Is Italy on Your List for 2024? Say “Ciao Bella!” With 3 New Tours

Dear Traveller,

New year, new tours!

We’re excited to offer several new trips in 2024 – including three fantastic itineraries that include La Bella Italia. We will explore the Italian Riviera, and visit Friuli-Venezia Giulia, known as both “Italy’s Secret Garden” and “Europe’s Best Kept Secret.”

We’ll also be stopping in Italy as part of a fantastic Mediterranean cruise on the brand-new Sun Princess, travelling from Athens to Rome and stopping in Montenegro, Greece, Italy, France, and Spain!

Whatever tour appeals to you, you’ll get to experience wonderful culture and food, take in unforgettable scenery – and live la dolce vita every day.

Of course, we have lots more tours to whet your travel appetite, and 8 tour types so you can pick the style that suits you best. I encourage you to explore them all – online or in a brochure! If you haven’t received one of our printed brochures, please just ask and we will pop one in the mail.

Happy New Year – and happy travels!

Danny Shay
President, Senior Discovery Tours

From Greek Ruins to The Godfather: 5 Great Things to Do in Messina, Sicily

Explore Taormina
Beautiful doesn’t begin to describe this ancient cliff-top town. (If you watched the second season of the TV show White Lotus, that’s where it was set.) Charming streets, unbelievable views, rich history, great shopping and dining…Taormina has it all.

Fun fact: Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton spent time in Taormina back in the day, and locals tell the story of a tempestuous Liz breaking a street musician’s mandolin over Richard’s head after one of their many arguments.

Taormina’s pièce de résistance is Antico Teatro, an incredible open-air Greek theatre poised on the edge of a cliff. It’s still in use, hosting events and performances year-round. We highly recommend a visit to immerse yourself in history and the splendour of the incredible setting.

Hike Mount Etna
Explore otherworldly volcanic landscapes on a guided tour of Europe’s highest and most active(!) volcano. There are hiking trails of various difficulty levels, where you’ll trek past craters that might be emitting smoke – or sometimes even lava! If you want to get closer to the summit, there are cable cars and off-road vehicles to take you to the perfect vantage point to see the ashfields, vineyards, rolling hills and medieval towns below.

Walk in the footsteps of Michael Corleone
If you’ve watched Coppola’s iconic, The Godfather trilogy, you’ll love this fascinating tour that visits Savoca and Forza d’Agro, the villages where the movies were filmed. Stops include St. Lucy Church, where Michael married Apollonia, and Bar Vitelli, where he asked Mr. Vitelli if he could marry his daughter. If you’re a fan, this day is definitely an offer you can’t refuse!

Walk around Messina
For many people, Messina is the gateway to Taormina, Mount Etna and the beaches of Giardini Naxos. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a wander. Especially if you’re looking for a quieter experience with a solid dose of authenticity. You can see the highlights in about half a day, including the bell tower with the world’s most complex astronomical clock.

Do a cannoli-tasting tour
Crunchy and creamy, with a deep-fried shell stuffed with sweet ricotta, you’ll find versions of this classic Sicilian pastry everywhere – and everyone will tell you theirs is the best. We recommend deciding that for yourself by trying them wherever you go! (If you want to make them yourself, try the nonna-approved recipe below.)

Messina is just one stop on our incredible Mediterranean itinerary: Learn more about our Mediterranean Cruise aboard the Sun Princess plus overnights in Athens and Rome, departing May 23, 2024.

The Fab 5: Exploring the Villages of Cinque Terre

Dramatic cliff sides dotted with candy-coloured houses. Hiking trails and cute cafes. Teal waters and stunning views, Cinque Terre is pure magic. This lovely little slice of the Italian Riviera boasts five romantic, postcard-perfect villages, each one more charming than the last.

The area is car-free, but you can hike, hop on a ferry or take the train to get from town to town: whatever you choose, you’ll get to take in spectacular scenery. Each village has a slightly different vibe, ranging from beachy and busy to secluded and private.

Riomaggiore
The largest of the five Cinque Terre villages is a photographer’s dream, especially at sunset. Picture it: pastel buildings stepping down from impossible heights, ending at a tiny harbour filled with fishing boats. And when you’ve finished capturing the incredible views, you can cool off with a quick dip at pretty, pebbly Fossola Beach.

Manarola
Famous for its sweet sciacchetrà wine, tiny Manarola is surrounded by rugged vineyards, giving it a secluded, protected feel. It’s reportedly the oldest village in the group, with cute nooks and laneways that are charming, romantic… and downright dreamy. It’s the perfect place to sip a spritz and channel your inner Sophia Loren.

