Globus Tours

Can't comment about Globus tours specifically in Italy but I've been on a Globus tour in Europe & enjoyed it very much. Globus is a well respected tour company.

patty, I've never taken a tour with Globus but have spoken with several people that have. Be sure to read the "fine print" with regard to extra fees. In some cases, these tours do not include gratuities for the Tour Guide, Driver or local Guides, so you'll have to pay for those separately (this is one reason I prefer RS tours). Cheers!

As Byron said in his post, all of the Globus tours we have seen in our summer trips to Europe seem to have every seat on their bus full of passengers. I personally prefer a smaller group and empty bus seats that we find on RS tours.

When I see those big tour buses pulling out to head to the next destination I always think to myself that I'm glad I'm not on it. That's not just Globus tour buses but all tour buses. Tours can be great, but so is personal freedom.

I have been on one globus tour which included Amsterdam and Belgium with a additional side trip to Paris. The hotels were fine however Globus has side trips which are not included in the price. This can add up to 500 dollars/person on the tour.
I prefer the RS tour which is all inclusive including the tour guide/bus driver. In addition the RS tours have 24-28 people and the Globus tours run in the 40's.

Patty, read the Globus itinerary very carefully and differentiate between "visit such-and-such a site" and "see such-and-such" a site, the latter usually meaning you will see it as you pass by on the coach. Also, make note of how many "optional excursions" there are, each of which will cost money if you want to take part. Check out the hotels on the tour, google them and see whether they are away on the outskirts or actually in the cities on the itinerary. All that being said, Globus gives good value for money, if a tour is what interests you. I have been on several, always with friends so we had a good time even if we didn't like the guide or found some of the others on the tour obnoxious occasionally.

Around 10 years ago, I went on a Globus Italy tour. You will have very little free time. You will be travelling with 40 other people, not all of whom will be on time to leave when the bus is ready to go. There was a whole lot of waiting instead of having fun. Waiting for 40 people to use a small number of toilets led to a lot of waiting. The food was blah (hard to feed 40 people all at one time). You will be staying in hotels that are outside of the city of interest & that reduces your opportunity and time to wander about on your own.

When I was in Italy last month the only people from tour groups I would run into with spare time to explore were people from Rick Steves' group tours. It seems most other tours are driven from place to place and get little time to themselves.

patty, Have you considered taking a RS tour? Order the free Tour DVD to get some idea what they're like.

Patty, 12 years ago we took a 16 day Globus tour of Italy and Greece. We had a great time but as other people have said you are stuck on a bus with 40 other people. Our tour guide was wonderful and she really made the trip worthwhile. We decided to do a bus tour as it was pretty cheap and we did not want to tour Europe on our own. The downside to the bus tours is that you are in a different hotel almost every night. I got so sick of packing and unpacking that I said no more bus tours. This October we are doing a 9 day Med Cruise so this way I only have to unpack once. Hope that helps.

Dear Patty, I have taken tours of Italy and other parts of Europe, but not with Globus. However, I have heard generally good things from people about Globus. That said, I suggest you heed the advice of all the others: if you take a tour, do a Rick Steves' tour. This is a pro-RS site, of course, but I think you will be satisfied as long as you can do the walking. The RS tours are walking intensive. I prefer independent travel most of the time. I do like tours, too, but I am sold on RS. His are the only tours I will take from now on because the overall experience is better than any I have had with other companies. I have not done his Italy tours, but if it is as good as the others, it will be great. If you are set on Globus, please read the other comments carefully: large groups, things not included, and much time on the bus. I hope this helps, and happy travels.

Thanks everyone for all of your input.The monogram tours sound wonderful but I really dont know about all the strenuous walking..We are not elderly but we are not in our 20's either..Will have to research more..

patty, One note on the aspect of "being elderly" and taking RS tours. I'm 55+ and don't have much of a problem with the RS tours. I don't mind carrying my bags to the Hotel (even with stairs and no lift), and the walking even on "strenuous" days is not usually too difficult. I find the standing during local tours to be more of an issue than the walking. Despite your age, if you're in reasonably good condition you should be able to manage fine. Order the free Tour DVD to get some idea what the tours are like.

Hi Patty, a friend & I took the Globus grand tour (all of Italy & Sicily) and LOVED IT!! We took it at the beginning of the season (early June) and had a very small group. Lots of room on the bus, very comfortable, absolutely lovely Tour Director (she used Rick's Guides extensively--great job Rick!!) and gorgeous helpful coach drivers. Airport pick-up/returns very handy, hotels were terrific, lots of included-meals, tours were astonishing, enough free time to do your own thing, and a fabulous farewell dinner. Everyone on the tour got along together and we made several good friends. Like with most tours, the side trips do cost but do your research first so you'll know what the costs will be upfront; of course the tipping is your choice. For us, it was a trip of a lifetime. We highly recommend Globus and I will definitely travel with them again (in Canada we don't have Rick's tours as an option...something to think about Rick??)

