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
66
No. of Departures
3,298
Avg. Trip Length
9 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$478
Accommodation
3.5 - 4 Star
Budget
Premium
Trip Styles Coach Tours
Regions Explored UK & Ireland
No. of Trips
376
No. of Departures
12,927
Avg. Trip Length
11 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$556
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
CIE are a great tourist organisation. All costs were in the price quoted , no added extras like some tourist organisations. The tour covered big and small venues, cities and towns whilst the places used for accommodation were of great value. I would recommend CIE.
Loved every minute of the trip. Sam our driver was amazing. Jaquie our guide was fabulous. Couldn't recommend them any more. Would do it again in a heartbeat. A must do trip to add to your bucket list.
Stunning scenery in the wilds of Scotland, with some logistical challenges. 2 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.
4.5
Probably the most luxurious and well run tour you could ever hope to do. If I had one criticism it is that the coach did not cater to the older and more ample framed amongst us, which I found strange as the Japanese coaches (I had just been there) had two rows at the back with double leg room. Mark our tour guide was fun and knowledgeable and everything ...read more just ran smoothly. We saw lots of wildlife (bears) and the Fairmont Hotels are just out of this world. I cannot thank Global Journeys enough for recommending this tour.
The Globus passengers were wonderful. Co-operative & so considerate. Our tour director Ciro was fabulous too. At times we were exhausted so I'm glad I didn't book all the optional extras. Very glad I chose the Mt Etna option though as it was unique. I've travelled with more expensive tour operators & consider Globus to be better value for money. Southern ...read more Italy is quite different to Northern Italy & it's the generosity of the southern locals that make it an authentic experience. I would never travel during Italy's summer seasons as it would be far too hot & busy. May was perfect with clear skies & comfortable temperatures in the 20's.
The trip was awesome but… firstly the toilet is barred on the coach.. you are made to feel like a fool if you need to go to the toilet .. it’s “only for emergencies” a humans need and requirement is to be able to the toilet when needed!!! They stop every two to three hours. I had to dehydrate myself daily to ensure I need not go to the toilet .. couldnt ...read more have my morning coffee and or water!!
The tour guide was very helpful but he can talk under water. He was very informative. The countries visited were amazing but … very rushed in every place.. you do get free time in some areas.. if you have a budget? Ensure you book the extra tours as they are costly and blow out any budget ! The hotels are beautiful.. lots of time on the coach, so make sure you chose someone to sit with that you get along with, cause they are next to you the entire trip and there is no changing. You can’t eat or drink on the coach either!!
The tour guide was very helpful but he can talk under water. He was very informative. The countries visited were amazing but … very rushed in every place.. you do get free time in some areas.. if you have a budget? Ensure you book the extra tours as they are costly and blow out any budget ! The hotels are beautiful.. lots of time on the coach, so make sure you chose someone to sit with that you get along with, cause they are next to you the entire trip and there is no changing. You can’t eat or drink on the coach either!!
What a trip! We were excited to go and this was better than we could have dreamed. One of the best trips we have ever done, Cape Town was exciting and hotel in the best spot the free shuttle to the V&A was well used, Malakai game park and lodge were what we dreamed they may have been. Johannesburg hotel was great and learning more details on the history ...read more sobering. Zimbabwe beautiful - Victoria Falls magnificent the animals an added bonus. Elephants having an afternoon drink the grounds of the hotel on our last night wonderful. Farewell dinner on the banks of the Zambezi River hippos in the background. Guide Taki - well organized and everything seemed to just happen. Would definitely recommend to anyone - though the pace may not suit elderly mobility issues or young children.
I have booked many trips with Global Journeys and Hannah has always been very helpful, with nothing being too much bother. Regarding this Portugal trip, guide Beatriz was THE good tour guide, a mix of information with some lighter moments. Hotels were first rate, especially the NH Collection Porto Batalha on a central pedestrian square. The tour itself ...read more was a good mix of large cities and smaller towns, and even the times where we stopped only one night, the distances were short between.
Great way to experience Hawaii. The 4 islands were so different and definitely worth seeing to get a better experience of Hawaii. Perfect amount of inclusions. Beautiful canyons, waterfalls, beaches and variety of plantations. Nice meals included. Good hotels and tour size. Lovely weather. Not too hot. Would definitely recommend.
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