7 Spectacular New Tours From Collette
By Tyler Bohlman
Listen to this article
You can make an amazing vacation happen by planning it yourself. Relax on the beach. Visit a national monument. Or see the sights. But there are some things you can’t do by yourself. And there are experiences that can only be had when your vacation is meticulously planned by an expert.
Collette, a travel provider for Abound by Marriott Vacations™, is your expert vacation planner. They help provide access to premium experiences.
During a Collette tour you won’t just visit somewhere exciting, you’ll get a firsthand look at what local life truly is. These immersive vacations include stays in castles, cooking and language classes from local experts, and once-in-a-lifetime adventures. And it’s all planned for you.
Collette’s latest tours offer adventures in some of the most sought-after destinations around the world. Use your Club Points for unforgettable experiences like:
Southern Charm — Featuring Charleston, Savannah & Jekyll Island
Get a dose of the American Lowcountry with this Southern tour. Start in Charleston with visits to historic sites and Civil War forts and dine on authentic Gullah cuisine from a local. You’ll then move on to Savannah where its world-famous squares are filled with exquisite shopping and dining. While there, you’ll have a choice between a trolley or walking tour of the city, ending at the famous Mercer Williams House from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Finally, visit Jekyll Island, the one-time vacation destination for the most prominent families in America. After the city tour, you’ll visit a sea turtle rescue to learn how the island is helping these aquatic animals.
Start your Lowcountry adventure here.
OR
Southern Charm Holiday
Add a bit of holiday charm to a December-only Lowcountry tour. It takes the above itinerary and adds a visit to James Island County Park, illuminated by over 500,000 twinkling lights. You’ll also find spectacular holiday light and decoration displays all over Charleston, Savannah, and Jekyll Island, perfect for Christmas cards and treasured memories.
Spend your holidays with us here.
The Azores — Jewels of Portugal
Delve into the culture of Portuguese island life with a tour of the Azores. Known as the Hawai’i of Europe, you’ll visit São Miguel, Terceira, Faial, and Pico. Hop on a jeep to the top of the Sete Cidades and see the famous blue and green lakes. Visit a father-and-son team who practice the art of willow basket weaving before dining on a traditional cozido das furnas meal where your food is cooked in the Earth’s volcanic heat. You’ll go underground with an expert guide to Algar do Carvão, the Cavern of Coal, where you’ll descend in an ancient lava tube and swim in a natural volcanic pool. There are also walking tours, museum expeditions, home-cooked meals, and a stay in a rustic lava stone house. The tour ends in Lisbon where you’ll explore Portugal’s capital city.
Learn more about this island-hopping adventure here.
Mediterranean Coastal Journey — Featuring Spain, France & Italy
Journey across the Mediterranean Sea on an immersive tour of the Spanish, French, and Italian rivieras. Your Spanish adventure takes you to Barcelona and the quaint Girona on the Costa Brava where you’ll tour cities, museums, and churches. Then it’s off to Marseille and the French Riviera. Tour Le Panier district and discover the wonder of Marseille’s historic soap before setting up camp in Nice where you’ll learn the secret of perfume in a hands-on demonstration. Finally, it’s off to Italy with stops at Monaco, Genoa, and the famous Cinque Terre to introduce you to fine Italian style and cuisine (including a truffle hunt).
Your coastal adventure starts here.
European Christmas Markets — Featuring Prague, Vienna & Budapest
Have a grand holiday adventure as you visit some of Europe’s most prominent cities during the most magical time of the year. Your journey starts in Prague with a city tour. You’ll have the option to visit Europe’s oldest active synagogue and have plenty of time to visit the Christmas market in Prague’s Old Town Square. There’s a day-trip to Dresden, Germany, to visit the world’s oldest Christmas market — the Striezelmarkt — which has been celebrating the holiday since 1434. Then it’s off to Vienna to explore baroque architecture and enjoy a dinner at the Marchfelderhof, a local favorite restaurant since the 1800s. You can’t have Christmas without sweet treats, so Vienna includes a visit to a candy workshop where candies are being made using a 150-year-old recipe. Your tour ends in Budapest where you’ll visit the cozy Christmas market at St. Stephen’s Basilica featuring an ice rink and gorgeous tree.
Your European adventure starts here.
Spotlight on Paris
Spend your vacation in the unparalleled City of Light. Surround yourself in beauty and history as you visit iconic Paris destinations like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and fashion boutiques. You’ll undertake a culinary quest though the historic district of Le Marais. And join a local foodie as you explore this neighborhood and all the delicious items that come with it. Your next day starts at the world-famous Louvre Museum. See some of the most famous art in the world including the Mona Lisa. Afterward, choose to stay at the museum or adventure through the city for your own discoveries. Visit Versailles and tour this magnificent building. Your guide will show you the gardens, Hall of Mirrors, and palace. Your tour ends with an unforgettable dinner cruise down the picturesque Seine River.
Your Parisian adventure starts here.
Wilderness of Southern Africa: Safari by Land & Water — An Unforgettable Chairman’s Club Tour**
Search for the Big 5 on safari and much more during an exotic trip focused on the wildlife of Africa. In between visits to Johannesburg and Victoria Falls, embark on three Chobe River cruises, seven game drives and cruises, a privately chartered Lake Kariba safari boat tour, and the option of a game drive or game walk. Between your safaris and cruises, you’ll have the opportunity to see hundreds of mammals, reptiles, and birds. Also included in your tour is a Victoria Falls tour, visit to an elephant sanctuary, and an authentic African meal served in the chef’s very own home.