Understanding Escorted Tour Itineraries

Posted on Monday, October 31, 2011

Thinking about taking an escorted tour?  Here is a glossary of some common terms used in our itineraries:

Visit - Your coach will stop and you'll get to visit a specific site.
View - A brief stop and an opportunity to take photos.
See - Your Insight coach will drive by the site so that you can see it.
Sightseeing tour - A local city guide will accompany you on a tour of a city or site.
Orientation tour - Places of interest are pointed out, allowing you to go and explore them on your own.
'Why not see' or 'perhaps enjoy' - These phrases refer to optional excursions not included in the tour package, but are available for an additional fee.
Time to explore and discover - Free time on your own.
A day to relax - No planned activities; time for optional excursions or other independent activities.

Our tour specialists are always available to help you understand what is included on a tour vacation, so that you can plan how much money to budget on your European vacation.

NEW 2012 Globus Promotions!

Posted on Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Globus Europe Promotion

Save $800 per couple off the air-inclusive price on any 2012 Globus Europe vacation.

Applicable Tours:

• All 2012 Globus Europe vacations
• All 2012 Globus Religious vacations  

Disclaimer:
Book a 2012 Globus Europe air-inclusive vacation to receive $400 off the air price per person.  Booking must be made and under deposit between September 14 and November 29, 2011 for travel between January 1 and October 31, 2012.  Offer not valid with any other offer except Journeys Club Repeat Traveler benefit.  Applies to new 2012 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings.  Offer reliant on space availability.  Full cancellation penalties will apply. Certain government-imposed taxes and fees of up to $375, including a September 11th. Security fee of up to $10, are additional and must be paid by each traveler.Includes Israel but DOES NOT INCLUDE Egypt (TU, WUA, WSU, WAUA). Additional restrictions may apply.

Globus Canada Promotion

Save $600 off per couple onselect 2012 Globus Canada vacations.

Applicable Tours:

Select 2012 Globus Canada vacations—those that include Rocky Mountaineer:

• Spirit of the Rockies (CR)
• Great Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (Rocky Mountaineer Extension only) (CDE)
• Majestic Rockies Plus Rocky Mountaineer (CVE)

Disclaimer:
Book one of the following 2012 Globus Canada vacations to receive the $300 per person discount:  Spirit of the Rockies (CR), Majestic Rockies plus Rocky Mountaineer (CV), and Great Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (Rocky Mountaineer Extension only)(CDE).  Booking must be made, under deposit and discount applied between October 12 and November 29, 2011 for travel commencing through December 31, 2012.  Not combinable with other offers, including child discounts EXCEPT Journeys Club Repeat Traveler benefit and applies to new 2012 bookings only.  Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.

Globus North America Promotion

Save $600 off per couple on select 2012 Globus North America vacations.

Applicable Tours:

Select 2012 Globus North America vacations:

• Parks & Canyon Spectacular (AP)
• Parks & Canyons Spectacular (with Denver Extension) (APQ)
• Enchanting Canyonlands (AM)

Disclaimer:
Book one of the following 2012 Globus North America vacations to receive the $300 per person discount: Parks & Canyon Spectacular (AP/APQ) and Enchanting Canyonlands (AM). Booking must be made, under deposit and discount applied between October 12 and November 29, 2011 for travel commencing through December 31, 2012. Offers not valid with any other offer except Journeys Club Repeat Traveler benefit and applies to new 2012 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply.  Additional restrictions may apply.

Tips for Securing your Home Before Travel

Posted on Sunday, January 31, 2010

As you get ready to travel?

Here are some tips to give you peace of mind while you are away and make sure you do not make your house as a target of opportunity. These are some simple precautions from the experts.

• Be mindful of who is around when you are discussing your trip - there is no need to let too many people know or draw attention to the fact your house might be empty for a period.
• The best deterrent is to have someone housesit. If that is not possible, ask a trusted neighbor or friend to take in the newspaper, mail, and any other deliveries and keep an eye on the house. Give them your trip plans and an emergency phone number so they can reach you in case of an emergency. You can also arrange with the post office and newspaper to suspend delivery for the time you are away.
• Lock doors, windows and secure sliding doors (a metal rod or a broomstick in the sliding door track is an inexpensive lock), as well as the garage, the basement, and the attic. Some people even disconnect the power to motorized garage door openers.
• Move any valuables from plain sight.
• Check on your appliances, unplug anything that doesn't need to be on while you're away. Lower air conditioning/heating units to energy-saving levels.
• Set timers to turn on lights if you do not have someone staying at the house.

