Cosmos Unveils 2012 European Travel Packages

For 50 years, Cosmos has offered savvy, value-minded travelers the most affordable travel packages to the world's most fascinating places. Places like the snowcapped peaks of Switzerland, sunny Spain, the ancient splendor of Greece and Egypt, festive France and the beautiful British Isles. In 2012, Cosmos will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a NEW limited-time UNESCO tour and special offers throughout the year.

"Since inventing the budget tour, we have refined the concept of low-cost travel packages," said Scott Nisbet, president and chief operating officer for the Globus family of brands. "We offer travelers the time they crave to explore the world while making it easy for them to become immersed in foreign cities and local cultures. And, thanks to our expert Tour Directors, we give travelers interesting insight and stories that bring meaning to each destination."

Among its European tour offerings for 2012, Cosmos is unveiling a NEW special, 12-day limited-edition 50th anniversary Swiss Unesco World Heritage tour (priced from $2,639). On this vacation, travelers will explore several of Switzerland's UNESECO World Heritage sites, including taking in such scenic highlights as Heidiland, Walensee, Engadin National Park, Lake Como and Jungfraujoch. Experiences on this tour include taking a boatride on Walensee, enjoying a guided tour of the quaint village of Müstair, taking a Bernina Express train through scenic alpine terrain from St. Moritz to Tirano, strolling in lakeside Lugano (Cosmos' worldwide headquarters), visiting a medieval hilltop castle of Gruyére, sipping wine at one of the best-known wineries in Lavaux and going to the "Top of Europe" on the Jungfraubahn.

According to Nisbet, in 2012, the company's European itineraries are more diverse than ever with four travel styles (Regional Discoveries, Panoramas, Escapes and Rail Journeys) and six NEW itineraries to Scotland, Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Greece and Istanbul. In total, Cosmos is offering travelers more than 50 European itineraries to celebrate 50 years of affordable travel.

"The goal of Cosmos has been the same from the beginning," said Nisbet. "To make our favorite pastime – traveling – an affordable reality. Next year, we're providing travelers vacation packages with hotels, transportation and sightseeing in Europe for as little as $77 per day – less than a night out at home might cost – and much less than travelers could book on their own."

Early Booking Incentive: Travelers interested in being among the first to experience Cosmos 2012 European tour lineup can save $50 per person when booking before November 29, 2011.*

COSMOS' NEW 2012 VACATIONS

NEW! A Taste of Scotland (7 days), priced from $999

NEW! Swiss UNESCO World Heritage (12 days), priced from $2,639 (50th Anniversary Tour)

NEW! Spanish Fiesta (9 days), priced from $1,179

NEW! Highlights of Spain & France (10 days), priced from $1,549

NEW! Gems of Italy, France & Spain (19 days), priced from $2,399

NEW! Leisurely Tuscany & Rome (8 days), priced from $1,199

NEW! Greece & Istanbul (10 days), priced from $1,399

2012 "FAVORITES"

Splendors of Italy (9 days), priced from $1,199

Spain, Portugal & Morocco (15 days), priced from $1,699

Prague, Vienna & Budapest (9 days), priced from $999

Irish Explorer (9 days), priced from $999

Six Countries, Venice & Paris (10 days), priced from $1,409

*Book a 2012 Cosmos vacation to receive the $50 per person discount. Booking must be made, under deposit and discount applied between October 12 and November 29, 2011 for travel commencing by December 31, 2012. Not combinable with any other promotion except the Journeys Club Repeat Traveler benefit. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.

ABOUT COSMOS
For 50 years, Cosmos has refined the concept of low-cost travel packages, offering travelers the best vacation value available in more than 30 countries around the world. This dedication has earned Cosmos Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel magazine's official recommendation, year after year. When vacationing with Cosmos, travelers can enjoy the expert knowledge of Tour Directors while taking free time to explore on their own. Cosmos is part of the Globus family of brands, an award-winning, travel industry leader with more than 80 years of international travel expertise. The Globus family of brands is a member of Sustainable Travel International (STI).

Consumers can book a Cosmos vacation or request brochures by visiting a preferred travel agent or by calling the following toll free number: 1.866.313.2845. For more information, please visit www.cosmos.com or our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cosmos.