LITTLETON, Colorado – October 15, 2008 – While some Americans have opted for ‘staycations’ to save money when taking time away from the rigors of life, many more are interested in experiential getaways, filled with personal enrichment opportunities.  And, to keep dollars in their pockets, without forfeiting memories, travelers are finding solace in packaged vacations to world-class destinations that are closer to home.  To assist Americans in their search for the perfect domestic getaway, whether it’s a tour, driving vacation or packaged journey in North America’s great cities – all great value propositions – today, the Globus family of brands unveiled its 2009 offerings in the US, Canada and Mexico.

In addition to finding vacation opportunities in their backyards, according to Travelocity’s annual Forecast Poll, 25 percent of travelers are booking packaged vacations to save money.  “We offer travelers inclusive-style vacations where many costs are both anticipated and paid upfront, eliminating surprises,” said Scott Nisbet, senior vice president and chief operating officer of the Globus family of brands. “Our packaged vacations not only provide travelers value, we help them embark on dream getaways without pre-planning stress while giving them a holiday from the everyday.”

Globus’ and Cosmos’ US and Canada tours feature a wide variety of travel styles including Panorama and Regional Discovery tours ranging from six to 15 days; Special Event vacations and shorter, independent travel packages through Monograms ranging from four to 13 days, featuring City, Rail and Multi-City getaways as well as On the Road Driving Vacations.  

NEW 2009 getaways include: Christmas in San Antonio, Great Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, Majestic Rockies, Mexico’s Colonial Cities, Fraser Discovery with Whistler Mountaineer, Pacific Coast Explorer, California’s Historic Trains, Charleston & Savannah On the Road Driving Vacation, Boston & New York Multi-City Getaway, Chicago Single-City Getaway and more.  

A complete overview of Globus’, Cosmos’ and Monograms’ 2009 North American vacations can be viewed at www.globusjourneys.com, www.cosmos.com and www.monogramstravel.com.

2009 Vacation Highlights:

• Globus Special Event Vacation: NEW Christmas in San Antonio (5 Days) – This holiday adventure takes travelers through the cultural heritage of beautiful San Antonio. Travelers are welcomed to San Antonio with a reception. They then take a city tour with stops at Market Square, Mission San Jose and the Alamo before cruising along the festively lit River Walk. The next day will take travelers to Bandera, “Cowboy Capital of the World,” and a visit to the Silver Spur Guest Ranch. Then they will head to Stonewall, Texas where they’ll learn about Lyndon B. Johnson during a tour of the Texas White House. Next, travelers will visit Becker Vineyards for a wine tasting, followed by time in the Western town of Luckenbach. They will end their journey back in San Antonio for a special farewell dinner. Priced from $1,049 (land-only).

• Globus Platinum Collection: NEW Great Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (7 Days) – This special tour includes exploration in the Rockies and stays at some of the best resorts in the area. Travelers will start in Calgary where they will see Stampede Park, Saddledome Stadium and will embark on a visit to Fort Calgary, followed by Moraine Lake. That night travelers stay in the famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Next, they will journey to Peyto Lake, which is known for providing the best view in Canada, and will head to the Columbia Icefield for a ride on an Ice Explorer. Travelers will stay two nights in Jasper National Park at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.  While in Jasper Park, they will venture to Maligne Lake for a cruise to Spirit Island. Then it’s off to Banff and Yoho National Park with a stop at Athabasca Falls along the way. They will stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel which is styled after a Scottish baronial castle. The stay in Banff will also include a ride on the Banff gondola up Sulphur Mountain. The journey concludes with a special farewell dinner before heading back to Calgary. Priced from $2,419 (land-only).

• Cosmos Value-Focused Vacation: NEW California’s Historic Trains (10 Days) – This adventure is the perfect way to see California on a budget. Travelers start their journey in San Francisco and take a guided tour that includes the Golden Gate Bridge, China Town, Fisherman’s Wharf and Nob Hill. They will then head to Sausalito and onto Napa Valley for a ride on the historic Napa Valley Wine Train, before ending up in Santa Rosa. Travelers will visit the Korbel Winery for a Champagne Cellar Tour, including taking part in a tasting, before heading to Fort Bragg. Then they will take the Skunk Train to Sacramento for a tour that includes the downtown area, old Sacramento, the Governor’s mansion and the State Capitol. Sacramento highlights also include the Sacramento Rivertrain and California State Railroad Museum. Then it’s off to Yosemite National Park and a ride through 17-Mile Drive in Monterey.  The final stretch of the tour will be on the Roaring Camp Railroad and the 100-year-old steam train. Then it’s back to San Francisco for a farewell dinner. Priced from $1,439 (land-only).

• Monograms Multi-City Vacation: NEW New York & Washington, DC (7 Days) – On this vacation, travelers will have the opportunity to tour two of America’s most popular destinations. They will get to enjoy independent travel without the hassle of logistics or guesswork. Starting in New York, options include touring Times Square, Greenwich Village, Wall Street, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty or Central Park. They can also enjoy the fabulous shopping and dining and a Broadway show. Travelers will then take a train to Washington, DC and use their Washington, DC Power Pass over two days to explore the famous sights. They can take an Old Town Trolley Tour or DC Ducks tour by land and water or visit Mount Vernon and the International Spy Museum for an interactive experience. Priced from $1,299 (land-only).

• Monograms On the Road Driving Vacation: NEW Charleston & Savannah  (7 Days) – Travelers can discover true “Southern hospitality” on this vacation.  They’ll start in historic Charleston and can take time to meander through the beautiful city, including, perhaps, visiting the Charles Town Landing or Charleston Museum or exploring the Magnolia Plantation.  Civil War buffs can take a boat ride to Fort Sumter or take a Civil War walking tour.  From Charleston, travelers will drive north to charming Savannah where they can take a carriage tour down cobblestone streets and more.  Priced from $679 (land-only, including mid-sized rental car).
  

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, river 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 2009 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.
 
Travel agents can request any Globus family of brands 2009 brochures by calling toll free 1.800.221.0090 or visiting www.globusfamilypartner.com.