Globus-Essential Europe Tour Review

Initial Impression

Arrival at the hotel was well organized. The initial group meeting was run smoothly. Our tour guide, Alex, was on timely, friendly, and professional. Right away, it was clear that Alex was experienced and knowledgeable. He provided us with helpful and direct information right from the start. He was clear about the importance of being on time.

The Bus

The “coach” or bus was very comfortable and well-equipped. Each seat had a USB charging port and a small table that was big enough for a laptop. Each seat reclined (a fter I found the lever). Our group had 36 people, which felt like the perfect size. There was plenty of elbow room and a few empty seats, so the ride was roomy and relaxed. The bus was modern, clean, and comfortable—definitely a 10 out of 10.

The Globus branded bus was easily identifiaable, comfortable, and offered many modern features.

First Evening’s Dinner

Dinner on the first evening was included in the tour package. It took place at a lovely restaurant and featured a four-course meal, consisting of fresh bread, fried zucchini, two types of pasta, and veal scaloppine. Drinks like soda, beer, wine, and water were also included. Dessert was a blueberry pie and was served in a group setting. The meal had a warm and friendly atmosphere, making it a great chance to meet and talk with other travelers.

Included Breakfast

After spending a week in Rome before this tour, I really appreciated the included breakfast. It was large and

The buffet for the morning breakfast was very impressive.

would have cost at least 15 euros on its own. Food in Rome can be pricey, so having breakfast included was a big plus and added great value to the package.

Day One: Off to the Races

It’s clear that being on time is important to both the driver and the tour guide. It matters to me too—and it should matter to everyone, especially when there’s so much to see and do. Since all the tours have scheduled entry times, sticking to the schedule is a must.

The guides for this morning’s tours were excellent. In Italy, being a tour guide is a licensed and regulated profession. The ones provided by Globus were just as good as the private guides I hired during my earlier visit. The guides, tour director, and driver all did a fantastic job on the first day. They communicated well and gave great information. Honestly, the experience today was on the same level as the private guide I paid 800 euros for the week before.

Each day before departure, porters would gather bags to bring to the bus. This is a great added service.

Day Two – Heading to Florence

Day two started with a big breakfast that had plenty of options for everyone’s dietary needs. We needed to leave our luggage outside our rooms by 6:45 a.m. so the porter could pick it up. The night before, everyone had been given a luggage tag to keep things organized. After a long day of driving and sightseeing in the

Florence from above is an amazing image and encompasses the entire cityscape.

beautiful city of Florence, we arrived at our hotel. It had a mix of modern and unique styles, but it worked well as a place to rest for the night. I did hear several other guest complaining about this hotel.

YES, that is a purple bathroom in our hotel.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that our luggage had already been delivered to my room before we arrived. That small detail made arrival much easier.

Even better, our tour director had already checked us in and handed out room keys, so we could go straight to our rooms to relax before dinner.

Later, I joined the group for an optional dinner outing. It was a nice evening, though the cost (88 Euros) felt a bit high. Still, everyone seemed to enjoy it.

When we got back to the hotel, I was ready for sleep—but it didn’t come easily. The bed was really hard, which I’m starting to realize might be common in European hotels.

Day 3 – Venice

On our third day, we loaded the bus at 7:45 AM and left the hotel on time. Raphael, our driver, handled the large coach like it was a scooter, skillfully navigating the narrow streets until we reached the highway on our way to Venice. After about three hours, we stopped at an Italian truck stop for a short break. One hour later, we arrived in the Venice area. Our tour director had already arranged for a water bus transport the tour group into the historic part of the city. These little conveniences are what make a Globus tour special.

Amazing images were everywhere. The weather proved to be cooperative and allowed for amazing pictures.

The highlight of the day was exploring Venice’s hidden alleys and taking amazing photos. That evening,

Globus treated us to a delicious five-course family-style dinner at a local Venetian restaurant. Before we could head to the hotel, the tour guide had to track down a few lost guests. Thankfully, the hotel that night was lovely and was a great way to end the day—especially after the previous night’s hotel, which many guests didn’t enjoy.

