At TourScoop , we specialize in offerings real-world, real-person advice about tours and tour companies. Here, I’m excited to give you the full rundown on Globus, one of the tour industry’s big names. Here’s everything I think you’ll need to know to decide if a Globus tour is right for you.
With nearly a hundred years of guided tours under its belt, Globus is both a recognized and dependable leader among major tour companies. But it’s in no way stuck in its ways—I admire how Globus is always innovating new tour types to match a variety of travel styles. In 2024 it introduced tours built for independent travelers and in 2025 it’s launching 50 new small-group tours that offer access to experiences and accommodations not possible for larger groups.
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TourScoop takeaways
- Countries: 74 countries on 6 continents
- Tour Size Average: 36 (classic tours), 15-18 (Small Group Discoveries), 24 (Small Group departures)
- Tour Type: Coach, sometimes with a rail or ship component
How to book
To book a tour with Globus, you’ve got a few options. You can book directly with Globus; via tour specialist online travel agencies like Travelstride or TourRadar; or through a travel agent.
Credibility check
Globus has strong credibility and satisfaction ratings.It has good ratings on Trustpilot (4.6/5) and TourRadar (5/5). It also is rated 4.7 out of 5 based on nearly 14,000 guest reviews on Travelstride.
Tour destinations
Globus offers tours to 69 countries on six continents. In total, Globus and its sister-company Cosmos offer 456 itineraries, including to North, Central, and South America; Europe; Asia; Africa; Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific; and the Middle East. Some tours include a single country while others have stops in multiple countries. Among Globus’ most popular tour destinations are Italy, Britain & Ireland, Greece, Spain, Portugal, France, Canada, and the U.S.
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New tours for 2025
Globus has more than 60 new tours for 2025, including 50 new Small Group Discovery Tours (more on that in the Tour types section below) and nine Globus Independent tours that give you the support and structure of a tour but are built for independent travelers.
Some of the new tour itineraries I’m most excited about include an Introduction to Armenia & Georgia, Norwegian Fjords Escape with Northern Lights, an Australian Safari, South American Discovery with Brazil’s Amazon & Galápagos Cruise, Exploring Cuba’s Culture, History & Colonial Cities, and Gems of Indonesia: From Bali to Java.
Tour types
Like many other tour companies, Globus goes a lot of places. But where it really shines is with its focus on creating different tour types to suit different travel styles. Globus tour types include:
- Small Group Discovery Tours: New for 2025, Globus is launching 50 small-group departures customized for groups of 15-18 to destinations around the globe. Since the itineraries are adapted for smaller groups, these tours often have special activities and excursions that wouldn’t work for a larger group, along with unique smaller accommodations.
- Choice Touring: Globus is the first escorted tour company to offer this sort of adaptive touring. On select stops on European and North American Choice Touring itineraries, guests can choose from three or four possible excursions (all included in the price). So, for example, while visiting Athens, you can choose a tour of the Acropolis Museum, a trip to the Temple of Poseidon, or a cruise to Aegina Island. Globus has seven Choice Touring itineraries.
- Undiscovered Tours: With its deep-dive approach into lesser-known destinations, Globus’ Undiscovered Tours are ideal for repeat travelers to a destination and anyone looking for a slower, more in-depth experience.
- Escapes by Globus: Off-season Escapes by Globus tours operate between November and March, and offer both better pricing (on average 30% less than the same tour during high season) and benefits like fewer crowds at popular spots. Globus offers 29 Escapes by Globus itineraries, mostly in Europe.
- Independence by Globus: New staring in 2023, Globus now offers a selection of independent city stay vacation packages (in Europe) and independent tours (in farther-flung destinations). This option offers the ease of booking that travelers get on a tour with the flexibility that comes with independent travel.
- Special Event Tours: Globus also offers tours focused on North America’s iconic celebrations like Tournament of Roses Parade, Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta, and Alaska’s Iditarod race. These tours include up-close views and behind-the-scenes experiences.
- Faith-Based Travel: Globus offers a range of Faith-Based Vacations that offer a chance to reflect upon centuries of religious history. These Europe-and-Middle-East-focused Christianity-based itineraries explore sacred locations in the Holy Land, Italy, Spain and Portugal.
Tour Guides
Globus Tour Directors average over 20 years with the company. Guides’ extensive training includes certification by the destination authority as well as proficiency in multiple languages, (including the local language). And most Tour Directors are from the country in which they tour.
Inclusions/Extras
Globus tours include nice hotels in central locations, all breakfasts and some additional meals, transportation, included sightseeing with VIP “skip the line” access with experienced local guides, and Local Favorites, which are unique included excursions designed to bring the local culture to life. Add-ons include optional excursions, flights with complimentary airport transfers, and airport transfers for land-only guests.
Typical Travelers
Globus travelers average between age 50 and 70. Trips average about 70% of guests traveling as a couple or with family, and about 20% solo travelers. The majority of travelers are from the U.S., and about 30% of participants are from other English-speaking countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.
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Solo Travelers
The single supplement will be waived for the first five single passengers booked per departure of select 2025 Globus Escapes Europe vacations. The company offers other single supplement waiver promotions on select tours and time frames when the opportunity arises. And Globus’ sister brand Cosmos is also offering a 50% off single supplement rate for select 2025 tours
Communication
Globus is big on communication from the first contact through your return home. Vacation planners are available by phone, email, and online chat six days a week.
Pre-trip communications include a Travel Packet that includes a detailed itinerary, schedule and flight information (if flights are booked through Globus or Cosmos), destination information, tips and guidelines on pre-trip requirements and preparation for the destination. There’s also info about optional excursions that can be booked 90 days or less from the departure date.
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Globus also encourages guests to download its Globus GO app with easy access to all tour components, including schedules, hotels, included features, destination information, optional excursions, interactive maps, and more. Trips are listed in the app 30 to 40 days prior to departure.
Loyalty Program
The Globus family of brands (Globus, Cosmos, Avalon River Cruises) offers a Welcome Back Credit for all guests. Each time you travel on a Globus family of brands vacation, you can earn up to a $250 (per person) Welcome Back Credit to use toward a future vacation.
The amount of credit (per person) on the tour price:
- $2,499 or Less = You earn $100 credit for a future tour
- $2,500 to $3,499 = $150 credit
- $3,500 to $4,499 = $200 credit
- $4,500 & Over = $250 credit
Guests have two years to book/deposit a vacation using the credit.
Private Options
Any Globus European tour can be turned into a Private Tour complete with your own Tour Director, private transportation and driver, and local guides. There’s an additional per-person fee (more guests drops the per-person cost) in addition to the published tour price. The private offering is available for groups of one to 24 people.
Every Private Tour includes all of the visits and entrances as outlined in the original published itinerary.
Sustainability Efforts
Globus has merged all of its sustainability initiatives into the Lighthouse Project, which focuses on economic, social, and environmental support projects. The organization supports dozens of specific causes within each category.
Health and Safety Practices
Globus has an extensive health and safety policy that includes enhanced cleaning of vehicles, ships, and hotels.
Family Companies
- Cosmos: Globus’ budget-minded tour company sister brand
- Avalon Waterways: The Globus family company that offers river cruises around the world
