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Glacier Travel Escorted Tours

Escorted Tours

Escorted touring is said to have begun when an Englishman, Thomas Cook, took a party on a grand journey from Leicester to Loughborough in 1841.  'Escorted' tours - what we used to call coach trips - are increasing in popularity, providing a more hassle-free way to travel.  And the variety of destinations is out of this world.  Travellers can expect personal service, well-planned itineraries, good quality and well-located hotels while being part of a small, friendly intimate group. 

We continue to see growth of Escorted Tours as people understand the added benefits and value of touring.  Coach touring is not what it used to be. There's now a range of ways to go including luxurious buses with more leg room linking up with business class flights.  More than half of those taking  tours are coming back for a second, third or fourth time.  And rather than deciding at the last moment where their next holiday is going to be, many book up to two years ahead.  And we're not just talking about the oldies or backpackers, the travellers cross all age groups.

Here are some of our most popular Escorted Tour companies and
what they have to say about today's touring...

Insight Vacations says that travellers can now rediscover the golden age of touring.  John Boulding, managing director of Insight Vacations, says their company is in the business of supplying travellers with premium quality, hassle-free escorted holidays."Our entire collection is designed with our philosophy - a return to the golden age of travel - in mind which is what sets us apart from our competitors and makes us an escorted holiday company rather than a coach operator," she says.

Insight offers a variety of itineraries including: Discovery Tours, which offer a snapshot of Europe and is perfect for the first time traveller or those with limited time; Country Roads which is a specialist range taking travellers off the beaten track to showcase the hidden treasures of an area, including enchanting country roads, picturesque villages, towns and scenic areas.  Regional Tours pinpoint one important city or specific region of a country and Easy Pace tours are a leisurely stroll, spending two or three days in each destination.  See more of Insight through their videos at www.insightvacations.com.  
To see information on the Insight Difference click here.

Trafalgar Tours is part of the Travel Corporation, started by a South African family, who brought a tour by ship charter to England and then opened an office in Trafalgar Square.   It's grown enormously from there. With a mix of travellers, the tours are said to offer a relaxed pace, independent travel experiences and the European Expression option offers a more cultural experience with cooking or language lessons on the cards.  Trafalgar is an all ages company suited to social people, and about half again become repeat customers.  Trafalgar says on their tours people will see twice as much in half the time for half the price."We enrich the experience. That's what people are seeking these days. They also value the other things we bring to the table, safety and security".   Trafalgar also offers Breakaway Vacations for younger guests age 21 - 35 and a "Roommate Matching Service" for those traveling alone.

The perception of coach touring being for the elderly is increasingly out of step with the reality of Trafalgar's travellers. Over a third of passengers are under the age of 50, with 17 per cent under the age of 35. A snap shot of a Trafalgar tour group today would include a mix of extended families, couples, singles and friends travelling together.  Itineraries on offer go far beyond the traditional multi-country tours. Combining tours with cruises and other modes of transport also was an increasing popular holiday option. Clients choosing to mix and match a European regional tour and river cruise also were also on the increase.  Destinations like Croatia and Eastern Europe and Russia are experiencing a strong surge in popularity.  See more at  www.trafalgar.com.

Globus & Cosmos welcome you to their family of travel brands. For 80 years, Globus family of brands has been providing a variety of products that address the needs of today's diverse traveler. Whether it's a fully escorted, premium, independent, or river cruise vacation, with Globus family of brands you will get unmatched value and world-class customer service with every journey.

Globus' Panorama Tours live up to their name and are ideal for the traveller who wishes to experience it all. Many Panoramas include several countries in one travel experience.  Monograms offer independent exploration of the most stimulating cities. Aided by expert hosts you will soon feel like a local.   Regional Discoveries are Guided tours that go beyond the expected to provide unique opportunities to experience the character, personality and flavor of a specific region.  LeisureStyle tours are guided vacations which offer more leisure time to savor local culture, to discover and learn things that interest you, and explore each destination at a relaxing pace.  Cruise & Tour vacations combine the relaxation of a cruise with the cultural discovery of a guided land tour.  See more at www.globusjourneys.ca.

