3 Things That Make Central and South America More Amazing

The dynamic region of Central and South America is filled with so many wonders that it is hard not to fall in love with such a beautiful destination. Lose yourself in the upbeat atmosphere as you sway to the samba music, taste test the local food, and travel to many heights to get spectacular views you cannot find anywhere else. You’ll experience more then you could ever imagine when travelling this destination and here is why.

More Amazing Cuisine

Savour the flavours of South American cuisine! Find the most divine ceviche from a street vendor in Peru and wash it down with a tangy pisco sour. Discover your new favourite comfort food in the empanadas of Argentina and indulge in dulce de leche as a sweet treat. No matter where you travel in South America, you’ll find foods influenced by Native American, African, Spanish and Italian cultures grown in a place where the climate and geography provide for a variety of meats, fruits, vegetables and spices that lend themselves to many unforgettable culinary delights.

More Cultural Experiences

The cultural experiences you’ll find as part of our South American itineraries are wonderful travel moments that range from great to small. You’ll enjoy sightseeing trips to see the fantastically diverse and abundant wildlife population, visits to some of the world’s most iconic sites, and dining on a diverse variety of foods that make for many delightful culinary experiences. These special inclusions have been selected by our experts to allow you to truly come to know South America, and more importantly, the people (and animals and plants) who call it home.

More Inspiring Landscapes

South America is an intriguing land known for some of the world’s most iconic sites. It’s home to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Torres Del Paine National Park, the Galapagos Islands, Iguazu Falls, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and many more sought after locations. Take a full-day cruise through the breathtaking Chilean Fjords, spend a day exploring unspoiled nature trails through the jungle, discover the alluring city of Santiago or swim in the natural pools of the Amazon. No matter what you choose, the unforgettable sights of South America will leave you absolutely speechless.

Diana Ditto, one of Collette's Product Managers, has been travelling all her life. You can find her seeking out the best of Ireland, Scotland, England and beyond. If you see her out on the road be sure to say hello and raise a glass of Guiness.  Blog copy used with permission from Collette.

Why You Should Travel to Europe in the Off Season

There are many ways to make winter extraordinary, but travelling surely tops the list for most. Whether immersing in the holiday season, travelling Europe in the off-season, or being whisked away to a tropical paradise, when travelling with Collette, you get more of what makes guided travel so special.

The holiday season is a whimsical time of year and travelling during this time is truly magical. Send your travellers a fun and festive adventure unique to this time of year. There is nothing like discovering the holiday traditions of another culture; exploring the world’s iconic sites adorned with shimmering lights and colourful decorations; and experiencing the cheerfulness that resonates from the locals – that is travelling during the holidays.

Don’t forget about the benefits of travelling to Europe in winter – its off-season.

Amazing ValueYou can save up to 40% when you travel to Europe during select months. Experience a wealth of classic destinations at a wonderful value.
Local LivingAs the pace slows in winter everyone has more time to share stories. Sink into the local culture as you are visiting neighbourhood markets or sitting in a cozy cafés. Also experience the holiday festival and markets that are a tradition.
Get Closer
With smaller crowds comes the chance to spend time with the Mona Lisa and marvel at the work of Michelangelo. Take advantage of this sometimes underappreciated off-season perk.
Winter Cuisine
There is something a little more satisfying when there’s a tinge of cold in the air. Warm yourself with a bowl of beef bourguignon or some hot chocolate.
Mild Temps
Many parts of Europe are relatively warm in the winter. From the sun you’ll find in Spain and Portugal to comfortable days in Italy, it’s the best time weather wise to visit.

When you want to escape the winter, take the opportunity to renew, refresh and grow by travelling the world with Collette. You will be fulfilling your dreams of a faraway place that shines bright during the wintertime with an extraordinary guided travel experience.
Cassie Stetkiewicz

As a member of the Collette team, Cassie shares tips and stories drawn from her years of industry experience that has brought her to 28 countries and counting! She believes that travel is about truly experiencing the world and is passionate about preserving its treasures. Volunteering with the organization Tourism Cares is one way she does her part to help.  Blog copy used with permission from Collette.

The last secret of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Forbidden City was China’s seat of power. Delve into the symbolism, architecture and the last ‘forbidden’ site of this great cultural treasure in Beijing.

