Collette Tour Reviews
The 65 Collette Tour reviews listed below are from past clients of Global Journeys that have traveled with Collette. Each review has been individually verified by our team.
We’ve just returned from an amazing tour through Scandinavia, culminating in a few days in the gorgeous city of Bergen, in Norway. Denmark and Norway exceeded our expectations in terms of their beauty. The city of Copenhagen is magical and with stunning sights to see and unique experiences, like the Tivoli Gardens, there is something for everyone. Similarly, read more Bergen in Norway was like being in a fairytale, with troll folklore and Viking history underpinning the story and beauty of Bergen, we were enthralled.
Our guide was a little new at this part of the world, but our local bus driver, Harald, kept her up to date with information. Accommodation was great, especially in Flam and Oslo. One thing we were not aware of is that Collette is an American company, and as such, we were the token Australians on the tour. We love Americans but we also love the homogenous nature of sharing a tour with people from multiple backgrounds, so if you are not American, be prepared for this.
Our guide was a little new at this part of the world, but our local bus driver, Harald, kept her up to date with information. Accommodation was great, especially in Flam and Oslo. One thing we were not aware of is that Collette is an American company, and as such, we were the token Australians on the tour. We love Americans but we also love the homogenous nature of sharing a tour with people from multiple backgrounds, so if you are not American, be prepared for this.
This was our first experience travelling with Collette and their administration was efficient. We requested for early release of documents and they did it in good time. The documents were complete and thorough. They even provided a list of emergency contacts including the addresses and phone numbers of all the hotels for us.
The Tour Manager contacted read more us 2 weeks before departure preparing us with tips and advice. She happened to be a historian who is well informed, entertaining and a great storyteller. We were greeted on the first day with a warm welcome. She was organised and managed the group very well.
The itinerary was well paced with 2 nights stay at each town except for 2 places with a 1 night stay. Hotels were clean and well located. The beds were comfortable. Daily breakfast and most dinners were included, and they were very good. Activities included a visit to Isle of Skye and Orkney Island, bagpipe playing lesson, cookery class. Overall this has been an enjoyable trip and we would consider doing another trip with Collette.
The Tour Manager contacted read more us 2 weeks before departure preparing us with tips and advice. She happened to be a historian who is well informed, entertaining and a great storyteller. We were greeted on the first day with a warm welcome. She was organised and managed the group very well.
The itinerary was well paced with 2 nights stay at each town except for 2 places with a 1 night stay. Hotels were clean and well located. The beds were comfortable. Daily breakfast and most dinners were included, and they were very good. Activities included a visit to Isle of Skye and Orkney Island, bagpipe playing lesson, cookery class. Overall this has been an enjoyable trip and we would consider doing another trip with Collette.
We travelled north to Edinburgh via York, then back south via Gretna Green, staying in a 12th Century Welsh Castle (allegedly haunted), then onto Stratford-upon-Avon where we headed off to fabulous Stonehenge and returned via beautiful Cotswold Cottages.
A fantastic trip with an amazing tour director (Christine) who had so much knowledge about the read more UK, we were continually amazed (and entertained). Highly recommended tour.
A fantastic trip with an amazing tour director (Christine) who had so much knowledge about the read more UK, we were continually amazed (and entertained). Highly recommended tour.
Exploring South Africa, Victoria Falls and Botswana 4
Exploring South Africa, Victoria Falls & Botswana
Alan & Patricia, QLD, Australia, Apr 2019
This Collette tour was well structured with a very competent Leader, Johnathon. We enjoyed all aspects commencing from Cape Town and particularly the game drives in Entabeni and Chobe. The small group of 16 was a perfect size and mostly interacted well. The weather in mid/late April was ideal. We would recommend the tour unreservedly. Hannah from Global read more Journeys once again provided a professional service.
Great way to see the highlights of Japan 9
Cultural Treasures of Japan
Andrea, NSW , Australia, Apr 2019
Jemma at Global Journeys provided another smooth booking and this was my first tour with Collette. I was glad to be on a tour in view of the language barrier and also to learn about day to day life and background info which I otherwise wouldn't have known.
Our tour guide Tomoe went beyond her call of duty to provide maps and info and suggestions read more when asked. The accommodation was excellent; rooms were larger than expected for a solo traveller and the hotels had great locations. Being vegetarian was challenging but this was expected. All in all, there was a great balance of free time and designated sights and a good group of 32. This tour gave a great overview of Japan.
Our tour guide Tomoe went beyond her call of duty to provide maps and info and suggestions read more when asked. The accommodation was excellent; rooms were larger than expected for a solo traveller and the hotels had great locations. Being vegetarian was challenging but this was expected. All in all, there was a great balance of free time and designated sights and a good group of 32. This tour gave a great overview of Japan.
