Frequently Asked Questions
The land price does not include air travel, airline fees, airport or departure taxes, transfers, visas, customary end of trip gratuities for your tour manager, driver, local guides, hotel housekeepers, cruise ship wait staff, and any incidental charges.
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Can Collette Vacations book our airline reservations?
Collette Vacations is happy to assist you in accommodating your flight needs. Due to tour scheduling and limited availability you are strongly encouraged to take advantage of Collette's air packages. 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 Vacations. For all air reservations, it is strongly recommended to reconfirm flights before departure, in the event that the airline has an unexpected schedule change. We cannot assume responsibility for schedule changes, routings or flight cancellations involving the airlines.
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Are airport and hotel transfers available?
Roundtrip airport-to-hotel transfers are provided FREE for all passengers who purchase airfare through Collette Vacations. These transfers are available on the first and last day of the tour date and do not apply to pre and post night stays.
Passengers who do not purchase airfare through Collette can purchase transfers at an additional cost of $100 per person, round trip. Some restrictions may apply.
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Do you accept late bookings?
Tour sales normally close 7 days prior to departure. All late bookings are on request and must be guaranteed with a credit card if within 60 days of departure date. A late booking fee of $25.00 may be assessed to cover express mailing of documents and other expenses incurred.
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Do I need a Passport?
A valid Passport is required for trips outside the USA. We strongly recommend that you have a valid passport (with six month validity) for all travel outside the United States. You are strongly urged to contact the appropriate consulate for additional details.
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What is the difference between a twin room and a double room?
A double room is designed to accommodate two people, but may not have two separate beds. A twin bedded room has two separate beds of any size, and is the type most commonly utilized.
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Do you rotate seats on tours?
Seats are rotated on board the coach for all Collette tours under the direction of the tour manager. So that we do not show partiality among passengers, exceptions cannot be made.
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What size is a triple room?
A triple room is the same size as a twin bedded room and beds will accommodate three people; but we cannot guarantee that there will be three separate beds. If there are only two beds, a rollaway may be requested but cannot be guaranteed due to size of room and fire codes.
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Can I extend my tour to see more of a region?
Yes! You may enhance your tour with either an extension, offered on select tours, or by purchasing pre/post hotel stays.
Extensions may be "hosted" rather than escorted. When hosted, passengers will be greeted upon arrival by a local tour manager who will provide all included services, and be available on-call during the duration of the extension. A minimum number of passengers may be required to operate some extensions. Extensions not purchased at time of deposit are subject to availability and applicable charges at time of request. Collette also offers pre and post hotel nights before and/or after a tour for you to explore the destination independently. Should you purchase additional nights, please be advised that your tour manager will not be available during this time.
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Would my tour date ever be changed?
Collette Vacations reserves the right to cancel any tour prior to departure for any reason. Should this happen, Collette Vacations will make every effort to protect you on another departure date and if an alternate cannot be found, a full refund will be made. Air booked through Collette Vacations will be protected. We cannot be held responsible for other air arrangements.
Should you decide to change your reservation after initial booking, a handling fee of $25 per transaction will be charged for any alteration made to a reservation (including name changes). Revisions to air tickets are subject to the rules and regulations of the airline and fare type purchased and rates vary. A change of tour date or tour itinerary within the guidelines of the cancellation policy will be treated as a cancellation and regular cancellation fees may apply. See Cancellation Policy.
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Where do I meet my tour manager?
Your tour will begin at your first hotel. The tour manager will make contact with you at the hotel and will provide details relating to your tour. The hotel address and phone number will be included in your documents.
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How can I be best prepared for the pacing and physical requirements on a Collette tour?
Tour pacing varies by itinerary, as each destination, its sightseeing and activities are unique. Pacing is often subject to personal interpretation, however at Collette we do include the best a destination has to offer, enhancing your overall tour experience. For overnight pacing of a tour, please refer to the "Your Itinerary" section on each tour page. This describes the number of nights you will stay in each hotel during your tour. The day by day descriptions will provide additional detail about the number of activities included in each day. Some of the most unique sightseeing can mean accessing locations that restrict motorcoaches, especially in historic areas. For your comfort, we recommend packing walking shoes so you fully enjoy every aspect of your vacation.
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Do I need to be a member of Smithsonian to take a Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures tour?
Yes, all Smithsonian Associates are invited to join our tours. If you are not currently an Associate you will be mailed the Smithsonian membership form with your pre-departure information packet. The membership fee is $29.00 USD per family. In addition to unique travel opportunities, Associates also receive the following benefits:
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- What is not included in the tour price?
- Can Collette Vacations book our airline reservations?
- Are airport and hotel transfers available?
- Do you accept late bookings?
- Do I need a Passport?
- What is the difference between a twin room and a double room?
- What size is a triple room?
- Do you rotate seats on tours?
- Can I extend my tour to see more of a region?
- Would my tour date ever be changed?
- Where do I meet my tour manager?
