Destinations: The World Awaits
Hotels: Your Home Away From Home
Sightseeing: Must-See Sights Are Included
Personal Service: On-Trip Support with a Smile
Transportation: Say Goodbye to Time Tables
Meals: An Included Breakfast Always Gets You Started Right
Testimonials: Everyone is Talking About Monograms
Globus family of brands: Part of a Rich 80-year History
You Choose Where You Want To Go
Spend a week in the city of your choice for an in-depth discovery—or just 3 nights
for a relaxing mini-break. With Monograms, it's easy to combine multiple destinations,
like Paris and London, or to explore North and South America. From the Great Barrier
Reef in Australia and the Great Wall of China to the wonders of Italy and the magic
of Russia, with Monograms, the world is waiting.
Vacation Packages and
Theme Packages
Destinations
Europe Vacation Packages
Experience the style and culture of Europe, from its ancient wonders to its timeless
beauty. Marvel at the Sistine Chapel. Admire masterpieces in the Louvre. Cruise
the canals of Venice—or the canals of Amsterdam. And that's just the start!
Europe Vacation Packages
North America Vacation
Packages
See North America's most famous national parks—or discover its vibrant cities. Sample
Cajun fare in New Orleans or dig into a New England lobster feast. See a dazzling
Broadway show or hike the beautiful Canadian Rockies. The choice is yours!
U.S. & Mexico Vacation Packages
Canada Vacation Packages
South America Vacation
Packages
Set a course for adventure in exotic South America! Visit mystical Machu Picchu
or encounter nature in the Galápagos. Learn the sensuous Tango in Buenos Aires or
trek through the Amazon Rainforest. Feel the invigorating spray of Iguassu Falls
or travel to the "End of the World."
South America Vacation Packages
Africa Vacation Packages
From the Serengeti and grasslands of the savannah to stunning Cape Town…from the
lofty majesty of Mount Kilimanjaro to the life-sustaining depths of Ngorongoro Crater,
Monograms shows you Africa in the way most meaningful to you.
Africa Vacation Packages
Asia Vacation Packages
Unlock ancient mysteries and modern marvels in Asia. Flood your senses in vibrant
Hong Kong or stand in wonder in the shadow of the Great Wall. Visit Tokyo's intriguing
Asakusa Kannon Temple or sample Thai cuisine in Bangkok.
Asia Vacation Packages
South Pacific Vacation
Packages
Australia and New Zealand's most treasured destinations come to life. Explore Australia's
Great Barrier Reef or visit geothermal Rotorua. Discover Sydney's distinctive Opera
House, cruise across dramatic Milford Sound, or walkabout in the Outback.
Australia Vacation Packages
New Zealand Vacation Packages
You Choose Your Hotels
We know that accommodations are of paramount importance to your vacation enjoyment.
Monograms offers an impressive selection of hotels that are known for great location,
amenities, and services. They have mastered the art of balancing the need for efficiency
with the desire of each traveler to receive individual attention.
On Monograms vacations, we offer you a choice of hotel accommodations to fit your
style and budget. The specific hotel options are listed separately on each vacation
page. Some vacations may only feature an included hotel.
Hotel Descriptions | Amenities & Services
| Extra Nights
Europe Hotels
United States Hotels
Canada Hotels
South America Hotels
South Pacific Hotels
Asia Hotels
Africa Hotels
We reserve the right to substitute hotels listed on the vacation pages with hotels
of equivalent standard. With your travel documents, you will receive a list of hotel
addresses, including telephone numbers and fax numbers for your vacation.
Hotel Amenities & Services
To help you make decisions about your hotels, our rating system ranks the service,
amenities, and décor of each hotel. Because the world offers such a variety of choices
among hotels with a wide range of quality, amenities and services, we also use half
increments to augment the precision of our scale. This helps us give more clarity
to our overall ratings, so you can choose the perfect hotel for your vacation. The
number of buttons for each property indicates the ranking according to the following
system:
 |
Accommodations that are among the finest at your destination, featuring a high level
of personal service, exceptional grounds and facilities, upscale décor, and rooms
with high-quality amenities.
|
 |
Superior properties that feature a high level of service, stylish décor in public
spaces and rooms, upscale amenities and grounds, and a true emphasis on comfort.
|
 |
Full-service hotels that offer upgraded furnishings and décor as well as good, dependable
amenities and services. All include at least one bar, a restaurant serving meals
throughout the day, in-room dining, and many feature a fitness center.
|
 |
Mid-range properties that offer a simple level of comfort and service, affordable
rooms, and basic décor with a few added amenities. Most have a restaurant that serves
continental or full breakfast and sometimes additional meals.
|
 |
Budget-minded properties that fulfill the basic needs of comfort and typically offer
limited services and amenities. Most do not have an onsite restaurant but are usually
within walking distance of dining options.
|
Extra Nights Before or After Your Vacation
If you require extra nights at the first and/or last vacation hotel, we will make
reservations for you at the rates quoted, provided you request them at the time
you book your vacation. Rates are per person, per night, and include room with private
bath, breakfast (excluding North America), service charges, and taxes.
