Search results for 'captiva'

A stroll down the National Mall in Washington D.C. is captivating. Flowers bloom all around as children enjoy the smell of freshly cut grass. National landmarks surround the grand avenue sprinkled with museums and gardens. The Potomac River flows into the Tidal Basin surrounded by cherry blossom trees. This is the first sight many think of as Washington D.C., a powerful city filled with history. I know it as a city of opulence and splendor.

Join Collette on an once-in-a-lifetime journey through Spain! Experience the bright colors, warm culture, and delicious cuisine distinctive to this stunning country. Enjoy a locally guided tour of Madrid featuring the Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace. 

Along the northern coast of Africa sits the amazing country of Morocco. It boasts incredibly diverse – and beautiful landscapes, and is home to a wonderfully diverse population. On the “Highlights of Morocco” tour, you’ll get to know the vibrant culture and colorful backdrops that distinctively define Morocco. 

The American South is a region just waiting to be discovered! There’s an incredibly unique culture and welcoming hospitality that you just can’t find elsewhere. 

When’s the last time you got lost? I mean truly let go from the day-to-day grind and unable to be located from the contemporary chaos? In the never-ending, take-no-prisoners, 24/7 plugged in, forever-online world we live in, when is the last time you stopped to enjoy the actual world around you? Honestly?  When was the last time you appreciated life’s simple outdoor pleasures like jumping in a lake in the summer heat, inhaling the cool mountain air, feeling the salty ocean mist hit your face, gazing up at the stars on a still night, or feeling the wind hit your face on the Great Plains? It’s time to stop staring down the proverbial barrel of your computer screen and put a few miles in the rear-view. Work will always be there, it's time to make some memories and enjoy what life has to offer outside of the status quo.  

Immerse yourself in the magic of Myanmar. This fascinating country is home to endless natural beauty and impressive architecture. Its deep history is astounding, and its culture is captivating. Your tour begins in the quiet and colorful city of Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon. On your tour, you will spend 2 nights in Yangon, 1 night in Kalaw, 2 nights at the breathtaking Inle Lake, and then additional nights in Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay, and Bagan.

Join Collette on an in-depth exploration that reveals the artistic and cultural treasures of Florence, the “Cradle of the Italian Renaissance” and discover one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Long a cultural capital, Florence is home to a third of the world’s art treasures. This new leisure-stay tour features five nights in a centrally located hotel with free time to independently explore the city. Immerse yourself in art on an expertly led tour of the Uffizi Gallery to view works from some of history’s greatest artists. Take a step back in time in the charming village of Certaldo Alto. Explore the Academy Gallery and see Michelangelo’s magnificent sculpture of David. You’ll be sure to leave your tour with everlasting memories of the unforgettable city of Florence. 

Join Collette on a new leisure-stay tour for 2015 named Spotlight on Madrid that features a six-night stay in Spain’s lively capital city and includes many excursions to nearby historic towns. Learn the secrets of Castillian cuisine during a fun-filled, inter-active cooking class. Visit the Prado Museum, one of the most celebrated and comprehensive art galleries in the world. See the birthplace of author Miguel de Cervantes, creator of the novel, “Don Quixote.” This new tour is perfect for travelers looking to discover the many wonders of Madrid. With a six-night stay there will be plenty of time to relax and watch the city go by as well as taking in all the history and culture Madrid has to offer. 

Join Collette on an adventure through the art, history and culture of Rome on the brand new Spotlight on Rome tour! This new tour is unique because it offers travelers the luxury to unpack just once for a single hotel stay and it blends the inclusions Collette is known for with free time to explore on your own. Travelers are sure to be captivated by Rome’s old-world charm blending with its lively cosmopolitan energy. Come to know the history and traditions of this spectacular city on tour with Collette. The unforgettable experiences are endless. 

No other city truly can compare with London – brilliant in offering a rich cultural history dating back centuries to a modern day city to which people from all over the world aspire to be able to move to and live.  I fly often to London every month but cherish the years my family and I lived in London – a few streets down from Harrods in Knightsbridge.  A wonderful and exciting time with family!

Zurich is one of those magnificent cities centered in the heart of Switzerland and Europe. It is a major worldwide transportation gateway. Rather than transiting through, I encourage you to plan a one or two day visit to this enchanting city!  

I so enjoy my visits to Germany – actually seven cities that I frequent – but I had no Idea that I would enjoy Stuttgart – “The City of Cars”!  Historically, it is my hubby who is in love with the auto-industry but after a visit to the Mercedes-Benz Museum and recently opened state of the art, Porsche Museum, I have become an avid fan of these impeccably designed vehicles!  View the legendary 356, 550,911 and 917 models! Also my favorite – to finally view the original “Beetle” – brings back memories of those college days!

“Kiawah should have been a poem,” someone wrote years ago, and how true those words are. Our first trip to Kiawah, May 1980, came about because of a friend’s recommendation. “What a funny name,” I said. He explained, “It’s named for the Indian tribe that lived there during the 1600s. In 1699, a so-called pirate named George Raynor was granted the land and after that, the island was handed down through two different families for the next 250 years. It was purchased again in 1951 then, sold to a real estate developer. You won’t believe how beautiful it is,” he promised.

With its cocaine days in the past, the Colombian seaport of Cartagena has emerged as the belle of the ball. Cartagena, a fairy tale city of romance, legends, and sheer beauty, is a captivating place that can be hard to escape. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Cartagena draws legions of tourists and thus, inevitably, aggressive touts and money changers. This is the place to drop all sightseeing routines. Instead, just stroll through Cartagena's maze of cobbled alleys, where enormous balconies are hidden and massive churches cast their shadows across leafy plazas.