When we left San Francisco on our way to Lake Tahoe I discovered I had lost my money clip with some of my spending money. I asked Derrick if he could contact the Sheraton Hotel in San Francisco to see if by some outside chance I could have left it there. He immediately called the hotel and had someone check out our room and amazingly it was still in the room.

When the hotel refused to mail me the money (they would not send cash by USPS), Derrick contacted Ms. Ann Falzarano who had a tour that day in San Francisco and asked her if she could help getting the money returned. She went by the hotel, picked up the cash (with my permission) and purchased a money order for the amount of the cash I had forgotten in the room. Upon my return to San Antonio, there was a money order for $370 (the full amount) in my mailbox.

Their professional and courteous attitude, expert knowledge, and patience in  handling my specific problem were very important to my complete customer satisfaction. You can be extremely proud to have two employees with this kind of integrity and competence working for your company. Please pass on my sincere gratitude to these individuals adn my personal thank you for a job well done; they are both world class representatives of your company.

This letter was sent to Collette Vacations by Michael Brula of Texas who gave us permission to publish. It illustrates how our tour managers go above and beyond to make sure that each passengers’ vacation experience is stress free! We often receive letters singing the praises of our tour managers. If you have a story you’d like to share about an experience “from the road” drop us a note.

As my plane breaks through a cover of clouds about to land at Charles de Gaulle airport, I think about the city and the adventures that lie below, waiting for my passengers whom I’ll soon greet.  So many articles and stories have been written about Paris that I can imagine what their mind’s eye has created for them.  A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a visit to Paris will leave you speechless.

The city of lights and love…

she is also the capital of the country largely considered to be the philosophical cradle of the Enlightenment.  Visits to Paris inspired men like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson towards a new way of reasoning and governing.  The American and French Revolutions are inextricably linked by these western philosophies that led France to be the first European country to shed the mantle of monarchy.

Paris is not only to be savored in the springtime, but summer, fall and winter as well.

Every facet of the gem that is art can be enjoyed in Paris.  A quick ride in a Parisian cab or on the Métro will bring you to whatever your heart has been longing to see: the Louvre, Notre Dame, Montmartre, Sacré Cœur, the Seine River’s famous left bank, the Hôtel des Invalides where Napoleon is entombed, the Galleries Lafayette or Printemps (or other famous Parisian shops) … the list goes on and on.  And the dining: cafés, brasseries, and restaurants offer everything from basic fare to exquisite gastronomy – in the fancier restaurants, it would seem the chef moonlights as a poet, adding to the charm of the experience.

While Paris is an unforgettable city, I love sharing other parts of France with our passengers.  One cannot visit Paris and claim to have visited France!

Could someone who visited New York claim to have visited the United States?

So it is that we set out for Normandy, famous for its cider, Calvados brandy, and cheese.  To most North Americans, however, it is known for the pivotal moment in history that saw the Allied forces break through Hitler’s Atlantic Wall to open the Western Front in WWII.  The landing beaches are calm today with children playing in the surf, horse-racers enjoying a ride on the beach, and couples sunbathing on warm days.  My first visit to Normandy started at the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach.

I remember watching the early morning fog rise over the perfectly manicured grass, like a vapor of spirits being dissipated by the rising sun. And as that veil lifted, the perfectly arranged Carrara marble headstones shone like white beacons over the beaches the men they commemorate had helped liberate.  I later learned why those grave markers are so white: one of the cemetery’s French custodians takes the time to paint all 9,387 of them each year.  The whole area around the landing beaches is a living memorial to those valiant soldiers, with stretches of road dedicated to privates, sergeants, and officers alike, flags of all the countries involved in this turning point in history flying solemnly between the beaches and hedgerows, and classes of French and British students visiting the places where their forefathers fought and died for their freedom.

After the remembrance in Normandy comes the royalty of the Loire Valley.  Cradle of the French monarchy for centuries, this part of France is where the magnificent chateaux of France can be visited.  Chenonceau, once seized by King Henry II for debts owed to the crown, was given to his mistress, Diane de Poitiers.  After his death, Henry’s wife, Catherine de Medici, had Diane expelled and maneuvered a way to finally call Chenonceau her own.   Astonished visitors marvel at the gardens, and this summer party house of royals and nobles, built over the river Cher. Not to be outdone, the chateau in Amboise is also a sight to see, with its secret underground passage. Built by Francis I, the passage connects Amboise to the Clos Lucé, the last home of Leonardo Da Vinci, who had been invited by the king to France and notably brought with him a painting of a certain smiling lady that now resides in the Louvre.  A walk through the Clos Lucé’s garden is to walk through the mind of Da Vinci himself, with his great engineering feats brought into being as life-sized machines.

