Travel Unpacked – Details, episodes & analysis

Prepare to be inspired – and get into the holiday spirit! In this festive episode of "Travel Unpacked," Nicole, Josh, and Kelsie discuss their favorite holiday traditions. Spoiler alert: someone wakes up to Mariah Carey after Halloween and has FOUR Christmas trees.

Then they dive into conversation with the amazing Charlotte Simpson, also known as the Traveling Black Widow. With her infectious enthusiasm for adventure, Charlotte takes us through her travels with Collette—from visiting the quaint villages of Italy with her daughter to exploring the majestic peaks of Europe on a solo quest. And along the way, she offers pearls of wisdom for travelers over 60, celebrates the ease of guided tours, and shares her deep connection to all the cultures she’s connected with around the globe. This episode is an endearing look at how travel ties together our past, present, and future, through shared experiences and individual discovery.

So, buckle up and let your wanderlust ignite—Charlotte's story is a reminder that whether we're 6 or 60, the world's wonders are waiting.

Ready to see the Peaks of Europe for yourself? Check out our tour Peaks of Europe: The Alps to The Dolomites featuring France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, and Italy:

https://www.gocollette.com/en/tours/europe/switzerland/peaks-of-europe?packagedateid=103717&packageid=15487&utm_source=media&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=united_states_travel_unpacked_109_traveling_black_widow_dtc

Collette travels to all seven continents and has over 170 tours. We’ve been leading the way in guided travel for over 100 years. And we’re proudly family owned.

To check out all we do, head to: https://www.collette.com

And follow us at:

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

And you can follow our amazing guest, Charlotte Simpson at Traveling Black Widow:

Website: https://travelingblackwidow.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/travelingblackwidow/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/travelingblackwidow

We’ll see YOU on tour!

🎙️🛍️ The thrill of the deal meets the call of the journey!

In this special Black Friday episode of Travel Unpacked, we invite listeners to swap their shopping carts for suitcases. Join Josh, our early-bird shopping strategist, and co-hosts Nicole and Kelsie, as they share some fun Black Friday stories—from strategic shopping sprees to quirky trivia that might just change the way you think about this iconic shopping day. But there’s more: this episode also reimages Black Friday as a day less about gadgets and doorbusters, and about the greatest gift of all: experiences that last a lifetime. Discover how Collette's Black Friday travel deals can make that reimagined Black Friday a reality and turn your wish list into an itinerary brimming with experiences that far outshine any deal.

So, listen and ditch the checkout lines for departure times this Black Friday!

To check out all we do, head to: https://www.gocollette.com/en?utm_source=media&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=united_states_travel_unpacked_108_black_friday_23_dtc

And follow us at:

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

We’ll see YOU on tour!

Get set for a special Women's History Month edition of Travel Unpacked!

We're rolling out the red carpet for Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, the first female CEO in Collette's 106-year history, for a conversation that's as insightful as it is inspiring. Join us as Jaclyn and Kelsie talk about Jaclyn’s deep family’s roots in travel at Collette and about the mentors that made all the difference in her journey. Hear about how embracing change and listening to customer needs is at the core of everything Collette does. And then, go behind the scenes to get Jaclyn’s refreshing take on innovation, the importance of giving back, and about fostering a workplace where every voice matters. And on this last point, Kelsie shares one of her favorite stories about Jaclyn that exemplifies the culture of caring she fosters at Collette (hint: it involves an awkward encounter in a bathroom!).

Tune in for an episode that’s not just about travel, but about the journey of a woman who's charting the course for the future at Collette and proving every day that when it comes to leadership and innovation, the sky’s the limit.

So, grab your metaphorical suitcase and let’s unpack the future of travel with the woman who’s leading it!

To check out all the tours Collette offers, head to: https://www.gocollette.com/en?utm_source=media&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=united_states_travel_unpacked_203_jlc_women’s_history_dtc

And follow us at:

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YouTube

We’ll see YOU on tour!

In this episode, hosts Joshua, Kelsie, and Nicole dive into guided travel, talking stereotypes, myths, history, and more. With some trivia and travel stories, see if you know everything about guided travel – or if there is something new for you to unpack.

To check out all we do, head to:

https://www.gocollette.com/en?utm_source=media&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=united_states_travel_unpacked_103_guided_travel_myths_dtc

And follow us at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoCollette/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gocollette/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gocollette

We’ll see YOU on tour!

Join Nicole and Kelsie as they unpack the allure (and the delicious lobster!) of Maine with Cindy Baker, the traveler and photographer behind Travel Bliss Now. Hear how Cindy broke free from the grind to embrace a life of travel and adventure – and how you can, too. Follow Cindy’s journey through Maine’s enchanting towns and wild, rocky shores as she shares the transformative experiences, the joy of connecting with nature, and the simple pleasures that make Maine a haven for those seeking bliss. Whether it's the thrill of lobster fishing or the serenity of Acadia National Park, find out how Maine really should be the “main event” of your next escape.

Ready to find your own travel bliss? Tune in!

Ready to follow in Cindy’s footsteps on your own Maine adventure? Check out our tour Roaming Coastal Maine.

Collette travels to all seven continents and has over 170 tours. We’ve been leading the way in guided travel for over 100 years. And we’re proudly family owned.

