I have not been on a Cosmos Tour. I have, however, been on one economy tour (EF Tours) and three great Rick Steves' tours.

There is a vast difference between these two types of tours. Among other things, our economy tour had 48 people, poor-quality food, and accommodations about an hour from the cities. It was exhausting. I will not be going on an economy tour again.

I was, however, happy to find a tour company that is perfect for me.

Feel free to contact me with questions.

I've travelled with Cosmos in the US, not in Europe. Here it's not only the "golden" age - as Cosmos is a budget company, we had young people and people who don't want to learn to drive on the right side just for vacations.

Food, except breakfasts that come with the hotels, is not included. Hotels are basic, clean, safe, not in the prime locations.

I would travel with them in a heartbeat! They had experienced guides and drivers.

Well I guess it depends on what you want.

The hotels are often on the outskirts of the town and the food can be unappealing. Talk about damning with faint praise. Either one of those would convince me NOT to take a tour.

I go on vacation to be in the center of a city where I can easily walk to major sights. And good food - not all fine dining - but good food is an absolute mandatory. I don't eat unappealing food at home - why should I do it when spending my valuable time/money on vacation?

Perhaps it's because my vacation time is limited - but I don;t want to waste any of it on a mediocre experience.

Much easier/more pleasant to plan a trip yourself, get exactly what you want - and make your valuable time more enjoyable - and your money go further.

I have taken Cosmos tours and more upscale tours. I'm not convinced that the more upscale tours are any better. To me, the most important aspect of an escorted tour is the quality of the tour guide, and they have been both very good and mediocre on Cosmos tours, but not necessarily any better on the upscale tours. You takes your chances . . . I base my choice mostly on the exact itinerary of the tour and a very careful reading of what is and is not included in the tour.

I've travelled extensively over many years and I've done it every way possible. In my younger years I travelled independently around the USA, England and parts of Europe with a friend, I travelled independently through India, Nepal and South East Asia with a girlfriend and I travelled alone around Australia. I took an 11 week tour from London to Kathmandu, I did 5 week camping tours of Russia and Scandinavia and a 5 week camping tour of Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Now that I'm older my wife and I did a 28 day Cosmos Tour in Europe 5 years ago and will do another tour in Europe this year. We've travelled independently in Aussie with my brother and his wife and on another occasion on our own.

I'm aware of the elitists that look down their nose at tours and the people who go on them.

Well folks, as one who has done it just about every way possible I can say that no one way is better than another. Travelling alone can be very lonely, on the other hand it gives a great sense of accomplishment. Arriving in a strange city at night with nowhere to stay can be both daunting and exhilirating. Travelling with friends can give rise to arguments as individuals assert their preferences, but then it's great to look back on shared experiences. Travelling on tours allows you to see and experience many things in a short time. Also there's always freedom to leave the tour and do sight seeing on your own. Living in remote New Zealand means that trips abroad are few and far between and one must make the most of every escape. I've met some great people on tours and have enjoyed every one of them.

Hear, hear