The Importance of Travel Insurance

Posted on Sunday, July 12, 2009

An unexpected emergency or mishap can turn a dream of a lifetime vacation into a travel nightmare. Travel insurance is purchased to give you piece of mind. The purpose is to save you money, protect your vacation and make your trip memorable for you and your family.

Services offered include services of 24/7 agent for any last minutes changes, pre-trip travel advice such as what vaccines are required, embassy contacts, weather and currency information.  They also offer assistance for last minute changes, such as cancelled or delayed flights, making hotel reservations or ground transportation reservations. Benefits include coverage in the event of cruise line, airline or tour operator default (financial default non applicable to all suppliers) Coverage for sickness, injury or death of immediate family member. Terrorist incident that results in loss of life or major damage to property, by any person

With a good policy, you receive 24 hours assistance replacing lost or stolen documents such as visas, passports or tickets. Cash advance for travel or medical emergencies. They can also help you locate English speaking medical specialists, facilities and assistance with medical evacuations anywhere in the world.

They will provide you with baggage and personal effects loss coverage, baggage delay coverage and luggage tracing services. They have a bilingual staff for telephone interpretation for medical or legal emergencies.

If you purchase your travel insurance within 15 days of making your initial deposit your coverage will include pre-existing conditions which applies to the first $25,000 of trip cost.

Whether a child gets the flu, or a close family member has a medical emergency, travel protection has a plan that will protect you before or during your vacation. The right kind of insurance is essential. It will provide you with peace of mind, medical evacuation in case of an emergency, baggage coverage, flight delay and flight cancellation coverage.

In addition to these services some insurance policies also provide a concierge service which is available to assist you with restaurant reservations, event tickets, tee time reservations and floral services.

This is only a brief description of some of the benefits and travel services provided. All policies and coverage may vary, and may not be available in all states. There are also expanded coverage plans that offer business related covered reasons for trip cancellation and interruption, and other that let you cancel for any reason.

At times it is best to purchase the insurance with the tour operator or cruise line as part of your package, where on other occasions you can save money and get better coverage medical and evacuation coverage. An experience agent can explain your options to that you can purchase the best policy for your individual needs.

Good travel insurance isn't always expensive. We have negotiated excellent policies exclusive to Atlas, where rather than paying by age, which can add up for seniors, everyone is charged a flat amount base on the cost of the trip.

Meals While Touring

Posted on Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Many clients wonder what the differences are when traveling with a budget, first class or deluxe tour operator. As we have discussed in previous posts, a lot has to do with the type of accommodations used, the location of the hotels, the number of people on the tour and how much is included in the price (i.e. sightseeing, meals, etc.)

Today our focus is to explain the difference in meals.  In most cases, on a budget tour you will receive continental breakfast. This is a basic breakfast of usually consisting of cereals, pastries, juice and coffee. Once you take a first class tour and above, breakfast is normally buffet. This offers the widest choices, quickest service and as much or as little food as you desire.

Budget tours rarely include dinners, and when they do, it is normally in the hotel. First class tour operators offer a combination of both hotel dinners and some dining at local restaurants. However, there is usually a limited menu. It includes 3 to 5 courses with a more limited choice of appetizer, entrees and desserts. We are not suggesting the food is bad, on the contrary, frequently the limited menu includes the chef's freshest market specials of the day and takes less time to serve.

Dining is a delightful and integral part of the travel experience when traveling abroad. Deluxe and luxury operators select restaurants that offer a true taste of each region you visit, and offer full choice of menu to include a starter course (hot & cold appetizer, soup or salad,) main course, dessert and beverage. You’ll savor a delectable assortment of classic dishes and regional specialties. Many meals include wine with dinner and at times entertainment.

Regardless of which tour you book, gratuities to the wait staff are included. For lunches and evenings that meals are not included, the knowledgeable tour directors can assist you in finding dining options based on your the type of food you want to have and your budget.