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?

In 1928, Antonio opened a company specializing in motorcoach touring called Globus Viaggi. The company began with a fleet of 12 coaches which operated local excursions for European tourists in Switzerland. Antonio's frequent trips across the scenic lake led him to consider opportunities in a different market tourism. His entrepreneurial instinct pushed him to gradually acquire some motorcoaches to transport tourists around the Lake Lugano area.

By 1950, Globus Viaggi had grown to a fleet of 33 coaches and featured overnight excursions to Rome, Venice, the Dolomites, and the French Riviera. Gradually, these became regularly scheduled tours and grew longer to cover more ground. Later that decade, under the leadership of Werner Albek, Antonio's business partner, Globus pioneered the concept of Grand European Touring by offering first-class European tours to North Americans. By 1961, the company launched its Cosmos arm, which featured affordable, budget-priced European touring for the cost-conscious British traveler.

The coach tours were so successful that Cosmos soon introduced another form of travel for the British market: air holiday packages to the sunny destinations of southern Europe. By 1968, Cosmos air holidays became so popular the company formed its own airline, Monarch Airlines. Monarch Airlines started out modestly with two used Britannia aircraft and eventually blossomed into one of the most successful European charter companies with a large fleet of modern jets and its own engineering division.

Under the flagship of Sergio Mantegazza, current president and son of Antonio, the company began expanding its markets beyond Great Britain and North America. Since 1974, tour packages have been sold in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and most recently in Southeast Asia. Starting in the 70s, the company also aggressively expanded its tour offerings, introducing travelers to more countries than any other tour operator with packages to Africa, USA, Canada, Europe, the South Pacific, and Asia.

Today, the Globus family of brands is a global company reaching every corner of the world, yet remains family-owned and steeped in

OVER 250 YEARS OF DISCOVERY

2008 marked the 250th anniversary of the foundation of Cox & Kings, the longest established travel company in the world.

The company’s history stretches back to the summer of 1758 when Richard Cox was appointed as regimental agent to the Foot Guards by his mentor, Lord Ligonier, the Commanding Officer of His Majesty’s Armed Forces.

The role of agent included the arrangement of payment of officers and men, the provision of clothing, serving as a go-between for the buying and selling of officers’ commissions, and acting upon any special requests from the regimental adjutant.

Regimental agents did not have a very good reputation before Cox, but such was his honesty, reliability and organisational ability that he made it a respectable business and Cox & Co soon became the agent for the majority of British regiments. By the end of the 18th century the company served 14 cavalry, 64 infantry and 17 militia regiments. The company’s business grew hand in hand with the British Empire, becoming involved in banking and shipping in addition to its other agency activities.

In the late 19th century, Henry S. King & Co was a rival bank and shipping agency, started by Henry Samuel King and subsequently run for over 45 years by his son, Henry Seymour King, an MP and renowned mountaineer. The company had particularly strong links with India. After the First World War the two companies merged as Cox’s & King’s and moved into grand premises on Pall Mall, in the heart of London. In 1923 the business was sold to Lloyds Bank and whilst the banking arm stayed with Lloyds (becoming the Cox & Kings branch, as it is still known), the shipping agency became a separate company, running tours and organising the passage of people and their belongings around the world, notably to Egypt, India and South Asia.

In 1970, Cox & Kings Agency was bought by Grindlays Bank as part of a deal with the Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, to develop tourism into the country, and so the modern history of the company began.

Cox & Kings has built on the tradition of high quality service and attention to detail established by Richard Cox over 250 years ago and it now provides travel arrangements of the highest calibre in many of the most culturally and naturally fascinating parts of the world. The company is now privately owned and has extended its expertise to cover the Indian Subcontinent, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, the Far East, Europe and Australia & New Zealand.

If you're looking for first-class touring and world-class value, Globus is the perfect choice. You'll stay in hotels that are conveniently located, often within minutes of major attractions.

We offer many more inclusions with visits inside the Colosseum, the Vatican Museum and the second level of the Eiffel Tower being just a few. And when you arrive at the world's most popular attractions we know you'll appreciate that we have pre-arranged everything. With our priority booking over independent travellers, you'll visit must-see sights without queuing for hours.

If you want your holiday to be a real holiday, leave the hard work to Globus. Nobody opens more doors to more places in the world than we do.

There was a time when travellers expected and received the ultimate in personal service. Small, select groups enjoyed carefully planned, stylish itineraries, quality hotels in convenient locations and informed knowledge of their destinations. No detail was missed. Most travel providers have forgotten this superior approach; today Insight Vacations raises it to a fine art. We invite you to rediscover the Golden Age of Travel.

Insight Vacations, Europe's premier escorted tour operator, provides premium escorted motorcoach vacations throughout Britain, Ireland, Europe, Scandinavia the Eastern Mediterranean and North America.

In 1978, its first year, the company had a handful of staff in London and carried just 5700 passengers. Today, Insight has a team of professionals throughout the world, plays host to over 100,000 guests per year and has offices in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore and the UK. The company has also appointed specialist agents in Argentina, Brazil, Mauritius, India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan and China.

Insight has achieved many important Tour Operator 'Firsts' over the years including, in 1983, being the first scheduled tour operator to win 'the Queen's Award for Export Achievement' from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

You will travel with companions from all over the English speaking world - England, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Singapore and more. Relax and capture the spirit of Europe and North America while we take care of every detail. From Great Britain to the European continent, from Turkey to the wonders of Israel and Egypt and the breathtaking National Parks and exciting cities of America & Canada, we invite you to experience the Insight difference and travel in style and comfort

No other tour compares – that's why over 30 years we've earned the right to call it 'The Art of Touring in Style'

At Trafalgar, we passionately believe in the power of travel to broaden the mind and build bridges between people. By sharing with you the hidden places not mentioned in guidebooks, the local people you wouldn’t otherwise meet and the traditions you may not have experienced by yourself, we ensure that you get the ‘insider’ view: an authentic and enhanced experience you simply could not have had on your own.

It is this dedication to taking our guests beyond the obvious sights that has helped us grow over the past 60 years into one of the most trusted and successful international guided holiday companies in the world. From Europe to the US, from South America to South Africa, we pride ourselves on uncovering the hidden gems, cultural highlights and not-to-be-missed attractions of the places you visit. We’ll help you delve deep into the heart of off-the-beaten-track cities and towns and capture the true essence of each new destination. You’ll benefit from having an expert Tour Director at the helm, supported by charismatic local guides along the way, ready to share their local knowledge with you and your new-found friends.

For a holiday brimming with options, flexibility and truly authentic experiences, travellers need look no further than Trafalgar. By travelling with an insider, you'll discover a world of endless possibility, on a holiday you'll never forget.

15 reasons why Trafalgar is the world's favourite for guided holidays:

Culinary treats and local gastronomic delights are offered, such as in our popular Be My Guest features, where we give you the unique opportunity to dine at private family homes

You will experience all the 'must-see' attractions without the long lines
Our At Leisure program combines the best of our guided holidays with the freedom and flexibility of an independent trip. Stay longer (2-3 nights on average) and travel at a more relaxed pace, while benefitting from the insider knowledge of a Trafalgar holiday

Travel Indochina has been operating Small Group Journeys to Asia since 1993. With six offices across our destinations and a team of expert consultants our idea is simple - escape the tourist traps to explore the essence of Asia’s history, culture, natural beauty and, most importantly, her people.

Best you have a look at some of the suppliers websites and see what they are selling and get an idea of themes from them than basing it on a product we are not actually selling. I would like their logos used and only use images from their websites or licensed images as Getty Images tried to sue us before.