An inspiratinon to artists

A quick ride on the TGV, France’s high-speed train, then brings us to Provence, the inspiration of artists like Cézanne and Picasso.  Many artists and actors have frequented Provence, renowned for the way its striking sunlight baths its perched villages in a warm glow, the fragrant fiels of lavender that blush a purple radiance in mid-summer, the olive groves and their related oil and tapenade, and the easy-going nature of its residents, many of whom gather to play long, relaxing games of pétanque under the shade of plane trees.  The Mistral wind blows here, necessitating that many of its church towers be built with open wrought-iron campanile, as well as the planting of cypress hedgerows to protect crops and vineyards.

From there, a short drive to the French Riviera opens up France’s Côte d’Azur, where the rich and famous have been coming since the late 19th century for its Mediterranean climate, movie and music festivals, and Europe’s oldest principality in Monaco.

Stone dolmens recall this area’s Paleolithic history, and its flower fields are the raison d’être for famous perfumeries like Fragonard in Grasse.  Rénoir, Matisse, Chagall, Van Gogh, and Picasso all lived here, along with royalty from around Europe, and who can forget the fairytale marriage of Grace Kelly to Prince Rainer III.  To compliment the Mistral wind, the Sirocco, or Mediterranean wind coming from the Sahara, blows up from Africa, bringing with it cloud-free days and the North Africa’s famous reddish desert sand.

There is a reason France is the most visited country in the world.

Learn more about Collette’s tours of France… you won’t be disappointed.

From China to Australia to the Canadian Rockies and beyond, they are with our travelers every step of the way, handling all the details.

Wanda Leas, one of our seasoned Tour Managers, has been a Tour Manager for over 25 years. She leads tours to New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, and throughout the USA, has traveled to 28 countries and lived in 25 of them. She wants to take you on a virtual trip through some of her favorite parts of New Zealand!

New Zealand is my favorite place in the world.

I love to see the wonder in the eyes of those travelers seeing NZ’s beauty for the first time. Putting on my tour manager cap, I’d love to show this place to you. Pretend we’re there.

New Zealand is comprised of three major islands. The North Island is more industrial; the South Island is more agricultural; and Stewart Island is more protected due to the large populations of Kiwi, the national bird.

“The City of Sails.”

Auckland is a city with countless sights to see: the American Cup Village, Maritime Museum, some art galleries, and the Sky Tower among them. An extinct volcano blends with the landscape here – Mt. Eden.

The Bay of Islands is where the country began; touring Paihia and Waitangi Treaty grounds, you’ll learn how the country got its start. Waitangi is where Captain James Cook and Chiefs of the local Maori tribes signed the Waitangi Treaty, in 1840 blending the two cultures of the British Crown and Maori together. The Treaty is the linchpin of race relations in New Zealand today.

Our virtual  tour moves on to Rotorua, home to mineral springs and many spas. Our scenery shifts, becoming filled with lovely rolling hills and historic, extinct volcanoes. A highlight for many is a visit with a Kiwi family for the night. Travelers love the opportunity to learn all about the culture and daily life of New Zealanders over a warm, home hosted dinner.

Wellington, the San Francisco of the South Pacific.

Until 1865, Auckland was New Zealand’s capital city. Now Wellington holds the title – and much beauty to go with it.  Huka Falls is where you’ll find nature at its best, with water that’s clear and turquoise.

Leaving the North Island behind – beauty surrounds and overpowers. Crossing Cook Strait, we enter the South Island. On a clear day, the water sparkles like diamonds dancing on waves. Enter Christchurch – the most English city in New Zealand. A wine tasting is a great way to start our adventure on the South Island.

The next morning, climb aboard the Tranz Alpine Train to ride across the Canterbury Plains, some of the most beautiful farmland in the country. Our train winds up into the Southern Alps, where sheep stations flourish, and pristine rivers of glacier runoff flow through the mountains. The beautiful turquoise of the water against the golden hills and white-capped peaks offers an awe-inspiring sight.