- How can I be best prepared for the pacing and physical requirements on a Collette tour?
- Do I need to be a member of Smithsonian to take a Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures tour?
The land price does not include air travel, airline fees, airport or departure taxes, transfers, visas, customary end of trip gratuities for your tour manager, driver, local guides, hotel housekeepers, cruise ship wait staff, and any incidental charges.
Return to top
Can Collette Vacations book our airline reservations?
Collette Vacations is happy to assist you in accommodating your flight needs. Due to tour scheduling and limited availability you are strongly encouraged to take advantage of Collette's air packages. 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 Vacations. For all air reservations, it is strongly recommended to reconfirm flights before departure, in the event that the airline has an unexpected schedule change. We cannot assume responsibility for schedule changes, routings or flight cancellations involving the airlines.
Return to top
Are airport and hotel transfers available?
Roundtrip airport-to-hotel transfers are provided FREE for all passengers who purchase airfare through Collette Vacations. These transfers are available on the first and last day of the tour date and do not apply to pre and post night stays.
Passengers who do not purchase airfare through Collette can purchase transfers at an additional cost of $100 per person, round trip. Some restrictions may apply.
Return to top
Do you accept late bookings?
Tour sales normally close 7 days prior to departure. All late bookings are on request and must be guaranteed with a credit card if within 60 days of departure date. A late booking fee of $25.00 may be assessed to cover express mailing of documents and other expenses incurred.
Return to top
Do I need a Passport?
A valid Passport is required for trips outside the USA. We strongly recommend that you have a valid passport (with six month validity) for all travel outside the United States. You are strongly urged to contact the appropriate consulate for additional details.
Return to top
What is the difference between a twin room and a double room?
A double room is designed to accommodate two people, but may not have two separate beds. A twin bedded room has two separate beds of any size, and is the type most commonly utilized.
Return to top
Do you rotate seats on tours?
Seats are rotated on board the coach for all Collette tours under the direction of the tour manager. So that we do not show partiality among passengers, exceptions cannot be made.
Return to top
What size is a triple room?
A triple room is the same size as a twin bedded room and beds will accommodate three people; but we cannot guarantee that there will be three separate beds. If there are only two beds, a rollaway may be requested but cannot be guaranteed due to size of room and fire codes.
Return to top
Can I extend my tour to see more of a region?
Yes! You may enhance your tour with either an extension, offered on select tours, or by purchasing pre/post hotel stays.
Extensions may be "hosted" rather than escorted. When hosted, passengers will be greeted upon arrival by a local tour manager who will provide all included services, and be available on-call during the duration of the extension. A minimum number of passengers may be required to operate some extensions. Extensions not purchased at time of deposit are subject to availability and applicable charges at time of request. Collette also offers pre and post hotel nights before and/or after a tour for you to explore the destination independently. Should you purchase additional nights, please be advised that your tour manager will not be available during this time.
Return to top
Would my tour date ever be changed?
Collette Vacations reserves the right to cancel any tour prior to departure for any reason. Should this happen, Collette Vacations will make every effort to protect you on another departure date and if an alternate cannot be found, a full refund will be made. Air booked through Collette Vacations will be protected. We cannot be held responsible for other air arrangements.
Should you decide to change your reservation after initial booking, a handling fee of $25 per transaction will be charged for any alteration made to a reservation (including name changes). Revisions to air tickets are subject to the rules and regulations of the airline and fare type purchased and rates vary. A change of tour date or tour itinerary within the guidelines of the cancellation policy will be treated as a cancellation and regular cancellation fees may apply. See Cancellation Policy.
Return to top
Where do I meet my tour manager?
Your tour will begin at your first hotel. The tour manager will make contact with you at the hotel and will provide details relating to your tour. The hotel address and phone number will be included in your documents.
Return to top
How can I be best prepared for the pacing and physical requirements on a Collette tour?
Tour pacing varies by itinerary, as each destination, its sightseeing and activities are unique. Pacing is often subject to personal interpretation, however at Collette we do include the best a destination has to offer, enhancing your overall tour experience. For overnight pacing of a tour, please refer to the "Your Itinerary" section on each tour page. This describes the number of nights you will stay in each hotel during your tour. The day by day descriptions will provide additional detail about the number of activities included in each day. Some of the most unique sightseeing can mean accessing locations that restrict motorcoaches, especially in historic areas. For your comfort, we recommend packing walking shoes so you fully enjoy every aspect of your vacation.
Return to top
Do I need to be a member of Smithsonian to take a Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures tour?
Yes, all Smithsonian Associates are invited to join our tours. If you are not currently an Associate you will be mailed the Smithsonian membership form with your pre-departure information packet. The membership fee is $29.00 USD per family. In addition to unique travel opportunities, Associates also receive the following benefits:
- 12 issues of Smithsonian magazine.
- Discount of 10% at Museum shops and on catalog purchases.
- Personalized membership card.
- Advance notice for seminars and events in your area.
- Free admission to The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in NY.
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