Fred. Holidays recently announced that we have partnered with Collette to offer a fantastic range of escorted tours to UK customers. As America’s oldest major tour operator, Collette gives you the chance to explore all seven continents on a range of different holidays – Classic, Explorations, Spotlight and River Cruises.
There are so many great benefits to look forward to when you book one of these amazing trips. Here are five reasons why a Collette tour could be for you.
Long-lasting Friendships
A holiday is not the most likely place to forge lasting friendships, but many of Collette’s past customers have found themselves creating life-long bonds with the other people travelling with them.
The chances are, having chosen a certain trip, you will have plenty in common and are also likely to be of a similar age. Throw in the fact that there will be plenty of time to get to know each other as you travel between destinations and it’s easy to see why people keep in contact long after the holiday is over. Guests have even been known to plan further tours together, even before the end of the current one. It will come as no surprise that the camaraderie is something everyone looks forward to.
Expert Tour Managers Who Care
The Collette tour managers are not just there to chaperone you and throw in the occasional snippet of information, they care deeply about the places you visit and that you enjoy every moment of your time with them. Armed with expert knowledge and the ability to bring a group of strangers together, your guide will enhance your holiday and ensure everything runs smoothly from start to finish.
They also aim to go above and beyond what you would usually expect from someone in this position. They are there to help with any problems that arise (personally making arrangements to reach a solution), will offer fantastic local advice (even outside of planned tour activities) and take the stress out of travelling.
Great For Solo Travellers
Sometimes, solo travellers are charged large supplements just so that they can enjoy the same service as those holidaying as a couple. This is not the case with Collette, as you will only have to pay a low supplement to secure the same level of accommodation as everyone else. This makes a tour very accessible for someone on their own and means you can have the same level of comfort as others.
Care is also taken to ensure solo travellers are integrated into the group. Seats on the bus are rotated so that everyone can meet each other and the small group sizes (maximum 44) mean that you’ll never feel overwhelmed or crowded out.
So Much Included
When you book a Collette tour, you’ll be given the peace of mind that everything is included and that there won’t be any hidden charges that creep up on you. Three, four or five-star accommodation (typically four-star); all breakfasts and a selection of lunches and dinners; and entry to all of the attractions listed on the itinerary will all be part of the initial cost.
When it comes to mealtimes, you’ll be treated to fabulous buffets at the start of the day and then taken to highly-rated local dining venues for lunch and dinner (if detailed on the itinerary). You’ll never have to worry about going hungry and there’s still plenty of opportunities to hunt down hidden gems in your free time.
Another inclusion is your airport-to-hotel transfer on the first day and return trip on the final day of your tour. Someone will be waiting to welcome you in arrivals, with a clearly marked sign, and will whisk you off to start your holiday in style. Add all that to your carefully crafted schedule, your dedicated tour manager and local guides, comfortable transport between locations and porterage for one piece of luggage weighing up to 23kg per person, and you can see the obvious value for money on offer.
Choice Built In Along The Way
Just because your tour will be escorted and planned out for you, it doesn’t mean that you can’t have your say along the way. To start with, there are plenty of fantastic options to choose from on the website and in the brochure. From seven-day jaunts around Europe to 25-day, in-depth explorations of Australia, your holiday could take you anywhere around the world.
There’s also choice once you arrive on location. If for any reason, you don’t want to do one of the activities listed, you don’t have to. Plus, the majority of tours feature at least one day on which you can decide between two different excursions. These are usually paced very differently so that you can tailor the day to your abilities and desires.
Free time is another way that Collette trips offer you more choice. The chance to go off and do your own thing every now and again will immerse you even more within your surroundings and means you’ll never feel restricted by the itinerary.
If you would like to learn more about our Collette tours, you can contact the team on 0800 988 3369. You can also sign up to our mailing list to keep up to date with all of the Fred. Holidays products.
