Dear Traveller,
August is the sweet spot of summer: long evenings and a slower pace. It’s a month that gives you time to dream and maybe even plan your next trip. There’s nothing like having something wonderful to look forward to especially as things get busier in the fall.
This month, we're featuring three very different journeys with one thing in common: they are all unique trips that go beyond the typical “tourist” version, immersing you in remarkable places, people and moments most travellers don’t get to experience.
On our Southern Spain: Treasures of Andalusia tour, move through Granada, Seville, and the Costa del Sol at a relaxed pace, seeing the Alhambra, the Mezquita of Córdoba, whitewashed villages and sampling plenty of wine, olive oil, and Iberian ham along the way. Explore Andalusia with us.
The Inner Fjords Explorer is Norway as few travellers have seen it: aboard the intimate MS Trollfjord, a small ship built to sail deep into narrow fjords and dock in villages bigger vessels can't reach. See where we'll sail.
Guadalajara & Lakeside Mexico takes you to Jalisco, the birthplace of mariachi, tequila, and charrería, a Mexico most visitors miss, with a full week of relaxation on the peaceful shores of Lake Chapala. Discover the real Mexico.
Whatever destination you're dreaming of next, we'll take care of every detail. All you have to do is enjoy the journey!
Happy travels!
Danny Shay, President
Senior Discovery Tours
Silk, Spice & Sips of Tea: Shopping Granada's La Alcaicería
In the shadow of Granada's grand cathedral lies La Alcaicería, a knot of narrow lanes that were once home to the city's ancient silk market.
Dating back to the 14th century, silk woven here was traded all across the Mediterranean: the bazaar’s wares were so precious that the nine gates into the market were locked and carefully guarded each night. Silk goods were only traded here, selling outside the market was prohibited by law. As the silk trade declined, empty stalls were gradually taken over by merchants selling non-silk goods; cloth, leather, gold, and other merchandise began to appear.
In 1843, the original market was destroyed in a fire but the city lovingly rebuilt it in a neo-Moorish style with horseshoe arches, slender columns, and ornate plasterwork. Today it’s a picturesque maze of small shops that feels like stepping into another era, especially in the quieter morning hours.
Tips for smart shoppers:The stalls are filled with beautiful souvenirs and bargaining is welcome. Don’t be shy about negotiating: you can often get a better deal if you ask, especially if you're buying multiple items.
The good finds are the locally made ones. Keep an eye out for:
- Fajalauza pottery, the blue-and-green glazed ceramics made in Granada since the 1500s
- Taracea, the intricate wood inlay used for boxes, trays, and chessboards
- Embroidered shawls and scarves
- Stained-glass farola lanterns
Sip while you shop. A short stroll away in Calle Calderería Nueva, the “tea street” is lined with Moroccan-style teterías. Stop for a glass of sweet mint tea and a pastry before diving back into the lanes.
Join us on our 16-day Southern Spain: Treasures of Andalusia tour to experience La Alcaicería and Granada's historic centre. The itinerary also includes stays in Córdoba, Seville, Ronda, and the Costa del Sol, departing March 2, 2027.
Up Close and Personal with Norway's Inner Fjords
On most cruises, Norway's most dramatic scenery is something you admire from a distance, big ships can’t get into the narrowest fjords and smallest harbours. The MS Trollfjord was specifically built for those tight spaces, making it the ideal way to explore this stunning coastline.
Small ship, big difference. With 270 cabins and a max of 500 guests, the Trollfjord is a fraction of the size of typical cruise ships. Instead of casinos and waterslides, you'll find classic Nordic interiors finished in wood and stone and a calm, convivial atmosphere.
Go where the bigger ships can't. The Trollfjord hugs the coastline, sailing into narrow Kvinnheradsfjord and deep into Sognefjord, Norway's longest and deepest. Unlike larger ships that must anchor offshore and bring passengers in by tender, it easily docks in small villages like Rosendal, Skjolden, Olden, and Eidfjord. This means you can step right off the boat into the area’s charm and beauty.
Learn, listen, and enjoy. Gather in the ship’s two-storey panoramic lounge for talks on local wildlife and the Northern Lights. Take in live music in the evenings or just sit and watch the incredible show as the scenery glides by each day.
