Meet Some of the Local Vendors Behind Collette’s U.S. Travel Experiences

America is a place of many, where every region, community, and stretch of land holds its own unique character. Along Maine’s rugged Atlantic shores, a lobstering culture thrives. In Alaska, majestic wintery landscapes are strewn with dog sled trails. In the Pacific Northwest, pockets of towering trees welcome you into quiet, wooded wonderlands.

It’s this sense of place — rich, varied, and local — that makes exploring the country so memorable. And on our tours across the United States, we work with local vendors and businesses who help bring this spirit to life through unique and authentic experiences.

As we approach America’s 250th anniversary and celebrate all that’s here, we’re highlighting a few of the outstanding vendors we collaborate with across the country. Read on to meet them.

Sequoia Guides

Stand beneath the soaring sequoias in California’s Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and chances are you’ll feel a wondrous sense of smallness. Here, on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada, is the only place in the world where giant sequoias naturally grow. But visiting these ancient trees isn’t just about seeing them; it’s about understanding their story, including the diverse ecosystems around them and the fascinating way in which they’ve evolved.

That’s why we partner with Sequoia Guides on our Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks tour. Lead Guide Krista Simonic has been running Sequoia Guides since 2019, crafting meaningful experiences for visitors. With her background in environmental studies, years spent assisting the National Parks Service, and passion for these ancient trees, Krista and her team offer insights that go far beyond what you’ll find on a trail sign. (You can learn more in our interview with Krista here.)

Brooklyn Seltzer Boys

The Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Broadway, Times Square…there’s a long list of popular NYC-specific experiences wrapped up in the city’s character. But what about the lesser-known gems — the traditions and stories — that don’t make it onto the first page of the guidebooks?

One such gem is showcased by the Brooklyn Seltzer Museum. This family-run business, now in its fourth generation, celebrates the bubbly tradition that has shaped New York City life and communities for over a century: seltzer. Beginning in the late 1800s, seltzer quickly became a cultural hallmark in NYC, with “seltzer men” delivering glass bottles door-to-door across neighborhoods. The museum, which lives inside the Brooklyn Seltzer Boys’ active factory, teaches visitors all about this history, the manufacturing process, and those legendary “seltzer men” who still deliver to homes around Brooklyn today. It’s a must-do local experience on our Spotlight on New York City Beyond the Bridges tour.

Montana Water People Tours and Camp Kapapa

On Montana: Exploring Big Sky Country, we work with Montana Water People Tours and Camp Kapapa to bring visitors a window into the Indigenous heritage that is woven into the land.

This experience occurs at Flathead Lake, most of which lies within the Flathead Reservation, home to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation. At one point, these tribes had territories that stretched out of Montana and into Idaho, British Columbia, and Wyoming. Though their land has been drastically reduced, the Tribal way of life continues on to this day, passed down through generations.

Through Montana Water People Tours and Camp Kapapa, travelers have the opportunity to meet a descendant of the last Kootenai chief and hear firsthand about the importance of the land in native life.

Trail Breaker Kennel

Those dog sled trails we mentioned earlier? They’re part of one of Alaska’s long-standing traditions: dog-mushing. And on Alaska's Northern Lights, we work with Trail Breaker Kennel to bring you an inside look at this enduring piece of local culture.

Established by the legendary Susan Butcher — a four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race champion and pioneer in the sport — Trail Breaker Kennel is still run by her family, who proudly carry her legacy forward. During your visit, you’ll meet the mushers and their energetic pups, glide over the snow with a pack of sled dogs, and enjoy dinner in the kennel owner’s home.

Explore our United States Guided Tours

Thoughtfully selected partnerships like these bring you beyond the surface of a destination, while also helping to support local communities and businesses. Whether you’re exploring the history of seltzer in Brooklyn, walking among sequoias with a passionate naturalist, or hearing tribal history from those who carry it forward, these are the types of experiences that bring places, communities, and landscapes to life.

Explore our 40+ expertly planned, expertly led U.S. tours to see what moments are waiting for you from coast to coast.