Understanding Escorted Tour Itineraries

Posted on Thursday, March 08, 2012

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.

Canada Tours: Our Neighbors to the North

Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2012

Do you love the romance of traveling by train? Then conside Canada tours or Canadian Rockies train tours.  Virtually all of Canada’s major cities are connected by railroad, so climb aboard and relax as you gaze at the scenic countryside rolling by. Experience the spectacular Canadian Rockies or take a trip all the way across the country on “The Canadian” from Vancouver to Toronto.  From practical to luxurious, there are many options to choose from, some of which feature gourmet cuisine, impeccable service, historical commentary and all with breathtaking views. 

Are you a city person at heart? Is it history and culture that you crave? Immerse yourself in one of Canada’s vibrant cities, where nature is never very far away. Hike an ancient rainforest in the morning and return to your five-star hotel for mouth-watering regional cuisine in the evening. Watch the scenery go by as you sip a café au lait at a sidewalk café in Montréal. Wander the quaint, winding streets of St. John’s, Newfoundland – North America’s oldest city. Experience the life of a Viking at Newfoundland’s thousand-year-old L’Anse Aux Meadows, the only authenticated Viking site in North America. Witness the pageantry of the changing of the guards at Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Walk the cobblestone streets of Québec City, the 400-year-old cradle of French civilization in North America. Visit the Museum of Man & Nature in Winnipeg, Manitoba. See the latest plays in Toronto, the third largest theatre city in the world after New York and London. 

Celebrate Canada in all seasons at one of the many year-round festivals, including Winter Carnival in Québec City, the Toronto International Film Festival, “Christmas in November” in Jasper or the noteworthy jazz festivals in Montréal and Ottawa. 

What will you do in Canada? Our near neighbor is unique and unforgettable, enormous and rich in extraordinary experiences. From the remote reaches of the far north to the prairies and cities and picturesque mountains and coasts, Canada is more than a place to take a vacation – it’s a lifetime of vacations waiting to be discovered. The hardest part is deciding what to do first.

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.

Banff National Park

Posted on Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Established in 1885, Banff National Park is the oldest national park in Canada, and is located in the Rocky Mountains, about 100 miles west from Calgary, Alberta. The park covers around 2,500 square miles of mountainous terrain, and includes many glaciers, ice fields, and a forest full of evergreens, along with alpine landscapes. There are also hot springs in the area inside a protected reserve, along with Lake Louise.

There are plenty of things to see and do while visiting the gorgeous park. A must-see is the stunning views from the Banff Gondola. It’s a small lift that takes you on a 10-minute ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. It’s a little expensive at $29 for an adult and $14 for a child, but it’s well worth every penny. Atop the mountain, you can relax, enjoy the crisp, clean air, and take in all the wondrous scenery.

For another breath-taking view and some good exercise, take a hike in Johnston Canyon to see some awesome waterfalls. The hike to the lower falls is only half a mile, and is even fully accessible by wheelchair. To the upper falls, it’s only another mile from the lower ones, and it’s definitely worth it. It’s even set up to be hiked during the winter- just be sure to wear suitable footwear.

After a chilly hike, you’re probably going to want to warm up. The Upper Hot Springs Pool is the perfect place to do just that, and they’re open daily, year-round. They keep the water temperature at a relaxing 98 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, the prices are decent ($7.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors and children, or $22 per family), and they even have swimsuits and towels for rent at around $2 each. Inside you’ll find the Upper Hot Springs Spa. The spa’s services include aromatherapy, a steam room, and massage.

If you’re looking to stay a few days in the park (and I strongly recommend you do!), the Skoki Lodge is a great place to stay the night. Skoki is a homey ski lodge that’s right off the trail that goes from Lake Louise to the Skoki Valley, and it’s the perfect destination for all hikers. It’s a friendly little place with all sorts of cozy spots for you to hang around in, including a stocked library with a wood-burning stove and comfy couches to lounge on while you read. There’s a daily afternoon tea, and also build-yourself gourmet lunch buffets set up right after breakfast, great for making yourself a picnic lunch to take along. Another staple food is GORP, which is a trail mix known as ‘good old raisins and peanuts’, but can be made with just about anything.

Yoho National Park Canada

Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Yoho National Park is located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains in British Columbia, Canada. The park is bordered by two other national parks, being Banff National Park and Kootenay National Park, and it covers an area of 507 square miles. The park was originally established in 1886, and is celebrating 125 years this year. The park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Yoho National Park is known for its gorgeous scenery, lush forests, stunning waterfalls, the Natural Bridge (which was carved of solid rock by the Kicking Horse River), and for the Spiral Tunnels. Yoho is also known for being the site of one of the world’s most important fossil discoveries, the Burgess Shale.

The Burgess Shale Formation holds the fossils of over 120 marine animal species that date back to over 500 million years ago. The Burgess Shale World Heritage Site is now merged with the bigger Canadian Rocky Mountains Parks World Heritage Site with the area’s four national parks and three provincial parks.

There are plenty of things to do at Yoho National Park besides just sightseeing. You can go camping in one of 297 sites available. You can also go kayaking, rafting, canoeing, and fishing in Kicking Horse River, Emerald Lake or Lake O’Hara. The lakes are known for their brilliant, deep turquoise color, due to the silt brought down by streams from glaciers. There are also many places to go hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, and cross-country skiing. There is over 400km of hiking trails, and you can ride horses and bikes on the numerous trails throughout the park.

There are three different waterfalls to visit at Yoho National Park. The falls are Takakkaw Falls, Laughing Falls, and Wapta Falls. Takakkaw Falls is Canada’s second-highest waterfall, which cascades 1,246 feet in two drops, and it has a freefall of 833 feet. There is a picnic area nearby where you can enjoy lunch and drink in the stunning scenery. Laughing Falls tumbles 98 feet down from Little Yoho Valley, and there is a back-country campground there, where you can enjoy the sounds of the falls as you fall asleep. Wapta Falls is a 30-minute hike away from the Trans-Canada Highway, and is one of Yoho’s largest of the falls. Wapta Falls is on the Kicking Horse River.

Another of Yoho’s most notable features is the Spiral Railway Tunnels. The two tunnels were built in order to increase the length of the tracks in its rise of the pass, making it much more easier to make the climb to the top. There used to be a pedestrian walkway at the tunnels’ viewpoint on the Trans-Canada Highway, but due to the danger of the structure’s possible collapse, it was closed in 2000, and there hasn’t been any further notice of a reopening. There is still an overlook on the highway between Field and the pass’ summit where the tunnels are visible from.

There are many different fees required at Yoho National Park for the different activities. For daily entry fees, it is $4.90 for youths (ages 6 to 16), $9.80 for adults (17 to 64), $8.30 for seniors (65 or older), or $19.60 for a family or group. For one-night camping, it’s $21.50 at Hoodoo Creek (the washroom buildings only have toilets). At Kicking Horse, it’s $27.40 (the washrooms have toilets and showers). At both Takakkaw Falls and Monarch (walk-in, primitive), it’s $17.50. For fire permits, a campsite day use permit, and the dump station, it is $8.80 for each. For a fishing permit, it is $9.80 daily, or $34.30 for an annual permit. For public transit to the Lake O’Hara area and back, it is $7.30 for youths and $14.70 for adults. For more information on tickets and purchase, please visit http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/bc/yoho/index.aspx.