Deeply Norwegian, right down to the menu. The MS Trollfjord crew hails from Scandinavia and the cooking is proudly Nordic: the ship's main restaurant, Flora, takes its inspiration from Norway's herbs, berries, mushrooms and produce.
Bookended by two nights in Oslo, a ride on the famous Flåm Railway and a stay in colourful Bergen, the 12-day Inner Fjords Explorer departs September 16, 2027. Discover Norway at its most authentically simple, scenic and quietly spectacular.
Mariachi, Tequila & Charrería: Mexico, Straight from the Source
If your trips to Mexico so far have been mostly beaches and resort buffets, Jalisco is a revelation. Often called “the most Mexican of all Mexican states,” this is where its cultural icons were born; mariachi, tequila, and charrería all trace their roots here. It’s the place to experience authentic Mexico, while still getting plenty of beach time.
Tequila, the town. Visit the birthplace of Mexico’s iconic spirit. Snack on local Jalisco specialties like birria and tortas ahogadas, sip on a perfect margarita, and do a tequila tasting at a traditional distillery. And enjoy the view: the whole surrounding valley is a UNESCO World Heritage landscape, honouring the blue agave fields and historic distilleries that have shaped this region for centuries.
Charrería, live. Mexico's national sport is part rodeo, part equestrian ballet, and entirely rooted in Jalisco. Take in a traditional charrería performance – coordinated riding, rope work, and spectacular traditional dress for a vivid glimpse into the country's ranching heritage.
Mariachi, where it was born. You can hear mariachi anywhere in Mexico but only in Jalisco are you getting it at the source. The music took shape in the ranchos of this region, where folk musicians developed the sound we know today: soaring violins and trumpets anchored by the deep strum of the guitarrón. Even the musicians' embroidered suits come from Jalisco's charro horsemen.
Plenty of time to unwind. In addition to incredible cultural discoveries, Guadalajara's historic centre, the Orozco murals of the UNESCO-listed Hospicio Cabañas, the artisan villages of Tlaquepaque and Tonalá where you’ll also spend a week relaxing at a resort on Lake Chapala. Explore neighbouring villages, relax in a thermal spa, and enjoy the sun and blue water in a place that’s the very definition of Mexico.
Ready to experience a Mexico most people don’t see? This winter, join us on our 16-day Guadalajara & Lakeside Mexico tour, departs February 9, 2027.
Why Travel with Us? Reason #8:
8 Tour Types to Suit Your Travel Style
A whirlwind of destinations or one sunny home base? A scenic rail journey or an active walking tour? With 8 distinct tour styles, each with clearly marked activity levels (from 1-4), it's easy to find an adventure that matches your pace, interests, and your idea of the perfect trip.
A Beginner's Guide to Tequila Tasting in Mexico
Forget the salt, the lime and the shot glass. In Jalisco, tequila is savoured the way the French savour cognac; slowly, thoughtfully, and with real appreciation.
Here's how to taste like a local and know your styles:
Blanco (silver): Unaged and bottled fresh from the still, blanco is tequila in its purest form: bright, crisp, and full of the agave's natural sweetness, with notes of citrus and pepper. This is the style connoisseurs often reach for first.
Reposado (rested): Aged in oak barrels for two months to a year, reposado is smoother and softer, picking up gentle notes of vanilla and caramel while keeping the agave character front and centre. A lovely middle ground.
Añejo (aged): After one to three years in oak, añejo turns deep gold, with rich flavours of toffee, spice, and dried fruit. Sip it slowly after dinner, as you would a fine whisky or brandy.Tips for tasting:Look: Good tequila should be clear and bright. Tilt the glass and watch the "legs" trail down the side, slow legs suggest a rich, well-made spirit.
Smell: Sniff the glass gently. You're looking for cooked agave, citrus, herbs, and (in aged styles) vanilla and oak.
Sip: Take a small sip and let it rest on your tongue a moment before swallowing. No tossing it back! A quality tequila should be smooth and warming, never harsh.
Choose 100% agave: Check the label for "100% de agave", it's the mark of a true tequila, made with no added sugars or fillers.
* Insider Bonus: Ask your guide about raicilla, Jalisco's "other" agave spirit. Made in the state's mountain villages for centuries, this rustic cousin of tequila is beloved by locals – and almost unknown outside Mexico.
