I'm interested in taking a budget tour next year with Trafalgar/Insight/Globus. Last year, I went on a first class tour with Trafalgar, and i'm wondering whether there's a horrible difference between the two, or whether it's just the accomodation. Because as great as the last one was, i'd much prefer to save the money!

We also took a 1st class tour with Trafalgar. We think the extra money was well worth it. Not only were the hotels better and in a better part of town, we had a roomy bus, an excellent driver and an excellent guide. Don't know if we were just lucky, but guides and drivers have to start somewhere and we think maybe they start with the budget tours. Also, old buses are probably delegated to the budgets. We plan another trip in May and will opt for the 1st class. The money isn't really that much different and we don't want to take the chance of having our vacation ruined. We know others who are sorry they didn't spend the extra money. You never know, I guess.

i certainly am not a world traveler; but i believe you get what you pay for in everything you do. hope you enjoy!

I know several people who have taken Sunbeam tours and thought they were wonderful and very reasonably priced. <BR> <BR>Check out where the hotels are -- you don't want to be outside certain cities, such as Venice or Paris, which some of the tours to and then bus you in.

thanks everyone

my girlfriend and i have taken cosmos tours every year for the last five years. they provide us with a room and transportation to the cities,but from there it is up to you to see what you can. we love taking local transportation and going out on our own so the fact that the hotels are a little out of town poses no problem. with the money we save over globus and trafalgar we do many more things.

My friend and I are going on a three-week Cosmos tour of the British Isles. We decided we could live with less than 1st class hotels when we discovered we would each save $800. I've checked out all the hotels we will stay at, and only a handful are not in the city center.

Hi Jess! My friend and I just got back from a Globus tour and we both felt it was well worth it to have the first class tour. Most of our hotels were at a great location(within walking distance to gelaterias)ha ha-but they were for the most part in the city or close proximity.They werent all that fancy at all, in fact I dont think I would have enjoyed it as much if they were anything less!At one of the smaller towns (Assisi)the hotel didnt even have a shower curtain or showerhead!!-and that was considered first class!!As said above, I feel you get what you pay for! Have fun!

Took a 1st class with Trafalgar in France and Cosmos in Italy - both this July. Liked being on my own and taking public transportation much like previous couple. Trafalgar hotels not in city center either but food better - see a more lengthly description in myu post " "trip of a lifetime." <BR>

Where do I find Cosmos Tours?

Ginny, I went to a Globus/Cosmos travel show once and I was told that you have to go through a travel agent. However, you can ask for brochures by calling 800-338-7092 or write to Globus & Cosmos 5301 South Federal Circle, Littleton, CO 80123. Cosmos tours are not always less expensive; check others.

My sister and I traveled with Cosmos approximately two years ago. We took a seven country tour in about ten days. We were disappointed because we spent most of our time on the bus. Can you imagine one hour in Lucerne? The most time we had at any one stop was four hours in Venice. I would recommend taking a first class tour. Maybe our mistake was trying to see so many countries on one trip. <BR> <BR>If you do decide to take a Cosmos tour, ask your travel agent about a money packet. Before we left the country, we purchased currency for each country, but it wasn't necessary. When we arrived in London, the Globus representatives at our hotel offered us a "money packet", which was a small amount of currency for each country. <BR> <BR>Whatever you decide to do, have a great time. <BR> <BR>Rita

www.globusandcosmos.com to see the brochures

Jess, <BR> <BR>I am leaving for a "High Value" Insight tour on Thursday. It's a 28 day tour visiting about 8 countries. I will report back to you which my findings. Good luck! <BR> <BR>Lauren