This group shot of those who toured the Colorado Rockies with me in 2022 is indicative of how people feel about travel on Chamber tours. That’s me fourth from the left. What a great group!
Ronni Hannaman
Travel can be very therapeutic. It takes us out of our comfort zone and gives us a reason to look forward.
We all love new adventures and even the homebodies among us enjoy getting out now and then to see someplace they haven’t been that will create new memories and allow us to share memories with all who will listen.
There are still many of us trying to scratch off destinations on our travel bucket list that were delayed for two years. Even today, the travel scene is somewhat difficult due to staff shortages and what seems to be an ongoing menu of some respiratory disease or another. Even the biggest tour operators have scaled back their pre-pandemic tours and are cautiously testing the waters again.
Today, those of us who love to travel are finding that we had better make those important travel decisions at least a year out. Due to fewer departures and airline cutbacks, travel has become a bit competitive and as they say, “the early bird catches the worm.”
I will be going to Spain in early February with a great group from our area. I’ll just have turned 94 the week before, so this is essentially a birthday jaunt for me. At this age, one never knows how many trips may be in my future but the thought of enjoying real Spanish paella and seeing the great arts and architecture of Spain keeps me looking forward.
The Chamber Travel Club continues to grow and there will be new trips announced soon. There’s a great holiday trip every year and a group just came back from Santa Fe, New Mexico where the holiday décor, traditions and food are so different from ours. I understand all loved the art and culture there.
The 2023 holiday trip will be to explore the wonderful Christmas markets along the Danube River departing Dec. 9. As I look back, that was one of my very first Collette Travel tours and what a great time we had. Consider it the ultimate Christmas shopping experience!
Tours featuring train travel are always popular. If you haven’t seen the beautiful Colorado Rockies and traveled on the historic trains and stayed in marvelous old hotels, you’re missing out. I so enjoyed the tour this past July and recommend it for everyone. What a first-class adventure this was, and it’s being repeated departing June 17. The Chamber can still accommodate a few more passengers on the Canadian Rockies by Train tour featuring an overnight on “The Canadian” with additional overnights in some of Canada’s finest hotels in Banff Springs and Lake Louise.
I think there are a few more seats on the amazingly priced Tuscany tour featuring a hotel stay with day tours throughout charming Tuscany.
Ireland castles beckon! Think how you would feel awakening in your very own castle bedroom. There will be 10 nights in luxury castles (2 nights each in five castle). The Warther Ireland Tour features so much that you will become an expert on Ireland before returning home. Departing on April 26, there are a few spaces left, so don’t delay! Make this the year to learn Irish legends, drink a pint, and sing some tunes in a true Irish pub.
For information on these and other tours, be sure to peruse the Chamber Travel Club travel page by logging on to www.carsoncitychamber.com/spotlight/details/chamber_travel_club. Since there are cancellations now and then, if you see a trip that captures your attention, call 775-882-1565.
The Chamber staff can send you anywhere Collette Vacations has a trip. Sign up to be a travel club member. It’s free.
Let’s get back to exploring this wonderful world of ours in 2023. The Dalai Lama has it right, “Once a year, go someplace you’ve never gone before.”