Get Ready to Fall in Love with These Romantic Destinations!

Dear Traveller,

February is upon us, and with it, our annual celebration of all things romantic. In
the spirit of this month, we’re highlighting a few destinations that’ll have you feeling all the love.

There’s Paris, of course: from moonlit walks along the Seine to sipping rosé in a charming cafe, the City of Love will make you fall head over heels, guaranteed. Or taste your way through Italy on a romantic gourmet tour. If you’re looking for a getaway a little closer to home, the towns and villages of La Belle Province will have you smitten.

We may be a little biased, but to us, there’s nothing more romantic than travel: seeing new places, having amazing experiences, and spending time with someone you love.

From all of us at Senior Discovery Tours, happy travels!

Danny Shay, President
Senior Discovery Tours

P.S. Our newest brochure will be arriving at your doorstep soon with some exciting new tours to fall in love with! In the meantime, you may view/download the digital version here. Get ready to embark on a travel journey that will ignite your spirit in 2024!

Let’s taste our way through Italy with these 5 Italian dishes

Fresh ingredients, volcanic soil and a culture centred on eating – it all adds up to an experience any foodie will fall for. Here are a few of our favourite dishes:

Truffles
This sought-after delicacy grows abundantly in the Umbrian countryside. Black truffles are intensely earthy, nutty and umami-rich, while the white ones have a delicate flavour reminiscent of garlic. Both are used in pasta sauces, cheeses and meats, scrambled into eggs (heaven!) and shaved on top of grilled meat.

Wild boar pasta
Pappardelle con ragù di cinghiale alla toscana is a traditional Tuscan recipe made with the meat of the area’s plentiful wild boars. Richly flavoured and hearty, it’s served on fresh, wide noodles that are the perfect counterpoint for the delicious sauce.

Panzanella
In Italy, throwing bread away is considered a sin, so Italian cooks have devised delicious ways to use up uneaten loaves. One of those dishes is panzanella, a refreshing bread and veggie salad. Fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions are tossed with cubes of bread and generously seasoned with vinegar and olive oil – some versions also call for tuna and capers. Yum.

Tortellini
Legend has it that this small stuffed pasta was inspired by the navel of Venus, the goddess of love. You have to try it at least once while you’re in Italy (though when you’ve tasted it, once probably won’t be enough). It’s traditionally filled with pork loin, prosciutto, mortadella, parmesan and nutmeg, and served in a beef broth. But every cook has their own version, so good news: you’ll need to sample a few to find your favourite.

Gelato
No trip to Italy is complete without a taste of this beloved frozen treat. Some might say no day is complete without it. Stick to a favourite flavour (limone for us!) or try a new one every day. The options are endless. To find fresh, handmade, all-natural gelato, look for more muted colours (brightly colourful ones likely have dyes) and shops that are slightly off the beaten path.

Hungry for these incredible tastes of Italy? Join us on our 14-day La Dolce Vita: Gastronomy and Wine of Italy tour. Together, we will hunt for truffles, make regional specialties, and enjoy some of the best cuisine in the world.

Exploring charming spots in La Belle Province

Cobblestones and carriage rides. Cute bistros and Michelin-starred hotspots. Quebec City is a destination that’s charming, sophisticated, and filled with fascinating history. Here are 5 areas worth a wander:

Vieux Quebec
This 400-year-old walled city is a designated UNESCO heritage site and a wonderfully picturesque place to explore. Stroll through the oldest streets in North America, pop into the iconic Chateau Frontenac for afternoon tea, or browse your way through the très charmant Quartier Petit-Champlain, a pedestrian street lined with local artisans, art galleries, and wonderful places to eat.

Sainte-Jean-Baptiste
Just outside the walls of the old town, you’ll find this bustling neighbourhood with its own brand of Quebecois charm. Originally a working-class district populated by merchants and craftsmen, it’s a lively area that’s a little less touristy than Old Quebec – and just as fun to explore.

You’ll find bookshops and creperies, bistros and wine bars, brew pubs, and live music venues. Pop into the old-fashioned Épicerie J.A. Moisan for a snack – it’s been in business since 1871, making it the oldest grocery store in North America! And if you love beautiful spaces, don’t miss the stunning Maison de la littérature, a converted church that’s now a public library and workspace for writers.

Saint-Roch 
This hip district is often compared to Williamsburg in Brooklyn, it has evolved into a dynamic community filled with tech startups, creative entrepreneurs, trendy shops, and some of the most talked-about restaurants in town. Enjoy a quiet moment in the Jardin Jean-Paul L’Allier, which has lovely gardens and a man-made waterfall, or take in the towering Église Saint-Roch. Shop on-trend boutiques, sample locally-sourced foods, or just hang out on a patio and people watch.