Japan was certainly very busy so it was great to be staying in top quality accommodation and being escorted to various destinations. The tour went to all the iconic Japanese cultural and geographic spots. It was a good balance of organised activity and free time. Only issue was not enough time in Hiroshima visiting the Peace Museum.
The pace of this tour was good and not too tiring with no early morning checkouts. I also liked it because all breakfasts and dinners were included in the tour. There were no other optional tours that we had to decide on because everything was included. We were lucky, there were only about 30 of us in the group.
My main reason for taking this tour read more was to see the Northern Lights. Unfortunately we did not see the Northern Lights with our naked eyes, just some white cloud which the tour guide said was the Northern Lights. When we took photos with the cameras or mobile phones it does appear as green Northern Lights.
My main reason for taking this tour read more was to see the Northern Lights. Unfortunately we did not see the Northern Lights with our naked eyes, just some white cloud which the tour guide said was the Northern Lights. When we took photos with the cameras or mobile phones it does appear as green Northern Lights.
Great trip through the Imperial Cities 5
Imperial Cities
Larraine & Andrew, QLD, Australia, Nov 2018
Great last minute trip through the Imperial cities with Collette. Our river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest had been cancelled due to low water levels so this trip with Collette was very last minute. Many thanks to Jemma from Global Journeys for organising everything for us with such short notice.
My main reason for selecting this tour was to go to Graceland and everything else was a bonus. However, everything was great to see and visit. We had a mix of Americans, Canadians and Australians (including me). The best highlights for me (other than Graceland) were RCA Studio B where Elvis recorded most of his songs as did many others and going to read more the Grand Ole Opry at Ryman Auditorium. The only problem with the tour timetable was that day 2 had half a day and the night as free time and day 1 was busy from morning to late evening. It would have been more comfortable if dinner on day 1 was on day 2 to break the days up a bit. I also think that for another $40 or $50 the visit to Graceland could have included all of the exhibits rather than some and then being asked to pay for other displays. Staying at the Gaylord Opryland Resort was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. It is fantastic.
Enjoyed this tour very much, New Orleans - Memphis - Nashville. Great accommodation, excellent tour guide. Generally a value packed tour.
Pilgrimage to Fatima and Lourdes with Barcelona 4
Pilgrimage to Fatima & Lourdes with Barcelona
Mimi, NSW, Australia, Oct 2018
It was the pilgrimage of a lifetime... I felt so blessed to have joined this group, there were a lot of wonderful people, there were 4 priests who joined us and the tour manager Pedro was just so wonderful and very knowledgeable. I would surely book with Colette and Global Journeys again.
Loved Japan, enjoyed the tour. The hotels were all of an excellent standard, the sites and experiences were memorable. The pace of the tour was great. Only criticism is that we would have liked longer in Tokyo, should have arrived there a few days earlier. Would definitely book with Global Journeys and Collette again.
First time travelers with Collette. Excellent value, very good accommodation and very knowledgeable tour director. The itinerary was thoughtfully selected as it gave a good balance of new and old Japan. Sufficient free time to cater for the shoppers. First time also with Global Journeys. Jemma was excellent, all went like clockwork.
The hotel we were based in was well-positioned but we would class it as ordinary. Cleaning of room was not the best and often bathroom items (esp. floor mat) were not replaced. We asked for a new room because the shower cubicle was very small. Breakfast was an adequate buffet.
Excursions were excellent with knowledgeable local guides but we were read more often left with too much free time - not enough to see major sites like the Uffizi Museum in Florence, and not enough information to visit smaller attractions. (We're not into shopping and don't buy souvenirs.)
The tour director, Sergio, was fantastic. He dealt with anything thrown at him with professionalism. He could also tell very funny stories. I think we will stick with Australian companies in the future.
Excursions were excellent with knowledgeable local guides but we were read more often left with too much free time - not enough to see major sites like the Uffizi Museum in Florence, and not enough information to visit smaller attractions. (We're not into shopping and don't buy souvenirs.)
The tour director, Sergio, was fantastic. He dealt with anything thrown at him with professionalism. He could also tell very funny stories. I think we will stick with Australian companies in the future.
The accommodation was very comfortable and well located. However, Lake Maggiore was the only one with aircon. Because of traffic noise or ground floor position it wasn't appropriate to leave the window open at night, so the rooms were hot which made sleeping difficult. Value wise, most travel is overpriced when you travel as a single. Cynthia was an read more amazingly knowledgeable and competent guide.
Tour through the Southern parts of Portugal and Spain. 9
Spain's Classics & Portugal
Thitimar , NSW, Australia, Apr 2018
Very good organising in every things.. the hotel, the food, the bus - travelling and best of all is having local guide tours in every cities. I will travel with this tour company again.
