Globus vs Trafalgar - Tour Companies Compared

Globus’ roots date back to Switzerland in 1928, when the company’s founder, Antonio Mantegazza, bought a rowboat to carry passengers across Lake Lugano, entertaining them with stories about the local sights along the way.

From that modest beginning, one of the world’s leading travel companies was born. Globus is part of the Globus Group of brands, which also includes Avalon Waterways, Cosmos, and Monograms - together they carry more than a half million passengers annually.

What Makes Globus Stand Out?

• All inclusive packages
• Balanced itineraries between planned activities and free time
• Centrally located accommodation
• VIP access (skip the lines and get behind-the-scenes experiences!)

Founded in 1928, one of the oldest in the business, they are well respected as a mass market all-inclusive tour company that provides great value. Want free wifi on your tour bus so you can google the interesting sites you pass by? Like convenient hotels centrally located and/or with special local charm? Globus' long experience has helped them learn what makes travelers happy, and they deliver at accessible prices.

Offering inclusive, budget friendly coach tours, most notably in Europe, Globus is a classic escorted tour operator ideal for those travelers seeking a comfortable and fun travel experience.  

Globus tours include mostly everything in their base rates, they choose hotels that are in the heart of a city (where the action is), allow a good amount of free time to explore a destination on your own, and use knowledgeable local guides -- in short, they offer the complete package.

Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Globus?

• Ages 50+
• Low and high budget travelers
• Those who enjoy slower paced itineraries

Globus tours are heavily aimed at active older travelers, particularly recent retirees and baby boomers in the 50+ range, as well as seniors. You have a desire to relax and feel at home, able to linger and appreciate classic sights as well as perhaps enjoy a cappuccino at a local cafe suggested by your tour leader. You don’t want to be rushed or hurried from place to place, yet are attracted to the benefits of guided travel - logistics taken care of and a guide to help keep the itinerary moving.

As a long-established, award-winning tour company Globus caters to both budget group travelers and those seeking a more personalized (and costly) travel package. And since you can choose among group, individual, family, or religious travel experiences lasting anywhere from four to 29 days, Globus tours appeal to a broad range of travelers. But their sweet spot remains middle-of-the-road ‘value’ travelers.

Top Destinations

Today, still family owned, Globus operates in 60 plus countries across the globe, offering nearly 160 different escorted tours to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the South Pacific, and North and South America. They are especially known for Europe and Canada

Whether you're looking for vacation packages to Switzerland or the best Thailand tours, consider Globus. On European motor coach tours, Globus limits group size to 44, allowing for extra legroom on the bus.

Globus Travel Style

The Globus travel style is relaxed yet comprehensive. Group tours are designed to allow for personal time to explore, but with many pre-planned activities, excursions, and meals to enjoy throughout your vacation. Groups are medium size - and can accommodate large groups of friends or families. You’ll have the opportunity to meet new friends and like minded travelers.

In Europe private tours are also available with Globus. for those looking to make this independent exploration possible to an even greater extent.

An attentive Tour Director is never far away on a Globus trip. Globus tour directors are locals, who have input over the itinerary, lend their unique perspective, and take you to the best spots for meals, drinks, shopping, etc. They are also knowledgeable guides, introducing the culture and country’s history through visits to major sites and attractions. Globus travel style is about combining the best of “travel like a local” with the best of “classic tour sites”.

Globus is not a luxury brand, but accommodations and transportation will be comfortable. Transportation is in large motorcoaches, equipped with wifi and large viewing windows. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

Why Choose a Tour with Globus?

Older active travelers not interested in slowing down just yet will appreciate the Globas approach. Globus makes amazing travel experiences reachable - for multiple budgets and styles.

Super adventurous and independent minded travelers may be curious to explore other options before deciding on Globus. These kinds of fully escorted tours aren’t for everyone. You will have some free time, but most meals, excursions, and activities are inclusions in the price - leaving you somewhat out of luck if you don’t want to participate in a certain itinerary item.

If you’re curious about group travel, other group tours provide more flexibility that could provide a more positive introduction to this style of travel.

Globus offers many great perks for larger groups planning to travel. If you’re a group of eight people traveling together, you are eligible for special deals and discounts; and if you’re a group of 20 people, Globus will arrange a tailor-made itinerary for you. If you are a traveler looking for value tours and prefer a specific travel theme, then globus has trips and tours that are designed accordingly.

Trafalgar is a name many seasoned travelers will recognize. A branch of the Travel Corporation, whose brands all enjoy stellar reputations, Trafalgar has been offering classic and affordable tours for over 70 years.

Trafalagar Tours - Quick Facts

Founded: in 1947

Group size: Large Groups, between 40-45 people

Mode of transportation: Primarily large comfortable coaches

Accommodation style: Unique 3 & 4 star hotels and guest houses

Typical age range: 50+

Single travelers welcome (single supplements are required, but often discounted)

Average tour price: $3,796

Top Regions: Europe, USA, Canada

Related TTC Brands: Insight Vacations, Uniworld, Brendan Vacations

Commonly compared with: Insight Vacations & Globus

What Makes Trafalgar Tours Stand Out?

• Budget friendly without cutting activities
• Comfortable, not physically demanding tours
• Largely focused on cultural immersion 
• Destination specific accommodation styles
• Strong reputation 
• Dedicated to responsible tourism - Founding member of TreadRight Foundation
• Good balance of free time and inclusions

Trafalgar is a budget friendly group tour operator with premium tastes. Their motto is “See the world from the inside,” - this is the place to come for culturally rich and immersive travel experiences that don’t break the bank or the back.