Queenstown welcomes you.

The city known as New Zealand’s outdoor adventure capital. If jet boating, paragliding, parasailing or bungee jumping inspires the adventurer inside you, take advantage of the activities offered here. There’s plenty of beauty to entertain those who want to stay grounded, as well. The Queenstown Gardens are lovely; boutique-browsing is a must and there are galleries to check out.

Perhaps we’ll opt to take “A Journey Through Middle Earth.” Let’s experience the South Island’s Tolkienesque landscape as you explore the cinematic backdrop that brought The Lord of the Rings to life on the silver screen.

Milford Sound, a must-see for anyone visiting New Zealand.

Milford Sound, a breathtaking fjord and a World Heritage Site, never fails to inspire visitors. A leisurely cruise takes us deep into the majestic scenery. Travel around Lake Wakatipu, through farmland, sheep and deer country, overnighting on the banks of Lake Te Anau.

Mount Cook is the highest mountain in NZ at about 12,000 feet. Our journey to Mount Cook takes us through fruit orchards and vineyard country – where we stop and enjoy a sample.

And the adventures just continue in this amazing country – Auckland, Bay of Islands, Wellington, the Franz Josef Glacier Region, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Mt. Cook, Christchurch… and so much more. Extinct volcanoes, famous mountain chains that set Academy Award winning scenes, fjords, wildlife, turquoise waters, romantic islands… this is New Zealand.

When it is time to go home, you have so much more than you came with – new friends and many fond memories of an adventure you will never forget. Many people are concerned about the long flight to NZ but the only concern you’ll have when its time to leave is how soon it’ll be before you can return.

To live your own New Zealand adventure check out: Exploring New Zealand.

Don't Forget to ask about the Fiji optional extension!

During the Passion Play season, one of our best partner restaurants in Oberammergau is the Zur Tini, which is owned by the Barnickel family. Andre and Monika’s son, Markus, who’s about 25 years old, also works at the restaurant during the busy season. Additionally, he is a member of the Oberammergau Volunteer Fire Department.

His dream has always been to get hold of an authentic USA fireman’s helmet to display at the local station. Unfortunately, these things are hard to come by. New, they cost hundreds of dollars; used, they are generally destroyed for safety reasons.

Jennifer Stahlbaum, another Passion Play Collette tour manager, and I have been working for the past year to see what could be done. I was in touch with my hometown fire department, an EMT I have in my family, other tour managers – no luck.

Then a few months ago, I happened to have a retired fire chief on my Exploring the Alpine Countries tour. Michael and his wife Sally are from upstate New York and Michael promised to see what he could do. All he asked in return was a t-shirt  from the Oberammergau Fire Department. Several meetings and phone calls later, I was able to bring back a hefty bag of goodies for Mike: T-shirts, badges, brochures, and an Oberammergau Fire Department golf shirt, which I mailed off to him about three weeks ago.

Yesterday a large package came in the mail. Inside was a battered old Fireman’s helmet, many branded shirts, fireman’s coffee mugs, and a really gracious letter from Mike and Sally to their new (and as yet unmet) friend in Oberammergau.

On the surface this is a simple story of the kindness of one individual to help another realize a dream. But on a bigger scale, I wanted to share this story as I think it illustrates the power of travel to connect you to places and people, and most important to make new friends along the way.

I had the pleasure of meeting this all-star cast at our Tour Manager Symposium in Florida last week.

These folks log plenty of frequent-flier miles escorting Collette customers to some of the most fascinating places on Earth.

During the week, I spent time with many of them conducting video interviews and snapping a few photos (including this one!)

They are a diverse and passionate group with plenty of entertaining stories to tell from the escorted tours they’ve led. I am looking forward to seeing them again when I travel on my next Collette Vacations tour.

Few things can compare to the exhilarating landscapes found in the National Parks of the Canadian Rockies; Jasper, Banff, Yoho and Kootenay. Some of the parks are more celebrated than others but all are equally awe-inspiring.

On this, my latest trip into the Rockies, I acted as Tour Manager for an alumni group from Northern Illinois University. It’s always great to get back to the core of our company.

For me, travel is about a journey. Not just my journey but those who have travelled before me, those who will follow and (especially on this trip) the travelers accompanying me. And I was blessed with the nicest group of people I could ever have hoped for.