This was my first guided tour and initially I was sceptical. Having travelled independently a good deal for decades, I flinched at the idea that my next 10 days were totally planned, down to every meal. But it was wonderful, and a great experience, and now I’m organising another.
Our tour guide Jose was fantastic, friendly, funny and professional. read more We saw and experienced so much, far more than possible if travelling independently. The accommodations were of a very high standard, actually better than I expected. Most meals were very good, and Jose went out of his way to meet everyone‘s dietary preferences/requirements.
Many places were special, including the towns of Sintra, Monsaraz, Obidos and Evora, and the sights around the Algarve, especially the Cape of St Vincent’s, were amazing. The visits to the cork and tile factories were also interesting, as were the wineries. We moved at a good pace, spending at least 2 or 3 nights in all the hotels but one. Overall a well thought out tour itinerary. Thanks Global Journeys, Collette, and our wonderful guide Jose.
Our tour guide Jose was fantastic, friendly, funny and professional. read more We saw and experienced so much, far more than possible if travelling independently. The accommodations were of a very high standard, actually better than I expected. Most meals were very good, and Jose went out of his way to meet everyone‘s dietary preferences/requirements.
Many places were special, including the towns of Sintra, Monsaraz, Obidos and Evora, and the sights around the Algarve, especially the Cape of St Vincent’s, were amazing. The visits to the cork and tile factories were also interesting, as were the wineries. We moved at a good pace, spending at least 2 or 3 nights in all the hotels but one. Overall a well thought out tour itinerary. Thanks Global Journeys, Collette, and our wonderful guide Jose.
We thoroughly enjoyed our Alpine and lakes train trip through Switzerland and Italy. From the time we were picked up to be taken to our departure flight to be picked up on arrival back in Sydney ,all went very smoothly.
The group were a great mix of people. Our tour leader Marian was fantastic! We were very impressed with Collette Tours and would definitely read more do another one with them.
The group were a great mix of people. Our tour leader Marian was fantastic! We were very impressed with Collette Tours and would definitely read more do another one with them.
A mixed bag. An interesting but poorly planned itinerary 26
Discover Croatia, Slovenia & the Adriatic Coast
Desmond , WA, Australia, Oct 2017
The Istrian and Dalmatian coasts offer spectacular contrasts for the traveller. Roman ruins such as the Amphitheatre in Pula and Diocletian's palace in Split, romantic mediaeval towns, walled cities like Dubrovnik and natural wonders of the calibre of the Plitvice Lakes make for a rich and interesting travelling experience. This Collette tour doesn’t l read moreeave much out, although Mostar should have been included, but it just doesn’t cut it on the logistical side.
The tour is badly planned and doesn’t flow from one destination to the next, necessitating too much time on an essentially uncomfortable bus getting from one place to another. Rather than start at one destination and straightforwardly wind its way up or down the counties visited, the itinerary demands travellers go backwards and forwards from place to place. This resulted in two full days of cramped, unrelenting coach travel when it could have been avoided.
I was informed that Collette intends to reconfigure this tour in 2019, probably as a consequence of feedback similar to the above, and I would not recommend the existing tour to anyone who wants to limit their time on the road so as to experience as much as can be experienced in these wonderful countries.
The standard of accommodation was high, the tour guide was knowledgeable and efficient, but the grade of coach offered, with seating that was as cramped as a typical regional airline, was not as good as what I have experienced with Globus and more akin to what I have experienced with the operator Trafalgar.
The tour is badly planned and doesn’t flow from one destination to the next, necessitating too much time on an essentially uncomfortable bus getting from one place to another. Rather than start at one destination and straightforwardly wind its way up or down the counties visited, the itinerary demands travellers go backwards and forwards from place to place. This resulted in two full days of cramped, unrelenting coach travel when it could have been avoided.
I was informed that Collette intends to reconfigure this tour in 2019, probably as a consequence of feedback similar to the above, and I would not recommend the existing tour to anyone who wants to limit their time on the road so as to experience as much as can be experienced in these wonderful countries.
The standard of accommodation was high, the tour guide was knowledgeable and efficient, but the grade of coach offered, with seating that was as cramped as a typical regional airline, was not as good as what I have experienced with Globus and more akin to what I have experienced with the operator Trafalgar.
Great trip through South America 8
Charles, VIC, Australia, Oct 2017
It was an amazing trip and we have enjoyed very much. There are lots of companies offer the touring of South America. The reason we chose the Collette was because their trip include the opportunity to see the spectacular glaciers as well. It was our second trip booked through Global Journeys with the help of Yvonne. She can be contacted with phone read more or email all the time and helped us with whatever questions we had, which made our booking so much easier. Thanks Yvonne!