We have been to Europe on four tours, two of which were Globus. The first Globus tour was the fall of 2009 the second was spring of 2010. In both cases our group was small, around 25 people. This was probably just luck and due to the economy. We usually pick the tour based on where we want to go. Typically the hotels have been very well located. If not close to down town they are on or near a subway line. In Paris we were maybe three block from the Eifel tower. Globus has rating for how active the tour is. The Scotland/Ireland tour was pretty busy with not a lot of free time. The general Europe tour we probably had the afternoon free about every other day, usually the second day of two nights in one town. Free afternoons make you available for optional tours. Rick is probably the only tour that has the tips for tour guide and driver built in. Our neighbors have done a couple of Insight tours and liked them.

"in Canada we don't have Rick's tours as an option...something to think about Rick??)" - don't understand that. There was a Canadian couple on my RS tour of Greece. For that matter I've toured with an Australian company (Intrepid - also no tipping) and a UK company (Explore! - ditto). Money is money...

@ Irene, "(in Canada we don't have Rick's tours as an option...something to think about Rick??)" Rick's tours are most definitely an option for Canadians!!! How did you arrive at that conclusion? Rick's tours are not sold through Travel Agents, so perhaps that's where the misinformation originated? I'll be embarking on my fifth RS tour at the end of August. On some of the tours I've been the only Canadian, while on other tours there have been one or more couples from Canada. There was a couple from Vancouver on my Greece tour last year. Cheers!

Hi Patty, In response to your concern re: the 'strenuous' portion of the RS Tours, I wouldn't let that completely sway you. Many of the strenuous days have long walking tours (1 1/2 - 2 hours) of each city. But, that usually includes walking for few minutes then standing for a few minutes, with continued alternation between these two. Then you usually have time in the afternoon to do your own wandering (which allows you time to sit at a cafe and relax!). Also, even when there are stairs/steps included, this is usually not for longer than 15 - 20 minutes at a time as you walk to your hotel or up to your room once inside. What I'm trying to say is that it's not 2 hours of stair-climbing. You obviously are the only ones who can determine if it's right for you, but I just wanted to give you a 'heads-up' that while definitely busy and tiring on some days, it's not usually exceptionally strenuous. I hope this helps you get a better idea of the types of days you'll experience on a RS Tour. Irene - as the others have said, I've had Canadians on tour with me, so maybe someone gave you mis-information? Have a good night!

Patty,
We took our first trip with ETBD when I was 65. It was a 21 day of Western Europe. I can easily say that I am NOT in shape. However, there wasn't a moment that I felt I couldn't keep up with the younger members of the tour. My advice is take a long hard look at ETBD. As for Canadians, we will be going on our second ETBD in September. Last time I looked I lived in Canada. 8-)

As a former Globus tour director, let me pipe in. It's very difficult to compare RS tours and Globus tours generically. Each has its own merits. How much time you spend on the coach depends on the individual tour. On a one country tour like Italy, you won't be spending days and days on the coach nor will you be moving every night. As has been noted, the tour brochure will give you an idea of how much free time you have, how much time will be spent on the coach, etc. The offer of optional tours is just thatyou make the choice of wanting to do something rather than having the cost built in. As far as tips to tour director and coach, yes, that is up to you. You are not forced to tip or give a specific amount. (However, tips do make up a serous portion of the tour director's pay so they will work hard for it.) You also have to ask yourself how you want to packwill you travel light or do you prefer full sized suitcases with bell service; do you like the idea of smaller, more family run hotels or do you prefer an Americanized hotel with American-type services and amenities? Whichever you prefer is right for you although on this board you could be attacked for not wanting anything the "Rick Steves Way." You brought up walking. RS does a great job in giving you an idea of how much walking you will do on his tours. With Globus, you won't have much strenuous walking as the tours are designed for people of all ages, shapes, sizes and fitness levels. Which one is right for you....well....that's up to you. Only you can decide what kind of vacation you want and what you want to get out of it.

I just returned (May 24) from a 2 week tour with Globus. My mom and I did the Italian Mosaic and I couldn't have been more impressed by this company. My mom (83 yrs. old) travels with them often and I can tell you to definitely pay up because it is worth it. The hotels are 4-5 stars and located in the best locations, the dinners are fantastic and were the side excursions. My brain is still sorting out all of the information we received. It was the perfect way to see Italy for the first time.
I have to say this is not a tour for the "weak". We walked a minimum of 50 miles with Rome being around 8 miles. (people in our group wore pedometers). So if you have ambulatory issues (hip, knee, arthritis, etc),health issues you may want to reconsider because this was an exhausting trip. You are up early and on the go. By the third day we were given a much needed half day to ourselves to get caught up from the jet lag. If you choose this tour do get out and walk before you go. It will make your sightseeing much more enjoyable. All sight guides were exceptional, our tour guide was fantastic. I highly recommend this trip. Wendy