Well, the holidays are officially over. I’m back to work, and the craziness, the busy-ness, the traveling around from house-to-house and ‘vacation away’ meant to relax me despite the hectic nature of the holidays – are over! And what I learned this year, I want to share with you, dear traveler.
Traveling over the holiday season, [...]
Don’t rush – schedule plenty of time to think of your needs.
Pack a full suitcase – your clothes will be in better condition upon arrival
Think about comfort! If you want to pack light, perhaps choose 1-2 color schemes.
Bring two pairs of black pants. You can dress them up, dress them down, they’re comfy and work [...]
The travelers we see these days at Collette are more vigilant than ever. When you book your next vacation take a cue from them and do it attentively.
Whether planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy that includes the Oberammergau Passion Play or a quick San Francisco Getaway, the To Do list for today’s savvy traveler should include 3 very [...]
Are you traveling somewhere soon by air? I found this Washington Post article useful. It compares the cost of shipping your first and second bags with various airlines. It’s one thing, when you are traveling alone or on business, but for my family of five, it will cost us between $75 and $125 to each [...]
The Tour Managers at Collette Vacations are the heart and soul of the company. Everyday, all around the world, they are out there making vacation dreams come true. Here’s a quick run-down of travel tips from the people who travel for a living.
Embrace cultural differences. Allow yourself to see things from a different perspective.
Pack light. [...]
Keeping a travel journal tops all the other ways of recording a trip. Whether it’s waking up in Italy, visiting with a local family or approaching the Pyramids of Giza, an image doesn’t always capture the moment. Sure, photos are great. They might spark a memory. But actually documenting what you were feeling when those [...]
Whether you are enjoying the Italian Riviera or visiting Washington D.C. you can put these 3 practical tips from the Collette archives to use.
Limit stress by allowing yourself plenty of time to get to the airport, check in, and get through security.
Reverse the batteries in your electronic devices. That way they won’t go dead if [...]
The first batch of the much-talked about full body scanners, planned for airports across the country, were recently installed in Boston’s Logan International Airport and Chicago’s O’Hare International. In total, 450 machines are scheduled to be installed by the end of the year, and while the machines are said to improve airport security, they have [...]
Whether less than enticed about on-board offerings or simply looking to keep refueled throughout your travels, it’s a smart idea to stash a few healthy go-to snacks in your satchel when on the go. Plus, many domestic flights have greatly scaled back or even eliminated food service, so it’s best to be prepared. First, keep [...]
Wasn’t the digital revolution supposed to make things easier?
Do you remember the first camcorder you ever saw? It probably came in a suitcase, had a huge light on top and weighed 25 pounds. Now my iPhone can capture video.
But wait a second. Is that a good thing?
I am sure we have all sat through someone else’s [...]
Now that the travel world seems to be getting back to normal, here are 3 tips for today’s active traveler. Whether embarking on an Italian vacation or a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Oberammergau Passion Play, these tips will help keep you on the go.
Keep hydrated! This is important at home, but even more so on the [...]
When it comes to packing for a trip, experience tells us that most people over do it. They ignore common sense and pack for winter, spring, summer and fall.
South America in December… do I need a sweater? Better take one (or 6) – just in case.
Me? I under pack. I often drastically miscalculate the key [...]
Collette’s tour managers log thousands of miles yearly taking guests to all 7 continents. Check out their basic necessities/first aid list to ensure a stress-free trip.
Warning: this list is as longwinded as my Uncle Erwin, but when traveling it’s all about preparation! You most likely will not need any of these things, but if you do need just [...]
Make sure you call your credit card company before you head out on that vacation. Recently, my card stopped working at an inopportune time while I was away from home.
A hold was put on my account when what seemed like strange purchases started showing up. Charges far from home or for big ticket items can [...]
Last week I was at Logan International in Boston bound for Denver for a PRSA conference when an agent affiliated with United Airlines stopped me just prior to the security checkpoint. Apparently her sole job is to monitor carry-on luggage.
I was told I would need to return to the ticket counter to check my back. [...]
Well I guess they can’t be the “top” if they are random, but here you go:
Divide your valuables. Keep credit cards and cash in separate places.
Make a list. I confess I am a “to-do” fanatic. But in this case it’s really useful.
Review the “Tips for Traveling Abroad” at the U.S Department of State site.
Plan your [...]
Sometimes it’s easy (even for us at Collette Vacations) to over think packing. Here are six straightforward packing tips:
Don’t rush. Schedule plenty of time to think of your needs.
Pack a full suitcase. Your clothes will be in better condition upon arrival
Keep a list of items you’ve packed to keep track on tour
Last items to pack [...]
