Choosing the right tour operator can significantly impact your travel experience. If you’re considering Globus Travel Tours, you might be wondering if their itineraries and travel style align with your preferences. Having explored various guided tour options, including Rick Steves, Road Scholar, and Seymour Travels, I can offer some insights based on initial observations of Globus’ offerings.
One of the first things to note about Globus travel tours is that not all of their groups are designed to be small. While they may advertise group tours, achieving a more intimate experience with a group limited to 24 people requires careful selection of specific tour dates. Larger tour groups, which are sometimes part of the Globus experience, often mean a different pace of travel. This can translate to more time spent on comfort stops and managing logistics for a larger number of people, which may affect the overall time spent exploring destinations.
The pace of Globus travel tours itineraries is another crucial aspect to consider. Many of their tours are designed to cover a significant amount of ground in a relatively short time. For example, itineraries that include two nights in a location effectively offer just one full day for exploration. Stays of only one night in a city mean you might only have an afternoon and a part of the following morning, depending on travel distances to the next destination. Looking at a sample 9-day “Rome to Paris” Globus travel tour, the itinerary includes just a single night in iconic cities like Florence and Venice. This brief stay might not allow for a fully immersive experience in these culturally rich locations. In Switzerland, accommodations are often situated in Lucerne, which, while beautiful, is not located directly within the mountainous regions many travelers envision when visiting Switzerland.
It’s also important to be aware of potential extra costs with Globus travel tours. Optional tours are frequently listed as opportunities to see key highlights. For instance, a “Highlights of Rome” tour might be offered as an additional expense. Some travelers prefer tour operators that include these essential highlights within the base tour price, providing a more transparent and all-inclusive experience from the outset. Furthermore, tips for guides and bus drivers are typically not included in the upfront cost. Budgeting around 10 Euros per day for guide tips, in addition to driver tips, is something to factor into the overall tour price.
Shopping stops are another element to consider. While it’s not explicitly stated if shopping is a focus, it’s worth investigating if structured shopping opportunities are part of the Globus travel tours experience, especially if shopping is not a priority for you during your travels.
Finally, hotel locations can be a significant factor in your overall satisfaction. Examining hotel details is essential. For example, when considering Venice as part of a Globus travel tour, accommodations are often located in Mestre, on the mainland, rather than directly in the heart of Venice’s canal district. Staying in Mestre, as detailed on the Wikipedia page for Mestre, offers a different experience compared to staying within Venice itself.
In conclusion, Globus travel tours might appeal to travelers who prioritize seeing a lot of destinations in a shorter timeframe and are comfortable with larger groups and a potentially faster pace. However, if you prefer smaller, more intimate groups, in-depth explorations, included highlights, and centrally located accommodations, exploring alternative tour operators like Rick Steves, Road Scholar, or Seymour Travels might be more aligned with your travel style. Ultimately, the best tour depends on individual travel preferences and priorities.
