Small-group trips come with a number of important advantages. You can start by going to smaller, more obscure locations that are inconvenient for large gatherings. Similarly, you may partake in immersive activities that huge groups cannot because of their cumbersome size.
If you've been considering that kind of vacation recently, you need to learn about Collette's Small Group Explorations, the tour operator offering a convenient, hassle-free mode of transportation.
If you haven't heard of Collette before, it is a family-owned tour operator that was established in 1918 and provides more than 160 excursions on all seven continents in five different types of travel, including river cruises and small-group traveling.
The best part, according to Collette, is that the tour operator treats each visitor "like a treasured friend" and encourages them to "sit back and let us handle all the logistics so you can enjoy the time of your life."
Take the less-traveled route with Collette's Small Group Explorations tours: Immerse yourself in captivating, immersive activities; rest in accommodations that reflect the local culture; eat authentic, regional cuisine; and discover a place's true culture with extra built-in free time.
You won't be in the crowd when you join a small group tour of 14 to 24 travelers; instead, you'll be a vital component of a cultural journey. Join a small group trip to experience a place's heart like never before.
From 1 to 5, what you should know about 10 of Collette's most well-liked Small Group Explorations excursions is provided below.
1. Montana: Exploring Big Sky Country
Yellowstone And Glacier National Parks
You're now in Montana's Big Sky Country, according to Collette, so step outdoors, take a deep breath, and look toward the mountains. You are invited to visit Montana, a place of wilderness, adventure, and natural beauty.
Highlights of the 11-day, 10-night journey include traveling through Yellowstone's Northern and Southern Loops, stopping by Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs, and viewing the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
A sail on the Missouri River through the "Gates of the Mountains," time in the mountain village of St. Mary Village, and a visit to Helena, Montana, the "Queen City of the Rockies," are also included in this itinerary. Finally, you'll visit Glacier National Park.
Unique Experiences
The tour, which starts in Bozeman, Montana, provides a few other options. You can choose between going to the C.M. Russell Art Museum or the Interpretive Center for the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. A memorable aspect of the vacation is the option to choose between a white-water rafting experience and a more leisurely trip along the Flathead River's picturesque route.
Rates for Montana: Exploring Big Sky Country begin at $5,599 per person.
2. Wilderness Of Southern Africa
Safari By Land & Water
Take a true safari trip by land and water as you travel across southern Africa's untamed plains, arid woods, rivers, and lakes. "Get ready for a truly safari trip from the majestic Victoria Falls to the serene Lake Kariba, and from the plains to southern Africa's gorgeous parks."
The 15-day and 14-night Wilderness of Southern Africa tour won't let you down if you're hoping to see some wildlife on your trip to South Africa. You will have several opportunities to search for the Big Five safari species when visiting Chobe and Hwange National Parks: Cape buffalo, African elephant, leopard, lion, and black rhinoceros.
A traditional lunch shared with a native family in their home while visiting Victoria Falls and a three-night cruise on the magnificent Lake Kariba are two further highlights of the journey. Even a beach BBQ is available near Lake Kariba!
Unique Experiences
The tour also gives you the option of participating in a morning game drive or a morning game walk with a trained ranger while visiting Hwange National Park. Either choice will undoubtedly create a lifelong memory.
Rates for Wilderness of Southern Africa: Safari by Land & Water begin at $5,499 per person.
3. Japan: Past & Present
A Cultural Journey From Tokyo To Osaka
Come face-to-face with culture that has been developed over thousands of years, Collette says, "from neon-lit streets crowded with people to peaceful temples filled only with silence." "Uncover a thousand facets of Japanese culture, art, and life to understand its wonderful spirit."
Not only will you get to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, but you'll also get to take the renowned shinkansen "bullet" train from city to city.
Other highlights of the 14-day, 13-night journey include the chance to stroll through the Arashiyama bamboo forest's swaying trees and, most notably, a visit to Hiroshima's Peace Park and Memorial Museum, where tourists can learn about the atomic bomb's devastation.
Unique Experiences
The journey offers the opportunity to stay with Buddhist monks at the monastery on Mount Koya, as well as the ability to interact with some of Japan's ama pearl divers and learn about their line of work.
Rates for Japan: Past & Present begin at $4,999 per person
4. Mediterranean Coastal Journey
Spain, France, And Italy
Discover the Spanish, French, and Italian Rivieras as you journey along the glistening Mediterranean shore, according to Collette. "Find your fantasy Mediterranean holiday, from chameleonic Barcelona to sun-kissed Nice, from fashionable Monaco to the rolling hills of the Chianti countryside."
Foodies will adore the opportunity to "taste your way along the Mediterranean coast," enjoying authentic focaccia in Genoa, rich Provençal food in Marseille, and delicious paella in Barcelona. The tour also includes a visit to an old abbey that is now a winery and the opportunity to eat Catalan delicacies in a farmhouse that dates back to the 17th century.
But there's more to the 16-day, 15-night trip. Other highlights of the trip might be visiting La Sagrada Familia, a masterpiece by architect Antoni Gaudi, or the Expiatory Temple, the tallest church in the world. You can also travel with a truffle hunter and his canine companions as they explore the Tuscany's undulating hills and olive fields.
Unique Experiences
As you now anticipate, the tour also gives you a few options. You can choose between going to Barcelona's National Museum of Art or climbing the Montjuc Castle for "bird's eye views over the bustling harbor," for example.
Rates for the Mediterranean Coastal Journey begins at $4,449 per person.
5. Peru
Machu Picchu And Lake Titicaca
"The wonderful treasures of Peru are waiting around every corner, from the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu to the floating islands of Lake Titicaca. See the historical side of the "City of Kings" by visiting Lima, advises Collette. Step back in time as you visit enigmatic old ruins and immerse yourself in the culture while dining on the nation's world-famous cuisine.
Highlights of the 10-day, 9-night trip include a stop in Lima, where you can experience the "City of Kings" from a historical perspective, and time spent in the Sacred Valley, where you can learn about Andean art forms and the indigenous way of life.
However, the tour also involves spending the night at Machu Picchu's "Lost City of the Incas" base. Finding the Incan Empire's birthplace at Puno and Lake Titicaca, as well as getting to know the indigenous Uros people who reside on floating islands in the lake, are other highlights.
Unique Experiences
The tour gives you a choice that will undoubtedly create a memory you'll always cherish. You can either take a walking tour around San Blas, the city's typical old area, or you can explore the revered Incan ruins of Sacsayhuaman Fortress above Cuzco.
Rates for Peru: Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca begin at $2,399 per person.
Source: TravelAwaits.com
