Many travelers (and I am one) love the idea of buying airfare and hotels in a package to save money, but then hate the idea of being dragged along on an escorted tour with a whole bunch of other people to places not all of which you really want to see. Cosmos and its pricier sister Globus, among the world's biggest tour operators, recognize this and have come up with a flexible program for 2003 that combines more time in more cities for independent exploration. And this is not expensive. One of their best packages, for 14 days (12 nights), the Bohemain Rhapsody, can cost as little as $1,561, air included. And, if you book by December 20, you can save $125 per person!
The Bohemain Essentials allows you time on your own in Munich, Prague, Budapest and Vienna, with the aid of a tour director to provide insight and suggestions. There are optional excursions, too, in each package. This package includes airfare, transfers, lodging, motorcoach touring, 12 continental breakfasts, and visits to Munich, Nuremberg, Pilsen, Vienna Woods, Mayerling, and Melk, plus local guided sightseeing in Prague, Budapest, Vienna and Salzburg. Air-inclusive prices from New York range from $1,561 to $1,886, land-only prices from $999 to $1,049, depatures from May through October, 2003.
Another Essentials package is Jewels of Spain & Toledo, 9 days (7 nights), giving you plenty of time in those cities. Air-inclusive prices from New York range from $1127 to $1605, land-only from $679 to $699, departures from April through November. A third is for a 14-day Italian Landscape tour, visiting Venice, Florence and Rome, with air-inclusive prices from New York ranging from $1,775 to $2,041, land-only from $1,029 to $1,089, departing from April through October 2003.
There are Essentials trips also to France, Rome/Tuscany, Rome/Neapolitan Riviera, Russia, and Northern Highlights & The Arctic Circle.
Globus has similar packages, which provide the same kind of opportunities, the main difference being lodgings in higher-priced hotels. Both Cosmos and Globus offer other travel packages that include hotels, daily breakfasts, some dinners, sightseeing, professional tour directors, transportation, hotel taxes, service charges and baggage handling. The companies have had 75 years of experience, half a million travelers taking their tours on six continents (more than 60 countries) each year.
For more information and to make reservations, contact your local travel agent, phone Cosmos at 800/272-8482 or go to their Web site, www.cosmosvacations.com.