To check out all we do, head to: https://www.collette.com

And follow us at:

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

And you can follow our amazing guest, Cindy Baker at the Traveling Bliss Now:

Website: https://www.travelblissnow.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/travelblissnow

FB: https://www.facebook.com/travelblissnow

We’ll see YOU on tour!

In this episode, hosts Joshua and Nicole sit down with the first guests ever on Travel Unpacked, Catherine Sweeney of Traveling with Sweeney and her husband and co-blogger, Randy. They recently took their first Collette tour (and first guided land tour) – join the conversation as they chat about their adventure in the Balkans and their thoughts about traveling in a new way.

Ready to start your adventure? Check out our tour A Taste of the Balkans featuring Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina & Slovenia:

https://www.gocollette.com/en/tours/europe/croatia/the-balkans?packagedateid=99812&packageid=15295&utm_source=media&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=united_states_travel_unpacked_102_balkans_dtc

Collette travels to all seven continents and has over 170 tours. We’ve been leading the way in guided travel for over 100 years. And we’re proudly family owned.

To check out everywhere we go, head to: https://www.collette.com

And follow us at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoCollette/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gocollette/

We’ll see YOU on tour!

Sun-kissed shores, storied pasts, and sumptuous flavors!

This episode, which kicks off our “Behind the Tour” mini-series, Nicole and Kelsie explore the Mediterranean jewel, Sicily, with tour designer Shannon Levi. Discover tours crafted for foodies and history enthusiasts, get tips on must-see locations - from an active volcano to ancient temples, and savor the details of mouth-watering Sicilian dishes and immersive experiences, like a hands-on ricotta-making adventure. Plus, discover a centuries-old Sicilian drink that's become a recent global sensation.

Prepare your senses—this episode is your gateway to Sicily's soul!

Ready for your Sicilian escape? Check all the packages Collette has to offer:

https://www.gocollette.com/en/landing-pages/sicily?utm_source=media&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=united_states_travel_unpacked_107b_sicily_dtc

Collette travels to all seven continents and has over 170 tours. We’ve been leading the way in guided travel for over 100 years. And we’re proudly family owned.

To check out all we do, head to: https://www.collette.com

And follow us at:

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

We’ll see YOU on tour!

Travel Unpacked's second season kicks off with a bang as Josh, Kelsie, and Nicole deliver the inside track on the future of travel. In this episode, they unwrap the exciting lineup Collette has in store for its 2024 and 2025 adventures. And they’re joined by Diana Ditto, Collette’s Senior Director of Product Marketing – who spills the beans on the hidden gems and secret spots that these new journeys will explore. Imagine yourself not just driving—but floating—through untamed African landscapes or meandering down the cobblestone alleys of Europe's historical havens — it's all on the horizon. Plus, they delve into those one-of-a-kind cultural immersions that only Collette can offer.

So, if you're itching to discover where the road less traveled is heading next, tune in for a chat that will light your travel fire!

Want to stay on top of what’s new at Collette? Check out all our exciting new tours:

https://www.gocollette.com/en/landing-pages/new-tours?utm_source=media&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=united_states_travel_unpacked_201_new_tours_24/25_dtc

Collette travels to all seven continents and has over 170 tours. We’ve been leading the way in guided travel for over 100 years. And we’re proudly family owned.

To check out all we do, head to: https://www.collette.com

And follow us at:

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

We’ll see YOU on tour!

Join Travel Unpacked as we go behind our Wilderness of Southern Africa tour. In this special episode, we sit down with Suzanne Stavert, the adventurous spirit behind the travel blog, Adventures of Empty Nesters, who recently embarked on this life-changing safari with Collette. She shares stories of up-close, heart-thumping encounters with the Big 5, unforgettable cultural experiences, and the sweeping landscapes that make Southern Africa a dream destination. We talk everything from packing essentials to the importance of getting outside of our comfort zones.

Strap in, grab your binoculars, and be transported on an African adventure!

Ready to start your adventure? Check out the Wilderness of Southern Africa: Safari by Land & Water.

Interested in destinations beyond Africa?

Collette travels to all seven continents and offers more than 170 tours. We’ve been leading the way in guided travel for over 100 years. And we’re proudly family owned.

Check out all we do: https://www.collette.com

And follow us at:

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

And you can follow our amazing guest, Suzanne Stavert at Adventures of Empty Nesters:

Website: https://www.adventuresofemptynesters.com/

Podcast: https://www.adventuresofemptynesters.com/podcast/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/suzannestavert/?hl=en

FB: https://www.facebook.com/AdventuresofEmptyNesters

We’ll see YOU on tour!

Welcome to Collette’s brand-new podcast, Travel Unpacked. In this opening episode, meet the hosts, Joshua, Kelsie, and Nicole – and get a sneak peek of what topics are in our ‘suitcase’ this season, waiting to be unpacked with you, traveler.

Collette travels to all seven continents and has over 170 tours. We’ve been leading the way in guided travel for over 100 years. And we’re proudly family owned.

To check out all we do, head to: https://www.gocollette.com/en?utm_source=media&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=united_states__travel_unpacked_101_intro_dtc

And follow us at:

Facebook

Instagram

We’ll see YOU on tour!