Globus Iberian Tour
Aug 19th, 2017, 07:16 AM
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Globus Iberian Tour
Thinking about taking the Globus Iberian Tour in April/May, 2018. Can we get some feedback from anyone who has taken this tour? Since the tour starts on a Tuesday, we are thinking about going to Madrid early, getting tickets in advance & attending the Sunday evening bull fights. Any thoughts on that?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Aug 19th, 2017, 07:41 AM
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Please note, 95% of the people here are independent travelers, so you will get few suggestions based on actual experience.
The bullring is called Las Ventas and is divided into ten tendidos. The prices will vary with how close you are to the action and whether they are sol (sun) or sombra (shade). Shade is more expensive.
The bullring is called Las Ventas and is divided into ten tendidos. The prices will vary with how close you are to the action and whether they are sol (sun) or sombra (shade). Shade is more expensive.
Aug 19th, 2017, 09:08 AM
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IMD & janisj, thanks for the reply & suggestions. This will be our eighth trip to Europe & we usually go independent with other couples, but we are getting a little long in the tooth to go by ourselves, thus we will do the 17 day Globus Iberian escorted tour(ZWE). i.e., Madrid, Segovia, Fatima, Lisbon, Seville, Tangier, Gibralta, Toledo & Barcelona plus a few rest stops along the way. Since we have a day in between after the bull fight on Sunday, I am thinking of taking a day trip to Cordoba - that seems like the only "highlight" city we will be missing.
Aug 19th, 2017, 11:11 AM
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We are getting older as well, and understand your sentiment. You are missing Granada and the Alhambra is one of those tourist destination that is genuinely worthwhile.
Gibraltar is a quirky place and is usually not recommended for a first trip to Spain, unless part of a tour.
Gibraltar is a quirky place and is usually not recommended for a first trip to Spain, unless part of a tour.
Aug 19th, 2017, 12:48 PM
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That is good and they will get the group the needed timed tickets. If you have some spare time in Granada, go to the parador for a drink which has a spectacular view of the Generlaife and the Sierras.
Aug 19th, 2017, 05:23 PM
#10
Spare time???
OP is talking about 11 locations in 17 days! There will be no spare time for anything. Less than 1-1/2 days in each place not including travel time.
Not a tour that I would take, sorry.
OP is talking about 11 locations in 17 days! There will be no spare time for anything. Less than 1-1/2 days in each place not including travel time.
Not a tour that I would take, sorry.
Aug 19th, 2017, 06:07 PM
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Joannyc
Your kindness abounds.
We have been traveling independently for more than 45 years and never gone on anything more than a day tour. We are getting older, and tours are becoming more of a possibility. We have been Europe enough, that it is the rare tour that would take us to places we haven't been, but we are considering them for Asian countries where in the past we have gone on our own.
There is nothing about a tour that seems appealing-including time spent at destinations, choice of destinations, choice of restaurants, etc. But circumstances have changed and compromises must be made.
Two years we took what should have been our easiest European excursion-a three week trip through Belgium and The Netherlands, two weeks with a car. Easy driving, many people spoke English, sites near to one another, decent to very good food and good, cheap, clean, safe accommodations. We were exhausted and in the past we could have sprinted to the finish line.
And we have always traveled with the idea-We would rather see a few places well, than many poorly. But....
Your kindness abounds.
We have been traveling independently for more than 45 years and never gone on anything more than a day tour. We are getting older, and tours are becoming more of a possibility. We have been Europe enough, that it is the rare tour that would take us to places we haven't been, but we are considering them for Asian countries where in the past we have gone on our own.
There is nothing about a tour that seems appealing-including time spent at destinations, choice of destinations, choice of restaurants, etc. But circumstances have changed and compromises must be made.
Two years we took what should have been our easiest European excursion-a three week trip through Belgium and The Netherlands, two weeks with a car. Easy driving, many people spoke English, sites near to one another, decent to very good food and good, cheap, clean, safe accommodations. We were exhausted and in the past we could have sprinted to the finish line.
And we have always traveled with the idea-We would rather see a few places well, than many poorly. But....
