Latest Travel Blog Entries

Thursday, September 01, 2011

Save $100 per person on  select Fall Foliage vacations.*

From the blazing glow of the golden Aspens to the varying shades of orange, red and purple in New England, fall colors shuffle in the beginning of the fall season. You can choose from one of two Cosmos New England tours that allow you to experience this beautiful time of the year in full color. And if you book your Cosmos Fall Foliage vacation before October 31, you will save $100 per person on select departures.*

New England Traditions

10 days from New York City to New York City

Charming New England comes to life on this scenic and historic vacation. Start your trip in New York City, then travel to Newport, Rhode Island, home to magnificent mansions, skilled sailing, and fresh seafood. Continue to Plymouth, Massachusetts, for two overnights and plenty of time to sightsee. Visit Plimoth Plantation, where costumed interpreters portray the early 17th-century lifestyle of the Pilgrims, and see Plymouth Rock, the spot where the Pilgrims landed in 1620. A major highlight in Plymouth is a whale-watching expedition for dolphins as well as finback and humpback whales.

New England Traditions with Extended Stay in New York City

12 days from New York City to New York City

Enjoy a harbor cruise in Hyannis, the "Homeport of Cape Cod." Then travel to historic Boston for a sightseeing tour of Boston's major sights and free time, before spending an overnight in the oceanfront village of Ogunquit, Maine. Marvel at New England's glorious fall foliage as you travel to Lake Winnipesaukee for a scenic cruise and an overnight in Shelburne, New Hampshire. In Vermont, taste local maple syrup and sip fresh apple cider before boarding a ferry across Lake Champlain into New York. While in New York, visit Lake Placid, Saratoga, and Albany before traveling back to New York City for two nights and an orientation tour of New York City's most famous sights. From the historic sights to the scenic beauty, this vacation through New England is sure to delight.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

The Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Colosseum in Italy, the Acropolis of Athens and the beautiful Cycladic Islands in Greece, or even the Giza Pyramid and the Great Sphinx in Egypt may seem out of reach when thinking about where to go on vacation. By choosing the right travel touring company, these vacation destinations are not only plausible, but also budget friendly, fun, exciting and unquestionably a dream come true. Cosmos tours not only helps to achieve this dream, but also relieves the stress of planning such an incredible trip by taking care of all of the details. If that isn’t enough, through escorted travel, professionals at Cosmos are actually traveling with you every step of the way, assuring your satisfaction and ultimate travel experience.

History enlightens us that the roots of this family owned company were started in 1928 by Antonio Mantegazza when he purchased his first rowboat and transported visitors across Lake Lugano, Switzerland. After he won a local sweepstakes, he was given the rights to run a local route for the Swiss national postal and transportation service. In order to successfully achieve this, he purchased his first motorcoach. This purchase officially started his travel business under the name Globus Viaggi. After much company growth, the Cosmos division was developed in the 1960’s, offering affordable tours that were great for families on a budget.

Cosmos tours has earned a 93 percent satisfaction rating from its travelers. It is also highly recommended by travel expert Arthur Frommer. Well prepared travel packages include hotel, sightseeing, transportation and a Tour Director filled with knowledge of the land and stories of the past. Through careful planning, hotels are pre-selected based on cleanliness, comfort and the magnificence of the location. Cosmos tours offers 45 years of touring experience and portage is included to assist with your luggage. There is also leisure time to allow you to explore the sights on your own. Although packages include many meals, you also have the freedom to savor some of the local cuisine.

From the United Kingdom to New York City, Cosmos tours provide vacation spots all around the world. Packages may include European countries such as Italy, Britain, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Switzerland, Russia, Poland and many others. If you’re feeling the allure of Africa and all of its treasures, Cairo, Tunisia, the Mediterranean and Alexandria await your arrival. Let’s not forget the wilderness of Alaska and the Yukon, the splendor of Hawaii, the six states that make up New England, the bustling city of Washington D.C., and Canada.

What more can you ask for? Cosmos tours does it all. Escorted travel allows you to experience the magic of the destination without the hassle of scheduling or making arrangements. For the discerning traveler, Cosmos undoubtedly contributes to turning your dream vacation into a genuine exploration of the past, and a present-day rejuvenation of the mind and body. As far as the future is concerned, only you harbor those innermost thoughts. What’s the verdict?

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Cosmos tours makes it easy for singles to travel.

