LITTLETON, Colorado – April 2, 2008 – We travel to open our minds like never before.  We travel to see new places, to meet new people and to walk in the footsteps of those who have gone before us.  And, now the Globus family of brands is celebrating 80 years of enriching traveler’s lives with hundreds of tours, cruises and independent vacation packages around the globe. 

Globus began in 1928 as a small company with one man, a rowboat and a dream to bring travel to life.  Today, instilled with the passion of founder Antonio Mantegazza and his business partner Werner Albek, the Globus family of brands zealously shows travelers the intriguing sights of 65 countries on six continents around the world.

“In 80 years, we have witnessed three generations of vision and hard work culminate into dream vacations and enriching experiences for millions of travelers worldwide,” said Phillip Gordon, president and CEO of the Globus family of brands.  

What started with one brand has grown into four – Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways – providing travelers a plethora of travel styles to choose from to help make the most of their vacation.  In addition, the company has further extended its reach and expertise around the world by uniting travelers with similar interests through niche tours, including, food and wine-themed vacations, music-oriented journeys, faith-based travel, family vacations and holiday excursions.  

“Through Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways, we transform tourists into travelers and storytellers,” said Steve Born, vice president of marketing for the company.  “We help people truly experience each destination, bringing to life cultures and histories with in-depth journeys through the heart of each location, city, region or country.”

To celebrate its 80th anniversary, the Globus family of brands has put the world on sale for those who book 2008 travel between now and May 31.  Below is an overview of savings offered to travelers:

EUROPE:  Save $200 per couple on all 2008 air-inclusive Europe vacations through Globus, Cosmos, Monograms or Avalon Waterways

SOUTH AMERICA, SOUTH PACIFIC & ASIA: Save $400 per couple on any 2008 air-inclusive South America, South Pacific or Asia vacation through Globus, Monograms or Avalon Waterways

NORTH AMERICA:  Save $200 per couple on select 2008 Globus Platinum Collection North American vacations, receive two FREE days on select 2008 Cosmos North American vacations or save $100 per person on select 2008 Monograms North America vacations

Interested travelers can visit the following Web sites for terms and conditions: globusjourneys.com; cosmos.com; monogramstravel.com; avalonwaterways.com.


Focused on providing travelers unparalleled vacation experiences without breaking the bank, as part of its anniversary celebration, the Globus family of brands also created 80 tips to help travelers stretch their vacation dollars.  Below are 10 highlights:

1. Buy an all-inclusive travel package (escorted tour, cruise or river cruise) so you know how much your vacation will cost before you go.
2. Spend less time in big cities and more vacation moments in smaller towns and destinations.  A great way to do this is to go on a river cruise.  Avalon Waterways (avalonwaterways.com) offers port stops in the heart of each country and region.
3. Join the club.  Loyalty clubs or frequent traveler programs offer members deals, incentives and special offers. For instance, Globus’ Journey’s Club not only provides its members special discounts, it also offers members unique vacations, itineraries and departures and there’s no membership fee.
4. Purchase a bottle of wine from a wine shop or market (ask the clerk for a recommendation) instead of indulging in wine during dinner at a restaurant.  Have a drink before you leave and/or when you return.
5. Get the best exchange rate possible.  Use ATMs like you would at home – they are exchanged based on the wholesale exchange rate, something usually reserved only for very large interbank exchanges.
6. Walk, walk, walk.  Walking is free and the sights and sounds you’ll encounter will make your vacation even more special (that is, if you wear good shoes).
7. Practice your “haggling” skills when purchasing goods from a destination or region.  As long as you’re not buying at a chain store, negotiation is always a possibility.
8. Ask your Tour Director or hotel concierge what the locals do for fun for non-traditional, inexpensive activity suggestions, such as a free concert in the park, art festival or farmer’s market.
9. Be flexible with travel plans.  Consider vacationing in a different country – an area with a favorable dollar exchange rate. South America is hot, hot, hot and offers travelers a great value.  Visit ColorfulSouthAmerica.com for more information.
   Crunch the numbers.  Use a travel-planning calculator to help you plan for your next vacation.  Cosmos provides this service on its Web site (www.cosmos.com), helping dreamers become doers.
   

Globus’ full list of 80 ways to stretch vacation dollars can be found at globusfamily.com/80.



ABOUT THE GLOBUS FAMILY OF BRANDS
Littleton, Colorado-based Group Voyagers, Inc. is the privately held company that markets and sells the Globus family of brands within the United States.  Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways offer travelers unparalleled tour, independent travel package and small-ship cruise options.  Considered the world’s largest tour operator, with 80 years of international travel experience, the Globus family of brands is dedicated to enriching the lives of travelers by turning foreign destinations into familiar harbors, where the expense of travel is forgotten and replaced by personal value.  

Consumers can book a Globus family of brands vacation or request 2008 brochures by visiting a preferred travel agent or by calling the following toll free number: 1.866.313.2855.  For more information, please visit www.globusfamily.com.