Home > Compare Tour & Adventure Operators > CIE Tours vs Globus
CIE Tours vs Globus
Compare the travel styles, pricing, destinations and popularity of CIE Tours and Globus.The Low Down
CIE Tours are specialists in guided coach tours through Britain and Ireland. With over 80 years of history the team at CIE certainly have the local ties and experience to deliver you a top notch touring experience through Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England. They have recently dipped their toes into new regions within Europe (like Iceland and Italy) but for now Global Journeys only sell their trips on the mainland of the UK. CIE are relatively unknown in the Australasian market but are very popular in the rest of the world, so you're fellow travellers are likely to be from all around the world, but perhaps with more American's onboard than Antipodeans. With itineraries designed to be fully inclusive, putting your hand in your pocket for optional day trips and activities is not something you need to worry about.
Accommodation on each trips sits at the 3 to 3 1/2 star level, with breakfasts (along with many lunches and dinners) also included. There's a maximum group size of 44, but look out for selected departures on selected trips that are designed for small groups. Also keep a lookout for CIE's Tour of the Week Deal which runs year round and offers savings of up to 15% off the normal retail price.
The Globus Family of Brands, which includes Globus, Cosmos, Monograms & Avalon Waterways are always popular with our clients. Globus offer a premium guided touring experience all over the world, catering mainly for the 55+ market - but like most Operators are open to all ages. Along with their standard itineraries, Globus also have a range of popular European Winter Escapes and numerous faith-based religious tours.The majority if their trips are centred on Europe, Canada and the USA where they provide 4+ star accommodation, luxury coaches, plenty of meals & inclusions. Our team have enjoyed numerous journeys with Globus including trips to South America, Dalmatia, Mexico and Spain, so we have plenty of first hand knowledge to help you plan your next trip!
Stats
No. of Trips
65
No. of Departures
2,285
Avg. Trip Length
9 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$452
Accommodation
3.5 - 4 Star
Budget
Premium
Trip Styles Coach Tours
Regions Explored UK & Ireland
No. of Trips
372
No. of Departures
17,117
Avg. Trip Length
11 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$502
Accommodation
4 - 4.5 Star
Budget
Premium
In Their Own Words We asked the travel companies themselves why you should travel with them
When you travel with CIE Tours, you will get the warmest of welcomes and all the benefits of our 87 years of experience. The itineraries are locally crafted - we set our own high standards for delivering excellent holidays with state-of-the-art luxury coaches; the best hotels; carefully chosen authentic experiences and entertainment.
Our outstanding local tour directors are ready to share their knowledge, stories, passion for their home places - they are our greatest assets. Many of our tours spend 2 nights in each location, and our flexible itineraries include a great balance of escorted and free time. We include full breakfasts, most dinners and some evening entertainment. No one has to worry about paying for optional extras on the trip. It’s all included, no hidden extras.
We know how much these trips mean to you and we want to ensure that this is a trip you will treasure forever.
At Globus, we’re not just hooked on travel as a destination, but on the way it makes you feel. Our promise is to craft adventures that you’ll want to re-live forever.
We’ve been creating wonder-filled first class touring for more than 90 years; we have the experience and local knowledge globally to craft immersive adventures that make Globus travellers feel alive. Not only can you expect to see the big sites, we’ll also take you deeper in each location, right to the beating heart of each new discovery.
At Globus, we understand that your holiday is your treat – a gift from you to you. Let us connect you with a new world of people, places and experiences that will ignite your imagination.
Recent Reviews
4.6
Stunning scenery in the wilds of Scotland, with some logistical challenges. 1 Norm, VIC, Australia, Aug 2023
This was an excellent itinerary to see the stunning landscapes that Scotland offers. Isle of Skye, Glencoe and Orkney were standout locations, The trip also had a liberal dose of castles and stately homes, both functioning and derelict. The tour guide provided an immense amount of history and perspective, to bring locations alive with their significance. ...read more Overall a very worthwhile experience.
