There! The Sydney Opera House

On a peninsula, jutting into the harbour rests the gleaming white curves of the iconic Sydney Opera House, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

This amazing structure, designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, has been described by UNESCO as a “masterpiece of 20th century architecture.”

After an earlier behind-the-scenes look at this acoustic marvel, you already know why the Opera House remains the busiest performing arts venue in the world.

Now see it in all its glory as you cruise spectacular Sydney Harbour.

Tags: Australia

Tour Video: See Portugal as few have

From the rhythms of Fado to the realm of the Knights Templar, explore this Iberian gem.

Join us and raise a glass of the nation’s renowned Port and toast a land with an intrepid past and modern charm.

Collette Foundation Update: Drum Atweme

Hello Traveling Well Readers!

Drum Atweme was formed in the early 90’s as an answer to the needs of the aboriginal at risk youth, particularly girls.

The focus of the program is to create a positive influence and healthy atmosphere through the use of traditional music.

Head on over to collettefoundation.org to learn more and check out the wonderful video our media team just finished.

Tags: Australia, Collette Foundation

Tour Video: Canada’s Atlantic Coast

The Atlantic Coast of Canada has rugged beaches, picturesque fishing villages, and rich maritime history. See it all during this video tour. Better yet, see it in person.

Beautiful Peggy’s Cove,the Hopewell Rocks, the Anne of Green Gables Museum, the breathtaking Cabot Trail… this guided tour brings it all together.

Tags: Canada, Video Tour

Experience It: Bay of Islands

Just 150 miles north of Auckland is the beautiful Bay of Islands, located in New Zealand’s balmy subtropical north.

Over 144 islands dot these warm waters. The bay is abundant with thrilling marine life, like marlin, whales, dolphins, seals, and penguins.

Once the refuge of ship deserters, sailors, whalers, ex-convicts and other rogues, the Bay of Islands is now a tranquil holiday destination.

On Collette’s soon to be released Exploring New Zealand tour, you can enjoy a cruise on its pristine turquoise waters – the only way to truly appreciate the spectacular seascapes. For sure, a highlight of the cruise will be the journey through the famous “Hole in the Rock.” Resembling the eye of a needle, the “hole” has been etched over time by wind and waves, allowing boats to travel through it when the tide is just right.

We’ve also built in free time to explore this idyllic region on your own. Check back at collettevacations.com soon for the complete itinerary.

Tags: New Zealand

This is Why We Do What We Do – Part 2

The following is the second part of a letter we received along with a submission to our annual photo contest. (Read Part I).

Well, I am ecstatic to say that she did indeed “beat cancer” and is still in remission today! We did celebrate and she, my great aunt (her sister), my mother, two aunt s(my mom’s sisters) and I, traveled and experienced Italy together with Collette Tours and had an indescribable experience.  This trip was so important to me that I actually “cashed in” one of my retirement policies to go with my family.

In addition, another reason for celebration was, that my grandmother found we still had relatives in Sicily and while on our tour we would only be thirty minutes away from the town that my great, great grandfather grew up in before moving to America in 1901.  In fact, my relatives still live in the same, small village and we made arrangements to meet and visit with them while we were in Sicily.

Well, can I say that the opportunity to meet my Italian relatives and reconnect a family that had lost touch some 100 years ago was life-changing.

We didn’t know we still had living relatives in Sicily and they didn’t know that they had family in America. It was one of the greatest moments of my life, thanks again to your wonderful company.

I am happy to say that not only did we reconnect with our cousins but still keep in touch through email and Facebook.  Isn’t modern technology great? While we were in our “hometown” of Montedoro, Sicily with our relatives we took  the opportunity to spread the ashes of my great grandmother, Concetta, on the mountain top of the little town that her father had moved away from to seek a better life in America.  It was a very emotional moment as we were able to experience the full circle of where we came from and where we are now.

I could write on for days about how wonderful our trip was but this will do for now.  I hope you enjoy our selection of pictures from our journey for your contest.  Thank you for considering them.  We dream about returning to Italy again someday and when we saw the Grand Prize was a trip to Rome, we knew we had to try.

Thank You again for fulfilling our dream with our Trip in 2010, you really do have a Wonderful Company and Wonderful Employees.

God Bless You all.

Sincerely

Lindsay J.

Lindsay and her family did not win the photo contest this year. However, one of their photos did make it all the way to the final round. Her story and photos really capture what we at Collette strive towards everyday.

Tags: Collette Reviews, Italy, Photo Contest

This is Why We Do What We Do – Part 1

The following is the first part of a letter we received along with a submission to our annual photo contest. I’ve been showing this letter to everyone , telling them “this is why we do what we do.”

Good Morning,

My mother and I would like to submit some photographs for your 2011 Collette Vacations Photo Contest.  We both traveled with Collette Tours to Sicily and Southern Italy in October of 2010.

It truly was a “Trip of a Lifetime.”  You see, it was not only a chance to “see the world” but a chance to fulfill a dream, celebrate a victory and return to our family’s roots.

For as long as I can remember the women in my family have always dreamed of going on a “girls trip” to Italy.  We are all Italian American Women and have traced our lineage back to Sicily and Naples.  When the time presented itself, we knew we would travel with Collette as my grandmother had done twice before.

In fact, we never even looked at any other tour companies because of her positive past experiences and let me tell you, your company does not disappoint.

Everything, and I mean everything was done in excellence and for that I want to thank you all again.

Now, the reason for our trip. In 2008 my grandmother was diagnosed with stage 2 Breast Cancer and we all were devastated.  She is “the rock of our family” as she raised my mother and two aunts as a single mother in the 60’s. She is such an amazing, strong woman and was very positive about her tragic diagnosis.  She said emphatically that when she “beat cancer,” we were going to celebrate our family by fulfilling our dream of going to Italy together.

Read Part 2.

Tags: Collette Reviews, Italy

Tour Video: Canyon Country Family Adventure

Go west with your family.

This journey through Canyon Country brings you and your family into a colorful world of stunning southwestern vistas. Explore the unique topography of three national parks: Zion, Bryce and the Grand Canyon.

Learn More!

Tags: Family tours, Family Travel, Family Vacations

Experience It: Irish House Party

Step into a place where the welcome is warm and the craic is mighty.

Craic (pronounced “crack”) is an Irish word with no direct translation, but it roughly means “fun and good company.”

Experience great craic as a guest at an authentic Irish House Party.

This quintessentially Irish tradition has been a part of the social fabric of the Emerald Isle for centuries. Join local musicians, dancers and storytellers for an evening of rollicking good fun. Learn a song in Irish with the help of a complimentary souvenir song book.

• Tap your toes to the unique rhythms of Celtic music.
• Become enraptured by the storyteller’s tales.
• Step lively as you try some ceilidh dancing games.
• Raise your voice in song in the sing-alongs.

Let the spirit move you to perform your own poem, dance, story or song. It’s a night you will never forget.

Exploring Britain & Ireland

Tags: Experience It, Great Britain, Ireland

Tour Video: Namibia & Botswana

The Collette team is always looking for the next great destination. Check out this amazing small group Africa adventure – Namibia and Botswana.

Learn about all our Explorations tours.

Tags: Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Tour Video, Video