Experience the Small-Group Difference With Collette Explorations

Designed and led by people who love to travel, Collette’s small-group Explorations are guided tours made specifically for the culturally curious and modern traveler. These tours are ideal for savvy, confident sightseers who want to connect with locals abroad while building camaraderie with their expert guides and fellow travelers. By curating experiences for a small group, Collette will give your clients a chance to explore each destination on a deeper level.

Present-day travel trends show that an increasing number of vacationers are forgoing rigid, cookie-cutter itineraries and restrictive bus tours for more hands-on and immersive trips. It’s because of this desire to engage more actively with the local community that Collette launched Explorations in 2008, a unique, small-group product for advisors. In this way, your clients can enjoy less-touristed sites, experiences and accommodations that larger groups can’t always access.

The following are just a few highlights of what sets Collette apart when it comes to their small-group Explorations of one of the world’s most popular destinations: Italy.

Zero one-night stays

By starting and ending each tour in a different city, travelers actually benefit from a more relaxed pace. On a Collette Explorations tour, there are no one-night stays, meaning your clients have more time to dive into a timeless destination like Italy and savor it on their own terms. From a three-night stay at a wine estate in the Romagna countryside to contemporary hotels in the heart of Florence, Collette’s hand-picked accommodations are selected to allow participants their independence while getting a full picture of the region. Roundtrip gateways might be more cost effective, but it’s not an ideal way for clients to get the most out of their Italian adventure.

Going beyond the postcard

When most people picture Venice in their minds, they’re imagining a picturesque gondola ride — and of course, that is an iconic part of exploring the Floating City. But beyond the predictable tourist activities, there’s so much more to explore if you know where to look. On a boutique tour with Collette, these types of unusual stops are built into the itinerary and feature unforgettable visits like one to a Venetian oar maker’s workshop. Not only do these incredible, curated moments help travelers connect with “real” life in Italy, but they are included as part of the vacation package. 

Meals become teachable moments

Italian cuisine is beloved around the world, and so it’s to be expected that food and wine are a highlight of any trip or tour through Italy. However, instead of passively sampling the chianti and ravioli, Collette encourages its groups to get a taste of local flavor in an authentic way that goes beyond a restaurant reservation. That’s why Explorations small-group tours include culinary excursions like pasta-making classes, wine tastings and even a farm-to-table lunch hosted by culinary arts students from a nearby school. The chance to recreate a Sicilian dish back at home or recite a bit of knowledge from a vintner in Tuscany is the best kind of keepsake. Buon appetito!

Tread in the footsteps of locals

Travelers of all ages are choosing to trade in the passing scenery from the windows of a coach for a little exploration on their own two feet. The guides who lead these small-group Explorations are there to accommodate the safety and comfort of each traveler but also love to shake things up. These walking tours — guided by local experts — ensure that your clients not only get out and explore the copious beauty, history and culture of capitals like Venice, Florence and Rome, but begin to see the hidden charms not listed on the brochure.

From the Sponsor

As the longest-running tour operator in North America, Collette is the company travelers can trust. Leading with integrity, Collette’s comprehensive travel protection plan, flexible tour pacing, and strong relationships within the travel space set it apart. The happiness of its travelers has been its roadmap since 1918. Today, Collette offers over 175 tours to all seven continents and five distinct travel styles, including small group touring and river cruises. This third-generation family-owned business is dedicated to giving back in both local and global communities through its social responsibility platform.

For more information, about Collette’s small group tours, visit www.gocollette.com/en/small-group-explorations. For our Travel Advisor Portal, which has everything you need to position small-group Explorations tours to your clients, from free marketing materials to a local Business Development Manager, visit gocollette.com/travel-advisors.