Wanted to post once more to get a little more feedback about some escorted tour companies. Have any of you travelled with Globus, Trafalgar, or Insight, and what did you think? I have done research, but there's nothing like finding out what people think who have used these tour operators. Thanks again for any info you can give me.

I have taken Trafalgar and Insight and they were both excellent...

The only one you mention that I have traveled with is Trafalgar. The tour guide was very good. The main thing I would check out is where the hotels are located. For me, I want to be city-centered if at all possible - usually depends on how much you pay for a tour. On one tour (cheap, not Trafalgar), we were stuck so far from the town that there was no way to get into the town in the evening without the tour bus, although I suppose one could hire a taxi.

We have been on a Globus tour and I have friends who have recently returned from a Globus tour. It was excellent. The guide was so very good. I would take another tour with them...as would my friends.

I just came back from an Italian tour with Insight. The hotels were all in the cities, except for one. The tour guide was absolutely wonderful, took care of every need we had, the bus driver was great....over all, I definitely would recommend Insight...however, since I have never travelled with Globus or Trafalgar, I can't compare them. But, Trafalgar is a sister company of Insight and what I've heard is that Insight is one step up from Trafalgar. Don't anybody jump down my throat, I don't know that for a fact, only what people have told me.

To my knowledge, Globus is number 1 rated, then Insight, then Trafalgar (I used to be a Travel Agent)..You will find that when you price out similar tours with each company...I have used the Low Cost Trafalgar, and have to admit that I was impressed, however, hotels were out of the centre...But by night we were so tired that we basically passed out cold, so this was not a problem..With Insight I recall the hotels were more centrally located.

Tracy B,

I'm planning my next trip (already) and I was curious to read that Globus was rated higher than Insight. Some of the tours I'm looking at are with Globus and was wondering what the difference is between Globus and Insight? I was very pleased with Insight, so if Globus is even better, I'll check out their brochures if more closely.

lyb I do not really know the answer to that...What do ratings really mean anyhow, it is all a matter of opinion...I don't think you can go wrong with either!! Happy planning.

We went on Globus's Italy's Great Cities tour in early July. It was our first-ever tour experience and we were very pleasantly surprised by how smoothly it all went, how much we enjoyed the tour experience, and how it met/exceeded our expectations.

I've never found any "ratings" of these tour companies, and my sense is that they're all mid-range (Cosmos is more bargain-priced and outfits like Abercrombie & Kent are top scale). If you've ever taken cruises, I've noticed that Globus pairs up with Holland American cruises on some tours, an indication that both offer very good, mid-range values.

We chose Globus and our tour package based on (1) itinerary (we wanted at least 2 nights per stop and plenty of time on our own), (2) hotel location (especially the Venice hotel--some of the other companies' "Venice area" hotels were in Mestre on the mainland, while ours was on the Grand Canal), and (3) price. We crossed paths with some Trafalgar and Insight tours at some of our hotels and they really seemed quite similar in terms of quality.

If you have any questions about our Globus experience, I'd be glad to answer them.

My wife and I went with Globus on two tours; one to Eastern Europe and another to Turkey. Both were fine in every respect -- guides, itinerary, timing, buses, meals, hotels. We would not hesitate to go with them again.

When I first started traveling I went on a few Trafalgar tours. I did not like the shopping stops at stores where they probably get kick backs.
Also no one has mentioned that the included dinners were always at the hotel and everyone was usually served the same bad hotel food. In my opinion.
And for me just too many people, so I have since stuck with small group tours and they work well for me.
On the good side, the guides and drivers were always great. The guides were very knowledgeable. And you could not beat the price.

Good point...when I was checking out potential tours I kept a sharp eye out for "demonstrations" (e.g., leather demonstrations, cameo carving demonstrations) because they're just a euphemism for "sales pitch." I also looked for tours with a minimum number of included meals. Our tour had only two dinners included, both surprisingly good and only one of which was at the hotel, and only one demonstration (glass blowing in Venice, which was really interesting).

I think that some people like tours and some simply do not...I travel both ways, in certain countries i feel safer being with a group, yet in other countries, I want to be on my own and explore at my own pace...However, anytime I take a tour, I make sure we have a week after the tour in a very relaxing place to recooperate from all the early mornings and rushing around!! But overall I think that they are good value and I really do love meeting all the people...

We have traveled Globus and were pleased. When comparing tours, in addition to comments like these, it was helpful for us to look at which hotels were used (how far from city center), what was included (in Egypt we were happy to have meals included, in another country we might want to explore more on our own). Sometimes listed cost is deceptive because of what one must pay for on their own.

You have to keep in mind you are on a Tour Not Vacation ! It is best to go one full day A head! Reserve the same hotel as the tour. You can do it thru the hotel direct. They may honor the tour rate for you .Or book it thru the tour operator ! Book the land only of the trip and book your own Air fare you can save some money and time. Tours are great to go to the must see locations and get a good overview of the lay of the land . Tours Also give you a great excuse to retun on you own someday . Also Great if you have limited time you get to see a lot in a short period of time. No lines at mussems or hauling you luggage all over. Another thing to keep in mind I notice from being on a tour. If you are on a tight budget if you do all the extra excursions it adds up .Remember tips for the tour guide they recommend $4.00 a day per person and bus driver $ 2.00- $3.00 a day per person (Cash). Also you tip the local guides the tour director is not allowed to give tours in some locations so they have to bring in local guide that work for tips. A lot of stops lots of tips ! you have to budget for ! so you looking at a extra $125-$150 per person for tips they don't tell you up front . you will see the Bus drive real should get more than the tour guide he is the one lugging you luggage and drivindg that big bus in the very small places . When shopping if you see what you want buy it the tour guide will tell great places to buy certian things they will be cheaper there not the case they get a kick back from that store and you may never see what you wanted again !Buy when you see it you will save valuable time and money.

We have done 2 globus and 1 insight tours of europe. Both where good in different ways.
1. There are less seats on insight so more leg room however the globus coaches have good legroom anyway.
2. More of the hotels on insight are in the cities, both tours groups use quality hotels.
3. The hotel meals were better with globus.
We are going to do a tour of spain and portugal next october and are looking for a tour company that is better than either globus or insight. whilst both companies offer a quality tour we are looking for the next level up, any suggestions?

Hi

We've taken two Insight tours and can highly recommend them. A couple of tips for any tour irrespective of tour company:

1. Have a good look at the itinerary. Don't make the mistake of covering alot of territory. Grab a map and work out distances between attractions. You don't want to spend a good part of your time on the coach - boring! We pick one country to enjoy a truly cultural immersion experience.

2. Check with your travel agent that the tour date is a "Guaranteed Departure Date". That means the tour goes ahead irrespective of numbers. Otherwise the company reserves the right to cancel on you. Very inconvenient if you've booked and paid for your airfares not to mention the disruption to your travel plans.

Even though the original post was in 2003, I'm glad to see this again. Friends have enjoyed Road Scholar ( http://www.roadscholar.org/ )--it used to be named something else and I'm having senior moment about it.

Many of Fodorites are DIYers but as I have gotten older, I'm happy to pass the ticket, hotel and driving schlepping to someone else!