Tours with Trafalgar are comfortable, not too physically demanding, and offer the opportunity to meet, talk, eat and drink with locals. You’ll get to know chefs, artisans, craftsmen, historians, and farmers as you explore what makes each destination truly special.

Trafalgar has a strong reputation, having been around since 1947 - putting them right at the pinnacle of when many premier guided tour companies were established. You’ll meet groups of like minded travelers, enjoy cultural experiences, expertly crafted itineraries with local touches and experiences guides, while traveling in comfort and ease.

Who Will Enjoy Traveling With Trafalgar?

• Older travelers (but all ages are welcome)
• Families
• Mid to high range budget travelers
• Those who enjoy slow-paced itineraries and easy physical activity
• Those who favor historic sightseeing & cultural immersion over hard core adventure 

If you are an active traveler, perhaps recently retired, eager to explore the world in comfort, visiting a nice combination of unique local spots and classic sites, then Trafalgar could be a great choice.

Possibly you are new to group tours and packages, having been used to creating your own travel experiences at a younger age - Trafalgar provides the perfect introduction to group tours.

You'll have plenty of free time to explore on your own, for shopping, sightseeing, and meals away from the group. Optional excursions are available throughout the itinerary for when you want a bit more structure.

Families will also get a lot out of the Trafalgar travel experience. If you're seeking a family vacation and interested in introducing a new generation of travelers to your favorite country - but don’t really have the time or patience to worry about planning out all the logistics - Trafalgar could be a great choice.

While they offer many trip styles, suitable for travelers of all ages, their classic touch is popular among older travelers. Classic doesn’t mean old fashioned or tired - simply a bit less on the active adventure and more on the historic sights and cultural experiences. They have a number of family focused tours, as well as tailored trips for special interests.

Trafalgar trips are budget friendly, with most trips in middle to low range, including a “Cost Saver” feature that allows you to see more inexpensive trips broken down by ratings and cost clearly. They offer several deals on trips throughout the year.

Trafalgar is a British brand, so many of the attendees on your tour will be from the UK.  

Top Destinations

• Europe & the UK
• USA and Canada
• Australia & New Zealand
• Asia
• South America

With Trafalgar, you can find trips to Europe, USA & Canada, South America, Asia, Australia & New Zealand. While the destinations are widespread, Trafalgar trips explore the culture and their highly trained local guides take you to hidden local spots without venturing too far outside the comfort zone.

Tours in Europe and the UK are among the most popular itineraries, utlizing guest houses and even castles for accommodation! 

Their USA & Canada tours are extremely popular for outdoorsy travelers. National Parks are a common itinerary item, as are trips along the Rocky Mountaineer railroad.

In South America, Trafalgar travels to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Peru. In Africa, they go to Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa. In Asia, it’s Cambodia, China, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

And in the Pacific, Trafalgar visits Australia and New Zealand - some trips in this region are more basic when it comes to accommodation so be sure to read the itinerary carefully!

Wherever you go, you can expect high quality guides, unique destination-specific accommodations, and smooth travels.

They also have a number of religious themed tours, including trips that include excursions to Oberammergau, Bavaria. Once a decade this small town presents a Passion Play, and Trafalgar has had special access since 1970. The next time to experience this unique event is 2020.

Trafalgar Travel Style

The Trafalgar travel style is all about getting to know the culture through activities and connecting with locals. Their main tagline is “Discover the Good Life”. On Trafalgar tours, you get to experience the real thing in a safe, escorted environment with knowledgeable guides there to help with the language and provide historical and cultural context.

"Discovering the Good Life" encompasses perks like skipping lines and private access to classic sites; and unique experiences that bring you to places and among people you’d never have the chance to meet traveling on your own.

This kind of travel is local immersion, but not in the same way a 25 year old might interpret that idea.

Rather than bunking at hostels, going out late at night, and enjoying potentially questionable street food, you’ll stay in premium, centrally located and culturally significant accommodations - everything from bed and breakfasts in Ireland to hotels right on the banks of Norwegian fjords.  

Learn cooking techniques in Italy, enjoy private winery tours at French chateaus, and touring a small olive farm in Spain are just a few examples of the kind of unique travel experiences you can expect with Trafalgar.

Groups are large, typically between 40-45 travelers, a max of 52 on trips in the USA and Canada. Primary transportation during the tour is in large coaches, equipped with WiFi (with the exception of Alaska) and featuring large viewing windows - ideal for taking in the scenery as you head to your next spot on the itinerary.  

Most meals during Trafalgar tours are included. Trips often include free time during which you can explore on your own, with suggestions from your expert guides.

Why Choose a Tour with Trafalgar?

• Well known company
• Culturally rich experiences in comfort
• Many activities included, plus some optional choices
• All guides are expertly trained
• Large groups of international travelers

Trafalgar has a solid reputation, and they stick to what they’ve done well for over 50 years. They focus on the classics, providing a culturally rich perspective as you meet locals along the way. Their experience has allowed them to cultivate relationships around the world with local businesses - quality control you can trust for every stop along the trip.

Niche tours based on specialized interests are also something they are proud to offer. Trafalgar is where you go to have the essentials and logistics take care of seamlessly while you sit back and enjoy. Do note that these tours can be quite large - 40 people traveling together in a tour group can be stifling for some.

While they appeal to an older crowd due to their history and recognizable name, Trafalgar has an impressively well integrated social media presence. Trips on their site are accompanied by instagram posts from real travelers who have been on the same tour, using the hashtag #SimplyTrafalgar.

Old or young(ish), couple or single, traveling Simply Trafalgar inspires confidence, comfort, and enjoyment.