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.

The Emerald Isle is Calling You!

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I just finished reading Mary Pat Kelly’s book, Galway Bay, that sheds light on the ancestors of today’s forty-four million Irish Americans. It is the story of one family’s struggle with the Great Starvation caused by the potato blight in the 1840’s and how they rose above near death to build a new life in [...]

Take your Grand Kids and Go

In today’s hectic, 24/7 world where over-scheduled kids and constant connectivity compete head on with quality family time, grandparents today must shake their heads at the craziness of it all. My mother, for instance, questions the activities my three children are involved in and feigns exhaustion any time she looks at our family calendar posted [...]

Why Recycling is Good for your Blog

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Thanks to those of you who have read our blog, returned for another visit, and maybe even commented on one of our posts.
Traveling Well has been going strong since 2009 when we launched our first Reality Tour series showcasing South America’s wines and wonders. No one is more amazed that we have been able to continually contribute [...]

Vacation Planning for Fall

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I know we are barely a week into summer, but if you don’t already have a summer vacation planned, why not look ahead to travel September through December?
While many Collette passengers do travel in the summer months (the Canadian Rockies are beautiful this time of year), many of our clients opt to travel in the [...]

Costa Rica and its Pura Vida

In Costa Rica, this phrase “Pura Vida” is often used. However, instead of being thought of as a phrase, it is more of a way of life. Translated as “pure life,” it suggests a simple way of living and enjoying the moments as they come. Costa Rican locals say this to guests constantly to remind them [...]

Five for Friday: Wimbledon and More

As Wimbledon gets underway, I’m thinking of my last trip to London and wondering if I’ll realize my plan to visit next year during the Summer Olympics.
For those tennis tourists there now or those of you who have planned a trip this summer, here is my top 5 list of attractions or things to do/see in [...]

5 Reasons the Canadian Rockies Are Always a Vacation Favorite

The Canadian Rockies are one of Mother Nature’s amazing masterpieces which is why the destination is a perennial favorite with Collette guests. Maybe it’s the majestic mountain peaks, the waterfalls and rushing streams, the Icefields, where you can literally stand on ice that is 18,000 years old, or the friendly Canadian people that make this [...]

Experience Nature First Hand at Floriade 2012

I had to go back a way to find someone who could offer me some personal insight into what Floriade 2012 will be like. But in a company like Collette where employees routinely celebrate 15, 20, even 45 years of employment, it wasn’t impossible. �
In case you aren’t aware, Floriade occurs for a limited time and only every [...]

Not your typical vacation photos

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 [...]

The Colors of Provence

Excerpts from this post were taken from a write up by Collette Regional Destination and Tour Manager, Gregory Hall, who was giving Collette employees his insights from the road.
Greetings and salutations from Aix-en-Provence, France!
Normally I leave these messages for the end of a tour, but I feel compelled to write you before then to let you know [...]