designed to highlight passing views with Panorama Suites that boast wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that slide open to let in the fresh air