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Earlier this year, my grandmother and I decided to go on tour together for the first time.
My grandmother has several traits that make her the perfect traveller to explore the unknown: She’s curious, she loves to meet new people, and her favourite phrase is “why not?” She is always willing to try something new and step outside of her comfort zone.
I’m fortunate that she instilled a love of travel in me from an early age. She was born and raised in Portugal, so I travelled with her there often, and we’d done a few trips around the U.S. too. But when it came to travelling to Costa Rica, we knew we needed some extra help. And exploring Costa Rica with a certified naturalist guide at our side made for a priceless journey we couldn’t have done on our own.
Collette travellers share all the time how expertly planned and expertly led tours have made their experience richer in lands unknown. Here’s what they have to say:
Getting Closer to Local Culture
We hear you: You want the must-sees and more. That means getting to the pyramids in Giza or to Machu Picchu in Peru, but speaking to locals and hearing their stories, too. Meeting the people who call a place home is always an unforgettable part of the journey.
Traveller Reviews
“For me seeing so many animals and birds in their natural habitat was amazing! Spending time with a family in their fishing village and having a meal with a local woman in Victoria Falls was very special. Overall, the trip of a lifetime.” - Wilderness of Southern Africa: Safari by Land & Water Traveller Eunice N.
“The local tour guides [were the most enjoyable part of the tour]. They knew so much about the culture and were able to answer our questions and offer even more information and insights about the history of the community and region. Their passion made us feel excited and blessed to be experiencing their region.” - Peru: Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca Traveller Amanda J.
“I really enjoyed the immersion of getting lost in the culture. I really enjoyed the mix of the history, but also being invited to people’s home's to really get a feel of how the locals live. I felt this trip had so much to offer with a great balance of city life, country life, fun activities that fit everyone's preferences and a chance to try new things.” - Kingdoms of Southeast Asia Traveller Francisco V.
Tour Manager Support
Your Tour Manager is a huge part of supporting you when travelling afar. There’s a lot to explore in destinations like Asia, South and Central America, and Africa. And your Tour Manager knows where to go. They’re your personal inside scoop every step of the way.
Traveller Reviews
“[We had a] cohesive, respectful tour group led by an intelligent and thoughtful Tour Manager, Mohamed. Mohamed’s vast knowledge and passion for Morocco was infectious. His vast knowledge and passion for his country was apparent each and every day. Answered questions and queries promptly and in detail.” - Colours of Morocco Traveller Meredith H.
“By far our Tour Manager Mona was the most enjoyable aspect of the tour. There is no substitute for having a qualified resident Egyptologist with you at all times, capable of answering any question, pointing out unique features and sharing the history and culture of an entire civilization.” - Treasures of Egypt Traveller Cory P.
“I can’t emphasize enough how incredibly professional our Tour Manager Sam was. She is a gold star! She grew up in Zimbabwe. She explained the culture, her tribal traditions, the food, the animals that we saw on safari. In short, she was a fountain of knowledge, and again enhanced our experience by 1000%. She looked after each and every one of us on the tour from sun up to sundown.” - Wilderness of Southern Africa: Safari by Land & Water Traveller Amy F.
Worry-Free Travel
The people who plan your tours are travellers, just like you. They have the same curious spirit, and they want to spend their time enjoying their trips, not sweating over the details. And we know the way to get you there! From the literal road ahead, to the language and local culture, our experts have you covered. They’ve planned thoughtful, immersive, and inclusive tours so the only thing left to worry about is having fun.
Traveller Reviews
“I didn't have to think or worry about anything, everything was taken care of so I could enjoy every minute. All transportation, food, schedules, water. That was wonderful.” - Machu Picchu & Galapagos Wonders Traveller Calla D.
“Everyone involved with us during our travel did an exceptional job! The organization of the tour was perfect and well put together. We didn't have to worry about anything. Each of the persons responsible for some aspect of our trip were there — ready, able, and on time!” - The Plains of Africa Traveller Patricia F.
“I loved that everything was planned out and we could just sit back and relax. Our Tour Manager was absolutely amazing and our bus driver was also exceptional. I felt very safe, comfortable, and well informed. It was nice that we did not need to worry about lugging our own luggage bags around to each new hotel.” - Tropical Costa Rica Traveller Ellen B.
Group Camaraderie
“One thing that was fabulous was the small group and everyone had the same frame of mind, we became a ‘family’ in that 2 weeks.” - African Safari: Kenya & Tanzania Traveller Jacqueline J.
“The group size was great — small enough for us to get to know and enjoy each other. We ended up feeling like family!” - Patagonia: Edge of the World Traveller Kerry J.
“This was the first small group tour I have been on, and the group size definitely made a big impact on how much I enjoyed the trip.” - Mysteries of India Traveller Alison M.
“Our group blended extremely well. People thought we were a group of old friends on tour. That made it enjoyable.” - Kingdoms of Southeast Asia Traveller Steven P.
Booking Your Far-Flung Tour
Author Miriam Beard said, “Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.”
For culturally curious travellers looking to experience that change, it really helps to have someone by your side who really knows the local culture you’re diving into. Our travellers tell us that every day, and I got to experience that firsthand in the rainforest alongside my grandmother.
So, whether you’re itching for an African safari, an adventure to South or Central America, or a deep dive into Asia, there’s a tour to get you there. When you’re ready to chase your curiosity, call us or reach out to your travel advisor and ask for Collette.
