Collette is Named #1 Best Place to Work

What an honor! Last week, Providence Business News held its 8th annual Best Places To Work awards ceremony which brought more than 600 attendees from companies around Rhode Island together. The results are based on surveys from employees in addition to management reports. In the large company category, Collette placed #1 as the Best Place to Work in Rhode Island. We are so excited!

This week, everyone is still giddy about it, and it’s been interesting to hear what they have to say. They are the voices, after all, behind this accomplishment. Top reasons for deeming Collette the ‘best’ place to work:

• We are opening a gym in just a few weeks to promote health and wellness.
• There are travel opportunities for every employee.
• We offer employees four hours of paid volunteer time a month.
• Halloween is an insane (and fun!) event.
• It’s a company that honestly cares about family.
• Every job is a hands-on job.
• Everyone feels part of a team.

This week, we are especially proud of the many reasons that make Collette a great place to work. Being recognized feels great!

Tags: Collette in the news, Collette News

Kruger National Park

Imagine it:

Two million hectares of protected game reserve spread over the plains of South Africa. The Big 5 roam freely. More than three hundred types of trees rise skyward and over five hundred species of birds call this natural wonderland home. This is Kruger National Park – one of the largest game reserves on the continent of Africa. During your tour, really explore this gorgeous park. With a full day game drive in an open-air vehicle, view the Big 5 – elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino – while a local expert offers insight into these fascinating animals. Keep an eye out for an impala, zebra or giraffe as well. Unwind during a picnic lunch as the Kruger National Park sets an unforgettable backdrop. This is sure to be a highlight of your wilderness adventure.

This experience is brought to you by the very popular Spectacular South Africa tour. Make it a reality.

Tags: Experience It, South Africa

New in 2014: Alaska & Seattle Tours

As our 2014-15 lineup is officially rolled out, we are excited to report on some new tours that will be joining the roster… like the TWO itineraries that will combine the seaport city of Seattle and a Celebrity Cruises Alaskan voyage.

Collette Vacations developed two new Alaskan tours (one a mainstream product, and the other a family program) to meet the demand for travelers wishing to visit one of the most unique destinations in the US.

The 11-day Alaska Adventure tour includes some of the following highlights:

• A three-night stay in Seattle with a sightseeing tour of the “Emerald City,” featuring the restored waterfront area, historic Pioneer Square, and diverse neighborhoods.
• Visit to the open-air Pike Place Market, established in 1907, where a local expert leads a brief guided tour and introduction to the local vendors.
• Seven-night cruise on Celebrity Solstice filled with numerous onboard activities and naturalist guides.
• Visit to Ketchikan, the “Salmon Capital of the World” and the “City of Totems.” Relive Alaska’s Gold Rush days in Skagway, the “Gateway to the Klondike.”

The 11-day Alaskan Family Adventure travel package incorporates:

• Three-night stay in Seattle.
• A sightseeing tour aboard a WWII amphibious landing craft and SPLASH into Lake Union.
• An elevator ride, 520 feet up to the observation deck of the Seattle Space Needle made famous by the 1962 World’s Fair.
• Seeing more than 1,000 animals representing over 300 species during a visit to the Woodland Park Zoo.
• A seven-night cruise also aboard the Celebrity Solstice.
• Sail past the famous Inside Passage and view the massive Tracy Arm-Fjord.

Tags: Alaska, New tour, news, Seattle

Volunteers Help in NY with Tourism Cares

Top: Group of Collette Foundation Volunteers, Dan Sullivan, Collette’s CEO

Bottom: Playground ravaged by Sandy being restored, Two Collette Foundation Volunteers

Every year, Collette sends a group of volunteers to roll their sleeves up for clean-up projects around the US to support Tourism Cares’ mission to protect, restore and preserve historical sites for future generations. Last week, this inspiring event took place in New York – and was sold out! From Collette, 18 volunteers helped to clean up famous sites like the beach and boardwalk of Coney Island which suffered much devastation from Hurricane Sandy.

Enjoying the rays of sunshine and positivity from all the tourism industry volunteers, the group painted benches, light posts, and do landscaping and beach cleanup in Coney Island. At Jamaica Bay, Queens, volunteers participated in dune preservation and beach clean-up projects along Fort Tilden Beach. As a part of this program, special grants were awarded to selected tourism related sites that have suffered losses attributed to Hurricane Sandy.