Extra nights are only available immediately prior to or after your trip. Every effort
will be made to reserve extra nights at the hotel where your trip stays. If space
at the trip hotel is not available, alternative accommodation will be reserved at
a hotel of equivalent standard. When this is the case, the transfer from and to
the trip hotel is at our expense.
As hotel space is limited, we cannot reserve more than two extra nights before and/or
after your vacation, unless they are needed to bridge the gap between two Monograms
trips. During particularly busy periods, hotel space in certain cities can become
so tight that we may be unable to sell extra nights.
You personalize your experience
We know that your vacation is just that—your vacation. With that in mind, we help
you truly personalize your getaway. With an outstanding collection of activities
and excursions in each destination, Monograms gives you more choices, and that means
your vacation will be exactly what you want it to be!
Most Monograms vacations include sightseeing and orientation in each city, so you
don't miss the must-see sights. Monograms lets you personalize your vacation by
adding your own set of activities and excursions throughout your vacation! How about
an encounter with the world's greatest collection of Italian art at the Uffizi Gallery
in Florence or an adventurous climb to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge? Or you
may choose to immerse yourself in the local culture by attending a Navajo cookout
in Monument Valley, enjoying a traditional folklore show in Budapest, or exploring
the floating market at Damnoen Saduak near Bangkok. Whatever your interest, with
Monograms you choose how to make the most of your time.
For added convenience, you can pre-purchase your activities and excursions online
before your vacation.
Listed below is a small sample of Monograms activities and excursions throughout
the world:
London: Theater & Dinner
A marvelous evening in London's theater district starts with dinner, followed by
premium seats at one of London's sensational productions.
London Vacations
Paris: Versailles
Travel from Paris to the lavish 17th-century palace built by King Louis XIV, with
its magnificent State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Chapel, or stroll
through parts of the elegant 250-acre gardens.
Paris Vacations
Venice: Gondola Serenade
Glide in traditional style through centuries-old canals, under famous bridges, past
lavish palaces and quaint piazzas, serenaded by live music.
Venice Vacations
San Francisco: Bike the
Golden Gate Bridge
Enjoy a self-guided bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge or take the ferry to
Angel Island for incredible views of the city skyline.
San
Francisco Vacations
Rio de Janeiro: Rainforest
Jeep Tour
Board an open four-wheel drive for an exciting ride through Tijuca Rainforest and
see different types of tropical fruits & trees as well as animals like monkeys
& various types of birds & butterflies.
Rio
de Janeiro Vacations
Tokyo: Mount Fuji &
Hakone with Lunch
Enjoy a panoramic view from 7,500 feet. Lunch is at the Hakone Lake Hotel, followed
by a cruise on Lake Ashi and a Hokone gondola ride over Owakudani Valley.
Tokyo Vacations
Melbourne: Penguin Parade
See this unique event as each evening at dusk the little penguins come home from
the sea at Phillip Island. You will be enthralled as you observe from the beach
and the elevated boardwalk.
Melbourne
Vacations
Make the most of your vacation
On a Monograms independent vacation, we'll help you feel right at home in your destination—even
if it's your first time visiting there! Before you leave, you'll receive a Trip
Planner complete with key information. Then, once you arrive at your destination,
friendly, professional Local Hosts® are on hand to provide you with a Destination
Guide, to offer hints and recommendations to help you get the lay of the land, and
to ensure you have what you need to make the most of your time.
Local Host®
What's the best way to get around town? What are the local specialties and dining
possibilities? What's the best time to visit the museum? Your Monograms Local Host®
can tell you. Count on your Local Host® to give you a warm welcome, to share local
insights and suggestions for getting off the beaten path, and to answer your vacation
questions as they pop up.
Igor, Venice
After years of formal training in tourism and foreign languages, and extensive travel,
Igor now specializes in showing off the beauty of his birthplace. He is eager to
introduce you to the food, wines, and culture of his homeland.
