Globus Unpacked: Multi-city roadshow for trade kicks off in T.O. with insider access

While winter tightened its icy grip outside, travel advisors were happily whisked away indoors, daydreaming of sun-drenched days on Lake Como, Limoncello spritzes in Sorrento, and epic hotel stays in Capri.

Authentic Italy stole the spotlight Tuesday night (Jan. 20) at Toronto’s Marriott City Centre Hotel, where Globus family of brands kicked off “Unpacked,” a 24-city roadshow offering an insider’s look at the company’s itineraries through the eyes of its Tour Directors.

“Italy is our number one destination,” said Denise Harper, managing director of sales for Canada at Globus, speaking to PAX at last night’s event, which welcomed about 40 travel advisors. “We have a lot of product in Italy and some great itineraries.”

But Unpacked, touring cities in Eastern, Western and Atlantic Canada until February 20, is about more than showcasing must-see destinations.  

It’s about sharing on-the-ground stories from people who make Globus’ tours come alive.

“Our Tour Directors are everything,” Harper said. “They start the tour, they pick guests up at the airport, they're on the coach bus all day, they'll eat meals with them. If people want recommendations of what to do in a city, they'll help them out. They organize all the hotels. They do everything from beginning to end. It's like having your own personal concierge.”

On-the-ground details

Speaking at last night’s gathering was Globus Tour Director Francesco Nardin from Treviso, a storybook town in northeastern Italy, known as “Little Venice” for its canals and medieval walls – and for being the birthplace of tiramisu.

Located about 40 minutes north of Venice by car (20 minutes by train), charming Treviso, which PAX toured back in 2016, is cradled in Italy’s Veneto region, the heartland of Prosecco.

Nardin, one of two Tour Directors from Italy participating in the roadshow, has been part of Globus since 2016 and has since become one of the company’s most sought-after guides in Italy.

“When we are on tour, we are very proud to be part of a family,” Nardin told attendees at last night’s presentation, which was for agents only.

He shared his philosophy about how tours should strike a balance between sightseeing and leisure, allowing guests to relax and enjoy free time.

He also highlighted the growing popularity of Globus’ Small Group Discovery program, which hosts up to just 15 travellers per departure.

On these tours, large 48-passenger coaches give way to cozy 20-seat minibuses, allowing access to hidden gems and a more relaxed pace.

“We can reach all the places that big buses can’t. Little venues, wineries and city centres…Everything is easier,” Nardin said.

Endless pasta-bilities

As for where Globus can take clients in Italy, the pasta-bilities are endless.

Nardin shared a sample of just some of Globus’ itineraries, including one tour called the “Magic of the Italian Lakes,” an eight-day journey from Milan to Lake Maggiore, with stops in Verona and Como.

During this experience, guests will explore Bellagio, a picturesque town on Lake Como, where actor George Clooney is rumoured to ride his motorcycle and mingle with locals, Nardin shared.

It’s an itinerary for people that have been to Italy before, Nardin explained, or have a desire to travel off the beaten path.  

Another option? “Italian Mosaic,” a 13-day adventures from Rome to Rome, with stops in Pisa, Florence, Cinque Terre, Lake Maggiore, Lugano, Venice, Assisi, Sorrento, Capri and Pompeii.

From colourful villages on the Italian Riviera to sipping Limoncello in Sorrento, “It's probably for people who want to visit Italy for the first time,” Nardin said.

Clients can go another direction with “Enhancing Italy,” a nine-day tour from Rome to Venice, with stops in Narni, Perugia, Pienza, Bagno-Vignoni, Montepulciano, Monteriggioni, San Gimignano and Florence.

This experience includes activities like chocolate making classes, olive oil tastings and an opportunity to ride a bullet train.

“It’s for clients who want to see Italy a different way,” Nardin said. “We do different things on this tour. In Rome, for example, we go for a walk then stop in the market for a food tour.”

Narni, an ancient hill town in Umbria, Italy, notably inspired C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia. 

“It’s a middle-aged jewel where it’s only locals,” Nardin said. “Guests will have to practice their Italian. They’ll feel Italian.”

That’s the thing: Globus’ Tour Directors aim to help clients feel local, teaching them language basics, recommending authentic food, and explaining cultural norms along the way.

The good, the bad, the ugly

Nardin also outlined how Tour Directors consider individual needs and special occasions—such as birthdays and anniversaries—planning unique activities to make them memorable.

These are the stories you don’t get in the brochure. One time, Nardin supported a husband with health issues, and his wife with cancer, so both could enjoy a tour in Italy.

He coordinated logistics so the wife could experience everything while ensuring the husband’s comfort.

Tour Directors will also deal with unexpected issues, like lost passports, missed flights, clients going missing in destinations, pickpockets, and other emergencies.

Nardin shared a personal anecdote about a stolen passport during a Mediterranean tour he was leading that required coordination with the New Zealand embassy to get it quickly replaced.

In stressful situations like this, “We try to be what clients want – a person who doesn’t create stress,” he said. “We try to make everything easy. We can solve the problem.”

