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Do you have any questions around guided travel tours? Ask the experts at Collette - £150 voucher to be won - NOW CLOSED

(136 Posts)
EllieGransnet (GNHQ) Mon 03-Jun-19 09:55:36

This activity is now closed for questions

If you’ve travelled across the globe, just starting to see the world, or even if you’re just starting to plan your first ever travel experience, Collette wants to help educate you on the ins and outs of escorted touring (travelling in a group to various destinations via a guided tour). Tour designer and travel expert Diana Ditto will be here to answer all your travel related questions.

Here’s some information about Diana: “Diana, the Director of Product Design for Collette, often spends more than 100 days a year travelling. Her job is to seek new and incredible travel experiences to build into Collette’s escorted tours, offering unique travel moments you can’t find on your own. To do this, Diana speaks with industry experts, local travel guides, and tour guests, researching and handcrafting bespoke travel experiences for Collette guided tours with her team.”

Perhaps you have a Collette trip coming up and would like a bit more information on how it will all work? Maybe you’ve been thinking about going on an escorted tour for a while and want to know where to start? Or maybe you’d like to know where the best destinations are for touring?

Ask Diana your questions about touring on the thread below and we’ll select 10-15 questions for her to answer and post her responses as soon as possible. All who leave a question below (regardless of whether it’s chosen or not) will be entered into a prize draw where one Gransnetter will win a £150 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw
GNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

ha2el Fri 14-Jun-19 09:28:49

Do you run women only guided tour groups?

Dormouse1940 Thu 13-Jun-19 20:39:35

What level of flexibility can be offered on tours?
I love the idea of some packages as the itineraries often sound fabulous, but I've seen some tour groups in Italy get absolutely marched through sites of interest and it's appalled me! I'd like to have an expert tour of places, but then also have time myself to wander around at my own pace.
Likewise, some itineraries seem full- which can be good, but then I'd want downtime to be factored in so as to choose optional excursions or just local exploring...

And are tours advised for solo travellers? There's quite an age difference between DP and myself, so I can't help but think about the future... I don't want to miss out on all the places I'd love to see but I'm sensible of the fact I may have to explore all my options

burwellmum Thu 13-Jun-19 18:33:51

For family reasons I am taking my 14 year old away this year on his own. I wondered about a tour as I enjoy travelling round and it might keep him interested. Do you have any suggestions (not too hot)?

nabob Thu 13-Jun-19 11:09:34

I have a question about the security of groups when in escorted tours. Are there special/ extra security when in some destinations? Thank you.

Morgie52 Wed 12-Jun-19 10:48:46

Are the tours all inclusive or will there be additional fees along the way and is all food and drink included or is this extra?

Sjonlegs Wed 12-Jun-19 09:22:20

I would absolutely love to do something fabulous like this - though finding independent 'me-time' is tricky as I'm a sandwich carer.

I wonder if there are any opportunities for families? Possibly even something that is possible for someone in a wheelchair, with special needs. I'd love to think something might be possible as a family with one member a wheelchair user and impaired mentality.

Dollyfair Wed 12-Jun-19 06:30:34

How do you check the qualifications of the personnel on escorted tours. Often people who seek these tours can be vulnerable, due to age, mobility etc. so it would be helpful to know checks are done.

djkk Tue 11-Jun-19 15:25:46

Can you please tell me the companies that include all tour gratuities in the pricing?

angiehoggett Tue 11-Jun-19 12:23:25

Tours I've been on before seem to involve alot of getting on and off coaches and not actually walking very far or getting to explore on your own for very long. Would love something specialised to our needs.

sadiewoohoo Tue 11-Jun-19 11:04:00

Are there any tours specifically for lone travellers that might not have anyone to holiday with?

Vhall254 Mon 10-Jun-19 21:29:38

Do tours state what level of fitness you might need? Number of steps? Hills etc

dannyelle Mon 10-Jun-19 19:05:19

How do they keep it personalised and relevant to each individual yet still engage the whole group at the same time?

kittykomp Mon 10-Jun-19 14:58:58

have you seen any arguments when people don't get on?

Dee1012 Mon 10-Jun-19 12:18:09

Again, related to solo travellers
Looking at prices why are single people charged so much more?
Even allowing for a supplement, I've seen massive price differences.

genie10 Mon 10-Jun-19 09:24:17

The tours look great but I would be concerned about the amount of walking as I have a bad knee. Is it made clear how strenuous each bit will be and are there options?

peronel Mon 10-Jun-19 08:47:51

Do you allocate coach seats, hotel tables, etc.? I am concerned about being 'stuck' with people I might not get on with for the entire holiday!

alem2018 Sun 09-Jun-19 22:49:33

Are wheelchairs available or do you have to bring your own?

Carado Sun 09-Jun-19 20:58:26

Going as a single traveller, could I be asked to share a room with another person of the same (female) gender, or would I pay a large single supplement?

Moocow Sun 09-Jun-19 19:53:14

Sorry, so my question is can you guarantee that this isn't something your company is guilty of too?

Moocow Sun 09-Jun-19 19:50:42

Amongst other things that spoil such tours for me is the subject of tips. Every Time you are told it's your choice but end up feeling uncomfortable leaving a coach without giving a tip for every driver if not the driver and guide. I go with a budget in mind and to give change or smaller notes that it has been difficult to get as currency is always in higher notes to take abroad and I need to hold onto for later is annoying to give up on tips.

Maggiemaybe Sun 09-Jun-19 19:00:17

Could you explain why you choose to offer your tours without including air fares? I have been on several tours with other companies and really enjoyed the fact that they are normally completely hassle free - transport is usually all arranged, as are transfers at the destination country and often even travel to and from the departure airport. If I'd to arrange my own flights I feel I might as well just book local tours as well. With your caveat: We are not responsible for air arrangements you have made on your own. On occasion, it is necessary to change tour dates. In this case, we can only protect air reservations booked through Collette. I wouldn't in any case feel confident in booking with you and travelling to the destination country independently.

Dannydog1 Sun 09-Jun-19 18:39:39

The only thing that puts me off a guided tour with a group is the stories I’ve heard about others in the group always ‘bagging ‘ the best seats etc. Do tour guides take precautions to make things like that fair to all in the group?

katieskatie82 Sun 09-Jun-19 16:38:33

how flexible are the tour schedules? Do you have time to go off and do your own thing?

michael888 Sun 09-Jun-19 02:35:42

I'd like to know if there are any tours that cater for people with physical disabilities?

ceejayen Sun 09-Jun-19 01:10:11

I think a guided tour is pretty good, all organised and planned. Excellent for some of us who like to be herded around!