He gets around

Tim Colbie has lived in Chico all his life, but that doesn’t mean he’s unfamiliar with the rest of the world. Colbie purchased Great Escape Travel Agency (on East Avenue, near Spiteri’s Deli) shortly after his 1992 graduation from Chico State, where he earned a business administration degree. He has traveled extensively, visiting places ranging from the interesting to the exotic. When he’s not off traveling, Colbie enjoys the many appreciable attributes of his hometown. “I like the small-town feel here, and I like knowing a lot of people.” Besides owning a business, Colbie stays active in the community. He is president of the Chico State Alumni Association, and he’s a member of the Chico Noon Rotary Club, which does community-service projects. Tim Colbie can be reached at 530-345-6126 or at <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript">{ document.write(String.fromCharCode(60,97,32,104,114,101,102,61,34,109,97,105,108,116,111,58,116,99,111,108,98,105,101,64,99,97,114,108,115,111,110,116,114,97,118,101,108,46,110,101,116,34,62,116,99,111,108,98,105,101,64,99,97,114,108,115,111,110,116,114,97,118,101,108,46,110,101,116,60,47,97,62)) } </script> .

What is the best trip you’ve ever been on?

It was a Caribbean cruise about eight years ago. About 60 friends from Chico went together. We do lots of friends cruises. We had a good time relaxing. I love the Caribbean. I’m a water person—I like snorkeling.

What’s the most exciting or scary experience you’ve had while traveling?

One time when I was flying from Vegas to L.A., the plane got hit by lightning. It just stopped, and then we could feel it shake. Then we lost electricity and the cabin went dark. [But we landed fine.]

What is your best travel advice?

Plan early, travel with people you enjoy being with, and go somewhere where you’ve never been before.

What’s the wildest experience you’ve had?

I broke up a fight between two flight attendants one time, on a San Diego to San Francisco flight. They must have had differences between them.

What is the best deal a person can get right now?

There are a lot of all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico that are really reasonable right now.

What’s the advantage of using a travel agency?

People come to travel agencies so they can get professional travel advice, and it’s hard to get that online at times.

Are there any places you haven’t seen that you’re eager to visit?

Yes—Australia, New Zealand and Greece.