Montcalm
Named for the Lieutenant General who led French troops against the British in 1759, this edgy area is Quebec City’s art district. Bohemian with a touch of bourgeois, it’s the perfect destination for lovers of art, culture and design.

Bookshops, museums and art galleries abound here. Don’t miss the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (the National Museum of Fine Arts of Quebec), an architectural gem that houses over 40,000 works, primarily by Quebec artists, dating from the 16th century to present day.

Île d’Orléans
A few kilometres out of the city is a bucolic island chock full of history, with farms, quiet country roads and historic homes dating back as far as the 1600s. Taste fresh-picked strawberries, sip local cider and sample artisanal cheeses, chocolates and other tasty local fare.

Quebec City is just one stop on our 10-day Towns and Villages of Quebec tour. Join us as we explore the best of everything this unique province has to offer.

Five romantic things to do in Paris

Walking the cobbled streets hand-in-hand, sharing a carafe of wine in a quiet cafe, gazing at the sparkling Eiffel Tower off in the distance. There’s nothing quite like springtime in Paris. This month, we’re sharing a few of our favourite “moments of romance” in the City of Love.

An evening cruise on the Seine
Sip rosé as the sun sets and the lights of Paris illuminate your journey. C’est magnifique!

A walk in Montmartre
Take in the stunning view from the lovely Sacre Coeur cathedral, watch artists at work, and share a smooch (and maybe a selfie) at Le mur des je t’aime – the wall of love. It’s an art installation that celebrates amour, with “I love you” written in 300 languages.

Luxuriate in the beauty of Jardins du Luxembourg
This gracious 60-acre park has love at its very heart: it was commissioned by Marie de Medici after the tragic death of her beloved, King Henry IV. Walk through sculpted gardens and quiet forests, admire the ornate palace, or have a romantic picnic on the lush grounds.

Enchant your eyes with art
Visit the Musée de l’Orangerie and sit quietly together, taking in the enormous, serene canvases of Monet’s water lilies.

Raise a glass to love
Whether you’re at the top of the Tour Eiffel or in an unassuming local cafe, share a champagne toast to your future – and your next amazing trip together!

Experience these romantic moments or create your own as you spend 10 perfect days in May on our Springtime in Paris tour.

Sipping Champagne 101

Want to know how to taste bubbly like a pro? Use all your senses.

1. Choose the right glass. A flute is a good option: the narrow opening concentrates the aroma, enhancing the flavour.

2. Chill it. The best temperature for non-vintage varieties is 46° to 50° F (8° to 10° C), while vintages should be closer to 50° to 54° F (10° to 12° C).

3. Listen to the cork. If the bottle is at the right temperature, the cork won’t pop when you open it. Instead, you should hear a sound that’s more like a hiss or a sigh. (If it pops, the wine may be too warm.)

4. Feel the cork. It should be a little moist at the end – bone dry isn’t a good sign.

5. Pour with care. Hold the glass by the stem, tilt the bottle 45° and pour gently down the side to prevent foam. Fill the glass to its widest point.

6. Look before you sip. Observe the wine’s colour and clarity: champagne can range from pale straw to deeper gold. Look for lots of bubbles rising to the surface: that indicates freshness.

7. Give it a sniff. The fragrance adds to your overall sensory experience. But don’t swirl it like you would a still wine. Instead, let the bubbles release the aroma: simply bring it to your nose and inhale.

8. Taste it. Holding the flute by the stem so your hand doesn’t warm the wine, take a small sip – just enough to coat your tongue. Let it sit for a moment, then draw in a little air over it to experience the subtleties of the flavour.

9. Don’t forget the finish. After you swallow it, pay attention to the flavour that stays behind. A good champagne will leave notes that are pleasant and refreshing, and make you want to take another sip.

10. Take the next sip. And the next. Enjoy the rest of the glass…and then pour some more! After all, you only live once.

Want to sip champagne in Champagne? Join us on our Springtime in Paris tour this May: it includes a tour and tutored tasting at a well-known champagne producer, plus other incredible experiences.

Plan Your Future Journeys with Our New Brochure!

Our newly released 2024 Volume 3 Fall Tours and Cruises brochure is now available online and will soon arrive in your mailbox! Inside, you’ll find thrilling new tours from the Wonders of Thailand to enjoying the Fall in Austria. If you’re a fan of walking adventures, don’t miss our new destinations, including the Italian & French Alps!  If you are not currently on our mailing list, please sign up here – it’s free!

Have you heard about the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP)? We take pride in our approved partnership with CARP. If you’re a CARP member, you can enjoy an exclusive $100 discount per person on any new tours booked in 2024! Just use the promo code: CARP at the time of booking and provide your membership number and you’re set! Learn more here.

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Call to book 1.800.268.3492 or visit SeniorDiscoveryTours.ca

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