Italy Vacations
Maresa, Rome
Maresa has spent years traveling in Europe and Africa, and was the first English-speaking
guide to lead the imperial city tour in Morocco. She has a great love for Rome and
knows all its secrets, which she takes great pleasure in sharing.
Italy Vacations
Gordon, Edinburgh
With more than 25 years in the tourism industry and a member of the Scottish Tourist
Guides Association, Gordon is passionate about sharing his love of Scotland with
all Monograms travelers.
Scotland
Vacations
Juan, Cusco
Born, raised, and educated in Cusco, Peru, Juan has been showing visitors his country
for almost 20 years. Juan is always very proud to share his heritage and Peru's
history.
South America Vacations
Jo, Cairns
Jo was born in Madrid, Spain, and moved to Australia when she was 4 years old. She
has worked in the tourism industry for the last 15 years and is proud to show visitors
Australia's multicultural diversity and colorful land.
Australia Vacations
Emily, Guilin
After graduating from the Guilin Tourism Institute, Emily's kind and easy-going
personality helped her become a successful Local Host®. She is ready to share her
wealth of knowledge and show Monograms' clients the spectacular scenery surrounding
Guilin.
Asia Vacations
We'll Get You Around & We Make Traveling Easy
You've spent three wonderful days in city "A" but now you need to get to city "B."
You get a train schedule from the front desk and try to figure out the best time
to travel. Where is the train station anyway? And you'll need transportation to
get you to your transportation. What if you're in Asia? You'll need a flight to
get from Tokyo to Beijing. All of this sounds extremely time consuming with much
room for error. But not with Monograms. When you buy a Monograms package, all intra-city
transportation is included in your package price, not only for a great value but
for a lot less hassle while you are on vacation. All aboard!!
Types of Transportation
Depending on where you are going, you could be traveling on many modes of transportation.
Here's a list of types of transportation used by Monograms:
- Trains & Rail
For example, in Europe you could travel from
London to
Paris on the high-speed Eurostar train, in
Western Canada on the Rocky Mountaineer, or in
Alaska on the Alaska Railroad.
RedLeaf Service on the Rocky Mountaineer provides spacious, fully reclining
seats, picture windows, and delicious meals served at your seat. An upgrade to GoldLeaf
Dome Service features extra attendants, an elegant dome car, and gourmet meals in
a separate dining car.
The Alaska Railroad is the perfect way to see the state's spectacular scenery.
Adventure Class provides spacious seats and picture windows, while an upgrade to
GoldStar Service features a confirmed seat in the upper-level dome car, complimentary
nonalcoholic beverages served at your seat, priority check-in and boarding, a private
outdoor viewing deck, and priority seating in the lower-level dining room.
- Ships
There are vacations where you'll travel by ship, including the Aria on the northern
Amazon River in Peru, the Santa Cruz in the Galápagos Islands or on the Reef Endeavour
in Fiji, as well as many others.
- Intra-Vacation Flights
There will be times where the only way or the fastest way to get to your next destination
will be to fly. For example, we'll arrange your flight from Hong Kong to Beijing
or from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires. Monograms offers many vacations where flying
from one city to another is the best mode of transportation.
- Rental Cars
Renting a car is one of the best ways to explore the beauty and diversity of North
America and New Zealand. When you book a
Driving Vacation, you're in control of your vacation. View a list of Hertz (North America)
and Avis
(New Zealand) vehicles to help you find the perfect-sized car for your needs.
Included Meals
Vacations to Europe,
Asia, Australia,
New Zealand,
South America, and Africa
include breakfast. Breakfast is a buffet (B) and is listed on each itinerary page.
In North America we do not include breakfast. Your Local Host® can assist in recommending
local favorites or you can simply explore on your own!
Dining in Style
In general, lunches and dinners are not included in your Monograms vacation. Your
Local Host® will have a number of suggestions for dining—after all, one of the best
ways to learn about other cultures is to eat like the locals do!
On some travel days in remote regions, on cruises, and at some resorts we include
lunches and dinners. Please check the included section on the vacation page for
a list.
Unlike an airline, we cannot process requests for special meals. While some hotels
and restaurants may be able to provide for a special diet, such as vegetarian or
salt-free food, there is no way for us to guarantee this. Special food usually costs
extra. Please ask your Local Host® for assistance.
Look Who's Talking About Monograms!
"I wanted to send you a quick note of thanks for the wonderful Monograms Vacation
we just took!
We just returned from our trip to Italy (Sorrento, Rome, Florence & Venice)
and had such a fabulous time.
We loved the Monograms approach to our vacation. It was great to have the city hosts
meet us at the train, bring us to the train, help us with the city, etc.