Tags: Collette Foundation, New York, Tourism Cares, Volunteerism/Charity

The Many Ways to Experience Yellowstone

It’s America’s First Park and Collette has three experience-rich tours that go there! See Old Faithful erupt as you tour Yellowstone. Experience the wild west during a traditional Chuckwagon dinner. Stay overnight in a lodge nestled in the heart of Yellowstone. Overnight inside the Grand Canyon. Cruise Lake Powell. Each tour is brimming with exciting experiences. Get to Yellowstone on America’s Cowboy Country, National Parks of America, or The Wild West and Yellowstone Family Adventure.

Tags: National Parks

“My Kind of Town, Chicago!”

It’s the “Windy City” that Frank Sinatra so famously crooned about. Have you been? Chicago is a wonderful city with so much to do:

• See famous Michigan Avenue and the “Magnificent Mile.
• See the Wrigley Building.
• Take a walking tour through Millennium Park.

One of Collette’s top-selling programs features Chicago. When you take our Mackinac Island trip, you’ll make Chicago your kind of town — and do so much more. Mackinac Island is a place of yesteryear where horse-drawn carriages replace cars and time seems to stand still. It’s an adventure you will not want to miss.

Imagine that — seeing Chicago and stepping back in time. All on one trip!

Mackinac Island featuring Chicago

8 Days, 11 Meals

Tags: Chicago, Mackinac Island

Happy Memorial Day

“The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it.” - Thucydides, Ancient Greek historian

Over the years Memorial Day has become a day for relaxing, for cookouts and spending time with family. And it kicks off the summer travel season.

Yet, none of these things would be possible without the sacrifice of so many throughout our nation’s history.

Have a great day. And remember to keep in your heart the true meaning of Memorial Day.

A License to CUBA!

It’s time to tour Cuba… Collette-style! We’ve been granted a “people-to-people” license by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to run our nine-day tour, Rediscover Cuba – A Cultural Exploration.

Travelers are showing growing interest in Cuba and this tour gives them countless opportunities to connect with the island’s people. This entire trip allows passengers to truly explore Cuba’s timeless culture, history, and art with experiences including:

• Learn about Old Havana’s architectural and restoration efforts during a workshop visit.
• Witness a pottery demonstration with local artisans to discover why this craft has been passed on from generation to generation.
• Mingle with the locals while savoring authentic Cuban cuisine.
• Seven nights in both Trinidad and Havana, plus a visit to Cienfuegos.
• In Trinidad, walk with a local expert through the Palacio Cantero.
• Visit the Manaca Iznaga’s former sugar factory and estate, located in the “Valle de los Ingenios,” or “Valley of the Sugar Mills.”
• In Havana, visit Casa Fuster, the colorful home of José Fuster, where one of the artist’s apprentices or even the artist himself will be on hand to talk about his work, which is inspired by Antoni Gaudí, a notable figure in Spanish architecture.

Tags: Collette News, Cuba, New tour

Experience It: Polynesian Luau

There’s no better way to capture the Aloha spirit than by feasting and dancing at an authentic Polynesian luau. Used to mark almost any occasion, these social gatherings include Polynesian cuisine such as kalua pork, huli chicken, fresh mahi mahi and much more. It’s more of an event than a simple meal. Preparations begin early in the morning and lead right into a traditional greeting of guests.

While you feast and bond with fellow travelers, the beating of drums, the sound of the conch, burning torches and Hawaiian chants set the stage. Enjoy a typical luau feast, lavish desserts and endless tropical drinks.

Jump into Polynesian culture as you experience the ultimate island celebration on Collette’s popular Hawaiian Adventure tour.

Tags: Arts & Culture, Experience It, Foodie, Hawaii

Have You Been to Kinsale, Ireland?

Famous for its restaurants and art galleries, the charming town of Kinsale is so much more than that.

This picturesque town attracts tourists, sailing enthusiasts, fishermen and artists from around the world. Step back in time as you stroll down Market Street, look out over the sea as you stand on the quayside, or grab a pint and trade stories with the locals at one of the traditional pubs. Throughout town, explore the Norman, Spanish and English influences that make this place special.

Did you know Kinsale has been nicknamed “Ireland’s Gourmet Capital”? So of course, while there, enjoy everything from fine dining to some of the best pub food you’ve ever had.

This is your chance to step away from the Ireland you thought you knew.

Check out Kinsale on these tours:

Countryside of the Emerald Isle

Ireland’s Coastal Treasures

Tags: Experience It, Ireland