Celebrating the Holidays & Dreaming Travel Dreams

Dear Traveller,

The most wonderful time of year is here, and with it, I wish you warm celebrations with good company, delicious food, plenty of laughter – and a chance to kick back, relax and dream of 2024.

I love those quiet days when all the presents are unwrapped and the leftovers have been eaten. It’s my time to plan the things I want to do in the coming year – including the places I want to see most. 2024 will be here before we know it, and with it, tons of incredible travel opportunities.

What’s on your travel wish list for 2024? A sun-drenched jaunt to the South of France? An epic hike along the stunning Italian coast? A trip through Canada’s picturesque Rockies on the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer? There are so many possibilities!

In this month’s newsletter, we’re featuring three incredible destinations to get you inspired. Whether you’re looking to relax on Bermuda’s pink beaches, go fjord-hopping in Scandinavia, or explore the foods of Portugal and Spain, we’ve got some great ideas to fuel your 2024 wish list.

Happy holidays – and cheers to a new year full of amazing travel!

Danny Shay
President, Senior Discovery Tours

Bermuda: Pink Sand and Perfect Sun

Fun Facts You Might Not Know About The Beautiful Island:
Pink beaches and pastel houses. British bobbies and afternoon tea. Bermuda isn’t your typical island experience…how much do you know about this unique vacation favourite? We bet there might be a few facts on this list that will surprise you!

Bermuda isn’t actually in the Caribbean
In fact, the island is geographically closer to North Carolina than Cuba or Jamaica. It’s over 1,200 km away from the Bahamas and is officially categorized as a sub-tropical island.

Bermuda is the shipwreck capital of the world
There are over 300 shipwrecks in the waters around the islands, some dating back to the 1600s. Many of them aren’t in deep water and are easy to see if you’re snorkeling. The biggest one is the Cristobal Colon, a Spanish luxury liner that sank in 1936.

The town of St. George is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
This charming spot, founded in 1612, is chock-full of cultural history. St. Peter’s Church, for example, is the oldest Anglican place of worship outside the British Isles.

You can walk the island from end to end
The former railway is now Bermuda Railway Trail National Park, where you can walk or ride a bike almost 30 km from St. George to Sandy’s Parish – and take in some truly spectacular scenery.

It’s #1 with discerning travellers
Okay, maybe this doesn’t come as the biggest surprise, but those in the know have a definite appreciation for Bermuda’s one-of-a-kind beauty and culture. Voters in the Condé Nast Traveller 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards have chosen Bermuda as the number #1 spot in the Caribbean and Atlantic category 18 times since 1994, including this year!

Book the perfect break in Bermuda
Join us for pink sands, potent cocktails, and a first-class experience you won’t forget! You’ll stay at the first-class, full-service Grotto Bay Beach Hotel, located on a secluded cove with incredible views of the island’s azure waters. Golf, snorkel and swim, explore nearby St. George and Hamilton – or just kick back on the beach and enjoy at your own pace.

Learn more about our tour to Bermuda.

Eat Your Way Through Spain & Portugal

Must-try Foods in the Algarve & Costa del Sol:
Sampling local cuisines and regional specialties is as much a part of the travel experience as seeing the sights – after all, what better way to dive into a culture than through the flavours and textures of its foods?

If you’re planning to join us on our trip to Portugal and Spain, these are some tastes you won’t want to miss:

Cataplana
This delicious seafood stew is a specialty in the Algarve, the southernmost region of Portugal. Served in a metal “cataplana” dish, it includes onions, peppers, tomatoes, white wine, pork, chicken, fish and seafood. It’s usually a meal meant for 2, and is served over rice or potatoes (or sometimes both).

Pastéis de nata
You’ve probably tried a Portuguese egg custard tart. But if you haven’t tasted the crunchy, flaky, creamy goodness of a pastel de nata in Portugal, you haven’t lived. You can find good ones pretty much anywhere in Lisbon, but if you want to try the original, don’t miss the Pastéis de Belém, which pumps out 20,000 pastries every day, using a recipe that hasn’t changed since they invented the sweet treat in 1837.

Chouriço à Bombeiro
Meat lovers regularly fall head-over-heels for this juicy, spicy Portuguese chorizo sausage. Grilled in a traditional clay pot filled with flaming brandy, it’s warm, crispy, and unbelievably delicious. Perfect paired with cheese, bread – and some Portuguese red wine!

Try Them All On Your Spring Trip to Spain & Portugal! 
Join us for our relaxing Spain and Portugal 2-Centre Resort Holiday, with 4 dates coming up in February and March 2024. You’ll spend 6 nights in Spain’s lovely Costa del Sol in the seaside resort town of Torremolinos, where you can relax on the beach, go on exciting excursions, explore shops and galleries – and taste all the amazing foods Southern Spain has to offer.

Next up is a 6-night stay in Albufeira, an inviting seaside town in Portugal’s beautiful Algarve. Enjoy the old town, explore the picturesque cliffs and beaches, and get to know the local cuisine.

We’ll head to Lisbon for the last night, where you’ll have a chance to try the most iconic Portuguese delicacy of all: the eggy, gooey, flaky pastel de nata! (We recommend trying a few different spots – they’re all a little different, but every last one is delicious, guaranteed.)

Learn more about the Spain and Portugal 2-Centre Resort Holiday.

3 Fairytale Cities of the North

Exploring Scandinavia’s Incredible Capitals
Medieval castles and modern art. Natural wonders and Viking lore. Chic shopping and singing superstars. Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo are each a unique blend of tradition and cutting-edge culture – and all three are stops on our popular Scandinavian itinerary this spring.

