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[CaliforniaGirl09]

Wow, that sounds awesome. Thanks so much. I will pay more attention to Collette going forward.

 

[sayhello]

Accommodations were:
Anchorage: Hilton - typical Hilton. Good location with easy walks to restaurants and shops.
Talkeetna: Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge - epitome of a mountain lodge. Very comfortable, fantastic mountain views, great staff.
Fairbanks: Pike’s Waterfront Lodge - funky old-time lodge on the Chena River. Accommodations a bit dated but comfortable, lots of fun amenities included such as sledding, a sauna, a movie theater, and more. Plus $1 ice cream every evening! And an incredible collection of art pieces and assorted tchotchkes throughout the lodge.

Thanks. This is all good to know. Collette has been around for a long time, and I always had a picture of them as a bus tour kind of company (they do a lot of Student tours, too). Good to know they are more diverse than that now!

Sayhello

 

[gatordoc]

Thanks. This is all good to know. Collette has been around for a long time, and I always had a picture of them as a bus tour kind of company (they do a lot of Student tours, too). Good to know they are more diverse than that now!

Sayhello

To be fair, there was a good amount of bus time to get to the various places we visited. But with 23 guests on a full-sized bus, there was plenty of room to spread out. Plus the views were amazing, and our guide shared lots of interesting information along the way.

 

[sayhello]

To be fair, there was a good amount of bus time to get to the various places we visited. But with 23 guests on a full-sized bus, there was plenty of room to spread out. Plus the views were amazing, and our guide shared lots of interesting information along the way.

Yes, but it sounds like you did a lot *off* the bus, too!

Sayhello

 

[CarolynFH]

Let me endorse Collette too. About 8 years ago we were booked on one of their tours with a group from our church. The day before we were due to fly out, the Athens air traffic controllers announced a 24 hour strike that would end at midnight on our arrival day.

DH and I were the only members of the group who had booked airfare independently, and the airline was able to rebook us to arrive in Athens after the strike was over. They couldn’t rebook the remainder of the group, though, to arrive in time to embark on the cruise that started the tour, so DH and I thought it would be canceled. Nope! Collette told us that if we could get there, they’d take us on the tour. So we ended up with a private tour, which was fabulous.

IOW, I believe you can count on Collette to provide great tour services.

 

[nemofans]

I am looking for a travel company that will help us plan/book a private itinerary in Europe. We have mostly used Tauck for group travel and did a Galapagos cruise with Ecoventura. I'd love to hear recommendations and experiences that you may have.
Thanks!

 

[Woodview]

look up Trailfinders.com

Phone no ( U.K. ) 0 0 4 4 8 8 1 4 9 9 1

 

[Woodview]

Correction to phone number should be

00353 1 44881 4991 ( Ireland )

 

[TeeKo]

We just came back from our first Backroads trip (Palm Springs/Joshua Tree) and it was amazing! Just a completely different animal than ABD. We’ve been on 5 ABDs and 2 Thomson Family. I was surprised that no one on our trip had ever even heard of ABD!

 

[TeeKo]

This morning, I received a group email from one of our Backroads guides with photos he took during our trip. There were 16 photos total
This personally isn’t important to me but struck me as funny compared to the volumes we would get from ABD.

 

[Donalyn]

That is funny. Also, that the people on your trip had not heard of ABD. But different products, so maybe not so surprising.

One of my colleagues is getting set for his third European biking trip with Backroads this coming summer. He loves them. But, alas, my DH could not handle a bike trip like that, with his back (after three surgeries).

 

[sayhello]

That is funny. Also, that the people on your trip had not heard of ABD. But different products, so maybe not so surprising.

One of my colleagues is getting set for his third European biking trip with Backroads this coming summer. He loves them. But, alas, my DH could not handle a bike trip like that, with his back (after three surgeries).

Backroads actually does walking and hiking trips also, not just bike trips. Generally, their itineraries are too short for me, but I keep saying I'm going to check them out again, because I did my first Adventure vacation with them (Walking/Hiking Nova Scotia) back in 1996. And quite enjoyed it. (Although this gal does NOT tent camp anymore! They *do* have Inn trips, also!)

Sayhello

 

[TeeKo]

Our Backroads trip was short (4 nights/5 days) but felt truly jam packed with fun. It was multi-sport so hiking, biking, and rock climbing. My bottom was saddle weary after 10 miles of biking (2 hours) so I can’t imagine doing that daily. But the e-bikes certainly leveled the playing field for those of us who are weaker bikers.
I think the adrenaline bonded the guests even more than I felt on ABDs. And there is more physical reliance on the guides who were truly wonderful.

 

[TeeKo]

And quite enjoyed it. (Although this gal does NOT tent camp anymore! They *do* have Inn trips, also!)

Sayhello

This Backroads trip was mostly at the Ritz Carlton. I’m not camping either!!

 

[SirDuff]

Just finished my fourth Backroads trip. One of the people on my trip was on her 55th trip! Ours was multisport with hiking, biking, and kayaking. We’ve not received our photo link yet but have agreed to add in ones that we took as well.

 

[TeeKo]

Just finished my fourth Backroads trip. One of the people on my trip was on her 55th trip! Ours was multisport with hiking, biking, and kayaking. We’ve not received our photo link yet but have agreed to add in ones that we took as well.

Where did you go? How was it?

 

[SirDuff]

Where did you go? How was it?

I did the new Australia trip that started this year (Tasmania). I loved it.