Day 4: From Gondolas to Glaciers – Venice to Switzerland

We hit the road bright and early, cruising out of Venice and towards the postcard-perfect Swiss Alps. After three and a half hours, we made a pit stop at a truck stop café — where I powered up with both a coffee and a cappuccino (because one just wasn’t enough). We had a quick lunch at a castle that looked like it came straight out of a fairytale.

We stopped at an old castle and enjoyed a light lunch before heading on our way to the next stop.Bonus: it came with a mountain view that totally stole the show.

Even though we spent most of the day on the road, our awesome tour guide, Alex, kept things interesting, with fun facts and stories along the way. When we finally arrived in Switzerland, the weather rolled out a red carpet of sunshine to welcome us. After a short orientation walk, Alex led us to our hotel, which was super close to the central square — perfect for exploring! Our luggage was already waiting for us, and the room keys were ready to go. The hotel room?

A classic Swiss image of a covered bridge. The temps were amazing.

Super sleek and stylish — definitely a step up from your average travel stop. I wrapped up the day with a little solo adventure, snapping pics of the stunning scenery during golden hour.

Day 5 & 6, Switzerland – Switzerland felt very different from the other places we visited before. It was clean, friendly, and full of natural beauty. The mountains, lakes, and ancient buildings made it feel like you could walk forever and still be surrounded by the beauty of the Alps.

Views from Lake Lucerne were amazing.

I chose an excursion ride on Lake Lucerne and was amazed by the incredible views of the mountains and all the greenery. Lucerne seemed a bit more expensive than I expected, and the people there seemed very proud of their city. I noticed that smoking is still very common and accepted in most places, which was disappointing to me as someone who used to smoke. Compared to the other places we visited, there was a lot less graffiti in Lucerne. The hotel we stayed at was great and in the perfect spot for exploring the city. location to be able to and explore the city.

All Aboard to Paris!

When I walked into the train station for the first time, I thought it would be super confusing—but it wasn’t as bad as I expected. Thankfully, Alex helped me figure out what I needed for the ride back. The high-speed train felt like something from the future—fast, comfortable, and full of cool things like Wi-Fi and food service.

The train served snacks and some basic meals. This is the “meal car”. Speak and comfortable.

When we arrived in Paris, our tour director quickly got us onto a bus and took us straight into the city. Some people went to the Louvre to look at art, while the rest of us got to explore and enjoy getting a little lost in the beautiful streets.

The hotel had some nice extras like a stove, coffee maker, microwave, and even a small dishwasher. The bed was comfortable and it provided comfort and a great location.

That night was full of laughter and fun as we got front-row seats to a show at the Moulin Rouge. It was an

The show was great and we had great seats.

amazing time with new friends. The show came with a three-course meal and lots of excitement.

A Day in Paris: Farewell

Paris in the spring, summer, or fall is truly amazing. Whether you're visiting the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, or the historic Latin Quarter, everything is beautiful and full of history. Seeing these places with a knowledgeable guide makes the experience even better.

Palace at Versailles was nearly empty the morning we came to visit. A great photo opportunity.

In the morning, we explored the Palace of Versailles. With fewer people and cooler weather some of the areas were less populated. The Hall of Mirrors was especially breathtaking. In the afternoon, we walked through the Latin Quarter and visited the newly renovated Notre Dame Cathedral.

The cathedrals exterior was still being worked on but a major portion is done and ready for visitors.

The day ended with a farewell dinner on a cruise along the Seine River, shared with the rest of our group .Bonds were created amongst all of the guests and the farewell dinner was a great way to end a great get away. 

The evening dinner cruise with a stop at the Eiffel Tower was the final farewell

Paris said goodbye to us by twinkling nd lighting up.

 Final Thoughts

I took this trip as a pure consumer. Scheduling with a travel advisor with the idea to “try out” Globus and other tour companies to see which company I would promote as I ventured into the travel gent business. I have decided there is no need to try any other company. Globus is my go to group tour company. They offer an amazing value for every type of traveler.