globus 14 day tour of spain
Mar 11th, 2002, 06:57 PM
#2
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Yes, back in 1989. My family (parents, myself, and my sister) did the Spain and Portugal tour with Globus. Actually we have traveled with Globus many times. They do an excellent job, usually have excellent tour directors, you see a lot, learn a lot, and get a good overview of the country/ies.<BR><BR>The positives of taking a tour are that you have someone 'taking care of you', making all the arrangements, etc. You don't have to worry about driving, directions, finding parking, locating attractions, researching so that you know the history of what you are seeing, etc. The tour guides are usually excellent, very informative, fun, truly interested in making sure you have a good experience. The hotels are always good to excellent depending on the country. I don't recall the particular hotels on our tour but since it was many years ago, it is likely that Globus is using different ones. The breakfasts are generally buffets, some spartan but many are quite extraordinary. The included dinners are usually quite good as well. The 'optional excursions' offer a variety of activies/events for diverse interests and are generally worthwhile. <BR><BR>The negatives of a tour are that you are on a schedule and sometimes may not spend enough time at the things you want to see. Globus does schedule 'free time' into all the tours, however, you may have to give up a half-day guided city tour or tour of an attraction in exchange for free time. If you love shopping, the free time may not be sufficient at any given stop to explore everything in the area. Sometimes the mornings start really early (7 or 7:30 am - luggage outside your door earlier) and sometimes the days on the bus are long depending on the distance you need to drive. For the most part, tours attract an 'older' crowd usually in the 50's-70's range. There are sometimes a few 'younger' singles or couples but the group is usually skewed older. My sister and I were in our 20's for most of the tours and we were definitely the youngest. As in any group of people, you sometimes have the complainers or the ones who need attention and seek it in a negative way. Most of the guides are saints in handling these people but some people can bitch and moan (about everything) to the point where you wonder why they even left the comfort of their own home! They aren't willing to experience a new culture and expect everything to be like at home.<BR><BR>Overall, I think Globus does an excellent job and have enjoyed all the trips we have taken with them. Hope this helps!<BR>
Mar 13th, 2002, 06:25 AM
#4
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I went with Globus in 1994. At the time I was 16, so I was not involved with any of the booking/paying, etc. But I do remember it being a great tour and my family enjoyed it as well. We saw Madrid, Toledo, Granada, and Cordoba. Having been back to Spain as an adult, I think that Globus tour really was great - we learned a lot and had great guides.
Mar 14th, 2002, 02:47 PM
#5
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i went on a tour with cosmos, globus sister (and cheaper) tour company in 1989 when i was 12 years old (my brother and i WERE the youngest on the tour, but we made great friends with a few other teenagers on the bus and we still communicate!). i have to agree with everyone else. cosmos was fantastic, and i can only imagine globus being better. if you want a bargain tour- and just want to get a taste of europe... try these companies- they are really good! that way, you can see what parts of spain (or wherever you may be going) that you like- and you can always come back and tour specific cities that you enjoyed for an extended period later. the advantages of that- if you visit barcelona, madrid, toledo and seville, and you hated madrid and toledo, but you loved barcelona and seville, then you haven't wasted too much time or money in the cities you didn't like! does that make sense? anyway- i recommend them!
