andya

We're debating between these two companies for a 20 day trip to England, Scotland and Wales. Which is a better option? Any comments on England, Scotland or Wales with either of these companies would be great (Insight or Globus).

qwovadis

www.affordabletours.com for all your options good personal experience wuth Globus in the past.Better BBB.org ratings
than Insight.Good not great experience downside stale hotel
food/similar lodging and EARLY AM bus calls with many folks
you do not know.For me was good not great ok for an overview as a newbie. Happy Travels!

mscleo

I have not personally used either one of these tour companies, however a good friend of mine did use Globus, and said that it was absolutely...okay. Not great. She said the hotel choices were disappointing and that the restaurants chosen for food was not the greatest at all.

For my first overseas trip I went to England and France with Trafalgar Tours. What I remember was that there were many people on the tour that I didn't know, and as Qwovadis stated, there were really early wake up calls for the bus. I also remember having very little time to spend seeing the sites since we were on the move so much. Honestly, I felt as though I was being herded around like cattle.

Since I was new to international travel at that time, I didn't know any better, but that trip convinced me to make my own arrangements from then on and taught me how to travel independently. And outside of one trip to Egypt and Jordan, I haven't used a tour company since, and I think I have experienced so much more than I would have had I been in a structured group setting.

Your experience may vary, and you may actually like to use tours, but for England, Scotland and Wales, you really don't need one. Whatever decision you make, though, happy travels to you!

Irishwhistler90

If you would like to read an in-depth description of a Globus tour of Italy ( gives an idea about what the tour are like ) my trip report includes a report day-by-day of an 11 day Globus tour of Italy.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...the-report.cfm

iris1745

We did a similar itinerary as yours driving. Started in London. Then took the train to Edinburgh. From there we hired a car and drove to York. Then on to Wales. Back to Stratford. Final night was spent near the airport. But we have had a good experience using this discounter that books both Globus and Insight, plus many others. www.cheapertravel.com

nytraveler

Am not a tour person - so can;t comment on these in particular.

Things to look for in reading the tour brochure (and do read the materials until you have them memorized):

Look at the number of hotel changes (each is a PIA)
Look at location of hotels (are they central or the end of hell and gone) and check the ratings her and on tripadvisor
Check out the number of very early starts (usualy bags packed and outside your door by 7 am)
Understand what sights/activities are included versus optional (extra cost or not possilbe)

"View" means see outside the bus as you drive by
"Stop" means a 5 minute photo op in front of something
Only "visit" means you actually go inside and see anything

Check on the number of meal included as opposed to "on your own"

Check for the mentions of "shopping" which IMHO is complete waste of time

Try to figure out how many hours per day you will be on the bus versus seeing/doing something

Frankly I would never consider a tour for the UK where individual travel is so easy

xyz123

Globus and Trafalgar are rated about on a par. Both are considered first class operators which in American terms would probably be a tad below what you might cvonsider first class although not bad. Early wake up clls yes. They all run tours of varying lengths in England (and Scotland, Wales and perhaps the Republic of Ireland)...20 days should be fairly well paced after all these are relatively small countries leaving a bit more time to explore on your own (there is always some free time on these tours).

The deluxe arm of Trafalgar is Insight whose hotels are on the whole somewhat better where the food is somewhat better on included meals and they have a dine around program. You essentially get what you pay for. Insight tours cap at 40; Globus can go somewhat higher. That being said, the Insigt coach is somewhat more roomier.

What you have to decide, of course, is convenience and having some of the details done by somebody else. It's great to know that at the end of the day you will be driven right to your hotel, your bags will be delivered to your room and you need not worry about finding a hotel in a strange burgh or worryng about parking or schleping from the train station or whatever but you do lose the ability if you see some quaint little town, for example, where the tour is scheduled for a simple lunch stop of staying longer. Oather information in this thread is very good and helpful.

latedaytraveler

Andya, I have taken many tours - all satisfactory with the larger companies. But I always prefer INSIGHT which is the little higher end of TRAFALGAR.

Personally, I would avoid any tour labeled "affordable" or "budget" because the hotels are definitely inferior.

Be aware that these trips include additonal "excursions" offered along the way for special dinners, shows, drives etc. Many folks are "shocked" that these offerings are not included. However, I have generally found them worthwhile.

Have a great trip...

nytraveler

It is true that what is often called "First Class" in Europe would be considered "Tourist" - 3* - in the US.

Elderly friends of my parents often take a tour when traveling to several places and they always use Tauck. These Tours are US standard First Class - and hotels and meals are generally better than less expensive tours. (Although they still generally do diners on their own to get better, more typical food.)

latedaytraveler

NYtraveler, I agree that Tauck is excellent but out of my price range at this point. No question, their hotels and meal options are superior to other tours.

worldinabag

Hi

I have used Insight twice - Turkey and Egypt. I would rate them as excellent. Tour directors are knowledgeable and professional, coach numbers are restricted thus providing more leg room, food is good and hotels are of a high standard. TIP: make sure you book for a Guaranteed Departure Date. This means the tour goes ahead irrespective of numbers. Otherwise they reserve the right to cancel. Particularly disruptive if you've booked and paid or your airfare already! Check with your travel agent to confirm GD.

iris1745

On the few tour trips we have taken, Globus and similar companies have stayed in the same central hotels as up scale, Tauck. Tauck folks stay in superior rooms and we stayed in standard rooms on our Glubus tour. No problem. Plus when we were on our only Tauck tour last year, Globus had dinner in some of the same dinning rooms as us. Not sure about the menu, but don't allow scare tactics to determine your trip. Richard

MarthaT

I just took a Globus tour earlier this year and I am taking an Insight tour early next year.
I prefer Insight and have been on 4 of their tours. All of the included dinners have 3or4 choices of apps and entrée. The food is good and local. Leg room is great on the coach.
Tour leaders are always buying local treats for the bus ride or even on one trip a dinner was included when it was not supposed to be. I have never had a problem with them.
Like quovadis I book with Affordabletours.com. They offer discounts on the tours and for repeat customers.

janisj

>>Like quovadis I book with Affordabletours.com. They offer discounts on the tours and for repeat customers.<<

Maybe so -- but quovadis hasn't posted on Fodors in ages. - The thread is 5 years old.