In the 15th century, the Chinese regarded their country as the centre of the world. In the heart of their seat of power stood the emperor’s palace: the Forbidden City. The walls concealed a world of extreme wealth where mere mortals were banned for 600 years. Now the city attracts up to 20,000 visitors a day, but there is one place where nobody has ever entered which will soon be accessible to the general public.



In 1402, General proclaimed himself emperor and ordered the construction of a city for the ‘Sons of Heavens’, as the emperors from the various dynasties were known. Millions of labourers worked for 14 years to build China’s ultimate seat of power. In 1421, the emperor took up residency in the palace complex and made Beijing the new capital of China. Twenty-four emperors would rule from the Forbidden City. In 1912, the last emperor was placed under house arrest in the palace. In 1924, the monarchy was abolished and replaced by the People’s Republic of China

For a long time, it remained a mystery how the Chinese managed to build this enormous city. The complex is filled with heavy slabs of marble topped with intricate sculptures. The largest is 16.8 metres long and three metres wide. Scientists recently concluded that these incredibly heavy pieces of marble were probably transported over icy roads. By flooding the roads in the long, cold winters with a thin layer of water, the builders were able to transport these huge slabs of marble using the labour of only fifty people.

Yellow is power, red is good fortune.
Colour played an important role in the Forbidden City. Yellow symbolised the highest power and was exclusively reserved for the emperor. Practically everything he touched and wore was yellow: from his clothing and bedding to the floor tiles and dishes. Even the roof tiles in the Forbidden City are glazed in yellow to clearly announce his divinity.

Red is associated with fertility and good fortune so all of the buildings and defensive walls are red. But this colour also symbolises fire and that is the reason why the library roof is the only roof in the city that is black, instead of yellow. Black symbolises water and would extinguish the flames in case of a fire.

The Feng Shui philosophy
One of the key factors for determining the location of the Forbidden City was Feng Shui, a traditional Chinese philosophy which works with finding locations that are in harmony with nature. Another important element of Feng Shui is symmetry, and therefore the design of the Forbidden City is mostly symmetrical. The north-south axis in the centre is lined with the most important buildings. The other buildings are placed symmetrically on both sides of the centre.

Number 9 for masculinity
The Forbidden City is filled with references to the magical number nine, which is of great importance in Chinese numerology. The number nine represents the ultimate masculinity and thus the emperor. To gain access to the emperor, one had to pass through nine gates. The Forbidden City also has 9,999 rooms, only one room less than the mythical 10,000 rooms of the palace in heaven. On the roof of the Imperial Palace, you will see nine mythical creatures that were supposed to protect the emperor. The nails on the gates have been applied in rows of nine, containing nine nails each.

The final secret
Although the Forbidden City is now open to the general public, one spot has always remained a mystery. When the last emperor fled the Forbidden City in 1924, the doors of one of its largest treasures, the Qianlong Garden, were sealed. But within a few years, this secret garden will be inaugurated to the public. The garden was built by the fourth emperor of the Qing dynasty as part of his private quarters. He issued a decree that after his death the garden should remain untouched for eternity. The bamboo furniture, the silk paintings, the jade ornaments and the 18th century glassware: everything has been preserved in a pristine state. The restoration began in 2008 and the garden is expected to reopen by 2020.

Amazing things to visit in Ecuador

1. Cotopaxi
Ecuador is famous for its volcanoes. Cotopaxi is the second-highest mountain peak in the country, and one of  Its unique features is its one of the few glaciers located along the equator. Cotopaxi is near Quito, which makes for a  great day trip for visitors who are staying in Quito but looking to get out of the city for the day.

2. Quilotoa
800 years ago this beautiful lake was formed high in the Andes when a volcano blew up. The lake is more than 250 meters deep and holds stunningly beautiful water in its basin. Try and explore it on a sunny day to witness the waters shift from eye-catching blue to an earthy green.

3. The Basilica of the National Vow
The Basilica is the largest neo-Gothic cathedral in the Western Hemisphere never completed. Local legend suggests the completion of the cathedral will bring about the end of the world.

4. El Panecillo
 El Panecillo stands watch over the city of Quito. This 45-metre tall representation of the Virgin Mary is made up of 7,000 separate pieces of aluminum and is one of the only structures of the Virgin Mary to feature angel wings.

5. Malecon 2000
Guayaquil is a city with a unique youthful vibe, and Malecon 2000 is the center of its activity. This vibrant Riverwalk offers the fine art, museums, food and a place where community convenes. Malecon 2000is  a great place to have a meal, a drink or partake in world-class shopping while in Ecuador.