The local guides were amazing. Our guide in Rome (Francisco I think) was so knowledgeable
and amazing but our guide in Florence (Andrea) was stellar! He explained just about
every inch of the David statue to us, that someone like me (not an art buff by any
stretch of the imagination) was fascinated and hanging on his every word. He gets
the gold star in my book.
I am now telling everyone I know all about Monograms and the pleasure of going at
our own pace…Thank you again!"
-Susan M.
"I want to tell you that everything was perfect. The hotels were very nice and the
view from Sofitel hotel in Rio de Janeiro...was amazing!!! The same in Iguassu Falls.
Tropical Das Cataratas was the only hotel located in the national park on the Brazilian
side. We were so close to waterfalls. We could see them from the hotel restaurant!!!
The Eco Lodge was very nice too. Great food, small but very nice and clean rooms…The
hotel in Buenos Aires (Sheraton Libertador) was located in the heart of the city.
We could walk everywhere..."
-Aga O.
"... There is always at least one half-day city tour included [on Monograms vacations]
and numerous other optional excursions guests can choose from either when booking
or during their trip. For instance, included in my Monograms program was a guided
tour of Amsterdam's Rijks Museum. I can't remember the last time I participated
in a guided tour of an art museum. But our tour guide gave such an interesting anecdotal
and historical insight into 17th century Dutch artwork, that it completely renewed
my interest in having the techniques and stories behind the artwork and the artists
explained to me -- the paintings became so much more than just paintings."
"Probably the best feature of the Monograms program, and one that is really hard
to appreciate to its fullest until you are on the ground in the destination, is
the local city host. This person is your local contact while in a given city, and
he/she is available during certain hours in the hotel lobby where Monograms guests
are staying, as well as on call, having provided a cell phone number to guests."
-Michelle B., Travel Weekly
"The trip Rome-Paris-London was great and all of us, including the 4 grandchildren,
loved it. (Monograms) did an outstanding job in planning the itinerary, selecting
hotels, selecting restaurants, and hiring local guides, all of whom were excellent."
-Bob M.
"In general, the Monograms brand is the ideal family travel style, particularly
for a long-haul destination the family's never visited and for families with younger
children. With Monograms, travelers can avoid the bus tour scenario and yet - because
China is a very exotic destination - still travel with the kind of hand-holding
support from local Monograms guides, making the vacation experience worry-free."
-Recommend Magazine
"Just wanted to get back with you and let you know that once again our (Monograms)
experience was very good. They were right at the airport to pick us up and handled
all our luggage, hotels, and train travel between London and Paris with their usual
efficiency... I really liked the independent form of travel and (Monograms) had
representatives at both hotels who were eager to make suggestions of things to do
and how to get around. In England we ventured all around the country to Stonehenge,
Liverpool, Brighton, Avebury, Glastonbury, Windsor, etc. In Paris, by doing our
own thing, it really forced us to use the French language and we moved easily around
Paris via subway and taxi. The weather was a pleasant, cool, 60 degrees and we had
great times just sitting along the boulevards, sipping wine and chatting with the
locals. It was indeed a great time."
-Carole P.
"For me, the best part of my Monograms experience in Rome was having the time to
get to know the destination on my own, while still having a Local Host® to turn
to for advice and tips when I wanted it. I was able to rent a scooter and explore
the city one day and take an iPod walking tour another day, but I still had the
guidance and support you look for from a tour operator. Plus, the half-day tour
of the city was incredibly informative. That alone would have made for a great trip."
-Kenneth S., Editor-in-Chief, TravelAge West
"The trip was amazing! Doing the monograms vacation package is totally the way to
go! We were greeted at the airport and didn't need to worry about transportation
to the hotel. The hotel exceeded my expectations and was a wonderful location for
us to stay. We were within walking distance to the subway which helped our ability
to do independent exploring. Our guide was awesome! He was very helpful and funny!
He was at the hotel in the lobby when we arrived back from a day out on our own.
We were able to ask him advice and to find out hot spots in town. Overall, I would
recommend this vacation to everyone I know. It was a great experience!"
-Trish T.
"On a Monograms program, you have someone to meet you at the airport, take you to
your hotel, provide certain inclusions such as a city tour, show you the ropes,
answer your questions and help you do what you want to do. For those who have an
aversion to organized group travel, think of Monograms has having a friend in the
destination, a local who knows the language and the destination and is professionally
trained to help you make the most of your trip."
"The model of Monograms is a middle ground between escorted touring and independent
travel. It's an excellent way to go, especially to a destination where you don't
know the language."
