I've been shopping the Globus, Insight, Cosmos, Collette and Trafalgar books and after a detailed analysis of hotels, itinerary, included features etc.. .. . have pretty well decided on 2 different tours for 2009 - one in the spring and one in late summer/early fall.

Portugal in Depth (early spring) is one that I am considering. Have you been on this tour and are willing to give some opinions/suggestions?

Thanks in advance.. .. .

If possible, try combining the two tours into one trip and save on the increasing costs of international airfare.

This summer, we are combinig a Holland America Baltic cruise with an Insight tour of Scandinavia.

Both the cruise and land tour originate in Copenhagen.

Hi General Max,

(Haven't I seen you on the Trafalgar and/or Insight BB's?)

I know what you mean about combining the 2 tours. The 2 main reasons I don't:
1. For family reasons prefer not to be away more than 2 weeks at a time.
2. Would love to travel all year round if I could only afford it. Instead, I take 2 (or in a real splurging year - 3) trips during the year, spread across the calendar.

As a single traveller, cruises are a HUGE splurge because of the extra costs. The Baltic cruise does sound wonderful; I have a friend going this summer as well (different cruise line). . I've toured Scandinavia with Cosmos and loved the scenery, especially Norway. Now that I'm even more into photography I want to go back. Your vacation package sounds fabulous.

In the meantime, do you have any experience with the Globus Portugal tour?