Travel Unpacked

Ultimate Travel Trivia Showdown: Can You Outsmart Us? Welcome back to Travel Unpacked! In this exciting episode, hosts Josh, Kelsey, and Nicole put their travel knowledge to the test—and challenge YOU to play along! Round one kicks off with "Second Cities," shining a spotlight on incredible destinations that may not be capitals but are packed with history, culture, and hidden gems. Then, in round...

Welcome to a brand-new season of Travel Unpacked by Collette! Hosts Josh, Nicole, and Kelsie reunite to kick off 2025 with exciting news about Collette’s newest tours for 2025 and 2026. From exploring Namibia’s otherworldly dunes to diving deep into the tango culture of South America, and even discovering hidden gems in Greece, this episode is packed with inspiration for your next adventure. Plus,...

Do you know what material the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree star is made of? 🌟🎄 Get ready for a festive holiday edition of Travel Unpacked by Collette! Join hosts Josh, Kelsey, and Nicole as they unwrap their favorite travel moments of the year, discuss the magical holiday-themed tours Collette offers, and dive into Christmas-inspired travel trivia. Find out the answer to that Rockefeller st...

Get ready for a festive Black Friday edition of Travel Unpacked by Collette! Hosts Josh, Kelsie, and Nicole dive into exclusive Black Friday travel deals with up to 25% off, share their predictions for top destinations in 2025, and swap some of their favorite Black Friday memories. Plus, don’t miss their Black Friday inspired trivia showdown. Tune in to kickstart your holiday travel plans—because...

Join Patricia Grady and her son Patrick as they share their unforgettable multi-generational journey through Japan in this episode of Travel Unpacked by Collette. From exploring ancient samurai traditions to savoring modern culinary delights, Patricia and Patrick reflect on how their different interests—Patrick’s passion for history and Patricia’s love for food and art—made for a perfect travel pa...

Join Alex and her grandma Helena as they share their travel adventure to Costa Rica in this episode of Travel Unpacked. Discover their special bond, the inspiration behind their trip, and the moments they experienced together—from hiking in the cloud forests to exploring coffee plantations and enjoying local cuisine. Get inspired by grandma Helena’s mantra “why not” and learn how guided multi-gene...

In this episode of Travel Unpacked, co-hosts Josh, Kelsie, and Nicole face off in a travel trivia showdown! Get ready for three action-packed rounds where they test their global knowledge, tackle iconic sounds from around the world, duel over Nordic and Scandinavian facts, and dive into bizarre and quirky travel trivia. It's a fast-paced, fun-filled episode that will challenge your own travel smar...

Dive into the Mediterranean Magic with Elizabeth Simmons! Join Travel Unpacked hosts Josh and Kelsie as they dive deep into Collette’s Mediterranean Coastal Journeys Tour. In this episode, they hear from Elizabeth Simmons, a seasoned traveler and beloved Collette colleague, to uncover the vibrant cultures, delectable cuisines, and breathtaking landscapes of Spain, France, and Italy. Highlights inc...

Join Travel Unpacked as we dive into the vibrant landscapes of Costa Rica with two of Collette’s writers, Alex and Liz. Fresh from tours, they share firsthand experiences of exploring everything from the Monteverde Cloud Forest and Arenal Volcano to the remote beauty of Tortuguero National Park. Discover the biodiversity, thrilling activities like zip-lining and wildlife encounters, and the hospit...

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 swee...

In this episode, "Travel Unpacked" is diving deep into the wonders of… THAILAND! And to do it, we’re talking to Collette’s own Senior Partnership Marketing Manager, Kaitlin Coughlin, who’s just returned from a journey to this vibrant nation dubbed “The Land of Smiles” and has amazing stories and insight to share. From an evening adventure aboard one of Bangkok's tuk tuks to the harmony of an eleph...

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. H...

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...

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 journe...

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 enth...

🎙️🛍️ 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 th...

Monuments, museums, and mouthwatering meals! This episode, we’re headed to America’s capital, Washington, D.C. with D.C. local and Collette tour manager extraordinaire, Wesley Glass. We talk The Smithsonians (there are over 15!), hidden food joints locals absolutely love, and some of his favorite spots in the entire city. And brace yourself for our first-ever round of 'Two Truths and a Lie' – Wesl...

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 d...

Join Kelsey, Nicole, and Josh as they dive deep into the captivating landscapes of Patagonia with Collette's very own product designer, Sam Kern. Discover why this remote region, often thought of as 'the edge of the world,' is a must-visit destination for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone yearning for adventure. From the bustling streets of Buenos Aires to the untouched beauty of Patagonia,...

In this episode, Joshua, Nicole, and Kelsie sit down with the president of Collette, Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, to unlock a world of extraordinary destinations. Find out why these places are such compelling bucket list items and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. And learn how stepping out of your comfort zone to explore the wilds of Africa or the unique cultures of places like Finland and Morocco can transf...

Welcome to Episode 4 of Travel Unpacked with a special guest, Dan Sullivan, Collette’s CEO. This episode is live from the road on tour in Halifax, Prince Edward Island and Canada’s Maritimes coast. Dan reflects on a career in travel, family trips, and the rich beauty found in this corner of the world. Ready to start your adventure? Check out our tour Maritimes Coastal Wonders featuring the Cabot T...

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 And follow us at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoCollette/ Instagram: https://...

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 adv...

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 owne...