-David C., Modern Agent
"The trip was beyond our imaginations. Unquestionably, one of the highlights of
this trip was the location of the Mercure Tours Suffren hotel. The ladies were stunned
that we were so-o-o-o close to the Eiffel Tower."
"…the trip was educational, entertaining, gastronomically delightful, a shopping
dream, and all around drop-dead phenomenal."
-Jean H.
"If you equate "group tour" with "herd," check out (Monograms) trips which lay out
your vacation but then set you free ..."
-Travel+Leisure
Trip was outstanding. Jeanie and I always rate what we do on a scale of 1-10. Jeanie
gave Budapest a 10, Vienna a 9, and Prague a 10!!
-Tom F.
"I loved the idea of the tour having as much freedom as it did. Not having to pick
out a hotel, arrange the transfers, booking the major exhibits in each city made
the trip delightful and stress-free."
-Patti
Partnerships
Where & How It All Began
It all began more than 80 years ago when a young man 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?
Today, the Globus family of brands is a global company reaching every corner of
the world, yet remains family-owned and steeped in the values Antonio had when he
set out across Lake Lugano—to enlighten travelers by showing them the very best
of the destinations we know so well.
The Globus story takes us back to 1928
in Lugano, Switzerland. Our founder, Antonio Mantegazza, had been fascinated with
travel and the wonder he saw in the eyes of travelers to his home country. To pursue
this interest, Antonio bought a rowboat (on credit) and began transporting visitors
to the area across Lake Lugano, sharing stories of the local sights and stories
along the way. This small enterprise grew quickly, motivating a young Antonio to
purchase more rowboats, convincing his friends to join him as he expanded this budding
business.
Rowboats grew to motorboats, then moved to land with a taxi service. Every good
story has an element of luck, and our story is no exception. Antonio's good fortune
came in the form of a local sweepstakes, from which Antonio won the rights to operate
a popular local route for the Swiss national postal and transportation service.
To service this route, Antonio purchased his first motorcoach--the beginning of
motorcoach touring as we know it today. Now in his 30's, Antonio was at the helm
of a full-fledged travel business—a company he named Globus Viaggi.
Through the 1930's, this company grew to a fleet of 12 coaches, operating local
tours for European tourists in Switzerland. Business remained strong, and after
a hiatus during World War II, Antonio acquired two other competing coach companies
and grew his fleet to 33 coaches (his nearest competitor had just five!).
Over the years, Antonio's business dealings introduced him to another young man
who shared his ideals and passion for travel—Werner Albek. Antonio and Werner partnered
to operate popular excursions to St. Moritz, Milan, Venice,
Rome, etc. Only later did Werner and Antonio discover that Werner's fiancé,
Eurosia, was the daughter of Antonio's sister, Agnese. This family connection formed
the foundation of the company for the decades to come.
As business grew through the 1950's,
so did the company's scope. 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 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 America and South America.
The spirit of innovation continues today.
In 2003, both Avalon Waterways and Monograms were introduced, adding river cruising
and independent travel to the expansive product offering. Today, the Globus family
of brands is marketed and operated by a network of more than 32 offices around the
world, serviced by a group of more than 5,000 professionals. Combined, Globus,
Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon
Waterways carry over 500,000 passengers a year, making the organization
the leading operator of guided vacations worldwide.
At the core of the company are Antonio's ideals of passion, hard work, innovation
and love for travel. These values are the cornerstone on which Monograms was built
and will continue to grow for generations to come.
About the Globus family of brands
The Globus family of brands
provides a variety of products addressing the needs of today's diverse traveler
with unparalleled vacation experiences, full of discovery and insight. Globus has
been offering hundreds of unique itineraries all over the world for more than 80
years! Our experience allows all of these brands to offer value, experience and
world-class customer service that is unmatched in the travel industry.
In addition to Monograms, the family of brands includes:
 |
Anyone can visit the sights, but with Globus you also get the little-known insights,
engaging commentary, and unique experiences that tell the story of the destination.
For more than 80 years Globus
has been delivering first-class experiences to travelers.
|
|
 |
Cosmos vacations combine the freedom of independent travel with the benefits of
group travel, all at an unbelievable value. Discover all the possibilities that
Cosmos can open up for
you-putting your travel dreams within reach.
|
|
 |
Avalon Waterways sets the standard in river cruising with the newest fleet and extraordinary
itineraries. Avalon Waterways
also offers small-ship cruises to the Galapagos Islands! Unpack only once, then
relax, take in the sights, and let us do the rest.
|