Get hygge with it in Copenhagen
Denmark’s vibrant capital has a lot going for it: rich culture, amazing architecture, and a thriving restaurant scene. Sustainability is a big part of the culture here, too. They really walk the talk when it comes to being healthy and eco-conscious. Much of the food is organic and sustainably produced, and the city is very bicycle-friendly, with an extensive network of cycling lanes and bike sharing programs.

There’s an overall sense of cozy comfort to Copenhagen
That’s “hygge” – a cultivated sense of coziness and contentment. You’ll find touches of it everywhere, from the inviting cafes to the easy-going personalities of local residents.

3 Can’t-Miss Things To Do In Copenhagen:
1. The Little Mermaid statue: You can’t come to the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen without a visit to the iconic statue inspired by his fairy tale.

2. Nyhavn: Take a stroll along a picturesque canal lined with colourful, historic buildings that house wonderful shops and restaurants. Stop by #20, where Andersen wrote The Princess and the Pea and other famous stories.

3. Reffen Street Food Market: If you find yourself feeling peckish, head over to this foodie paradise, which has over 40 stalls serving foods from all over the world. It’s the perfect place to sample the New Nordic Cuisine, a food trend that’s all about healthy, local and seasonal ingredients.

Say Hej to Stockholm.
Sweden’s dynamic capital is a wonderful mix of old and new. It’s where chic shops and avant-garde art sit next to gracious palaces and storybook settings. Stroll through lovely gardens, take in canal views, and explore the historic streets of Old Town.

3 Great Spots in Stockholm:
1. Gamla Stan (Old Town): This small island in the centre of the city tops the city’s must-see list. And for good reason: it’s like walking into a fairy tale. Founded in 1252, it’s all narrow cobblestone streets, charming shops and historic buildings, and it’s where you’ll find the Royal Palace, the Nobel Museum, and Stockholm Cathedral.

2. Swedish History Museum: Explore one of the biggest Viking collections in the world, with interactive exhibits and 2,500+ original artifacts. If you’re in a shopping mood, we highly recommend picking up a piece of replica Viking jewelry in the museum’s well-stocked shop.

3. ABBA the Museum: Know all the words to Super Trouper and dance around your kitchen every time SOS comes on? This museum will be your happy place. Sing your heart out with ABBA karaoke in a replica recording studio, check out their iconic costumes, or perform as a fifth member of the band. You might walk into this place, but when you leave, you’ll definitely be dancing. Mamma Mia!

Oslo: Scandinavia’s oldest city
If you’re into museums and art galleries, Oslo has countless world-class options. For foodies, the city offers a diverse (and delicious!) culinary scene with everything from international dining to traditional Norwegian fare.

3 Oslo Experiences We Love:
1. Holmenkollen Ski Museum and Tower: This is the world’s oldest ski museum, located at the iconic Holmen ski jump. Head to the top for panoramic views of Oslo…and a thrilling reminder of what a rush it must be to jump from such a height!

2. Grünerløkka: Oslo’s “hipster” neighbourhood, formerly a dockworkers’ district, is now a charming locale to spend a few free hours. Browse cute design boutiques, explore vintage shops, discover local foods – or just while away the afternoon with coffee and a skolebrød (Norwegian custard bun) in a sunny cafe.

3. Munch Museum: Before artist Edvard Munch died in 1940, he bequeathed a large portion of his work to the city, and this remarkable art museum is the result. The spectacular modern building houses his paintings, drawings and sculptures, and yes, you can see his iconic painting “The Scream” in person here.

Join us this Spring in Scandinavia! 
Visit thriving capitals and charming towns, cruise scenic fjords, tour historic castles, and even check out Lillehammer, home of the 1994 Winter Olympics.

Explore the Scandinavia – Norway, Denmark, and Sweden itinerary.

Holiday Fun Around the World

‘Tis the season for celebration, so we thought we’d share a few fun holiday traditions from all the places we’ve talked about in the newsletter this month.

On Boxing Day in Bermuda, you’ll find Gombey dancers throughout the streets. These traditional troupes, a blend of the island’s African, Caribbean and British cultures, transform the streets into a giant dance floor.

Christmas in Portugal is all about family. Many people set places at the table for loved ones who are no longer with them. They do this to remember – and to bring good fortune to the household for the upcoming year.

On January 5, cities and towns across Spain host La Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos – the Parade of the 3 Kings. The Magi ride on floats as their pages collect children’s letters and hand out sweets. After greeting the kings, children put out their shoes, and in the morning, find their footwear filled with the gifts of the Magi.

In Sweden, St. Lucia is celebrated on December 13, with processions of girls in white robes wearing crowns of candles on their heads. It’s a beautiful festival that lights up the darkest days of the year.

In Norway, Christmas is celebrated with a julebord, a festive buffet of traditional Norwegian dishes including ribbe (roasted pork belly), pinnekjøtt (sheep ribs), medisterkaker (pork meatballs), lutefisk (cod pickled in lye), and julepølser (Christmas sausage).

On Christmas Eve in Denmark, families put out a bowl of porridge to entice the Nisse, a mythical, mischievous gnome-like figure, to bring them good fortune for the rest of the year.

Season’s greetings from all of us at Senior Discovery Tours!

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Call to book 1.800.268.3492 or visit SeniorDiscoveryTours.ca

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CARP Members: Book your spot on any tours booked in 2023 and receive $100 off per person, per booking. Use promotion code: CARP at the time of booking. The discount must be applied at time of booking, is not valid on existing bookings, is not combinable with any other offer, and has no cash value.

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