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 [...]
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