Whether you are traveling through the Canadian Rockies or standing in your own backyard, everyone wants to take better pictures.
Sean McVeigh (Collette’s Media Supervisor) offers these tips to shooting photos that are sure to WOW friends and family.
Get a variety of shots – wide, medium and close ups.
Keep horizon line straight.
Avoid high contrast images where [...]
At Collette Vacations we take care of nearly everything. Every tour is packed with value and includes:
Quality accommodations
Must-see sights
Many meals featuring local cuisine
Enriching cultural experiences
A professional Tour Manager
On-tour Transportation
But before you leave home, here are a few keys to getting ready
for the trip of a lifetime:
Exercise – Take walks and stretch
Healthy diet – Some [...]
No need for a top ten list here. My number 1 travel tip is…
Drink a lot of water.
Whether you are visiting a cool destination like Antarctica or traveling to the Pyramids of Giza, carry a bottle of water. I’ve found that it’s easy to get dehydrated while on vacation. Outside of your normal routine, you [...]
Fresh from my experience on the Historic Trains of California tour, I’ve got five travel tips I picked up on the road.
Call ahead. Wherever you are going, whether it’s a museum, a nice restaurant or a landmark that offers tours, it can’t hurt to give them a ring just to make sure they are open [...]
I don’t know about you but whenever I fly somewhere, whether just a 50 minute flight to NYC, a red-eye to California, or a long haul flight to Santiago, Chile, or even London, I arrive looking less than pretty. My hair is flat, my skin feels oily, my mascara is smudged, and my clothes a [...]
A few months ago I wrote about a trip I’d recently taken to China. It truly was an unbelievable experience and one I would recommend for anyone. China is transforming right before our eyes. The country is rich with ancient history and full of experiences that shouldn’t be missed.
Yet, China’s location remains both challenging and [...]
When I was looking for a travel tip for our Tuesday post I wanted something simple. I wanted a bit of wisdom that could save countless vacations. And I found it!
Leave Early
Do away with all the stress by allowing yourself plenty of time to get to the airport, check in, and get through security.
I know [...]
Okay, I’ll admit I had a little trouble learning Spanish in high school (and college) but I got through it. Since that time I’ve developed an interest in new languages. I’ve left Spanish behind for now and started digging into Latin. No one really speaks Latin anymore but it’s useful when you deal with words [...]
Perhaps you are off to Italy on Collette’s Italian Vistas tour. Why not learn a few key Italian words and phrases to help you communicate like a local?
Do you speak English? – Parla inglese? (par-la ing-lay-zay)
Hello – Ciao (chow)
Thank you – Grazie (grah-tsee-eh)
Good morning! – Buongiorno! (bwon zhor-no)
Good afternoon – Buon pomeriggio (boo-on-po-mer-i-jo)
Good evening – Buona [...]
How many of us plan our dream vacation around the stunning vistas we have always wanted to see? Whether it’s a beach vacation in Kauai, Mount Kilimanjaro as the backdrop to an African safari, or the lush rain forests of Costa Rica, we all want to capture the beauty of these natural wonders with our [...]
Simplify, simplify – Henry David Thoreau
The travel experience isn’t always perfect. But with the right attitude and these tips you can simplify your trip and avoid any hang-ups at the airport.
De-clutter your carry-on bag ahead of time. Make it easy for the transportation security officers. Uncomplicated works for you and them.
Stay within the baggage allowance. [...]
… the “handy-dandy” notebook.
That’s right. Whether you’re renting a cottage on the lake, or visiting the Eiffel Tower, make sure to bring a notebook with you on your next vacation. I know that in this day and age, a notebook might seem a bit dated. After all, many if us have smart [...]
I am no ace photographer but I have learned a few things traveling with Collette Vacations over the years.
The best advice I received is to use my camera as I do my writer’s notebook. Record things that I will find useful later on when I have returned home and am going through several hundred images [...]
Here are three quick travel tips for the middle of the week.
Pack an extra tote or duffel for items you accumulate on tour.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing and shoes you can slip off when going through security
Use bubble wrap to keep things from shifting around and to protect souvenirs.
Happy Travels!
Here are a few travel tips to help you out on your next escorted tour.
Pack with Purpose – Bring a couple pairs of classic black pants – they go with everything.
Study Hard – Review your itinerary and research the places you’ll visit. That way you can really delve into a destination.
Copy Yourself – Photo copy [...]
If you are like me then it’s not always clear when, who or how you should tip while on an escorted tour.
Clearly label your tip – If you are tipping your chambermaid make sure it’s obvious. I like to leave it in a sealed envelope marked “tip.” Hotel staff might be hesitant to pick up [...]
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