Search results for 'plains'

This summer we crossed the Plains through Nebraska, following the famed pioneer trail along the Platte River. We traveled west from St. Louis, skirted around Kansas City, and passed through a small slice of Iowa, where sunflowers grow wild in the fence rows and the dirt is black as coffee grounds.

Summer is a time when millions of people around the country travel for pleasure purposes. In fact, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that over 650 million long distance summer trips are made over summer. They also report that 90 percent of them are done by personal vehicle. As people travel they could do a better job being organized, which will help the trip be more enjoyable.

According to the Census Bureau, there are an estimated that 77 million baby boomers in the United States. Baby boomers join the workforce population of commuters, spending 42 hours per week in their cars. Along that path they often stop to grab a coffee here or a latte there, fill up the gas tank, and grab some breakfast at the local donut shop. Being so busy can put people on a germ-filled path, especially as they make their way to and from their destinations. The good news is that there are things baby boomers can do help avoid those nasty germs and keep healthy.

 Newcastle (a city on the north bank of the River Tyne) and Gateshead (a town on the south bank) form a single, diverse and extremely vibrant world class destination united by seven bridges. Often overlooked as a destination, I recently traveled to this most amazing city which offers so much for the traveler who enjoys Roman architecture to Georgian masterpieces!  Come as we explore!

If your travels take you near Great Falls, Montana, then please add a couple nights and visit the Grand Union Hotel in Fort Benton. Located 36 miles north of Great Falls, this is Montana’s oldest operating hotel. Built in 1882, 7 years before Montana became a state and at the height of the Steamboat era, this property cost $50,000 to construct and $150,000 to furnish. It ran on hard times in the 1980’s and had to close, but thanks to Jim and Cheryl Gagnon, Montana natives, the hotel was purchased by them in 1997, restored and then reopened in 1999. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

There is one road-trip so remote and obscure only the truly committed to getting lost have made the pilgrimage.  Yellowstone National Park provides a detailed planner (details here) for a wholesome family road trip across the heart of America, beginning in the backyard of the Wild West. All you have to do is pack the car. Start off the trip in the stunning South Dakota Badlands and end six days later in the majestic Yellowstone National Park located on the rustic northern corner of Wyoming on the boarder of Montana. And we know what you’re thinking: where the hell is South Dakota? That is precisely the point. 

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.  

Perfect for seasoned travelers who seek exploration of culturally rich and historic urban destinations, Collette’s Explorations product line delivers a deep-dive into some of the globe’s most celebrated places. With only 12 – 24 travelers on these small group tours, Collette Explorations tours allow you to dig deeper into the culture than ever before. When you travel with a small group, you’ll be closer than ever to these new people, new places, and unforgettable moments.

Our world contains so many experiences for us to enjoy. But there’s one thing those adventures – the brilliant sunset, the lost cities, the soaring peaks, the dramatic landmarks, and the incredible meals – all share. They remind us what life is all about and that we are a part of something greater. Travel with Collette is about the laughter, the tears of joy, and the unforgettable travel moments you share with your fellow travelers. Every day on tour brings a new experience, a new sight, a new sound, a new taste of the world. Collette offers countless unique experiences for everyone to enjoy while handling all the details. From picking the perfect hotel to a seamless blend of spectacular scenery and the world’s greatest cities, Collette creates and extraordinary journey for you. From a hill overlooking the lost city of Machu Picchu, listen to the whispers of all those who have come before, on the Peru: Ancient Land and Mysteries tour. Glide though towering mountain peaks, stepping into one of the storybooks of your youth, in New Zealand. Encounter animals most people never see in the wild, on the Plains of Africa tour. The world is calling out to you… join Collette on tour! 

The ancient city of Jericho, or Tell es-Sultan, where you will learn about the perennial spring that supported this city for centuries and provided the much needed irrigation system for the land as well as to quench the thirst for travelers.

I came to Florida looking for sun and surf, and by happy accident found the most beautiful beach in the Panhandle – Gulf Islands. This is a National Park, unspoiled and pristine, with snow-white sand and emerald green waters. A lovely park to drive through and great place to camp.

Go beyond the landmarks and set off on excursions that include scenic vistas, magnificent wildlife and local immersion in magical Kenya.

Norway is one of the most beautiful countries in all the world to visit – not only to experience the beauty of the fjords, northern lights and the midnight sun during the summer, but the people themselves are authentic and represent those qualities of kindness, integrity, and strength of character. The visitor is touched emotionally as these gentle people are genuine, filled with wisdom and sincerity for they are but a reflection of Nature's beauty.

Last summer we arrived at Yellowstone National Park from the Grand Tetons via the picturesque South Gate. The approach from the south is an easy and enjoyable ride. This well-maintained road winds through a thick forest of slender Lodge Pole Pines, occasionally offering a view of lively streams and crystalline lakes.