On the downside, the tour company, CIE, chose to deliver our 'welcome pack' to the first hotel, rather than to our home. This appears to be their practice for Australians. This was in the least inconvenient as it meant we would not have the benefit of the provided backpacks for our outward journey. All other participants, who were from the USA, had their packs delivered to their homes. The impact was exacerbated by the packs not being there when we arrived, so we were without backpacks, name-tags, maps etc for the whole trip. It was only after pestering our guide that we finally received our packs on the very last day of the trip.
Our other concern was that the the quality of some of the hotels was below our expectations, with cramped rooms and bathrooms lacking power outlets etc, This is understandable in small remote towns, but the worst examples were actually in Glasgow and Inverness. We shared those hotels with other tour companies, such as Trafalgar, so we were not alone in the experience. The multiple tour groups also made meals, especially breakfast, a bit of a bunfight and far exceeded lift capabilities. We chose to walk up 5 flights at one stage, Would we do it again? Probably not with CIE. Their offices are in Ireland and USA and they appear to be not well geared for Australian participation.
On the downside, the tour company, CIE, chose to deliver our 'welcome pack' to the first hotel, rather than to our home. This appears to be their practice for Australians. This was in the least inconvenient as it meant we would not have the benefit of the provided backpacks for our outward journey. All other participants, who were from the USA, had their packs delivered to their homes. The impact was exacerbated by the packs not being there when we arrived, so we were without backpacks, name-tags, maps etc for the whole trip. It was only after pestering our guide that we finally received our packs on the very last day of the trip.
Our other concern was that the the quality of some of the hotels was below our expectations, with cramped rooms and bathrooms lacking power outlets etc, This is understandable in small remote towns, but the worst examples were actually in Glasgow and Inverness. We shared those hotels with other tour companies, such as Trafalgar, so we were not alone in the experience. The multiple tour groups also made meals, especially breakfast, a bit of a bunfight and far exceeded lift capabilities. We chose to walk up 5 flights at one stage, Would we do it again? Probably not with CIE. Their offices are in Ireland and USA and they appear to be not well geared for Australian participation.
Very organised. tour. Excellent hotels. Would book with Global Journeys again. My travel advisor Jemma Rosen was excellent answering concerns I had.
Amazing journey through Scottish Highlands and Isles, getting to see parts of Scotland that I would normally not have considered going to. Went in May and weather was fantastic. The accommodations (with the exception for the Balmacara Hotel) were very ordinary and well below expectations. Whilst I would recommend this trip, I would hope that the tour ...read more operators review the accommodation options and provide better options in the future.
My experience with Global Journeys was excellent along with my travel consultant Jemma Rosen. Very helpful in answering all my questions and I would definitely book with Global Journeys again in the future. Enjoyed my trip with CIE which I thought was good value.
From beginning to end we had great service from Global Journeys and then from CIE tours. Our consultant was easy to deal with and highly professional and personable responding quickly to our questions, CIE were also excellent. Our guide Brian was simply wonderful throughout. Thank you so much.
We booked our tour through Global Journeys. Tracey could not be more helpful, friendly and obliging especially as the booking was done around the Christmas period. All paperwork was handled professionally and efficiently. At all times Tracey was available for advice about the trip. The tour itself was wonderful. Brian was our tour director, guide ...read more and coach driver. He was highly knowledgeable, fun and kept us all on track and in the right place at the right time. We were delighted with both Brian and Tracey and the overall tour. Thank you so much.
4.5
We ended up a small group of 15 - many had cancelled due to extreme heat warnings but most places are air conditioned and it is a dry heat so it was very tolerable. All our hotel locations were close to shops, restaurants, and trails. We had a wonderful tour guide, Craig, who incorporated music to fit the destination and had a wonderful sense of humour. ...read more Highlights were Papago Park, Desert Botanical Museum, 2 nights in Sedona surrounded by beautiful red cliffs that shimmered at sunrise and sunset; Petrified Forest; Painted Desert; Canyon de Chelly with a Navajo guide, and Meteor Crater. There was free time in the Grand Canyon for doing walks or an optional helicopter ride and Williams and Winslow had so much character, being on Route 66 with neon lights, live music, and a very laidback atmosphere. Our coach driver Ray kept the coach meticulously clean and we had a great group of fellow travellers. Jemma provided a hassle-free booking as always and this was my 2nd Globus tour this year that was outstanding, so looking forward to another one next year.
