AU
If you’ve been paying attention to the news at all this summer, you’ve probably caught wind of the fact that certain sectors of the travel industry are well…sort of a mess right now. In July, the New York Times ran an article entitled “Understanding the summer air travel mess.” Politico published one called “Air travel is a hot mess,” and the Washington Post’s contribution was “Summer travel is hell this year.” You get the idea.
Between staffing shortages, skyrocketing gas prices, inflation, and an abundance of travellers anxious to get back out into the world after a years-long pandemic, it doesn’t come as a shock that things aren’t running all that smoothly. Does that mean you should put off your travel plans another year or cancel that trip you have booked? No, it absolutely does not. But it does mean you should plan wisely. And if you’ve never taken a guided tour before, the flexibility, ease, reliability, and adventure they offer is looking mighty appealing in this post-pandemic hot mess of a world. Here’s why:
- The details are covered. From hotel reservations and transport, to dining and cultural experiences, going guided means you can save your precious time and leave the tedium of scheduling and booking to the pros. Forget the virtual queues and on-hold music. When you choose one of Collette’s guided tours, you get a carefully crafted holiday without the hassle and pressure of planning it.
- Big, life-changing experiences, without the stress. Going guided means Travelling in comfort and ease—without sacrificing the adventure, wonder, and exhilaration of an extraordinary holiday. Collette’s industry professionals have travelled the world in search of the best accommodation, dining, and transport so you don’t have to plan around the good (or bad) reviews of strangers on the internet.
- You’re not alone, even if you are. When we ask our travellers what they like most about touring with us, we consistently hear the same two answers: the invaluable knowledge and affability of our Tour Managers, and the friends made along the way. Collette tours are packed with big experiences and plenty of free time to do your own thing, but friendships forged with fellow travellers are a pretty nice perk.
- Smaller group sizes. Traditional guided tours are great for seeing big-ticket attractions and bucket list destinations, but smaller group tours give you access to more cultural experiences, boutique hotels, and eclectic eateries than ever before. Collette’s small group Explorations tours are designed to take curious and adventurous travellers like you into the cultural heart of each destination, for an experience that is authentic and unforgettable.
- Unrivalled travel protection. With much of the world being on the cusp of entering the endemic stage of Covid-19, travel restrictions are steadily lifting. But if there’s anything we’ve learned from the pandemic, it’s that things can change—fast. Whilst we can’t predict or dictate travel guidelines or CDC updates, our industry professionals are always on hand to make sure your safety is the top priority. Beyond this, Collette offers a travel protection plan that gives you the flexibility to cancel your trip at any time up to 24 hours before your departure date and get your money back. For any reason. It’s kind of a big deal.
We can’t fix the airline problem or lower gas prices. But we can promise you that our experience and industry relationships help us provide you with the best journey for the best value—even if the rest of the world is a hot mess.