Aug 19th, 2017, 09:30 PM
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@ IMDonehere: FWIW, I think joannyc did the OP a service by providing her honest response. I find your response to her incomprehensible at best and insulting at worst. If you find that you are ready to switch to tours, so be it -- but be grateful for anyone who comments intelligently about the specific strengths <b>and weaknesses</b> of any tour under consideration. JMO.
Aug 20th, 2017, 05:45 AM
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The reason we come to this site is to get an honest exchange of ideas from people with different points of view. That is what we have above.
The bottom line is that there is a happy medium. We will spend 4 days in Madrid prior to the trip touring independently, to include a day trip to Cordova, the evening at the bull fight & 3 days after the tour in Barcelona, touring independently. Additionally, this tour usually consists of a morning tour of the local's highlights & the afternoon & evening free for independent touring.
But at sometime in one's travel life, age, safety, local & the size of the travel party dictate that a tour is the way to go.
Re three of the four above, we have reached that point.
The bottom line is that there is a happy medium. We will spend 4 days in Madrid prior to the trip touring independently, to include a day trip to Cordova, the evening at the bull fight & 3 days after the tour in Barcelona, touring independently. Additionally, this tour usually consists of a morning tour of the local's highlights & the afternoon & evening free for independent touring.
But at sometime in one's travel life, age, safety, local & the size of the travel party dictate that a tour is the way to go.
Re three of the four above, we have reached that point.
Aug 20th, 2017, 05:56 AM
#16
No issue with your decision to take a tour, but is this the right tour?
Before signing up for a tour I look at the size of the group, the general reputation of the tour leaders, the location of the hotels, the length of the stops and whether there are likely to be a lot of shopping ops and whether I am expected to tip the driver and leader.
I have not traveled with Globus, but nothing I have read about it leads me to consider it. In the past I have done a few tours with Rick Steves, whose tours score well on all my criteria, but you do have to be fit, travel light and handle your own luggage.
I am sorry you are planning to watch animals being tortured.
Before signing up for a tour I look at the size of the group, the general reputation of the tour leaders, the location of the hotels, the length of the stops and whether there are likely to be a lot of shopping ops and whether I am expected to tip the driver and leader.
I have not traveled with Globus, but nothing I have read about it leads me to consider it. In the past I have done a few tours with Rick Steves, whose tours score well on all my criteria, but you do have to be fit, travel light and handle your own luggage.
I am sorry you are planning to watch animals being tortured.
Aug 20th, 2017, 06:33 AM
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@ IMDonehere: FWIW, I think joannyc did the OP a service by providing her honest response. I find your response to her incomprehensible at best and insulting at worst.
_______________
Then reading comprehension lessons may be in your future.
____________________
Thursday's response is the civilized one. Not imposing one's arbitrary standards on others.
That is reason I rarely offer opinions on itineraries. They are usually contests between people screaming "Look at me Mommy, I have the right answer," instead what is best for the person seeking answers.
To many people here have the self-important attitude of an autodidactic oenophile.
Try reading what people are asking, before you give an answer.
_______________
Then reading comprehension lessons may be in your future.
____________________
Thursday's response is the civilized one. Not imposing one's arbitrary standards on others.
That is reason I rarely offer opinions on itineraries. They are usually contests between people screaming "Look at me Mommy, I have the right answer," instead what is best for the person seeking answers.
To many people here have the self-important attitude of an autodidactic oenophile.
Try reading what people are asking, before you give an answer.
Aug 20th, 2017, 09:28 AM
#18
I have nothing against tours -- In fact while in Peru (at the moment) I tore my ACL and doing my original independent travel became problematic to say the least, I signed up to join a small group tour (luckily they had room for one more making 12 total) of the Sacred Valley, Machu Pichu and Cusco. It was great not having to deal with luggage and such.
But the type of tour Globus generally offers - and this one in particular - are not the way to go IMO. UNLESS budget is a major issue and the larger 'down market' type large coach tours are what one can afford. A small group -- say 12 to15-ish allows for more time, more service, fewer up at 6:00 out the door at 7:30, a much more enjoyable experience. But that does cost more.
But the type of tour Globus generally offers - and this one in particular - are not the way to go IMO. UNLESS budget is a major issue and the larger 'down market' type large coach tours are what one can afford. A small group -- say 12 to15-ish allows for more time, more service, fewer up at 6:00 out the door at 7:30, a much more enjoyable experience. But that does cost more.