All eyes on Globus

Last night was just a glimpse of what the Globus family of brands has to offer: hundreds of itineraries across six continents and 68 countries—and counting—through three distinct products.

Flagship Globus delivers fully-escorted tours, typically providing 4+ star accommodations, luxury coaches, and plenty of meals and inclusions.

Cosmos, on the other hand, is value-oriented, geared towards clients who aren’t fussy about where they stay (just as long as it’s clean) and care more about exploring a destination, with flexibility.

Hotels on a Cosmos tour might be located on the outskirts of a city (whereas a Globus-booked hotel is in the heart of it all).

Then there’s Avalon Waterways, which offers river cruises on “Suite Ships” with panoramic windows and open-air balconies.

One of its newest itineraries is “Bonjour Bordeaux: Châteaux, Wineries & Charming Villages,” which PAX experienced last year. 

River cruise uptick  

Recently, on the Rhine, aboard its Avalon Panorama ship, Avalon hosted its third-annual River Cruise Summit for Canadian travel advisors with ACTA.

“We've already seen in uptick in sales,” Harper said, commenting on the Summit, which took place in late November. “We had people coming off the ship, booking groups for 2026 and into 2027. Last year we saw a 35 per cent increase in sales. We're hoping for the same, or better, this year.”

As for Globus, the company’s “Escapes” and “Undiscovered” line of tours are performing very well.

Escapes unlock the benefits of a normal Globus tour, but at lower prices, because they take place during shoulder seasons.

VIDEO: Rhine time – PAX unpacks River Summit with Avalon’s Pam Hoffee & ACTA’s Suzanne Acton-Gervais

Undiscovered tours, meanwhile, take travellers to lesser-known destinations, off-the-beaten path.

For an insider’s perspective on what an Undiscovered tour involves, check out PAX’s on-location report on this Greek Island Adventure with Globus from last year

Independent by Globus, an FIT option that gives travellers more flexibility and free time, is also gaining steam, Harper said.

“Land is taking off for 2026”

As for Globus’ Canadian sales, river cruises with Avalon have historically outpaced the land products, but that gap is closing.

“Land is taking off for 2026,” Harper said. “I think Canadians are really price sensitive right now. Our Cosmos product is up 16 per cent, while Globus is up nine per cent, over 2025.”

This year, Globus’ biggest touring destinations include Italy, the U.S., Britain, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Canada, Greece, France and Eastern Europe.

The company’s fastest-growing destinations for 2026 include France, Eastern Europe, religious destinations, the Middle East, Japan, Peru, Ecuador, the eastern and southern U.S., China, and Eastern Canada.

Globus’ Small Group touring option is also taking off, Harper said, in particular on tours in Africa and Asia.

As for new destinations this year, Globus clients can expect to see more Ecuador, China, Korea, South Africa, Portugal, Ireland, as well as Sicily and Malta for small groups.

Harper’s advice for the trade as they map out their year? “Plan early – especially if you’re doing a group,” she said.

Also: “Look outside of your comfort zone,” she said. “Push boundaries and explore some of our Undiscovered and Escapes products.”

Register now

Globus’ Unpacked series will travel through Ontario this month and then head to cities in Western and Atlantic Canada in February. 

Most of the events, which are free to attend, are designed for travel advisors, but some will welcome consumers as well.

See dates and registration links here: 

Eastern Canada

Markham, ON — January 21st, 2026 REGISTER NOW

Mississauga, ON — January 22nd, 2026 REGISTER NOW

Niagara, ON — January 27th, 2026 REGISTER NOW

London, ON — January 28th, 2026 REGISTER NOW

Burlington — January 29th, 2026 REGISTER NOW

Ottawa, ON — February 2nd, 2026 REGISTER NOW

Kingston, ON — February 3rd, 2026 REGISTER NOW

Oshawa, ON — February 4th, 2026 REGISTER NOW

Peterborough, ON — February 5th, 2026 REGISTER NOW

Western Canada

Victoria, BC — February 2nd, 2026 REGISTER NOW

Nanaimo, BC — February 3rd, 2026 REGISTER NOW

Burnaby, BC — February 4th, 2026 REGISTER NOW

Surrey, BC — February 5th, 2026 REGISTER NOW

Kelowna, BC — February 9th, 2026 REGISTER NOW

Regina, SK - February 11th, 2026 REGISTER NOW

Calgary, AB — February 12th, 2026 REGISTER NOW

Calgary, AB Consumer event — February 12th, 2026 REGISTER NOW

Edmonton, AB — February 13th, 2026 REGISTER NOW

Edmonton, AB  Consumer event — February 13th, 2026 REGISTER NOW

Charlottetown Breakfast event - February 17th, 2026 REGISTER NOW

Moncton, NB Evening event - February 17th, 2026 REGISTER NOW

Saint John, NB Evening event - February 18th, 2026 REGISTER NOW

Halifax, NS Evening event - February 19th, 2026 REGISTER NOW

St John’s, NL Evening event - February 20th, 2026 REGISTER NOW

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