Never one to follow the crowd, Cosmos is committed to making 2018 the year for exploring the equally as wondrous but lesser known corners of the world. Travelling the globe and curating the finest local experiences and pinch-yourself moments since 1961, the company now offers more than 200 well-thought out itineraries across 80 captivating destinations. With a wealth of wanderlust knowledge, Cosmos has searched far and wide for undiscovered treasures to share with those who have itchy feet. With terms like ‘over-tourism’ and ‘authentic travel’ creeping more unto the travel pages, the UK experts in touring holidays, rail journeys and cruises have created the ultimate alternative bucket list to convince holidaymakers to try something new and go off-the-beaten path.
Instead of the great American road trip… Cosmos recommends the great American train trip!
Cosmos suggests taking a different track and discovering the USA via rail. In comparison to classic road trips such as Route 66 or the Pacific Coast Highway, train travel often covers more land, crossing remote landscapes inaccessible by car and enabling travellers to take in extra sights in a far shorter time. Passengers can chug along Colorado’s historic railroads on an adventure back in time to discover the real Wild West, including Colorado Springs, Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the ancestral cliff-dwellings of the Anasazi Native Americans.
How to get there? Cosmos offers a 10-day Historic Trains of Colorado classic escorted tour from £2,029 per person, including flights from London Heathrow, transfers, VIP private home pick up service (within 50 miles), a dedicated Tour Director, accommodation, selected meals, porterage, all airport taxes and a single share option. Departure dates in June, July, August, September and October 2018. For more information, please visit: www.cosmos.co.uk/tours/historic-trains-colorado.
Instead of the well-trodden jaunt across Western Europe… Cosmos recommends a Balkans break!
Paris, Rome, Amsterdam and Barcelona have long topped the lists of best places to visit in Europe, but to avoid the growing crowds (and their swinging selfie sticks), Cosmos recommends venturing east towards the Balkans for a unique European odyssey. Euro-trippers can eat dinner with locals in Serbia, shop Budapest’s markets, enjoy Roman ruins all to themselves in Bulgaria, and listen to tales of local legends, such as Count Dracula.
How to get there? Cosmos offers a 13-day Treasures of the Balkans and Transylvania classic escorted tour from £1,545 per person, including flights from London Gatwick, transfers, VIP private home pick up service (within 50 miles), a dedicated Tour Director, accommodation, selected meals, porterage and all airport taxes. Departure dates in April, May, June, July, August, September and October 2018. For more information please visit: www.cosmos.co.uk/tours/treasures-balkans-transylvania.
Instead of India’s Golden Triangle… Cosmos recommends Russia’s Golden Ring!
With more than eight million visitors to the Taj Mahal annually, culture vultures can swap the well-worn circuit of India’s Golden Triangle for a taste of the intriguing and equally mystifying ‘Golden Ring’ in Russia. Visitors will have the opportunity to ride the infamous Metro in Moscow, try their hand at painting Matroyshka dolls in Sergiev Posad and follow in the footsteps of Tchaikovsky in Klin.
How to get there? Cosmos is offering a 10-day Taste of Russia classic escorted tour from £1,860 per person including flights from London Heathrow, transfers, VIP private home pick up service (within 50 miles), a dedicated Tour Director, services of a local representative, accommodation, selected meals, excursions, porterage, all airport taxes and a single share option. Departure dates in May, July, August and September 2018. For more information, please visit: www.cosmos.co.uk/tours/taste-russia.
Instead of the Northern Lights… Cosmos recommends marvelling at the Midnight Sun!
For the ultimate bragging rights, Cosmos recommends seeing the otherworldly phenomenon of the Midnight Sun, only visible for two months a year. Throughout the summer season, beyond the Arctic Circle, the sun barely dips below the horizon providing nearly 24-hours of sunlight. Many sights and activities in Norway, Sweden and Finland remain open late into the evening for sun revellers to take advantage of and enjoy.
How to get there? Cosmos offers a 16-day Northern Highlights and the Arctic Circle classic escorted tour from £2,199 per person, including flights from London Gatwick, VIP private home pick up service (within 50 miles), transfers, a dedicated Tour Director, accommodation, selected meals, service chargers and all airport taxes. Departure dates in May, June, July and August 2018. For more information, please visit: www.cosmos.co.uk/tours/northern-highlights-and-the-arctic-circle.
Instead of the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro… Cosmos recommends Quebec’s Winter Carnival!
Everyone is ready for a party, whatever the weather! Cosmos proposes swapping the Brazilian heat for the opportunity to experience one of the world’s largest winter carnivals in historic Quebec City. With a dizzying schedule of activities, winter travellers can bundle up and enjoy horse drawn sleigh rides, try maple taffy, which is cooked maple syrup drizzled over snow, and watch the annual ice canoe race. A highlight for many visitors is meeting Bonhomme, the festival mascot.
How to get there? Cosmos offers an 8-day Quebec Winter Carnival classic escorted tour from £2,219 per person, including flights from London Heathrow, VIP private home pick up service (within 50 miles), transfers, accommodation, selected meals, porterage and all airport taxes. Based on a 1st February 2018 departure date. For more information please visit: www.cosmos.co.uk/tours/quebec-winter-carnival.
Instead of cruising the Nile… Cosmos recommends navigating the backwaters of India!
Cruisers can board their own traditionally thatched kettuvallam (houseboat) for an overnight trip exploring the lakes, winding canals and narrow rivers that make up the backwaters of India’s most southern state. An iconic image of the region, the kettuvallam is built using locally sourced materials such as bamboo, palm leaves and wood. The best views are from the top deck where travellers can watch fisherman paddle past in canoes, women hanging clothes to dry and children playing near the water’s edge.
How to get there? Cosmos offers a 14-day Discover Southern India and Kerala small group tour from £1,575 per person including flights from London Heathrow, VIP private home pick up service (within 50 miles), transfers, services of a tour director, accommodation, selected meals, porterage and all airport taxes. Departure dates in March, April, September, October, November and December 2018. For more information please visit www.cosmos.co.uk/tours/discover-southern-india-kerala.
Instead of an African safari… Cosmos recommends searching for orangutans in lush Borneo!
Move over ‘Big Five!’ Cosmos recommends trading in the traditional safari for a close encounter with humankind’s closest relative in Malaysia. Without the roar of a jeep, wildlife lovers can walk serenely through thick, tangled jungle surrounding the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, one of the only two places in the world where wild orangutans roam.
How to get there? Cosmos offers a 13-day Malaysia and the Orangutans of Borneo classic escorted tour from £2,155 per person including flights from London Heathrow, VIP private home pick up service (within 50 miles), transfers, services of a tour director, accommodation, selected meals, and all airport taxes. Departure dates in May, June, July, August, September and October 2018. For more information please visit: www.cosmos.co.uk/tours/malaysia-orangutans-borneo.