More than one third of all people traveling with Cosmos tours are single or traveling alone.  To give you an alternative to the single room supplement, Cosmos accepts reservations on a "guaranteed share" basis.  Cosmos will charge the basic double rate, and match up singles of the same gender in twin-bedded rooms.  For mutual comfort, Cosmos does adopt a no-smoking policy. If no other traveler has booked on a "guaranteed share," basis, Cosmos will absorb the single room supplement, and that traveler will be accommodated in a single room at no charge.

"Guaranteed share," basis is unavailable on certain vacations.  For exceptions, please call us. 

For single travelers who prefer their own room, single accommodations can, of course be reserved.  Single room supplements are available from your tour specialist.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

It's no secret Italy is one of the world's most popular destinations, one that everyone seems to love for its cities full of renaissance masterpieces and romanesque cathedrals, its lush valleys gloriously green with vineyards and olive groves, majestic Etruscan, Greek and Roman ruins, picturesque fishing ports and sybaritic seaside resorts. But it's the delicious and unforgettable dining on incomparable pasta and regional wine and dishes found only in Italy, that brings many repeat visitors back to its shores.

Indeed, it's that unforgettable culinary and wine experience that entices more than a 40 percent repeat visitor number from North America, a teasing combination of memorable flavors and aroma that can't be duplicated in even the most favorite Italian restaurant back home. Which is why Ricardo Strano, North American director of the Italian Government Tourist Board. is committed to marketing Italy in 2011 with the accent on wining and dining, combined with food and wine touring that introduces special cuisines and signature vineyards of familiar and lesser-known regions. "While Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany, and Amalfi are the familiar icons of Italy, the second- and fifth-time visitors look to expand their horizons with new sights and experiences." Reminding travelers that, "Near every great museum is a great restaurant."

In fact, he points out, Italy invented the "Slow Food" movement that focuses on locally grown, sustainably farmed products, giving visitors the opportunity to learn that, "discovering regional cuisines is a delightful and delicious way to understand that-as in fashion and lifestyle-high-quality and simplicity are the hallmarks of the special flavors of Italy."

Thankfully, for those travelers looking for that unforgettable culinary and wine adventure, there are abundant options for food and wine touring in Italy, including deluxe tours spiced with great restaurants, cooking classes for a half-day or a week, hiking and biking tours with routes to outdoor markets, specialty bakeries, olive mills, vineyards and wine cellars. Many experts, for example, consider the region of Emilia-Romagna to be a legendary gourmet center with such tasty towns as Bologna, Parma and Modena. Ristoranti, osterie and pizzerie are the dine-around menu when exploring Venice and vicinity, while Piedmont's wine-making traditions produce the world-renowned Barolo and Barbaresco wines.

Globus family of brands-Globus tours, Cosmos tours and Monograms vacations -offers a host of trips to Italy, some with an accent on dining, including Umbria's Treasures where clients will be able to sample this region's famous cuisine with its simple, yet flavorful ingredients, fresh fruits and vegetables, and high-quality olive oil, and nibble on Perugia's world-renowned chocolate delights. Or, for an emphasis on cooking classes, book with Chicago-based The International Kitchen, specialists in cooking classes and culinary vacations in 12 of Italy's 20 regions, including three different programs based in Bologna.

In 2006, all eyes were on Torino (Turin) as host city during the Winter Olympic Games, and again in 2011, this capital of the northern Piedmont region will be front and center when Italy celebrates the 150th anniversary of Italian Reunification. Celebrations and special events will take place nationwide, but Torino is the place the reunification movement was born. Today Torino is a dynamic center for industry (home to Fiat for one) and art-world-class is its Egyptian Museum & Galleria Sabauda, housing the fabulous collections of the House of Savoy. Take time out from touring for a cup of bicerin, Torino's signature blend of coffee and chocolate.

Talk to a tour specialist at Atlas Cruises & Tours about italy tours and expierence Flavors of Italy first hand.

"...discovering regional cuisines is a delightful and delicious way to understand that-as in fashion and lifestyle-high-quality and simplicity are the hallmarks of the special flavors of Italy."  Ricardo Strano, North American director of the Italian Government Tourist Board

By: Carla Hunt

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Just as the world is wonderfully diverse, so too are the ways you can experience it with Cosmos. Our trips are designed to offer you the flexibility, choices and pace that best fit the way you want to travel. Below are the varieties of travel styles you can experience with Cosmos.

Travelers will visit destinations in Europe and North America on our uniquely guided Cruise & Tours vacations. Thanks to a partnership with major cruise lines, these land vacations can be combined with a big-ship cruise to create an incredible journey on both land and sea. Don’t just skim the surface of your destination—become a part of it—as expert Tour Directors share the inside stories that bring the world to life.