This was a great experience; made all the better by the super helpful tour director Ursula Pinna. She catered for everyone with patience and good humour. The places we visited were out of the normal crowded destinations and the local tour guides were knowledgeable and professional. My highlights were the truffle hunt and the visit to the mountaintop ...read more village of Bagnoreggio. I would recommend this tour to anyone.
Firstly I have always used Global Journeys in Noosa for my tour bookings and really love using this company. I have travelled with Trafalgar four times previously and had a wonderful time. Sadly they couldn't accommodate my request as a solo traveler. So I went with Globus, which was a completely different experience. Globus is supposed to be a step ...read more up from Trafalgar, yet I found no difference in the standard of accommodation or the coach. There were more evening meals included but that was paid for in the increased cost of the tour.
Globus appears to provide a different service to Americans than other nations. We the 'non- Americans' - noticed that the American tourists were all carrying wheeled carry-on luggage. These bags were loaded on and off by the driver. I had phoned Globus Australia to be told very firmly there were to be no wheeled carry-on luggage, with all other 'non- Americans' stating the same ruling. Struggling through airports and ongoing travel with a handbag and shoulder bag was extremely difficult.
Norway was a beautiful country, and the pace of the tour was fine. Although the guide kept quoting all costs in American Dollars or Euro; Norwegian the currency is Krone. It became rather frustrating to be converting from Euro/AUD. The accommodation was clean, though the rooms were extremely small, they did provide some spectacular views! The coach was very full, more so than the Trafalgar tours with seat rotation a time for aggression. Quite upsetting at times. Now that I am home and reviewing the photos, I can appreciate what an awe-inspiring country Norway really is. I wish the tour guide had been able to generate more interest and enthusiasm in the history and culture of Norway. Absolutely include Norway on your tour list. But my opinion is as a 'non-American' not with Globus. Tusen Takk!!
Globus appears to provide a different service to Americans than other nations. We the 'non- Americans' - noticed that the American tourists were all carrying wheeled carry-on luggage. These bags were loaded on and off by the driver. I had phoned Globus Australia to be told very firmly there were to be no wheeled carry-on luggage, with all other 'non- Americans' stating the same ruling. Struggling through airports and ongoing travel with a handbag and shoulder bag was extremely difficult.
Norway was a beautiful country, and the pace of the tour was fine. Although the guide kept quoting all costs in American Dollars or Euro; Norwegian the currency is Krone. It became rather frustrating to be converting from Euro/AUD. The accommodation was clean, though the rooms were extremely small, they did provide some spectacular views! The coach was very full, more so than the Trafalgar tours with seat rotation a time for aggression. Quite upsetting at times. Now that I am home and reviewing the photos, I can appreciate what an awe-inspiring country Norway really is. I wish the tour guide had been able to generate more interest and enthusiasm in the history and culture of Norway. Absolutely include Norway on your tour list. But my opinion is as a 'non-American' not with Globus. Tusen Takk!!
This journey was dream like. I couldn't have asked for better weather, nor a better tour director and driver...and my travel mates were amazing! We got to be great friends by the end of the tour. I cannot say anything negative about this gorgeous and breathtaking tour.
Globus tours are no where near as good as Insight Vacations. Very few meals included but Whistler was the best stop we had. Rocky Mountaineer Gold leaf train trip was a total waste of money, service was horrible, Glass roof was dirty and scratched, meals were ok but once back in the sitting cabin your lucky to get a drink.
Amazing trip with Globus on safari to Kenya & Tanzania. Both tour guides were very efficient & organised. Drivers were good. We were the only Australians. Other guests were Canadians & Americans. Found a tour group of 20 might be a bit too large to be called a "small group tour" Would suggest max 12-16 people. Definitely need to do this at least once ...read more in a lifetime as it is absolutely mind blowing how close you get to the animals
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