Episode 223: The Wonderful World of Globus

In  1928, a young man named Antonio purchased a rowboat to transport visitors across Lake Lugano, Switzerland. Who would have thought that this single rowboat would launch one of the world’s leading travel companies? In the 50s the Globus family of brands continued to enlighten travelers by showing them the very best of the destinations we know so well. The Globus portfolio had expanded from Switzerland and Italy to the French Riviera, Scandinavia, Holland, Belgium and England. Innovation was a key ingredient in this success.

Early in the decade, Globus developed the first “circular tours,” designed as a more complete travel experience and enhancing the convenience of motorcoach touring. Antonio and his business partner, Werner, also pioneered the concept of Grand European Touring by offering first-class European tours, which became the cornerstone of the company’s entry into the U.S. market in the late 50’s. Now with his son Sergio by his side, Antonio and the company continued its rapid growth. In the 60’s, the company launched its Cosmos arm, which featured affordable, value-priced European touring for the cost-conscious traveler. These coach tours were so successful that Cosmos soon introduced another form of travel: air holiday packages to the sunny destinations of southern Europe. Then in the 80’s, Globus truly became worldwide, selling in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Destinations expanded, too, adding Africa, the South Pacific and Asia to its array of vacations in Europe, North and South America.

In 2003, both Avalon Waterways and Monograms were introduced, adding river cruising and independent travel to the Globus Family of Brands. Combined, Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways carry over 500,000 passengers a year, making the organization the leading operator of guided vacations worldwide. We are so excited to have our friend Eric Kelly Business Development Manager with Globus  with us tonight to share with us more about  the many options for travel Globus offers and to highlight some of their newest offerings. Welcome Eric!

Would you like to take a tour? Let us know!

ElizabethSandyLauraDonnaLindsay

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Episode 222: Paul Gauguin & Tahiti

Launched in 1998, the renowned, 5+-star m/s PaulGauguin was built specifically to sail the waters of Tahiti, French Polynesia, and the South Pacific and is the longest continually operating year-round luxury cruise ship in this enchanting destination. No other luxury ship in history has offered this level of single-destination focus and expertise on a year-round basis for such an extended period of time. Designed specifically to glide through the shallow seas of the South Pacific, The Gauguin is the flagship of Paul Gauguin Cruises and a small-ship cruiser’s dream. She delivers travelers to intimate ports inaccessible to larger cruise ships, all the while providing an onboard experience that is nothing short of luxurious.Just a few short weeks ago our fellow Outlander Agent Lindsay was able to experience life aboard the Paul Gauguin first hand and she is here to share a little of her adventure with us.

Is Tahiti a dream trip for you? Let us know!

ElizabethSandyLauraDonnaLindsay

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Episode 221: Cuba with Royal Caribbean

When the United States reestablished relations with Cuba in 2015, there were lots of questions about what it would be like with U.S. citizens and residents finally getting to visit. Back in Episode 94, Lindsay told us about her experience with Fathom cruises (which are no longer available). US relations with Cuba have evolved in the past couple of years, and Sandy was recently able to visit with Royal Caribbean on the Majesty of the Seas, and we can’t wait to hear about her experience!

Have you been to Cuba? Dying to go? Let us know!

ElizabethSandyLauraDonnaLindsay

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Episode 220: Beaches Resort – Turks & Caicos

Located in Exotic Grace Bay Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands, ranked one of the top 10 best scuba diving destinations in the world, Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa is a Caribbean Wonderland of adventure and luxury for families & kids of all ages.  Recently, Outlander agents Donna and Lindsay were fortunate enough to get to experience this Caribbean paradise first hand.  

ElizabethSandyLauraDonnaLindsay

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Episode 219: Denver Ski Resorts

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!  Are the mountains calling to YOU?  If they are, Denver has some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the US.  With a very accessible international airport only a couple hours from the slopes, why go anywhere else?  From Aspen to Winter Park and everything in-between, the deep powder is ripe for the carving. 

Where do you love to ski? Or are you more about the apres ski?

ElizabethSandyLauraDonnaLindsay

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Episode 218: The Danube River with Adventures by Disney & Amawaterways

Three years ago, Disney and AMA Waterways announced their partnership on a brand new product line for Adventures by Disney, adding river cruises to their already rich portfolio of family friendly European guided vacations. Two years ago, they set sail on the Rhine and now have options on the Rhine, the Danube and new for next year, the Seine! Recently, Elizabeth and Aimee were among the very few selected to experience the first ever joint familiarization trip between Adventures by Disney and AMA Waterways to experience this partnership first hand on the Danube. So we thought we would chat with them about what they experienced and learned from this amazing opportunity.

Episode 217: Symphony of the Seas

Not so long ago (Episode 208 to be exact) we told you about our adventures on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas. Now we’re excited to tell you about the newest addition to the Oasis class ships, the Symphony of the Seas. She just completed her inaugural season in Europe and has made the trek across the ocean to her new home in Miami. Sandy and Elizabeth recently got to experience a taste of what this ship has to offer, and they are here to tell us all about it!

Episode 216: Kids’ Eye View

Until one looks back on one’s own past one fails to realize what an extraordinary view of the world a child has.” One of the things we know for sure is that travel changes us for the better. It shapes the way we see and experience the world and forms the fabric of who we are as a human being. We want to inspire you or help you to travel more, further and better with your kids . We want everyone to know that travel with kids is good for them and good for your family but we also have to remember as we plan our next great adventure that everyone experiences travel differently. Joining us today are our favorite travel experts all under the ge of 18 and we have asked them to talk about travel from a kids-eye view.
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Episode 215: Beautiful Croatia!

Croatia is an Eastern European country with a long coastline on the Adriatic Sea. Encompassing more than a thousand islands, it’s also crossed by the Dinaric Alps. Its inland capital, Zagreb, is distinguished by its medieval Gornji Grad (Upper Town) and diverse museums. The major coastal city Dubrovnik has massive 16th-century walls encircling an Old Town with Gothic and Renaissance buildings. Peter and Kevin spent a week in Croatia this August much of it sailing the stunning coastline and they have come to share their experiences, insights, and word of wisdom.
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Episode 214: Berlin & Munich

Recently, Elizabeth was invited to participate in a familiarization trip to Germany in a cooperative venture between the tourism boards of Berlin and Munich. She spent a week in Germany exploring both the old and the new and we wanted to take a few minutes to ask her about what she experienced!
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