Cosmos is the more affordable side of the family.  For over three decades, Cosmos has opened up the world for smart, savvy, practical travelers. Our expertly planned vacation packages combine all the benefits of group travel with the flexibility of independent free time to create a balanced experience for each and every traveler. Our friendly, knowlegeable Tour Directors make every destination come to life and offer a wide variety of optional activities to heighten your enjoyment.
Each trip is packaged to include all the must see sights, transportation, accommodations, a tour director and ample time on your own. At Cosmos, we've refined the concept of affordable travel to ensure that the journeys you take will be as priceless as the memories you make.  See more at www.cosmosvacations.ca.

Collette Tours - Since 1918, Collette has been creating extraordinary vacation experiences for travelers around the world.  Family owned and run we truly value our independence and strive to create tours that are that little bit different.  Your tour is an investment of your time and money. That's why, at Collette, we take planning tours seriously. With nearly nine decades in travel we have built relationships around the world that allow us to offer superb tours at great value for your money. We are committed to offering safe, quality tours using unique itineraries that really capture the flavour of the destination. Collette tours include quality, centrally located hotels, most meals, exciting entertainment and included excursions, that are often optional with most other tour operators. Our tours are escorted throughout by our friendly, knowledgeable Collette Tour Managers who are on hand to make sure that you have the best possible vacation. Many tours include multiple night stays creating a leisurely pace to our itineraries.  For complete information www.collettevacations.com.

Contiki Holidays is the worldwide leader in vacations for 18-35 year-olds. For over 40 years, Contiki Holidays has been taking travelers around the world and offering them an unforgettable travel experience. Our tours have been individually created to include a mix of sightseeing, free time, culture, socializing and adventure. Regardless of your destination or traveling style, Contiki is committed to providing you with an amazing trip at an affordable price.  From From Australia to Switzerland, the United States to Russia and everything in between – Contiki can get you inside 32 of the world’s most intriguing countries.Australia to Switzerland, the United States to Russia and everything in between – Contiki can get you inside 32 of the world’s most intriguing countries. 

If you’re on the look-out for a life-changing adventure Contiki is the must-have travel companion you can’t leave home without.For over 45 years, young travellers have trusted us to show them the world and make their dreams come true.We’ve watched people conquer their fears, try something new, learn a different language and embrace exotic cultures.But, most importantly, we’ve also seen complete strangers become friends and unlikely couples fall in love.We don’t just offer a destination, we guarantee an experience.  For more information view www.contiki.com. 

Value, not price, is the ticket on Escorted Tours....

 

No one books an Escorted Tour without checking the price.  Once you have chosen a destination, and we have provided you with brochures, here are some of the things we consider as we discuss the vacation best suited to you.

Value is what we should seek, not simply the lowest price. That requires a comparison of the brochures. Look at the content, not only at what's included but at what's not.

Watch for phrases as "opportunity to see.''.  It doesn't mean something is included. It probably means you'd have to use your free time and do it on your own. Unscheduled time is targeted for the selling of optional tours. These can add many hundreds of dollars to the total trip cost.

Pace is important.  In fact, it's often more important than price.  Escorted tour operators, use such terms as "leisurely,'' "comfortable'' or "lively.''  Look for a description of the pace of each tour. 

Check is the number of times you spend more than one night in the same hotel. The more crowded the itinerary, the more one-nighters. That means extra time for checking in, unpacking and familiarizing yourself with your new surroundings.

Travel time takes big bites out of an itinerary. You spend a day flying from Canada to your first overseas stop, and a day getting home. So if you buy what's advertised as a 10-day trip, it's really an eight-day one.

Scan each itinerary for references to free time. The shorter and tighter the schedule,  the more regimentation. Chances are you'll want, at some point, to have a few hours to yourself to browse in a market, shop or relax at a sidewalk cafe. To get the feel of the country, instead of just admire its treasures.

The value of your Tour includes reviewing the Excursions and Sights, the Dining options offered with your Tour, the quality of your Hotels and other transportation required upon arrival and departure.

We look forward to the opportunity to assist you choose the Escorted Tour for you and your family!