Venturing along the famed Icefields Parkway connecting Jasper and Banff National Parks and seeing the Rocky Mountains from the comfort of modern transportation, it’s hard to imagine the audacity of those who, many generations before mine, were inspired to penetrate these ramparts of Precambrian rock.

The Rockies surge to heights of over 14,000 feet and for their effort make up the Continental Divide. Precipitation and ice melt on the western slopes runs to the Pacific. On the eastern slopes water runs to the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. This marvel formed over tens of millions of years of tectonic upheaval. And yet, in the 19th Century the visionaries and founders of Canada sought to link Canada from east to west, undeterred by the enormity of Mother Nature’s mountainous creations.

This past trip, as I peered out the window of the motorcoach, I often found it hard to articulate the beauty of what I was seeing.

How could any reasonable person with only human ingenuity to guide them ever have thought a railroad through these mountains was possible? They must have been barmy. Fast forward a hundred fifty years or so and there I am, enjoying the fruits of their labour, their dreams and aspirations. So who’s barmy now?

Unlike the tales of the explorers and pioneers who tamed the west and bridged the Rocky Mountains, the stories our group shared probably won’t be known to future generations. Among young and old our stories were of life experiences, not nearly so dramatic but no less profound. All the while, we indulged in the beauty of the landscapes that enveloped us. It’s what I love about group travel.

What a trip!

In life (to be sure) some days are more commonplace than others but everyday there are people around us who have the ability to change us. It might only take a simple ‘hello’ to make such a connection and change your life, but more often than not it takes a little effort. For me, it was the decision to ‘hit the road’ and guide one of Collette’s Canadian Rockies tours.

Leaving home I was hoping to successfully lead a tour and learn more about the products and services Collette provides. What I didn’t expect was to return home a different person. The extent of which, I’m not presently sure. I do know that I won’t soon forget the camaraderie or the friends I made on this trip.

It doesn’t matter that our journey wasn’t the stuff of textbooks or a Hollywood script. That’s totally ok with me. I’ve never read a textbook or watched a movie before that’s been even half as much fun or anywhere near as fulfilling.

Thanks again to my group. It was a great experience.

Dave Lyle, Collette Tour Manager

We hear from happy customers all the time at Collette Vacations.

In fact, every letter or email that comes in eventually makes its way to me so I read a lot of testimonials. Many of these customer letters mention the tour manager…how professional and knowledgeable he or she is about the destination and how they seem to work around the clock, and always with a smile on their face.

Our tour managers are true road warriors.

For those of you have never been on an escorted tour, a Collette tour manager is with you from start to finish, often meeting you at the airport upon arrival, and handling your luggage on tour. They can recommend things to do in your free time and where to dine in a particular city. Adding a historical perspective and sharing anecdotes, a tour manager can make a destination come alive.

The wonderful thing about traveling with a tour manager (in addition to the luggage handling and stories!) is that you get to know a little about them and their personality. These are not anonymous, impersonal commentators, at the front of the bus.

David Lyle is one such tour manager who repeatedly is praised by his passengers for his friendly manner and interesting commentary.

So for those of you who may be considering travel to the Canadian Rockies or Turkey in the future (two travel destinations that Dave typically covers), here in his own words is a bit about Dave:

“I’ve been with Collette for over 10 years now. I speak some French and Mandarin; and enjoy hiking, cooking and photography. My advice to travelers is: Embrace cultural differences; allow yourself to see things from a different perspective and you’ll fully experience all of the magic that the world offers. I’ve lived in the Canadian Rockies for almost 20 years – it’s my favorite destination to share with travelers. There’s no place like it and it’s right in my backyard!”

Up and down Route 95 on the East Coast there are hundreds of hotels, motels and campgrounds where travelers can spend the night.  The first place we pulled into looked nice. But the woman behind the front desk, speaking in a sweet southern accent, told us there were no rooms available. I ran into the next hotel and came right out. If the lobby had such a strange smell then the rooms couldn’t have been much better. All the rooms were taken at the following hotel as well. For a long stretch every place we stopped at was either sold out, broken down or just looked a little too iffy to stay in.

Finally, we found a place to lay our heads. And after we paid too much, for a not so nice hotel and were back on the road I was laughing at myself.

