Monograms Independent Tours - About Monograms
Where & How It All Began
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?
Today, the Globus family of brands is a global company reaching every corner of the world, yet remains family-owned and steeped in the values Antonio had when he set out across Lake Lugano—to enlighten travelers by showing them the very best of the destinations Monograms know so well.
At the core of the company are Antonio's ideals of passion, hard work, innovation and love for travel. These values are the cornerstone on which Monograms was built and will continue to grow for generations to come.
You Choose Where You Want To Go
Spend a week in the city of your choice for an in-depth discovery—or just 3 nights for a relaxing mini-break. With Monograms, it's easy to combine multiple destinations, like Paris and London, or to explore North and South America. From the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Great Wall of China to the wonders of Italy and the magic of Russia, with Monograms, the world is waiting.
You Choose Your Hotels
Monograms knows that location, style, and value are important to you. Whether you prefer hotels that are convenient for shopping or sightseeing, surrounded by outstanding natural beauty, part of the city's artistic heritage, or that offer contemporary styling, Monograms vacations can put you at the heart of your destination—an assurance that first-time travelers to an area find invaluable. Choose to stay on the Grand Canal in Venice, opposite the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey in London, or overlooking stunning Lake Maggiore. Your Monograms hotels can enhance your adventure in a truly remarkable way!
You personalize your experience
Monograms Tours know that your vacation is just that—your vacation. With that in mind, they help you truly personalize your getaway. With an outstanding collection of activities and excursions in each destination, Monograms gives you more choices, and that means your vacation will be exactly what you want it to be!
Most Monograms vacations include sightseeing and orientation in each city, so you don't miss the must-see sights. Monograms lets you personalize your vacation by adding your own set of activities and excursions throughout your vacation! How about an encounter with the world's greatest collection of Italian art at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence or an adventurous climb to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge? Or you may choose to immerse yourself in the local culture by attending a Navajo cookout in Monument Valley, enjoying a traditional folklore show in Budapest, or exploring the floating market at Damnoen Saduak near Bangkok. Whatever your interest, with Monograms you choose how to make the most of your time.
Make the most of your vacation
On a Monograms independent vacation, Monograms will help you feel right at home in your destination—even if it's your first time visiting there! Before you leave, you'll receive a Trip Planner complete with key information. Then, once you arrive at your destination, friendly, professional Local Hosts® are on hand to provide you with a Destination Guide, to offer hints and recommendations to help you get the lay of the land, and to ensure you have what you need to make the most of your time.
Monograms Independent Vacations Will Get You Around & They Make Traveling Easy
You've spent three wonderful days in city "A" but now you need to get to city "B." You get a train schedule from the front desk and try to figure out the best time to travel. Where is the train station anyway? And you'll need transportation to get you to your transportation. What if you're in Asia? You'll need a flight to get from Tokyo to Beijing. All of this sounds extremely time consuming with much room for error. But not with Monograms. When you buy a Monograms package, all intra-city transportation is included in your package price, not only for a great value but for a lot less hassle while you are on vacation. All aboard!!
Types of Transportation
Depending on where you are going, you could be traveling on many modes of transportation. Here's a list of types of transportation used by Monograms:
Trains & Rail
For example, in Europe you could travel from London to Paris on the high-speed Eurostar train, in Western Canada on the Rocky Mountaineer, or in Alaska on the Alaska Railroad.
Rocky Mountaineer travels through spectacular Canadian scenery. RedLeaf Service provides spacious, fully reclining seats, picture windows, and delicious meals served at your seat. SilverLeaf Service features a single level dome coach offering panoramic views from oversized windows and meals served at your seat. An upgrade to GoldLeaf Dome Service features extra attendants, an elegant dome car, and gourmet meals in a separate dining car.
The Alaska Railroad is the perfect way to see the state's spectacular scenery. Adventure Class provides spacious seats and picture windows, while an upgrade to GoldStar Service features a confirmed seat in the upper-level dome car, complimentary nonalcoholic beverages served at your seat, priority check-in and boarding, a private outdoor viewing deck, and priority seating in the lower-level dining room.
Ships:
There are vacations where you'll travel by ship, including the Aria on the northern Amazon River in Peru, the Santa Cruz in the Galápagos Islands or on the Reef Endeavour in Fiji, as well as many others.
Intra-Vacation Flights:
There will be times where the only way or the fastest way to get to your next destination will be to fly. For example, Monograms will arrange your flight from Hong Kong to Beijing or from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires. Monograms offers many vacations where flying from one city to another is the best mode of transportation.
Included Meals
Vacations to Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South America, and Africa include breakfast. Breakfast is a buffet (B) and is listed on each itinerary page. In North America Monograms Tours do not include breakfast.
Dining in Style
In general, lunches and dinners are not included in your Monograms vacation. On some travel days in remote regions, on cruises, and at some resorts Monograms independent vacations include lunches and dinners. Unlike an airline, Monograms cannot process requests for special meals. While some hotels and restaurants may be able to provide for a special diet, such as vegetarian or salt-free food, there is no way for Monograms tours to guarantee this. Special food usually costs extra.