Globus vs. Cosmos
 

We are planning a trip to Europe this summer and are trying to decide between Globus and Cosmos. Has anyone had dealings with both that could tell us why the sizable price difference between the two and is it a case of "you get what you pay for" with Cosmos or is it a great travel deal?

Hi
You've posted your question twice, I responded under your heading
Family Trip to Europe.

Over the past years I've traveled several times with both Cosmos and Globus. Cosmos is the budget tour and hotels are often far from the city center. There are many more 'optionals' with Cosmos. Read the brochures very thoroughly--"We'll see ... " means a drive by, while "we'll visit" means just that. Brochures can be somewhat confusing unless you can more or less read between the lines.

Several years ago on a Cosmos tour in Ireland, our hotel was actually way out in the country and this was one of those nights when dinner was an 'optional' which of course included transportation into the city. Those left behind had to resort to a candy bar for dinner as there was no dining room at the hotel.

Actually Cosmos can be fine for those who are adventuresome and not aprehensive about doing things on their own. Whatever you choose, have a GREAT time.

I would recommend Globus. Just returned from Italy a few weeks ago and went with Globus. They were well organized. One word of warning though, with tour groups you usually move around alot and get up very early.

I wrote about this subject before. When I was in Biarritz a few years ago I helped an elderly couple who were on a Cosmos Tour find a toilet and a cafe to get refreshments. They told me that they were very disappointed in their tour of France and Spain because the hotels were FAR outside the city centres. They were not experienced travellers and I guess they were too timid to take taxis into town at night. They stated that when the tour bus dropped them off at their hotel in the PM they usually just had dinner and then watched CNN in their room. What a shame, but if you are younger and more intrepid, maybe you wouldn't mind taxi-ing into town at night????

Faced with the same decisions last year before a trip to Spain. Learned that they are parts of the same company, just as General Motors produces both Cadillacs and Chevrolets.

Here, directly from their own materials, I believe. I found it on a travel agency website:

What is the difference between Globus and Cosmos?

Globus:

Globus travels to all seven continents and over 70 countries, with five travel styles to chose from that keep pace with the way you like to travel. With the best Tour Directors in the business taking care of every detail and sharing their intimate knowledge of the world, you experience more in an enjoyable and memorable way.

Cosmos:

Cosmos has opened up the world to independent-minded, value conscious travelers. Our expertly planned vacations combine all the advantages of group travel with the flexibility of built-in free time to explore. Knowledgeable Tour Directors handle the details and bring destinations to life.

Bottom line: Globus=Higher end, Cosmos=Lower end.

By the way, I went weth Globus for the 16 day "Spanish Fiesta" tour and it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life.

Of course, our tour guide said that she had never had a group that bonded so quickly or drank so much, but that's another story.