Corniglia
The smallest village of the bunch, Corniglia sits atop a rocky promontory and is the only one without direct sea access. (However, you can walk down some steep steps to a rocky cove that’s suitably picturesque.) It has lovely little streets to explore, with narrow alleys and the area’s signature pastel homes. If you want to get a shot of all five villages at once, this is the place to do it: the town has a sea-facing terrace that is the perfect photo op.

Vernazza
This village is the steepest (and arguably the prettiest) with Cinque Terre’s only natural harbour. The water’s edge is lined with charming cafes and al fresco restaurants, perfect for sipping a crisp glass of rosato or enjoying a fresh catch of the day. If you’re feeling energetic, climb to the top of the Doria Castle tower to take in some truly incredible views.

Monterosso
If you’re beach-bound, this is the place to go. Monterosso is the only town with a sandy beach, and it’s a lovely spot for a relaxing day at the shore. You can rent loungers and colourful beach umbrellas by the hour or by the day. The town itself is the largest of the group and is perfect for exploring, shopping and sampling local delicacies (we recommend the focaccia with anchovies).

Tempted by Cinque Terre’s many charms? You can visit as part of our Liguria – The Italian Riviera “Off-the-Beaten-Path” trip, which is all stunning seascapes, postcard-worthy towns – and the chance to live La Dolce Vita every day.

Discover One of Europe’s Best-Kept Secrets

Let’s take a wander through the wonders of Italy’s Friuli region.

If you love Italy but are looking for a trip that gets you away from the crowds, Italy’s Friuli-Venezia Giulia region is the perfect under-the-radar destination. It’s a wonderful combination of Alpine peaks and verdant valleys, lagoons and beaches, cosmopolitan cities and tiny, charming towns. The area borders Austria, Croatia, and Slovenia, so you’ll notice a variety of languages and cultural influences – and a rich history dating back to Roman times.

A lot of people (even many Italians!) don’t really know about this lovely region. While it’s not exactly undiscovered, it doesn’t get the same kinds of mass tourism as many parts of Italy.

Here are just a few Friuli experiences we love:

Trieste: Friuli’s capital is a fascinating spot known affectionately as “Little Vienna.” Because it was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire, the architecture gives things a much more Mitteleuropean flavour. Take a walk through the majestic Piazza Unita d’Italia to get a sense of the city’s imperial past, browse through historic shops, and stop at a cafe for coffee and a tasty struccolo (like a strudel) stuffed with apples or cherries.

Grado: This ancient Roman resort town is known for its golden beaches. It looks like a miniature version of Venice, with picturesque boat-lined canals and historic buildings. Known as the “Island of the Sun,” it’s the perfect backdrop for beach days and relaxed exploration.

Aquileia: This was the region’s first capital city, and it dates all the way back to 181 BC. So if you’re a fan of Roman ruins and archeology, this town is truly something to behold with evidence of the town’s early origins everywhere. The basilica is especially impressive: don’t miss the massive early Christian mosaic of the Tree of Life.

Amazing food and wine: From the hilltop town famed for its prosciutto to gracious vineyards known for their fragrant, elegant whites, Friuli is a region foodies love. They call their cuisine “mare e monti” (sea and mountains), and you’ll see both influences in the local cuisine. We love the sardoni in savôr, a dish with layers of anchovies and onions, and cjalsòns, ravioli stuffed with chocolate and cinnamon.

You can explore Friuli on our new Pearls of the Adriatic tour, which starts with two nights in Venice, then spends 11 nights in Grado for a stay-put itinerary that’s a lovely balance of exploration and relaxation.

Sicilian Cannoli

Want to try making these Italian treats yourself? It takes a little work, but the result is so worth it!

Ingredients

For the shells:

• 2 cups flour
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp butter, softened
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 1 large egg white
• Vegetable oil, for frying

For the filling:

• 2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese, drained
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Combine flour, sugar, and salt, add the butter and mix until you have a coarse mixture. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wine and egg white, then gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ones, mixing until a dough forms.

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth. Wrap in plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes. Roll out to about ⅛” thickness and cut out circles (4-5” diameter).

Heat oil to 350°F. Wrap each circle of dough around a cannoli tube, sealing the edges with a little water. Fry until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Place on paper towels to cool.

Combine ricotta, powdered sugar, and vanilla and mix until smooth. Fold in the mini chocolate chips. Use a piping bag or spoon to fill the cooled shells. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Buon appetito!

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Ready to travel? Let us save your seat!
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 2024 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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