Jetsettersblog

Cosmos, the budget line of tours offered by the Globus family of brands, released its offerings for 2012, with 75 percent of the program focused on North America’s scenery and national parks. “National parks are idyllic vacation hot spots perfect for relaxation and introspection, wild life exploration or adventure, depending on each traveler’s interests,” said Scott Nisbet, president and CEO of the Globus family of brands.

“And it’s because of the experiences these parks provide that bookings for our North American national park tour sales have witnessed an increase in the last year. In 2012, our GoParks! Tours partnership will give Cosmos travelers the chance to give back and preserve these parks for the future.”

This year Cosmos is partnering with the National Park Foundation (NPF), the official charity of America’s national parks, to provide unique tour experiences in the national parks. As part of the GoParks! Tours partnership, the company will make a donation to the NPF for each client at no cost to the clients.

The North America selection has 15 vacations, including Highlights of the Canyonlands (eight days), priced from $1,089; Western Wonders (11 days), priced from $1,399; Enchanted Southwest (12 days), priced from $1,679; National Parks & Canyon Country (13 days), priced from $1,489; Splendors of the Hawaiian Islands (13 days), priced from $1,889; and Historic Trails & Blue Ridge Mountains (14 days) priced from $1,899.

New offerings for 2012 include the 10-day Wildlife of British Columbia vacation and 13 Special Departure vacations centered around events, including Western Canada & Rocky Mountaineer Calgary Stampede (July 8, 2012, departure); Dixieland & Rhythms New Orleans Jazz Fest (April 18 and 25, 2012, departures); Route 66 Revisited: International Route 66 Mother Road Festival & Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta (Sept. 16, 2012, departure); Elvis & the Southern Sounds 35th Anniversary Memorial Tour (Aug. 12, 2012, departure); and The Old South & Florida Halloween (Oct. 25, 2012, departure). Clients who book a North American Cosmos trip early can get $50 off.

For 50 years, Cosmos has refined the concept of low-cost travel packages in more than 30 countries around the world, earning 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. Littleton, Colo.-based Group Voyagers is the privately held company that markets and sells the Globus family of brands within the United States, including Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways. Established more than 80 years ago, Globus offers escorted and independent travel and river cruising programs in seven continents.

For information, call 800-221-0090 or visit www.cosmos.com , www.globusjourneys.com  or www.globusfamilypartner.com