This had been a glaring example of the major benefits of booking an escorted tour. Collette’s Product Managers do all the dirty work. They have found the right hotel in the right location. And our Tour Managers are with you, taking care of every last detail. On this day, I sure could have used one by my side.

After the fourth no-go it dawned on me that this is exactly what we mean in our brochure when we say Collette offers “worry-free” travel.

Imagine the challenges of trying to set up a comprehensive tour of Italy, or perhaps a vacation in China or Egypt. You sure wouldn’t want to be standing on a sidewalk in Cairo with no place to sleep.

Mystical landscape of Cappadocia

This post is by guest blogger Allison Villasenor, Collette’s senior project manager, who recently returned from Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures Classical Turkey, a tour she rode with 36 other passengers. Allison has been with Collette since 2003 and this was her first time to Turkey…but hopefully not her last.

As I boarded the plane for Istanbul I decided that I would arrive in the country with a completely open mind. Not knowing too much more than the simple facts:  Dr. Oz is Turkish and throughout history Turkey has been ruled by so many from the Hittites, to the Persians, to the Romans, Ottomans and so many more…  I thought it’d be best to wait and develop my opinion as I traveled.

As soon as I started out on the cab ride from Ataturk Airport, I began to fall in love with Turkey. I arrived a day into the tour, and so my fellow passengers who arrived on schedule were greeted by our tour manager at the airport. It was helpful that my cab driver had an excellent command of English!

I could feel the energy and see the development; the city of Istanbul was bustling! With over 40% of the population under the age of 25, Turkey is destined to emerge as a leader. I found one of the statements that my cab driver made to be very profound and true of Turkey… “We are not the Middle East, we are not Europe – we are building an identity all our own.”

Once I arrived at the hotel, which I am told by my cab driver is the hotel that President Obama stayed at recently; I immediately went to Summit, the rooftop restaurant to take in the views. Turkey is the only country that straddles two continents – Asia and Europe– and from my seat in the Summit, I was able to watch the sun go down over the Bosphorous, a Turkish strait that forms part of the boundary between Europe and Asia, with stunning views of both continents.

As our tour unfolded we journeyed to the region of Cappadocia to view what are called the Fairy Chimneys… one claim to fame is that the original Star Wars was filmed here. I can attest─you feel transported. The rock formations which have been created over millions of years from erosion are dramatic and endless! The region is truly breathtaking but also historic.

In the village of Kaymakli, we had the privilege to visit with an older gentleman who grew up playing hide and seek in the underground city! As we talked through the winding tunnels and into the different rooms, it was easy to sense how the Christians lived when they were here.

We traveled south from Cappadocia to Antalya over the Taurus Mountains – the views were breathtaking – especially when we caught the sunset as we descended to the Mediterranean coast. En route, we made an interesting stop at The Melvana Museum – Melvana was the founder of the Whirling Dervish sect. This gave us a very interesting look at the history of religion in Turkey.

Once on the coast we visited amazing ruins daily. Imagining life as it must have been in these ancient cities was such a great lesson in history as we explored the city of Perga, theatre of Aspendos, city of Pammukkale, with it’s calcified hot pools, Troy and, of course, Ephesus.

Allison at the Library of Celsus at Ephesus

I was told by our national guide that Ephesus was more impressive than Petra! Having been to Petra, I didn’t believe him until we arrived at Ephesus. “Wow!” was all I could say – they are both so impressive and I feel privileged to have seen them both.

Ephesus, one of the most powerful cities in antiquity, is situated close to the Aegean on the top of a hill and to think only 8% of the city has been uncovered! The sheer scope is overwhelming. The stunning focal points of Curetes Street, Latriana, and the Temple of Hadrian are in the shadow of the most impressive structure – the library.

And I would be remiss if I failed to mention the food – as it was a highlight! The Turkish way is to show hospitality through food making sure that the table is never empty. And it was true – we certainly didn’t go hungry!

Turkish food is colorful and delicious!

Tremendous offerings of salads and greens, grilled meats and sauces or stews were part of the cuisine which has a Mediterranean feel to it, but is uniquely Turkish, too.

And can we talk dessert for a moment? Dessert is a Turkish specialty – Helva was my favorite – custard made from Tahini and sesame seeds!

As I reflect on this tour and the country of Turkey it is easy to say that it is on the top of my list. I’d recommend this destination to anyone who has an interest in history, scenic beauty and great people! Turkey is a must see!