Melissa McKee

Website | http://www.collettevacations.travel

Bio | I’ve been writing for Collette Vacations since 2003 and manage the company's PR effort. I’ve traveled to the Canadian Rockies, New Orleans, Portugal, Chile, Argentina, Austria, and Germany – including Oberammergau – with Collette and extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean on my own and with my family. I majored in International Relations in college and wanted to work in a foreign embassy after graduation. Instead I ended up in marketing and absolutely love the creativity of the people I work with at Collette. I’m an avid reader and a huge fan of history, art and architecture. Other interests include cycling, hiking, skiing, and boating. My all-time favorite destination is Italy—the art, the architecture, the food—it’s all pretty spectacular! Place on my bucket list include Japan and Israel.

Savor beauty and culture on Flavors of Thailand tour

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If you’r reading this blog post perhaps you have always wanted to travel to Southeast Asia and the beautiful country of Thailand. Or maybe you have already visited and are looking to return.
Collette Vacations’ new tour Flavors of Thailand is but one of the 15 new tours the company has unveiled for 2012.
“We wanted to introduce a new escorted tour to [...]

Why Exploring America’s Capital makes good sense

With Collette Vacations introduction of a new Washington D.C. tour, Exploring America’s Capital makes perfect sense for the traveler looking for a longer tour with more inclusions.�
The extra days means that day trips outside the nation’s capital are now possible such as guided tours of both  Baltimore and the US Naval Academy in Annapolis as well [...]

New Europe tour features Floriade but with a military twist

Gardeners and history buffs will find something to “delight” in new Dutch & Belgium tour.
In a recent press release, Collette announced the launch of another new Europe tour featuring Floriade 2012, a major world horticultural expo which only occurs every 10 years. Collette’s 11-day Dutch & Belgium Delights joins Netherlands, Belgium, and Paris tour giving itinerary options [...]

Collette’s latest worldwide travel brochure available online

Last week, Collette released its 15 new tour itineraries for the 2012 – 2013 season showcased in the latest edition of the company’s comprehensive Worldwide Travel brochure.
The Worldwide Travel brochure or “big book” highlights more than 100 escorted tours through Australia, Asia, Europe, South and Central America, Antarctica, the U.S. and Canada, including holiday tours; [...]

We want your best travel photos!

One of the best takeaways of traveling is the memories we collect in photos.�
Some are posed, some are more natural, some are of people we’ve met, some include complete strangers who happen to be in our lens view. Some photos are striking, some are funny, some are post-card perfect and some are just plain eery in [...]

See South America in 2 weeks or a month – it’s your choice!

Collette is introducing a new concept called modular touring and is launching it with their new Wonders of South America cornerstone itinerary which is on sale now with departures starting in May 2012.
Personally, I think the idea is a good one.
Cornerstone Itinerary
Essentially, travelers can purchase this 11-day South America highlights tour that will feature Rio, Iguazu Falls, Mendoza [...]

Why Panama should be your next family vacation

It’s not even Labor Day but my kids are already back in school.
Another summer comes and goes all to quickly and I realize that many of the things I had on our family travel list just didn’t happen. Which is why I am already thinking ahead to next summer and a family vacation experience that [...]

Collette in the News: Travel writer showcases Italy’s Treasures

Thanks to Marci Dewolf and the Palm Beach Daily News for showcasing our Explorations’ small group tour, Italy’s Treasures:  Art, Food & Wine of Italy in this article posted on August 13, 2011.
Uncover Italy’s hidden gems via small-group tour
Romantic Italy is steeped in  history and blessed by beauty. Travelers can create their own Italian Renaissance experience [...]

Collette continues to roll out new Europe tours for 2012

re you a train buff? Does the idea of two parallel ribbons of steel transporting you through the Swiss Alps sound appealing?
If you answered yes, then Collette Vacations brand new itinerary added to its expanding line up of Europe tours might just be for you. The Alpine Lakes and Scenic Trains tour visits Switzerland and Italy [...]

New Explorations Asia tour reveals beauty of Indochina

Collette Vacations recently unveiled its newest Explorations tour to Asia that features travel in small groups to three exciting countries:  Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
Departures are set to begin in May 2012 for this 19-day Three Kingdoms of Indochina tour with highlights that include an overnight cruise aboard a luxury junk boat on Halong Bay and a [...]